Spring Updates & Cleanser Deep Dive

Spring is here! 

And WE ARE SO BACK.

The seasonal depression is lifting.  I hired someone to help me. Many ongoing things have come together at a really great time.

I have many, many updates to share with you, but I'm going to dive into some cleanser edu and information first so that your skin is taken care of and you are prepared for any April and May promos you may want to participate in.

Skin Changes

We are finally getting some relief from this dry winter air, but not without changes and adjustments with our skin. As the weather warms up, here are some changes you can expect (and some guidance on what you might need to adjust in your routine) to your changing skin.

Increased oil production – Warmer temperatures can lead to more sebum and potential breakouts.

• Consider adding an AM cleanse, if you don't already, to remove excess oils and sweat produced overnight.
  • iS Clinical Cream Cleanser: for drier & sensitive skin.  Removes excess oils while nourishing your natural protective barrier.
  • Clinical Skin Cream Cleanser: also for dry and sensitive skin, this is a great morning cleanser.  Based on my own usage and using in the treatment room, I would say this is not for my driest and most sensitive clients, it's slightly more active. Great for almost everyone else though. 
  • iS Clinical Cleansing Complex: one of the most versatile products, gentle enough for twice daily use for almost everyone, but 0.5% salicylic to deep clean.  Great consistency for makeup removal too.
  • iS Clinical Warming Honey Cleanser: another multitasking product.  Gentle fruit enzymes deep clean and digest debris and intracellular glue, while 40% honey hydrates and provides antimicrobial properties. This makes it great for almost everyone, and in the mornings I love this product for my combo, combo/oily, acneic, and acne prone peeople especially.  
  • Clinical Skin Brightening Wash: one of my favorite cleansers EVER and the reason I started carrying the Clinical Skin line.  Salicylic and glycolic provides a deep clean, with natural brighteners, melanin inhibitors, and vitamin E to hydrate.  This one is great for my combo & combo-leaning oily people, as well as those with tougher skin who just love routine exfoliation.  The herbal scent honestly sold me, and it's a really great cleanser.
• Consider adding a second cleanse in your PM routine or adjusting your 2nd cleanser
  • Cleansing Complex Polish: double the salicylic at 1%, plus cellulose beads is awesome for my oily and acne prone people.  This is a favorite of mine because I find the regular Cleansing Complex (almost everyone's favorite) a bit too gentle for my skin. 
  • Warming Honey: Great multitasker; a great second cleanse to add in that won't strip you.  Also can mask with it a few times a week for more enxyme action.
• If you are wearing a full face of makeup, you should definitely be double cleansing.  If you are wiping tint or color off of your face after your first cleanse, you should definitely be double cleansing. Some of my favorite combinations:
  • Either Cream Cleanser + your favorite 2nd cleanser.  Oil based, to break up oil based makeup products and environmental oil pollutants. You don't need water to remove it, so this is also a great choice for travel.
  • Cleansing Complex x 2: a great makeup remover and cleanser, but definitely x2 if you are wearing makeup, but honestly even if you aren't and just need a deeper clean than one cleanse! Also comes in 2oz and perfect for travel.  A little goes a long way and makes a great lather, so even the 2 oz. lasts a while.
  • Cleansing Complex Polish: a must somewhere in the routine if you are congested, wear makeup, oily/combo, or acneic.
  • Brightening Wash: another gentle, reliable, but effective cleanser.

More sun exposure – Higher UV levels mean a greater need for SPF and antioxidant protection.

• We will deep dive into the next parts of your routine  and how to pick a product for your goals and lifestyle in the coming newsletters. Stay tuned.
• In general, be mindful of sun exposure.  Stay safe, but also...live your life.  Be mindful where you can, but also don't obsess over it.  Find a reliable, safe product, and protect your investment of the money, products, and time you're putting into your skin.
• Eclipse SPF 50
  • Beige tint is one of my top sellers, year-round.  Pinky undertones.  Also available in translucent. Most of my clients tell me their skin goal is to feel comfortable and confident without makeup.  This product is THAT!  Not 'coverage' per se, but a good blending and evening out of tone and texture....glowy, hydrating, and will seal in your other products.  Still lightweight and wont look cakey throughout the day.
• Extreme Protect: A more anti-aging SPF, but with moisturizing properties and often can be a 2-in-1 moisturizer/SPF for my people who don't like a lot of product slick/shine, are more oily, or who just want a lighter look. Available in multiple tints and translucent. The actual SPF and UV protection in this (their studies are triple blind, AND they are partnered with Mayo Clinic...) is crazy.

Dehydration & barrier changes – Transitioning from dry winter air to fluctuating humidity can disrupt skin balance.

• My main moisturizers that I sell are sHeald and Reparative Moisture Emulsion. Both are top sellers and in my top 3 depending on time of year. 
  • sHEALD is more barrier repair.  A balm.  Incredible for redness and inflammation and an impaired barrier. This is definitely the winter go-to.  This could be a good option for PM/overnight as your skin is adjusting with the weather.
  • RME is also thick, but not as thick as the balm.  This is more anti-aging, with extremozyme technology to protect and repair DNA. This is the lighter of the two, but still thick and glowy.  If this is spicy going on, I find that to be a good indicator that your barrier may be compromised. 

Allergy-related irritation – Seasonal allergies may cause redness, puffiness, and sensitivity.

• A great time to consider gua sha or facial cupping as an add-on to any service to manually move the lymphatic fluid and start to drain the sinuses
• sHEALD will be your bestie for chapped, raw skin from tissues, watery eyes, etc.  This product comes in two sizes, and the small size is perfect not only for travel but to get you through seasonal changes. This is great at night time to heal and repair and lock in moisture.

Pigmentation concerns – More time outdoors can intensify hyperpigmentation if not properly protected.

• I prefer a mineral (versus chemical) SPF for almost everyone.  iS Clinical Eclipse is my personal favorite.  You should be wearing SPF every day anyway, but this is a reminder that your SPF should feel great, make you feel confident, and keep you safe.  Thats why I love a tinted SPF, because it 'finishes' the look for a lot of people.  And if you love how you look in your SPF, you will always remember to put it on!! 

Adjusting product needs – You may need lighter moisturizers and refreshed exfoliation routines.

• Most of my clients are shifting from sHEALd to RME, and maybe only Hydra-cool and SPF. Peel pads, enzymes, masks are all easy and gentle ways to boost your exfoliation while still being mindful of the fine balance.
• As always, be mindful of your barrier while your skin is changing and you may be adjusting your routine and finding the best fit for this season of your life. You may be a bit dry or a bit more oily than usual.  Give yourself grace, drink your water, and don't obsess over it. 
• Your cleanser should not make you feel tight and squeaky clean, thats probably a bit much for you! You should always be following your cleanser with moisturizer, and with SPF if during the day, at minimum.