A daily regimen is on everyone’s mind, but how many steps and products do you really need? Sadly there is no magic bullet to deliver all our skincare goals, but with 5 easy steps, you can turn back the hands of time and keep your skin looking youthful. Five may sound daunting but below explains why you need each step to achieve glowing healthy skin.

Exfoliate:

The process of exfoliation is a lot like peeling away the dry, outer skin of an onion to reveal the living layers beneath. Whether the exfoliation is done using mechanical abrasion or a controlled chemical reaction, removing dead and damaged skin cells on the surface allows the fresh new skin underneath to become visible. This newly exposed layer of skin feels much softer and smoother. Its surface reflects light better, making fine lines and other small imperfections harder to see. Age spots and other areas of unwanted pigmentation are less noticeable because the dead skin cells containing the pigment have been removed. Exfoliation unplugs clogged pores and allows for the release of natural skin oils. Regular exfoliation also helps to maintain open pores, decreases pore size, and minimizes many types of superficial scarring. In addition, removing the top layer of dead and damaged cells allows treatment ingredients to penetrate the skin and work more effectively.

**Exfoliate your skin two to three times a week, unless you suffer from rosacea or eczema. Depending on the season and climate where you live, exfoliation can be increased or decreased.

Cleanse:

Cleansing or washing the face should happen at least once a day if not twice. Upon waking, washing the face will remove the residue from applied night treatments and regimen. If you choose to cleanse in the AM, make sure to use a cleanser that won’t strip or dry the skin. Cleansing the skin at night is a must! No exceptions here. The skin is exposed to many pollutants from just stepping foot outside your home. Soot, car exhaust, sun, second-hand smoke, and many other pollutants wreak havoc on the skin leaving a layer of dirt and free radicals. Makeup also needs to be removed no matter what.

**Sleeping in makeup is one of the worst things you can do for your skin. Clogged pores will lead to breakouts and or rashes.

Treat:

Pollution releases microscopic particles or free radicals that can go deep into the skin and cause damage to otherwise healthy cells. The outcome is a loss of elasticity (wrinkles and sagging) and Hyperpigmentation (dark spots). Pollution can cause uneven skin tone, dehydration, dryness, dark spots, expedited aging, wrinkles, sagging and deterioration of collagen.  Consider using products that employ the highest regarded pollution fighting ingredients, such as, Organic Red Tea, Ferulic Acid, Vitamin C, Vitamin B, Vitamin E, Retinol and Resveratrol.

Hydrate:

Look for ingredients that hydrate and repair. Plant stem cells are powerful ingredients that hydrate and repair damaged, aging, sagging skin. Organic Red Tea extract also restores important anti-oxidants and Birds of Paradise restore skin’s youthful appearance by reducing uneven skin pigmentation, dull and lackluster complexion resulting in an increased illuminated glow. Plant and botanical based oils are also a terrific way to get hydrated! Loaded with Vitamins C , E and F, Baobob, Kalahari, Marula, and Mongogo oils not only deliver hydration but also overall brightness and luminosity.

Protect:

Sun protection is crucial all times of the year but especially during the summer. Reapplication every hour when in direct sunlight and up to three times daily (AM/Mid—day/Afternoon) when going in and out of indoor/outdoor areas. As a general rule of thumb: if you are going to be outside for 20 minutes or more, SPF is recommended.

** “I always recommend an SPF of at least a 30. Wearing SPF safe clothing, like hats and glasses are crucial and extremely beneficial for sun protection.” Dr. G.


It’s a New Year so let’s take a look into our makeup bags – ditch the old and clear out to make room for new! Makeup bags, the subject of many discussions, can contain the remnants of days and looks gone by and serve as a host to bacteria that leads to clogged pores and breakouts.

Makeup Hygiene Rules To Follow: 

Give your brushes a bath. Makeup brushes hold host to bacteria, especially those used with any liquid type of makeup (foundation, eye, and lip). Brushes should be washed with a gentle shampoo and laid to dry overnight on a weekly basis to avoid spreading bacteria and giving you the cleanest + flawless brush finish! 

When you’ve come down with a cold or had the flu-get rid of things like toothbrushes, makeups and products you stick your finger in.

Lending your bestie your lip gloss is a great way to spread germs.

Most of us keep our makeup in the bathroom, but heat and humidity can allow yeast and mold to grow, so try and keep makeup away from the shower.

When To Say Buh-Bye:

Mascara= 3 months

Eye shadow powder= 2 years

Blush= 12 months

Foundation= 6 months

Lip gloss/lipstick= 12 months

Liquid eye liner= 3 months

Skincare= opened 9 months/unopened 2 years


Last but not least, its good to clean out the old and try something new. It is after all a new year with so many beautiful possibilities! Discover our favorite 2018 products?

Lisa’s 2018 addition: I have a slight obsession with bronzers and highlighters, so after my bag cleanse I had to add another.  Absolutely love the color of Bobbi Brown’s limited edition highlighting powder in Opal Glow!

Lauren’s 2018 addition: It’s no secret that Lauren is obsessed with lip gloss. Where usual goto is Chanel, I once counted five in one bag! This season she opted for Kevyn Aucoin’s Molton Lip Color topcoat in Opal. The perfect addition to any lipstick!

 

 

 

Every January people panic over what type of detox to attempt or foods to eliminate and by the third week, the old bad habits are usually back with vengeance. No need to fall off the wagon before February! So this year we decided to implement healthy choices all year long not just for January. We all know that the key to success is moderation. Instead of trying to quit every bad habit cold turkey, we are going to change it up on monthly basis. Every month we will decrease or eliminate an unhealthy habit. Below are a few tips and tricks to get the year started right!

Limit alcohol intake to once a week. If your job requires a lot of socializing try to drink 1:1- one water to every one alcoholic drink. This will help ward off dehydration.

Limit sugar intake to once a week. The trick with sugar is getting out of your system. Sugar is the devil and really the worst thing for your body. Start reading labels and thinking about what is in the food you eat. Hidden sugars will derail a healthy diet.

Switch dairy to a non-dairy choice. There are so many dairy alternatives available now. Soy, coconut milk, rice milk, and almond milk (which comes in many varieties). First and foremost milk is for baby cow consumption not human consumption. Dairy causes inflammation and is acid forming in our bodies. After pasteurization, all enzymes, proteins and vitamins are destroyed and therefore milk provides no real health benefits.

A fibrous diet is a happy one. If you suffer from constipation or lack of regularity, add a cruciferous vegetable to your diet. Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels and Kale all contain phytochemicals, vitamins and are very high in fiber. They are all also crunchy and easy to cook with.

Drink as much water as possible. Eight glasses always sounds like a lot, but it really does help the entire body. Your eyes and skin will be clearer and your body will function at a higher level when hydrated.

Try fasting. Fasting has been proven to help lower blood pressure, lose weight, lower cholesterol, improve insulin sensitivity and improve brain function and clarity. There are many types of fasts. The 5:2 has been written about a lot in the press. The ‘5:2 diet’ is eating normal 5 times a week and the other two days restricting calories to 500. Intermittent fasting consists of fasting everyday for at least 16 hours and then eating in an eight-hour window. Even fasting 24 hours once a week will deliver benefits.