As professionals, estheticians know that vitamin c is one of the best ingredients to use for the skin. It helps with skin aging, inflammation (which you don’t always know you have), suppresses free radical activity, brighten discoloration and even skin tone. (I’ve actually had clients tell me that it seems to lessen their hyperpigmentation but really their skin tone is evening out and the health of their skin has improved)
 
 
If you’re having some issues with your skin and you’re not sure which product is causing the issue then you should stop any that have acids, vitamin c or retinol. Wait a few days, then you can introduce one product back in at a time.
 
Here are some things to consider when choosing a Vitamin C serum…
 
Vitamin C should not cause dryness, redness or irritation. Check to see which kind of vitamin c you are using. Not all are created equal. Ascorbic acid or L-ascorbic acid are unstable forms and can sometimes irritate the skin, especially those who are sensitive. These acids have a low pH so therefore create an acidic effect on the skin. That can then encourage free radicals to have a party on your skin…counteracting the reason for using vitamin c. 
 
Research has shown that Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate is the best to fight free radicals and skin aging. Don’t forget that free radicals are what can damage the skin.
 
Blackheads should get better with vitamin c, not worse. What can happen when you use the ascorbic acid, it oxidizes quickly on the skin therefore creating more blackheads. 
 
Watch the color of your vitamin c. You want it to be a lighter color. If it starts to turn brown or coppery then it has already oxidized and you will not get the full effects of that ingredient.

Click here for my favorite Vitamin C serum.

Grapeseed Oil
It's been around for a long time but there are so many oils that are beneficial to your skin these days that it's hard to keep track of what we should and shouldn't use. They are all good for different reasons but not good for all skin types. Coconut Oil is probably the most talked about but also one of the most pore-clogging oils so I always advise to avoid this on your face. 
The best part about Grapeseed Oil, it's not expensive. You don't have to pay a fortune to get the benefits of this amazing oil. Here are some reasons why I think everyone should be using Grapeseed Oil…
 
1. Great for oily skin- It can help regulate the oil production in your skin. Your skin cannot produce water so when it feels dehydrated, oil is produced. When you use products (skin care or makeup) that take away the excess oil, your skin will again, produce more oil. It’s a viscous cycle. Grapeseed Oil is a good way to hydrate the skin and help slow down the excess oil.
 
2. Great for dry skin- It is a great hydrator when you find your skin to be dry or even chapped. A lot of people think that applying moisturizer multiple times of day will help but it won’t. Moisturizer doesn’t penetrate so it can’t solve the problem. 
 
3. Fast Absorption- This is a lightweight oil so it will absorb quickly and not leave the skin feeling greasy. You can use this all over your body too. Mix with your body lotion/cream or alone. I apply it all over at night, especially on my neck, chest and breasts. The more hydrated my skin is, the stronger it will be. Just trying to keep things high and tight for as long as I can!
 
4. Antioxidants- Yes, it contains antioxidants so it will protect you from those nasty free radicals that are determined to destroy your skin.
 
5. Collagen- Grapeseed oil protects the collagen in your skin and that is what keeps your skin firm. It also improves the production of elastin and hyaluronic acid (which helps bind moisture to the skin).
 
6. Skin Tone- Used daily and consistently, it may help your skin become more even and brighter. Remember, the more hydrated your skin, the more supple it looks. And that makes you look younger!
 
7. Waxing- Whenever I would get my brows and lip waxed, my skin would get irritated and stay that way for a few days. As soon as I started using Grapeseed Oil every night, the irritation went away. In fact, you can’t even tell I’ve been waxed an hour later. For someone who has very dry, sensitive skin, this was and is a life-saver. 
 
8. Pregnancy- Women are so limited on what they can use when pregnant but Grapeseed Oil is all-natural, so of course it’s safe to use. This is also a great product to use on your belly. When your skin stretches, it becomes itchy most likely because the skin is dry. Keeping it hydrated will definitely help the skin feel and look better. 

In the beauty industry there is always something newer and possibly better, what seems like, every week. It usually starts on a bigger scale with expensive machines and services and then companies find a way to make it more affordable to the everyday person. But when they do that, the benefits don’t usually transfer. At-home devices are a good example of this happening. So many things that can be done in the treatment room by professionals can now be done at home. I have talked about this more times than I can count and I have done podcast episodes about it too. Most of these devices, I do not recommend using them. Either because it’s a waste of money or because you can cause damage doing it yourself and in some cases, both can happen.
 
