Layering Skin Care Products

                          

    

After several questions this week from clients on layering products I decided to do a post on this topic. Many people have no idea which products to apply first or last. Which order you apply your products makes a huge difference in the potency of products. 

1. Start with a clean canvas by washing your face.

2. Serums (thinnest) should be applied first. This is because these products deliver the most active ingredients. If you apply a heavy thick moisture first, your active ingredients cannot penetrate as deep.

3. Target treatments should be applied next (acne spot treatments, lightening tx, eye creams, etc.)

4. All over treatments.

5. Moisturizer

6. SPF

Remember thinnest to thickest is the general way to go when applying products. Your skin care routine doesn't have to be complex. Always consult with your esthetician or dermatologist on your daily & nighttime skin care routine. Some products may dilute others and some products when mixed can have bad reactions. This is why you need to go over your products and routine with a professional! 

Give the skin a break when applying products, give each product enough time to dry. Try applying one product then make your morning coffe or brush your teeth before applying your next product.

Don't forget our skin repairs itself at night. During this time is when re texturing products work best. Make sure you are using a form of retinal at night.

NEVER forget your daily SPF

If you have questions about your skincare routine feel free to message me at skinstudiobymegan@gmail.com 

Skin Care Ingredients 101

SKIN CARE INGREDIENTS 101

Many people know certain ingredients are important in skin care but aren't really sure what they mean. Retinols, Salicylic Acids, Enzymes...we know we need to look out for these products...but do you know which ingredients are best for your skin? Here is a quick breakdown of common ingredients found in products & treatments and which skin type they are most suited for.

Antioxidant- Antioxidants are perfect for EVERYONE. Antioxidants prevent damage of free radicals. Free radicals are chemically unstable molecules caused by environmental pollutants and UV exposure which cause damage to the skin. Basically antioxidants fight off the bad guys. I love getting my antioxidants in with my Vitamin C serum & drinking lots of antioxidant packed foods & teas. 

Enzymes- Enzymes are mild, natural, and great for sensitive skin. Enzymes are ingredients designed to dissolve keratin proteins on the surface of the skin, resulting in exfoliation and softer, smoother skin. I love skin scripts enzymes. They are fruit based enzymes that smell amazing. I love to add them before a microdermabrasion or chemical peel. Here is a guide to Skin Scripts Enzymes that I use in the treatment room. 

Salicylic Acid- This ingredient is perfect for acne prone skin. It is anti-inflammatory &  great for reducing the appearance of large pores. Salicylic Acid penetrates into the pore dissolving dead skin cell buildup and promoting cellular turnover. However this is not suitable for dry skin since it is oil based. I like to use a Salicylic Acid based cleanser (Clinical Care's Cleanszit) along with monthly Salicylic Chemical Peels to keep oil and breakouts at bay. 

 

Benzoyl Peroxide- An acne fighting ingredient that is used to dry and exfoliate. Benzoyl Peroxide releases oxygen which helps in killing the bacteria that causes acne. I love to spot treat with Benzoyl Peroxide (since it can be drying I don't like to apply it all over my face). Be careful B.P can stain your sheets & pillow cases. 

Hyaluronic Acid- Hyaluronic Acid is suitable for all skin types. It binds moisture to the skin for an instant plump. My newest HA product I am loving is Skin Scripts hydrating ageless serum. Skin Ceuticals hydrating B5 serum has to be my all time favorite however. A good HA serum is perfect for extra hydration and preventing TEWL (transepidermal water loss). Skin scripts hydrating ageless serum can be applied all the way up to the lash line, preventing & helping milia. 

  


Lactic Acid- Lactic Acid is a derivative from milk. It is suitable for sensitive, dry & mature skin. It is a hydrating exfoliant that draws moisture from the dermis & surface. This is also a good product for a person with dry skin & acne. It lightens & brightens the skin.

Retinol- A form of Vitamin A to desquamate skin cells. It increases cellular turnover, increases collagen, evens skin tone, clears up acne impactions. Retinol is my favorite product that EVERYONE should be using. Many clients say retinols are too strong on their skin, however decreasing your usage or the percentage of active retinol in the product can help sensitivity. There is usually a form of retinol for everyone (even very sensitive skin). 

Glycolic Acid- This acid dissolves desmosomes between cells to keep skin cells exfoliated. This is a great solution to help purge closed comedones. It clears blocked pores, smoothes texture, and removes hyper pigmentation. I love Glycolic Acid and usually suggest Glycolic Peels to all my clients. 



I am currently LOVING these skin script retinol & glycolic pads. They retail for $22.50...could that price get any better? I have been testing these out for the past few days & I have decided to bring some in to retail so I can share the love with you all! These come with 50 pads that break up surface oil to refine pores and reveal fresh, healthy skin. Kojic and arbutin lighten sun spots and scars left from blemishes. Clear up those left over acne marks, current breakouts & pigmentation while stimulating collagen & elastin for fine lines & wrinkles. Miracle product?...I think so!

Of course there are TONS of ingredients to look out for in skin care products. These are just a few common ones I get questions on a lot. If you have any questions on skin care products or ingredients feel free to ask me. Email me at skinstudiobymegan@gmail.com 

Winter Skin

Winter means one thing...dry skin! All of my clients, family & friends have been asking tips & tricks to hydrate their skin this winter. In Lexington, KY we have been snowed in all week! This has definitely wreaked havoc on clients skin as well as mine. Here are just a few tips to beat those winter skin blues. Don't forget you can always give yourself an at home facial....I will list steps for that as well. So make yourself a hot cup of tea and enjoy this post.

