Skin Care DIYs You Should Not Try

So I've been taking my time writing this post because, not only do I get easily frustrated by this stuff, but I also don't want to give anybody any ideas.. I'm on social media quite a bit (more than I'd like to admit) and I have noticed there are tons of  quick videos popping up everywhere about homemade skin care/ DIY skin care that will, "Clear acne/ get rid of wrinkles/ even out your skin tone/ fade dark spots." And I just need you all to know, if you don't already, that nothing you can do at home, nothing in your pantry, nothing posted on Pinterest, can hold up to these promises. First, not all acne is treated equally. People with acne will most likely have to try many different treatments before finding one that works for them! Second, I hate to break it to you but once you get those crows feet or smile lines, it's going to take  A LOT to get that smooth, baby skin look without investing in botox/fillers. Once you loose that collagen and elastin in your skin, say sayonara to your baby face! Third, there's really no point in putting random house hold items on your face if it's going to do more harm than good... Actually, you know what.. Go ahead and do that, and I'll see you next week for an appointment to fix those damages!

Here are a few common DIYs that I'd like to bust:
1. Toothpaste.
People like to use toothpaste as a spot treatment for acne because it dries out the breakout. And yes indeed it does, but it is also extremely irritating to the already red, swollen and sore zit. Some toothpastes contain ingredients such as baking soda, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide and methanol, which all cause irritation and inflammation. Using it as a spot treatment is too harsh, especially for those with sensitive skin. In some cases it may cause chemical burns. Since breakouts are usually pretty irritated and painful on their own, try more soothing and calming ingredients such as tea tree oil, salicylic acid/ willow bark, or lavender. 

2. Lemon Juice. 
Now this one almost makes sense to me.. Lemons contain enzymes that can potentially brighten your skin, but applying a lemon directly to your skin can be damaging. Lemon juice is on the opposite side of the pH scale, meaning it is highly acidic. So using it causes disruption your skin's acid mantle (natural barrier function) and creates an irritation on a cellular level. Also citrus fruits are phototoxic, meaning they can cause blistering and burns when exposed to the sun. If you're wanting to brighten your skin and even out your skin tone, first use sunscreen to prevent spots from darkening, and then invest in your skin by using a professional grade skin brightener with ingredients such as licorice root, for a natural solution, or hydroquinone from your doctor. 

3. Baking Soda.
I hear about people using baking soda as an exfoliant constantly. There is also a brand at the drug store that advertises it as the number one ingredient in their acne product, endorsed by a beautiful actress with perfect skin, who probably doesn't even touch the stuff. Again with the pH scale, baking soda is super alkaline, it can throw off your skin's natural barrier. When the skin's barrier function is disrupted, the bad bacteria can hang around and grow and create more breakouts and irritation. Using baking soda even once can damage your skin and create major moisture loss. I'd really like to talk to the person who thought it was smart to put it in an acne product and ask them, "WTF?!"

4. Rubbing Alcohol. 
You're kidding me right? If you're using alcohol on your face for any reason other than to sterilize a wound.. You've lost your mind. Scientists use alcohol to cause a skin irritation to test other products that calm irritation. Talk about ruining your skin's barrier function. Just don't do it unless you want, dry, flaky skin with a possibility of more bacteria growing and irritation. Witch hazel is a much better toner and it's natural. 

5. Coconut Oil. 
OK, I can feel my blood starting to boil just a little bit so I'm going to take it down a notch. I love coconut oil. It's great for your hair, shaving, and in your coffee for extra energy. But unfortunately, it's not great for your face. The molecular structure of coconut oil is too large for your skin to absorb, meaning it will not hydrate the way our skin needs it to. If you love using an oil as a moisturizer (me too!) try jojoba oil, sunflower oil, or rosehip oil. They are more easily absorbed. 

Hopefully this post has opened your eyes about a couple things. I would like to add that your skin is extremely important to your health, it is our largest organ after all. Please drink your water, wear sunscreen and take care of your body, we only have ONE! If you don't care for looking healthy and ageless, then by all means, use whatever you want on your skin. But my goal is to inspire you invest in yourself, take care of yourself and feel beautiful. That is why you're reading this right?

