March 9, 2012
We take training very seriously here at Skin by Marywynn. We want to be able to provide you with the latest information on skin care products and ingredients. I always leave a training session feeling even more excited about the industry we are in and the products we have access too. Most recently we met with our trainer for the Skin by Marywynn product line. Although I have worked with these products for two and half years now I was reminded once again of how amazing they are! Here a couple of key factors about each of our serums:
Stress Recovery Complex- This serum helps combat the effects of stress on the skin, as we have discussed before, stress increases the cortisol levels in the skin which can lead to cellular death. I don’t know about you but I need all of the healthy cells I can get! This calming serum helps to relieve redness, irritation, sensitivity and tension wrinkles. WOW, need I say more?
Advanced Firming Serum-This product contains the Matrixyl Peptide which is as effective as 5% Vitamin C or .07% Retinol. This complex helps to wake up the Collagen and Elastin which leads to firmer skin. This is especially helpful for slowing down the lines and wrinkles and is effective around the eyes as well.
Activating Liposome Complex- This serum is wonderful for skin with multiple problems. This product contains Beta Glucans which work on the surface of the skin to help with immune response. Basically they challenge the skin to correct itself. Wonderful for addressing dehydration, acne, as well as fine lines and wrinkles.
If you have not tried one of these products, ask about them on your next visit. Chances are you have had at least two or more of them on your skin at some point during a facial!
February 17, 2012
You would be surprised at how many times we hear this question asked. Here are some examples of reasons you should consider giving us a call:
- A facial provides proper analysis of your skin and correct product recommendations
- It includes exfoliation which refines your skin’s texture allowing better product absorption
- It is Anti-Aging by combating the negative effects of sun exposure and incorrect product use
- Stress Reduction-
- Stress is quickly rising to number 1 in the premature aging process (sun exposure is #2)
- Stress is a rosacea trigger
- Stress lengthens wound healing by up to 30%
- Stress shortens the life span of your skin cells
- Stress increases your cortisol levels triggering inflammation in the skin — weakens the skins barrier—increases dryness and sensitivity
- Stress aggravates acne- increased inflammation
- Stress makes every skin condition worse
- Women are more susceptible to stress aging
- Education
- We explain how to care for your specific skin type and conditions you may be experiencing. We also discuss diet and how it can affect your skin.
January 25, 2012
Ok, who else has holiday face? Seems like everyone, ourselves included, had too many sweets, way too much rich food and not enough sleep for the past month. Now our skin is suffering.
Sugar alone can cause crazy amounts of damage to the skin. Glycation happens when your blood sugar goes up rapidly and it attaches to your collagen. It stiffens it and turns it brown like creme brulee. Glycation of the collagen fibers makes the skin stiff and inflexible. This in turn contributes to deep wrinkles that make you look old. It also drives up insulin levels which contribute to acne. Dairy also plays a role, increasing certain hormones, like androgen, also increases acne.
If you are puffy, irritated, congested and all around not happy with your skin, get in here for some skin intervention.
December 8, 2011
Last week a client asked for the perfect product she could give to her mother who lives in Arizona and her sister in Chicago. Without hesitation I handed her two jars of the Soothing Gelle Mask
This is my favorite go to mask for all skin types. It quickly delivers comforting moisture and repair-support to the skin in minutes. Great for wind burn, like Chicago or sunburn like Arizona. Rosacea prone, acne, stressed or irritated skin will all benefit from this lovely and easy to use mask.
We also have a new shipment of earrings, rings and of course gift certificates are always a great way to go. Feeling crunched for time? We can ship any of our amazing products for you.
November 21, 2011
We are often asked which is better, eye cream or eye gel. Around here we are quite obsessive when it comes to eye products. When testing a new product we use it on one eye, testing it against the Valmont Contour which we consider the mac daddy of eye creams. That way there is clear and visible proof of a difference.
Both creams and gels are effective at treating wrinkles. There are 2 main differences as I see it. First, eye gels are better at reducing puffiness and dark circles. Second, if you have really sensitive eyes gels work much better at not bleeding into your eyes.
So if you are 20 a light weigh lotion/cream is perfect, but upon hitting your 30′s you want to target the under eye area with a great gel. Once you hit your 40′s you may use both a gel and cream like I do. If you have any questions about which is better for you, ask at your next appointment.
November 15, 2011
This is a great question. In a word the answer is yes.
Many of us who take care of our face tend to neglect our decollete and neck. Often when giving a facial I can feel a line of demarcation on the jawline, where the cleansing and exfoliation stop. Our skin shows signs of aging starting in our 30′s, one obvious sign is a wrinkled chest. I call it the tree, you know the one big wrinkle with several little shoots coming off in many directions.