1. Moisturize- I cannot stress this enough. I have so many clients complain about dry skin and they are only moisturizing at night...HELLO. Make sure you are at least moisturizing twice a day. Also make sure you are keeping up with your exfoliation treatments. If you remove the dead skin cells sitting on top of the skin, you will maximize your moisturizer. Try switching from a gel cleanser to cream cleanser or switch to a more hydrating moisturizer. 

Instead of your normal moisturizer try this

2.Exfoliate- Exfoliation is the key to healthy, youthful & clear skin. Make sure to keep up with your monthly microdermabrasions, peels & facials especially in the winter. Products will penetrate much deeper with clean, clear pores. I love Nitty Gritty from Clinical Care Skin Solutions. This highly effective formula polishes skin with Aluminum Oxide crystals, which are the same crystals used for microdermabrasion. If you are acne prone, try Scrubzit from the same company. 

Another great way to exfoliate is using a Clarisonic brush.Sure they are a bit pricey for some people, but they are amazing & definitely worth the money. I have had mine for years & it is still in perfect condition.

3. Sunscreen- Yes you need to still wear sunscreen EVERYDAY in the winter. It amazes me everytime someones says they don't need to wear it during the winter. The UV rays don't hibernate, they actually reflect off of the snow. 

4. Bath/Showers- Make sure you are using lukewarm water when taking a bath/shower. Hot water strips the skin and hair of natural moisture & oils. I am guilty of taking extremely hot showers. Make sure you are using an exfoliant not only on your face, but body as well. My favorite cheap body exoliant is Dr. Teals eucalyptus epson salts. You can get this at kroger, target, etc. Mix some in a warm bath or mix a handful into your favorite body wash and gently scrub into skin. 

5. Lips- Nothing is more annoying, painful & unattractive then chapped/cracked lips. Many chapsticks are actually drying to your lips, it feels good temporary but isn't healing long term. I have two favorites for winter lips. The first is hydrating with aquafor. I absolutely love this stuff. Every time I have a laserpeel or deep peel, this is my go to for healing my skin. This stuff is also great for chapped lips. If I have dry skin patches I always moisturize with this.

My second favorite is Clinical Care's Sugar Lips, its a lip exfoliant and plumper. Not to mention it tastes amazing. My husband is the chap stick king and he loves this stuff. 

6. Hydrate- I know I say this all the time but I cannot stress the importance of hydrating your body & skin. Keep a water bottle with you at all times. I used to track my daily intake when I first started to drink more H20...there are a few good apps I used to keep track. Also warm up this winter with a cup of hot tea. My favorite is Yogi Skin Health (for normal skin) and Yogi Skin Detox (for acne-prone skin). Last night I tried Aloe Water for the first time & was blown away how yummy it tasted (I hate coconut water). I love to spice things up with lemon water as well. 

At Home Facials- Try giving yourself an at home facial. Start by cleansing your skin using small circular motions. Next use your favorite exfoliant (Nittygritty, Scrubzit, clarisonic brush). Again, use small circular motions working the exfoliator into the skin. After rinsing, apply your favorite mask. While the mask is sitting on the skin, dampen a facial washcloth & heat in the microwave. I warm mine up in 30 second intervals, make sure to check the temperature before putting on your face. Apply the steam towel & let sit on skin for 10 minutes (this will help remove your mask). If you cannot remove the mask completely, cleanse the skin again. Next apply your serums (Vitamin C, lightening creams, etc.). Apply your moisturizer & follow up with a sunscreen. 

I hope you enjoy these winter skin tips & tricks. If you have any questions regarding your skin type & treatment, message me at skinstudiobymegan@gmail.com

Why you should be using a Vitamin C Serum

My all time favorite product is Restoration C, EVERYONE should be using a topical Vitamin C serum. Let me explain why....

When you apply Restoration C topically, it stimulates the regeneration process of collagen fibers. It will diminish age spots while your skin regains its natural firmness, smoothness & elasticity. Adds protection against UVB damage. Also contains willow bark extract which is skin clearing & antiseptic.


It lightens, tightens, and brightens the skin. Miracle product ? YES it is.

Usage: 1-2 pumps daily on face, neck & chest. For years I used Skin Ceuticals Vitamin C serum costing me $165...I since have switched over to Clinical Care's Restoration C for a budget friendly price of $60. Don't get me wrong I love Skin Ceuticals products...however saving $100 on a product is fantastic & I LOVE the way the Clinical Care Restoration C feels on my skin. It is not greasy feeling like many Vitamin C products. Clinical Care's C serum is also pharmaceutical grade, meaning it contains a much higher level of the active ingredients then your over the counter C serums. Check out my last post on professional skincare products vs. over the counter skincare products.

Who can use this serum?
Everyone...Restoration C is an anti-oxidant that restores & repairs damaged skin. Perfect to diminish sun spots & age spots. Also helps fight breakouts. 

All of my clients love this serum & the one's using it daily are having amazing results! Interested in getting some for yourself? Call or text me at 859.619.2155 or email me at skinstudiobymegan@gmail.com I can always deliver or ship.