As always, thanks for hanging out and if you have any questions about ingredients and skin care, don't hesitate to shoot me a message! 

XO Lindsay

How to Get Rid of Hyperpigmentation (Sun Damage/ Acne Scarring)

One of the most common questions or concerns I hear as an Esthetician is that people want a more even skin tone and texture.

Although I find most of my client's discoloration is from sun damage or acne scarring, skin discoloration can be caused by many different factors including hormones, diet, genetics, overall health and medications. Melanin is the protein in our bodies responsible for creating pigment in the skin, and when the cells are over stimulated by these factors, your skin darkens and holds a deep pigment causing an uneven skin tone, aka hyperpigmentation. Depending on how you acquired the hyperpigmentation, and how deep it has effected your skin, you can do something about it

First, I'm going to ask that you go back and read my blog post titled Safety Tips for Sun Protection and Tanning, if you have not already. That will help you understand the importance of wearing your sun screen and preventing sun damage. Sun damage is too common and my biggest enemy. If you are going to take brightening your skin and getting rid of hyperpigmentation seriously, YOU HAVE TO WEAR SPF! Otherwise, I cannot help you and your dark spots and scarring will not change/ may get worse.

AGAIN, do not even read further if you are not going to commit to protecting your skin from the sun.

There are a few different products you can try that will help brighten your skin and even out your complexion, but I want to explain to you the ingredients you need to be on the look out for. Hydroquinone and mercury have been the main ingredients used in skin-bleaching products. However, research shows that in the long term these ingredients can be toxic. In fact, these ingredients can darken skin and cause premature aging if used for extended periods of time. Fortunately scientist have discovered a number of natural lightening ingredients that work just as well as the synthetic ones, without the harmful side effects. 

Here are the natural ingredients that are going to inhibit the production of the enzyme tyrosinase, the enzyme that triggers the production of melanin. 

Licorice root - Can be used to lighten pigmentation and reverse the damage caused by acne scars, and contains anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe the skin and reduce redness.

Bearberry extract /Arbutin - Has been proven to effectively lighten freckles, dark spots, and other skin discolorations. Shown to have even greater results than the same concentrate of Hydroquinone. Bearberry extract is also useful because it contains sun protection filters that may help to reduce the long term effects of sun damage, therefore slowing or reversing signs of aging on the skin.

Mulberry extract- Reduces tyrosinase activity by up to 50% and has stronger effects compared to hydroquinone and kojic acid.

Vitamin C - Has been shown to slow down hyperactive melanocytes and even complexion through continued use. 

Kojic acid - Has been used in Japan as a natural alternative to hydroquinine and is very effective at reducing skin discoloration. It also acts as an antioxidant and is suitable for sun damaged or sensitive skin.

Vitamin B3/ Niacinamide - Helps the skin to reduce melanin production and retain moisture, making it feel softer and smoother, and can help reduce fine lines.

Ingredients such as these can be found in cleansers, serums and creams. Here are a couple of my favorite professional products. 

 

Bright Skin Licorice Root Booster- Serum by Eminence:
Can be applied to cleansed skin or added into moisturizer, for all skin types, great for sun damage and post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (acne scarring). Pick it up from me at Celadon Spa or your local spa that sells Eminence. 










Iluma Intense Lightening Serum by Image Skin Care: Can only be purchase by a skincare professional















Here are a couple reputable products you can find at the drugstore, but remember, these will not be as potent. 





Skin Lighten Moisturizer by Derma E



















Vitamin C Renewal Cleanser by Avalon Organics











Now that you've got an idea of helpful ingredients and types of products to look for, I want to remind you to exfoliate as often as 2-3 times per week. Exfoliating not only gets rid of dead skin cells, allowing your skin to absorb ingredients, but can also help lift hyperpigmentation and reduce fine lines. Seeing your Esthetician for monthly facials, chemical peels or microdermabrasion treatments will be the most effective and will speed up the process of reducing skin discoloration. If you are serious about having a perfect complexion, please commit to wearing your SPF and staying out of the sun. There is no way around it. Remember, tanned skin is damaged skin. 

If you have any questions about the products you are using or further questions about ingredients, don't be afraid to email, message, text or dm me! 