So let’s talk about what an oxygen facial actually is.
They claim to infuse oxygen into the skin. The procedure involves an oxygen facial machine that uses a stream of pressurized oxygen to deliver a hyaluronic acid serum or other hydrating moisturizer into your skin.
It’s usually a more basic facial with the oxygen treatment being the highlight. An oxygen machine delivers a continuous flow of oxygen into your skin to help the serum penetrate deeper. It’s not painful or uncomfortable. Oxygen is also naturally antibacterial and has a cooling, calming effect.
 
What are the benefits of this treatment?
  makes skin plumper
  reduces inflammation
  encourages the growth of stem cells and growth factors to help skin heal faster.
 
That is what is being said about the benefits, but is it true?
 
An oxygen facial is a treatment inspired by hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
 
Recommended for wounds that won’t heal or carbon monoxide poisoning, hyperbaric oxygen therapy increases the amount of oxygen your body can carry. This helps heal tissues and fight infections.
This is how it works: the person breathes pure oxygen in a pressured chamber, where the air pressure is three times higher than normal air pressure. This means that your lungs will get up to three times more oxygen.
But what does your body do with all that extra oxygen? Your blood carries it all over your body to stimulate the release of growth factors and stem cells – all things that help your body heal.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy works, we know this. But does blasting oxygen onto your skin have the same effect?
 
Companies making these oxygen facial machines claim they can reproduce the results of hyperbaric therapy and deliver more oxygen into the skin.
 
There is no scientific proof that the oxygen actually drives the nutrients deeper into the skin or has any other skin benefit.
A review of the scientific literature around oxygen facials shows that the “overall amount of scientific data supporting these methods was found to be scarce, anecdotal, and not well documented.”
 
Your skin will definitely look healthier and more glowing after these treatments. So if that is true, why are you seeing results when it seems like you shouldn’t.
 
Experts have 2 theories…
 

1. Dr Christopher B. Zachary, professor and dermatology department chairman at the University of California, suggests this plumping effect could be an inflammatory response caused by the blast of oxygen. And that’s NOT good for the skin.
2. The oxygen facial machine sprays a serum on your face. This usually contains hyaluronic acid, a well-known skin plumper.

All that extra moisture plumps up skin, so fine lines and wrinkles look smaller. Plus, it makes it softer and gives it a subtle glow.
 
Maybe you have also heard in regards to oxygen facials that they produce free radicals (nasty molecules determined to destroy your skin). Oxygen does generate free radicals but there is no evidence that suggests these treatments cause a problem.
 
Now we know that they can appear to work and the damage is inconsequential but are they still worth it? That depends. They are not cheap. Around $150-$200. And the results last about 4-7 days. I would possibly do this if I was getting married or going to a special event. This would not be what I would do as my monthly facial.
 
What about oxygen facials at home? Waste of money for sure. Oxygen is a gas so you cannot put it in a mask, even though you can find “oxygen-infused masks.” But as I have discussed many times over the years, the beauty industry loves to misinform and mislead.
You would have to dissolve it in perfluorocarbons (man-made compounds containing just fluorine and carbon) and put those in masks and creams.
When you apply the product on your skin, the oxygen starts fizzing out slowly like bubbles in your coke. It’s actually pretty cool to see but, it doesn’t do anything for your skin.
Most of the oxygen gets “wasted” to form bubbles. Very little will penetrate deep enough into your skin to plump it up and heal it.
 
At the beginning of this post I mentioned that companies will start big and then eventually you will start to see the at-home devices. And these oxygen treatments are no different. You can now purchase at-home oxygen infuser. I bought one for my treatment room just to see how it works and what it does for the skin. I like it. It provides extra hydration for my clients and since I’m in California, basically a desert, it’s pretty dry here. We barely had any rain this year so I will be using this device on my clients. It’s easy to use and while it does come with a serum to use with it, you can also use your own serums as long as they are water-based. I have tested this device with most of my serums, but not all, and it works great. That means I can customize how I use this on each client.
 
I don’t believe it’s worth it to pay big money for an oxygen treatment unless you’re going somewhere special but this new at-home device that I have tried is pretty cool. If you used it regularly, your skin would be very well hydrated and would GLOW! I am going to buy another one for me to use at home and I don’t say that lightly. Haha. I will only use what I believe in.
 
This device is on my website if you’re interested to learn more or to purchase. It’s only $135. A great investment for your skin.

​Microneedling or Microchanneling, also known as Collagen Induction Therapy
 
This is a great service but I highly recommend that it’s only done by a professional. And that professional should make sure that you are a candidate for the procedure. The benefits are: acne scarring, fine lines and wrinkles, loose skin, skin texture, pore size, sun spots and pigment issues.
 