The skin on our chest and neck have less sebaceous glands than our face, so already we have less oil. Even if we do put sunscreen on our face many of us, (including myself) didn’t extend it down as far as we needed to. Most neck neck creams are formulated a bit richer than face creams and tend to have better results in that delicate area. Consistent use will give you the best results long term.
When I wash my face at night with my Tu-el cleansing oil and herbalizer I make sure to wash my decollete and follow with my Valmont DNA repair serum and finish with the Valmont Neck Cream. We also carry a beautiful neck cream from Guinot that many of our clients are quite happy with as well.
During the day you must use your SPF all the way down, anywhere that is showing skin is where you should be applying your potions. Happy necking!
October 18, 2011
I have made a point lately of telling my clients to just stay out of the beauty aisles. Whether it’s a grocery store, box store or big name department store, just stay away! My training as a professional esthetician allows me to advise you on what is best for your skin type as well as any conditions that you are experiencing. Trust me I will save you SOOOOO much money. I too used to be an impulse buyer, which is what the beauty industry is banking on. They spend millions of dollars every year on catchy phrases, lovely packaging and promises of the ever so sought after “fountain of youth” serum, cream or potion.
Go to your bathroom and count how many bottles, jars, etc. that you have purchased either online or in the stores that you tried once and never used again. Add up how much you have spent on wasted products that did nothing for you either because you did not use them or they gave you some strange reaction. I would bet you will find at least a hundred dollars’ worth of products sitting on your shelves without including makeup. How many of us have purchased make up, only to realize that they were the wrong color for us once we left the store.
If you are feeling like you need a little “something” for your skin just give me a call. I am happy to recommend a little something something for you to try. As for Make up, we will personally color match you and apply whatever you would like to try. We even recommend wearing it for the day before you commit. No pressure here, we just want you and your skin to be happy!
October 15, 2011
Here are some crazy skin facts you can amaze your friends with at your next dinner party.
Did you know that your skin is the largest organ in your body? That it weighs approximately 7 lbs and is approximately 20 square feet? It contains approximately 25% of blood and 50% of your primary immune cells? That it takes in 2.5% if the body’s oxygen and releases 3% of carbon dioxide and produces hormones and enzymes? That it is alive up to the stratum corneum?
Now how cool is that? Just a few reasons you should treat it with care, it’s working really hard for you.
October 7, 2011
Right, so many of you ask what is the most important product you need for proper skin care. I always answer that if you aren’t currently using SPF that we start there. The longer answer is that I start with cleanser, if you are not cleansing properly your whole routine will be off. Then the right exfoliant, followed by serum(s), moisturizer, eye/lip cream. Once a week I recommend a good scrub of your whole body. Seems overwhelming but really with 10 good products, some of which can do double duty, it’s not all that daunting.
Here is my list of the 10 basic skin care essentials that everyone needs in their bathroom. I guarantee that most of you probably have many more than that, studies show the average is 14 but in order to simplfy your routine and allow you to clean out the old, inappropriate and unused products here is your go to list.
1. Cleansing milk, gel or oil
2. Herbalizer or toner
3. Exfoliant; can be scrub, enzymes or aha’s like glycolic
4. Serum
5. Moisturizer
6. SPF
7. Eye/lip cream
8. Mask
9. Body scrub
10. Body lotion
Now that’s not so hard is it?
August 8, 2011
Many people tend to think of Vitamin C only when cold and flu season rolls around. But did you know that Vitamin C is truly one of the unsung heroes in the skin care ingredient world?
Vitamin C improves skin appearance and visually lessens wrinkles by :
- Increasing dermal thickness by stimulating collagen synthesis
- Protecting Natural Killer (NK) cells of immune system
- Lightening the appearance of age-spots
- Strengthens capillary walls
Vitamin C serum is a must if you are a smoker, even if you are an occasional smoker. Of course you should quit, but until then use it twice a day. One drag of cigarette smoke (yours or second hand) kills 50,000 NK Cells. NK Cells are at the front line in the protection against cancer. Many of my clients that smoke notice a reduction in the overall redness of their skin when using it consistently.
An important tip to label reading if you currently use any Vitamin C skin care products, look for the key word “Ascorb” as in Ascorbic, Ascorbyl, Ascorbate. All forms are enzymatically transformed into bio-available L-ascorbic acid after absorption into the skin.
I’m not crazy about using L-Ascorbic Acid directly on the skin, it can be very irritating and unstable. Unstable Vitamin C can oxidize lipids, which in plain English means it can contribute to black heads. A few of my favorite forms of Vitamin C you will see on labels are Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate and Ascorbyl Palmitate. A simple way to determine if your Vitamin C serum or cream is stable is that when you apply it there is no tingle or burning.
A few of our favorite Vitamin C products are Tu’el’s Crystal C Serum, Valmont’s Infinite Radiance Essence and Cream as well as the DNA Repair Serum and our Moisture Replenishing Cream.