XO Lindsay

urestiebestie@gmail.com

Oils for a Perfect Complexion

Have you hopped on the oil-loving band wagon yet? I have! Beauty oils have been popping up in many skin care and make up brands lately and we need to make sure you know which ones are right for your skin. You might be thinking, "No thanks, I have oily/ acne prone skin, I can't use oils." Well I have news for you.. Actually this shouldn't be news.. Everyone should have learned in science class that oil loves oil! Same goes for your face. You can actually use certain oils to balance out your skin's natural oils and no longer have to worry about looking like a rotisserie chicken towards the end of the day. To add, most oils are rich in vitamins and essential fatty acids. In fact, I believe using oils that your skin loves, is the KEY to anti-aging!

There are a few different ways you can start incorporating oils into your skin care regimen, oil cleansing, spot treating, and as a moisturizer or added into your moisturizer. Let's break it down:

• The Oil Cleansing Method: Think about it, if oil loves oil, it's a great way to remove oil-based make up (i.e. mascara and foundation), but also lift away any built up oil your skin has produced through out the day. This method is extremely hydrating for your skin because you aren't going to compromise the skin's natural barrier function. You can try this two ways:
• Cleanse your skin with an oil/ oil cleanser, remove with a warm damp towel, then cleanse your skin like you normally would with your favorite cleanser to break up the oil left on your skin, and finish your usual regimen.
• Cleanse your skin with an oil/ oil cleanser and continue on to your usual regimen. 
• Spot Treatment: Some oils can be used to diminish and heal scars or breakouts. For example you can apply tea tree oil onto an oncoming breakout with a q-tip to kill bacteria and calm the inflammation. Rose hip oil is great to use for scar and sun damage repair as well. 
• Moisturizing: Skin needs a barrier to maintain its proper function, protecting you! When you are not using the correct moisturizer, your skin wants to over compensate and produce extra oil. Restore moisture and bring back the balance your skin needs with healthy oils. If you're a little skeptical about using an oil try adding just a couple drops to your moisturizer at night. Your skin will thank you. 

Now, even though we are super excited to try adding an oil into our daily routine, we must be reminded that not all oils are created equally. I mean there are some oils your skin might hate and some oils that can be comedogenic (cause breakouts). Here is a scale you can use to help you decide which oil is right for your skin type. 

COMEDOGENIC RATINGS

0 - Will Not Clog Pores
1 - Low
2 - Moderately Low
3 - Moderate
4 - Fairly High
5 - High

To be considered a non-comedogenic oil on the list, an oil must be rated 2 or lower. 

NON-COMEDOGENIC FACIAL OILS

Rating 0	Rating 1	Rating 2
Argan oil	Calendula oil	Almond Oil
Hemp seed oil	Castor oil	Avocado oil
Shea butter	Emu oil	Baobob oil
Sunflower oil	Neem oil	Borage oil
	Pomegranate oil	Camphor oil
	Rosehip seed oil	Evening Primrose oil
	Sea buckthorn oil	Grape seed oil
		Hazelnut oil
		Jojoba oil
		Olive oil
		Peach Kernel oil
		Peanut oil
		Pumpkin seed oil
		Sandalwood seed oil
		Sesame oil
		Tamanu oil

Notice some of the oils you are not seeing on this table.. ehm.. COCONUT OIL! That is because it is highly comedogenic and should be avoided by acne prone skin. Sorry to break your heart but coconut oil has a large molecular structure and instead of absorbing nicely into the skin it just sits on top and in the pores and doesn't help aid in the skin's natural barrier function. Although I do love coconut oil for other uses, moisturizer, it is not.

Some of these oils work better for different skin types so if you have:

Dry skin (anti-aging): grapeseed oil, argan oil, olive oil, avocado oil, evening primrose oil, rosehip oil, lavender, hemp seed oil and jojoba oil.

Oily skin (acne prone): jojoba oil, rosehip oil, tea tree, lavender, ylang ylang, argan oil, evening primrose oil, sunflower oil and argan oil.

Truthfully you will need to test out a few different oils before you find the one your skin loves.

To conclude, I'm a product junky so let me finish off this article by showing you some my favorites.