Microneedling involves using fine needles to create hundreds of tiny, invisible puncture wounds in the top layer of skin. The micro-injuries created stimulates the body’s natural wound healing processes, resulting in cell turnover and increased collagen and elastin production, therefore reversing as well as preventing the signs of aging. Your home care products will also work better.
 
A numbing cream is used to make it easier for you. I have never had it done but I’ve heard that it’s not painless but also not painful, if that makes sense. Everyone is different. 
There is no real downtime except for some redness and maybe sensitive skin. It’s advised not to wear makeup for 24-48 hours after procedure. 
 
Dermaroller
I am strongly against using these at home. I can’t say that enough. Please don’t use these at home. The idea that people can just roll away on their face with a tool that has tiny needles, is scary to me. Beauty is pain is something we have all heard and/or said, but it’s not always true. For the most part, it’s not true with anything you use at home. Dermarollers are being WAY overused at home. People might see immediate results but that could be the inflammation and swelling that cause the skin to get puffy therefore making the skin appear to have smaller pores and less lines. This tool can also cause more hyperpigmentation because it’s stimulating the melanin cells. It’s also disrupting the skins protective barrier. There is such a thing as too much of a good thing and this is a perfect example.

​Hyperpigmentation. It’s something we all struggle with, unfortunately. There are a lot of products out there making huge promises to get rid of it for. I’m going to break it down and explain to you the best options for the skin, without damaging the skin. As you know, that is always my goal. Let’s fix the problem without causing another one.

Some people are more prone to it than others, based on genetics, but everyone is susceptible. From the fairest skin to the darkest. This is why wearing sunscreen is so important for everyone (I’ll get more into that later).

Remember, no one is born with it. Every baby is free of hyperpigmentation, including freckles, which is also a type of hyperpigmentation.

Freckles are caused by melanin. Melanin is a pigment in the skin and is what gives skin its color. When the sun hits the skin, it causes a production on melanin so that it can protect the skin layers underneath. Once melanin builds up in one place, a freckle is the result.

Here are some ways our skin develops the pigmentation.

Sun Exposure- The sun triggers the production of melanin. The skin is usually worse in the summer months. Using good skin care and regular facial treatments, you can minimize damage. It is completely normal to have your skin get darker in some spots in the summer and lighter in those same spots in the winter. I want to also say, and this is important to remember, sun damage can take up to 10 years to show. That means you can think that your skin is fine after a summer in the sun but later your skin will show the damage. I haven’t tanned my face in 10 years and I am still surprised at the damage that shows up. I had a good time in my teen years and my 20’s!

Heat- This one usually surprises people. Most think that as long as they avoid the actual sun, they will not have any pigmentation. It definitely helps but heat triggers inflammation and inflammation triggers the increase of melanin activity. So even if you go to the beach and wear sunscreen, big sunglasses, a big hat and sit under a big umbrella you can still get the damage. Sorry, folks!

Over-Exfoliation- I am super careful with my clients on how often they exfoliate. When I create a home care plan for them, I consider both the physical and chemical exfoliations. Too much can cause pigmentation. As I said above, inflammation triggers the increase of melanin activity. Even if you can’t see the inflammation, it can still be happening.

Picking at Blemishes/Acne- This is bad for many reasons but one of the biggest ones is that it can create what is called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). And like sun damage, you don’t always see it until a few years later.

Hormones- Due to the increase of hormones during pregnancy, melasma is often caused. Just another form of pigmentation but harder to lighten. A lot of women will experience what is called a “pregnancy mask.” The upper lip will darken. This can also happen with birth control and even some medications. Always ask your doctor. I have seen many clients with melasma all over their face so it’s not exclusive to the upper lip. Everyone is different in how they will react but there are some worse than others. I once took a birth control pill and immediately started getting that mask above my lip and I switched that pill real fast! Luckily, no long-term damage was done.

Now I will discuss ways to help the pigmented areas.

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, shown to reduce the number of sunburned cells as well as reverse age-related damage to the skin. Antioxidants help fight cell damage from free radicals, which are molecules that could injure cells and increase inflammation.

It does not replace sunscreen, but Vitamin C protects against and may repair UV damage, like discoloration. It also helps brighten the skin, which can make the overall appearance of the skin healthier. This is safe for those pregnant or lactating.

Retinol- A natural form of Vitamin A, this boosts the thickness and elasticity of the skin therefore reducing the signs of wrinkles.

