Back-to-School SKINCARE review

Skincare is the advanced algebra of the beauty world--a challenging subject for most.

There’s something about the back-to-school season that gets us thinking about a quick review and a fresh start. Here’s a lesson with simpler equations than those studied in any advance course.

ANTIOXIDANTS protect skin cells from the environmental damage (free radicals) that leads to wrinkles.  Vitamin C is an antioxidant essential for rebuilding damaged, preventing future damage, and maintaining healthy skin Vitamin E is a tissue-repairing antioxidant than can also prevent breakouts. 

PEPTIDES are chains of amino acids (the building blocks of proteins).  They boost collagen, relax wrinkles and rejuvenate skin.  In simplest terms, peptides act a messengers in the skin providing signals to cells to regenerate.  Different peptides have diferent functions.

MATRIXYL is the trademarked  name for a lipopeptide, a fatty acid mixed with aminoacids.  When applied topically, it penetrates the skin, reaching the fibroblasts where it stimulates them to produce more collagen It also prevents the breakdown of collagen and elastin.

PALMITOL TETRAPEPTIDE works in a manner similar to BOTOX by interferring with the signals between nerves and muscles that cause expression-related wrinkles.  It is a topical muscle relaxer.

HYALURONIC ACID is known for its ability to moisturize skin and prevent aging.  When applied directly to the skin in a cream or serum, hyaluronic acid is a great moisturizer because it’s a water magnet; it rests on the skin's surface, where it both attracts airborne water vapor & retains water delivered to the skin via creams & circulation.  It also prevents evaporation, so all that water can plump & moisturize skin. 

AHAs Alpha-hydroxy acids are naturally occurring acids derived from sugars of specific plants: glycolic (sugarcane), lactic (milk), tartaric (grapes), citric (citrius fruits), malic (apples) and mandelic (bitter almonds). These gentle yet effective acis dissolve the bonds that hold dull, dead skin cells on the surface, promoting their renewal. The result is smoother, hydrated skin with improved clarity, diminished blemishes, and softened fine lines.

BHAs Beta-hydroxy acids are chemical exfoliants commonly used in skincare. They can be naturally sourced form willow bark, birch, or wintergreen leaves, or produced synthetically. Unlike AHAs, BHAs are oil-soluble, allowing them to penetrate deeper into pores by dissolving excess oil. The most widely used BHA is salicylic acid, know for its ability to clear out oil build up and debris, plus provide anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial benefits, which then leads to fewer breakouts and smoother texture-making it especially effective for oily and acne-prone skin.

Note: the 80/20 Rule applies to skincare. 100% of your results depend on 80% your Homecare Regime and 20% Professional Facial Treatments. Click here to SHOP for Homecare

next:  Beyond the Basics: Your Advanced-Level Ingredient Cheat Sheet