Stone Crop Cleansing Oil by Eminence Organics - $52 from eminenstore.com or if you live near me, visit me at Celadon to pick it up.

This non-greasy cleansing oil gently removes impurities and restores the look of balance. It is infused with moisturizing sunflower and jojoba oils, brightening stone crop and supercharged microgreens. This light formula gently removes makeup and deeply cleanses to result in dewier softer looking skin.

Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil- $48 at Sephora

Great for oily, dry, and sensitive skin. Moisturizes deeply an absorbs quickly, leaving a semi-matte finish. Wear it under makeup or instead of makeup, this is a must-have oil, ideal for breakout prone and sensitive skin.

Facial Recovery Oil- $76 from eminenstore.com or I can get this one for you as well.

Boosts skin damage recovery, great for repairing scars. Deeply soothing and nourishing containing a blend of clary sage oil, olive oil, sage leaf extract and ylang ylang oil. I love adding this into a night time moisturizer, plus it smells heavenly.

As always, thank you for sticking around through a lengthy post. I wonder how many times I used the word 'oil'. Comment if you use oils in your routine, which is your favorite? 

If you have any questions you can comment, email me or find me on Facebook at Esthetics by Lindsay!

XO Lindsay

urestiebestie@gmail.com

Safety Tips for Sun Protection and Tanning!

Hey friends! It's been a while since we've talked. I knew I wanted this to be my next post but I also know it could get pretty complicated so I wanted to wait until I was ready to put a lot of effort into it. I'll try to keep it simple because this is very important to me and should be to you too, let's save your life!

Wanna play the question game?

1. As a teen, do you/ did you spend at least 3 summers sun tanning, swimming or working outdoors? 
2. Have you had 3 or more blistering sunburns before age 25?
3.  Do you have red or blonde hair with fair skin or do you burn easily? 
4. Do you get more freckles after being in the sun? 
5. Has anyone in your family had melanoma? 
6. Do you have any red, rough spots on parts of your body that are not exposed to the sun?

If you answered yes to 3 or more of these questions, your chance of developing melanoma is 20-25 times higher than the general population. I'm not sure about you, but that scares me! Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer and the risk of it developing in people under the age of 40 is increasing. There have been more reports of death by skin cancer than death by any other type of cancer. The only way to decrease that risk is to wear your sunscreen religiously and stay out of tanning beds!

Now I don't know where you live, but here in South Carolina the weather is warming up and there's nothing I want to do more than to go spend a day at the beach! But of course, I won't be leaving without my favorite sunscreen. Everyone has different skin types and that requires different types of sunscreen. Do you know the right type for you? Chemical or physical? Sweat proof? Okay for sensitive skin?

Chemical Sunscreen active ingredients: Oxy/avobenzone, octicalate, octocrylene, homosalte, and octinoxate. Creates a chemical reaction and works by turning UV rays into heat, then releases that heat from the skin.

Pros:

• Spreads easily making it wearable for daily use.
• Requires less product to protect the skin because there is no risk of spaces between the sunscreen molecules.

Cons:

• Can cause an increase in brown spots and discoloration due to a higher internal skin temperature.
• Requires a wait time of about 20 mins after application before it starts working.
• Can cause irritation and stinging on dry skin due to multiple chemical ingredients to achieve UVA and UVB protection.
• The higher SPF usually means more chemicals, meaning higher risk of irritation for sensitive skin types
• Absorbs into the skin fast when in direct UV light, requiring more frequent application.
• May clog pores.
• Can cause stinging if it drips into the eyes while sweating.
• Increased chance of redness for rosacea skin types because it converts UV rays into heat, causing flushing of the skin.

Physical Sunscreen active ingredients: Titanium dioxide and Zinc Oxide. Works by sitting on top of the skin to deflect and scatter the damaging UV rays.

Pros:

• Naturally broad spectrum, meaning it protects against UVA and UVB rays.
• No wait necessary, works as soon as it is applied.
• Lasts longer when in direct UV light.
• Less likely to cause stinging for sensitive skin types.
• Less likely to be pore-clogging.
• Longer shelf life.

Cons:

• Can rub off or sweat off easily.
• May leave white cast on the skin.
• Can create an occlusive film which results in increased perspiration during physical activities.
• Can be thicker, requiring more effort to rub it in.
• Can be less protective if it's not applied generously and accurately since UV light can get between the molecules. 