There is an abundant amount of evidence to support that retinol works! Finding it in the right products is the tricky part because you need to have enough to get results. Most over-the-counter products cannot put enough retinol in them to give you the benefits you need. Retinol works by promoting cellular renewal and collagen production to improve skin texture and to diminish brown spots. Not safe for those pregnant and lactating.
This serum is a little more expensive but you only use it about twice a week so lasts longer!

Exfoliation- It’s important not to exfoliate the skin to break up the pigmented areas. As I said before, be careful not to over-exfoliate. I have a great scrub that also acts as a mask. It has glycolic acid and retinol in it with gentle jojoba beads. I love it because over time it helps to lighten and lift hyperpigmentation.
I also have these amazing Glycolic/Retinol Pads that act as a toner so it’s a leave-on. Perfect for hyperpigmentation. 

Sunscreen- Wear it everyday. SPF 30 is the perfect number. Most damage is done incidentally (about 78%), which means when you are not at the beach but just running errands around town or sitting in your car or next to a window at work. And just as a reminder, sunscreen in your makeup will not help. You have to wear about 7x the amount to actually get that number on the bottle. Sunscreen is skin care and skin care is separate from makeup. Skin care first, makeup second.

Facials- Always important but getting a facial (book with me if you're local!) when dealing with a specific skin issue will definitely help. Make sure you address your concerns with your esthetician. What you see and what she (or he) sees may be different.

Chemical Peels- Oh my gosh! Anyone who knows me know these are my favorite especially when done in a series. I will only perform the chemical peel series between November and May because of the sun exposure. I am strict on this rule. No point in fixing the skin while damaging it. My series are done weekly over 8 weeks. Slow and steady. I recommend a home care plan so my clients can get the most benefits. They basically have no downtime and can resume normal activities. They might experience some flaking but nothing embarrassing or that will make you want to hide out in your house. You don’t have to peel with a peel because all the change is happening under the top layer.

​Every product you apply to your skin is important but I think serums do most of the work. Serums are more advanced formulations with smaller molecules that are able to penetrate the skin deeper. Serums treat the skin in a more specific way to address your skin needs.

There are many out there and they all do different things. I do believe that some are better than others. If you’re looking for effectiveness, professional is always the way to go. I say this with every product but since you want serums to make a change for your skin, this is the most important investment. In my opinion. I did some research and I was shocked to see how expensive some serums are at Nordstrom. If you’re going to pay that much, it might as well be products that will actually have enough active ingredients to make a difference.

Some people aren’t sure when to start using a serum. I think everyone at age 18 should be using vitamin c. After that, it depends on your skin and its needs. At age 30 you start losing about 1% of collagen a year so then I start my clients on an additional serum. Sometimes people need something extra earlier. Everyone is different. I don’t agree that a 25 year old should be using what a 40 year old person is using. It’s almost wasteful. There is such a thing as preventing but I think we are starting to get carried away. Botox and fillers are being injected in people at a much younger age than necessary. Please listen to my podcast (Pure Skin Talk) about how I feel about those. I’ve had too many young clients come to me using some random product that someone at Nordstrom told her she should use. Most of the time, it wasn’t needed.

I’ve had people ask me about whether they should change up their routine every once in awhile. Yes, you can but you don’t have to. Just as your body never gets used to healthy food, your skin doesn’t get used to healthy products.

Not all serums are for all skin types. Most of the ones I retail are but if you don’t consult with me, make sure it’s compatible.

I basically carry two professional lines, Skin Script and Le Mieux. While I love both, I favor some products in each. I am obsessed with Le Mieux serums. They are incredibly inexpensive for their benefits (but don’t tell them because I don’t want them to raise the prices!).

Ageless Skin Hyaluronic Serum- This is actually a good serum and for it’s price at only $30, it’s definitely worth it. It will hydrate your skin. I sell this one for those that want something beneficial but not a lot of money. It’s like the intro Hyaluronic serum.
Benefits:
Improves Hydration
Reduces Visible Wrinkles
Plumps the Skin
Assists in Healing and Rejuvenating

SS Beta-Carotene/Papain Renewal Serum- With aloe and olive. A mild exfoliation serum for sensitive skin. Beta carotene is a precursor to Vitamin A; papain is an enzyme derived from papayas. I like this one because it can be used on pregnant or lactating women. They are so limited during this time and this is a good serum to exfoliate and brighten the skin.
Benefits:
Improves Skin Barrier Integrity by Balancing Surface Lipids
Exfoliates to Reduce Visible Wrinkles
Anti-Inflammatory

So before I get started on all the Le Mieux serums, I want to talk about Hyaluronic Acid. This is a hugely popular ingredient right now and it should be. It’s one of the best you can use on your skin and since we make it naturally (although it slows down in our late teens), everyone can use it.

Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, which means that it draws moisture from its surroundings. It can hold 10x times its weight in water. This ingredient can replenish a lot of moisture. As we get older our skin loses the ability to retain water and that’s where hyaluronic acid helps. Hydration makes our skin plump and that makes us look younger.

All of LM serums that I retail, except for one, uses hyaluronic acid as its base. So whatever issue you’re treating, hydration will always be addressed.

LM Vita-C Serum- My #1 seller! Like I said before, everyone 18 and over should use it so this is the first serum I start my clients on. If you want to see a difference, start wearing it. Fight prematurely aging skin with this concentrated serum from the most stable, pure quality and maximum strength Vitamin C (Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate). Stimulates collagen production to illuminate a dull complexion, brightens the skin and delays the loss of healthy skin tone. All skin types can wear this one especially those with acne. Helps in healing scars.

LM TGF-Β Booster- My 2nd best seller! This is always the second serum I recommend to clients and usually starting at about 30. Diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for a luminous, healthy, youthful glow. The anti-aging serum.

LM Rx Complex Serum- I love this serum for men! It’s kind of all in one. Great for hydrating, also has vitamin c and it helps with fine lines and wrinkles. Men generally aren’t interested in applying a bunch of different serums. Although I prefer to separate and use multiple serums because it’s more effective, this one gets the job done. My male clients love it!

LM Derma Relief- Oh my gosh. I discovered this serum a few years after I got started with LM products. I don’t know why it took me so lone because it’s actually perfect for my skin. This makes my skin feel silky. This lipid replacement serum provides instant relief for very dry, stressed skin. Features powerful ceramides, a superior form of Vitamin E, and 13 exotic oils including argan oil and kukui nut oil to soothe skin, minimize inflammation, and restore suppleness and resiliency. Helps repair skin damage caused by environmental aggressors. I use this year round but some clients only use in the winter.

LM Collagen Peptide Serum- This serum is more pricey than the others which is why I don’t think I talk about it much. I’m always concerned about price for my clients. But here’s the thing, I love it. I use this serum every night. It’s a little creamier than the others and it feels great on my skin. This concentrated, creamy serum features 4 peptides and marine algae extracts to dramatically lift and tighten sagging facial contours while smoothing out expression lines and wrinkles. Nourishing ceramides help hydrate, extend moisture, and restore skin resiliency.

LM Retinol Serum- This is also a pricier serum but you only use it once or twice a week so it lasts as long as the others. What can I say about retinol that you don’t already know? It’s a great anti-aging ingredient. This 0.5% retinol concentrated serum resurfaces skin to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, brighten dull skin, fade sun-induced age spots, and improve rough texture. The peptide-infused formula and revolutionary Tri-Cosmetic Delivery System help boost collagen and elastin production for a fresh, glowing, and age-defying complexion.

This serum is a little more expensive but you only use it about twice a week so lasts longer!
So here are the serums I use daily…Vita-C and Derma Relief in the morning. TGF Booster and Collagen Peptide at night. I can only use the Retinol serum once a week so on that night, I skip my other two night serums.

Listen, I’m trying to do everything I can to hold off botox, fillers, lifts and plastic surgery. I’m not even sure I would get them anyway but I need my skin to look good. It’s my business but it’s also my face! I want it to look good!

​SKIN CARE COACHING WITH DEVYN

We get one face and how we treat it matters. From exposure to the sun to the products we put on it, everything plays a part in how our skin looks and how it ages. There are so many options out there that I know it can be overwhelming.

So what are the right products for you? That’s where I come in. As an esthetician who has helped many clients near and far, I can tell you that using the right products for YOUR skin makes all the difference.

If I want to help you improve your skin, then this is a joint effort and I can’t expect my job to be done when the consultation ends. This is about you loving your skin and I want to be there to help and guide you along the way. I am excited to start this journey with you. Who is ready?

What You Get:
Online consultation form
FaceTime consultation or Pictures (your choice)
Free samples for a full skin care routine
“Prescription” sheet that tells you how to use products
10% off your first purchase

Start Now!

What is it?

A chronic congestion primarily on the cheeks and nose. Characterized by redness, dilation of blood vessels, and in severe cases, the formation of pimples. The exact cause of rosacea is unknown, but it seems to be attributed to circulation, genetic predisposition, digestive disorders, bacteria and mites. Certain factors are known to aggravate the condition. Spicy food, alcohol, caffeine, exposure to temperature extremes, heat, sun and stress aggravate rosacea. Soothing and calming ingredients and treatments will help calm the skin and decrease the inflammation.

It’s important to know that just because you have redness in your skin and maybe even irritation, that does not mean you have rosacea.

Pay attention to your skin. It’s pretty smart and will tell you when you might be using something harmful. When you apply a product and it stings or causes redness, this is usually not a good thing. Sometimes Glycolic acid will sting but you should be able to tell a clear difference between “I can feel it when I apply it" vs “it stings and I can feel it irritating my skin.” If you don’t know the difference, stop using the products and see a professional.

Here are some ingredients to avoid.

(Avobenzone)—a common sunscreen agent which may cause skin sensitivity and inflammation.

      High doses of Ascorbic Acid, L-Ascorbic Acid or Alpha Lipoic Acid—these acid forms of vitamin C can increase skin sensitivity. Instead, choose Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate.
      Essential Oils—those with rosacea could disagree with oils containing cinnamon, clove, geranium or peppermint so they should be avoided.
      Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate or Ammonium Laureth Sulfate— surfactants used as cleansing agents that cut oil from the skin, but are too harsh and will also strip water from the layers of the skin.
Good ingredients to help with rosacea are green tea and chamomile. Everyone is different for what will help the skin.

It’s important to avoid overexfoliating the skin. Too much can break down the skins protective barrier causing it to become inflamed. It’s best to talk to an esthetician to get a recommended exfoliation routine.

Your skin has a moisture barrier made of natural lipids and when it is damaged, tiny and invisible cracks are created, allowing moisture to escape and irritants to enter the skin more easily. This all causes dry, flaky skin and can make even products created for sensitive skin cause stinging and irritation. This is when you want to use specific products that will repair this barrier. Derma Relief is my favorite serum for helping to repair the barrier. It feels so good on the skin and you can immediately feel a difference.



Avoid using hot water and storing products in the fridge is also a good idea but not always easy if your fridge isn’t close to where you apply your products.

Follow me on social media @pureskinoc

For more information or to shop: PureSkinOC.com

Click here to look at my recommended products.

Foundation suggestions for rosacea skin: Priia and Jane Iredale.

We all want to fight the signs of aging and so we go to the malls, our Estheticians and Dermatologists, hoping they will have the answer, maybe even the cure for our wrinkles. From fighting free radicals to stimulating skin's natural collagen production, anti-aging products make enticing promises.
Do they work? That's what we want to know, right? Below I have listed 4 commonly listed ingredients and some evidence on whether they actually play an effect on your skin.
 
Peptides
As we age our skin gets thinner, loses fat and starts to sag and develop fine lines and wrinkles. We produce less collagen and elastin to keep our skin firm and plump. Oh my gosh!
Peptides are small proteins that help stimulate new cells to grow and to help skin cells to heal.
Scientists are still not sure how beneficial these actually are because of the size of the molecule. They are rather large and that makes it more difficult to deeply penetrate the skin. They can, however, do some good in a moisturizer and serum. This way they can hydrate the skin and make lines less noticeable. Whether they reduce wrinkles, the jury is still out.
 
Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHA's)
Examples are glycolic, lactic and citric acids which are natural ingredients that come from fruits and milk sugars. They are great for exfoliation because they get rid of dead skin cells, allowing new cells to grow.
Each acid does something different for the skin. Lactic Acid (comes from sour milk) removes the dead skin cells so this will have a brightening effect. Glycolic Acid (comes from sugar cane) helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles which can make skin look smoother and tighter.
 
Retinols
A natural form of Vitamin A, this boosts the thickness and elasticity of the skin therefore reducing the signs of wrinkles.
There is an abundant amount of evidence to support that retinol works! Finding it in the right products is the tricky part because you need to have enough to get results. Most over-the-counter products cannot put enough retinol in them to give you the benefits you need. This Retinol Serum is amazing and when used correctly, can do great things for the skin.
 
Antioxidants
Help fight cell damage from free radicals, which are molecules that could injure cells and increase inflammation.
There are many antioxidants that are effective, however, the formulation is the most critical. Vitamins C and E are the most commonly used and time-tested. This is my favorite Vitamin C serum. It's my #1 seller and has helped my clients skin so much. Mine too!