My opinion is to get one of each depending on what you're planning to do or if have sensitive skin, you obviously should go with the physical sunscreen. Always do a patch test and wait 24 hours to see if you may develop a reaction to the sunscreen.

I was at target the other day and while I was browsing the entire store for things that I did not need, I found a product that I think everybody needs!!

This is a physical sunscreen line by Bare Republic and it's 100% natural! They have a sport version, a kids version and they also make a tinted face sunscreen! I AM IN LOVE. Also I think it's awesome that they were able to put a physical sunscreen in an aerosol can because usually you can only find chemical in aerosols. All of these products are about $14.99 each and to me, that's worth it. Cheaper than skin cancer! It does smell like coconut though, so if you're not a fan.. I'm sorry, your sense of smell might be broken. ;)

I want to add one more quick fact before we move onto tanning! You really can't get a better sun protection than SPF 50 because it already blocks about 98%  of UV rays while a SPF 30 blocks 97% and a SPF 15 blocks 94%. Anything above SPF 50 is just silly.

OKAY, so now you're mad at me cause you feel like you're already as white as a snowman and you're going to have to stay that way if you don't want skin cancer.. unless... there was this invention that created the illusion that you had naturally glowing, beautiful, tan skin.. Oh, wait, it's called Sun-less Tanner and I'm obsessed with it. 

Spray tanning is my favorite but it's difficult for some people to find the right salon with the correct solution for their natural skin color. I always tell my clients to find someone who uses a solution with DHA (dihydroxyacetone) as the active ingredient because it will adjust to your skin tone and give you YOUR natural tan/brown color. 

If you prefer to do your own tanning, here's a list of my favorite self-tanning products: 

Banana Boat Summer Color Self Tanning Lotion, $6.74 at Walmart. Doesn't smell crazy, looks really natural and easy to use everyday. My go-to!

Tanwise Dark Bronzing Sunless Mouse, $12.99 at Sally's. Comparable to (better than) Loving Tan, that crazy expensive Austrailian tanning mouse. They also make a face gel that I love.

Fake Bake Sunless Self-Tanning Lotion, $35.00 at Ulta. Produces a deep tan that lasts longer, not recommend for the face.


Please, please, PLEASE take this post seriously. Skin cancer is a scary thing. Laying out with baby oil and spending money on tanning memberships is literally killing you!
Get beautiful skin the safe way!

What is your favorite Self-Tanner? Tell me in the comments! I love hearing from you and answering questions from my email!

Thanks for hanging out!

XO Lindsay


urestiebestie@gmail.com

Healthy Skin Habits To Prevent Aging

There's no better time to start than right now! Whether you're 18 or 45, you can do something to slow down the aging process. I know some of you may be thinking, "It's too late for me." But it's not, doing a few of these things could really improve your skin. It doesn't matter the age though, this list is going to give you 5 steps to healthy skin.

1. Avoid Sun Damage. Wear your sun block and no sun tanning! I know about your baby oil and iodine sun bathing. But we can put that in the past. You can protect your skin by staying indoors between the hours of 10 am and 2 pm, wearing a hat, and an spf of at least 30.
Fun Fact: a Sun Protection Factor of 30 does not equal double the protection of a SPF 15. An SPF 15 blocks 93% of UVB, an SPF 30 blocks 97% UVB, that's only a 4% difference, while an SPF 50 blocks 98% UVB. (UVB= ultra violet burning rays) So, it really doesn't matter which sun block you choose, as long as you are applying it as directed, every two hours, it will be effective.
"Well my make up has SPF in it so I don't need sun block." Wrong. Once you apply your moisturizer (if it is without SPF) your make up with sunscreen is going to have a hard time penetrating that moisturizer to absorb into your skin and protect you from the sun. I'd prefer that you use a daily moisturizer with SPF and if your make up has it too then, cool dude.

But what about your gorgeous glow that you get from laying out in the sun? It's not safe! When your skin is exposed to UV radiation, it produces extra melanin to try and protect your skin from damage. Melanin is the pigment that colors your hair, eyes and skin. This is why you get those freckles and soon-to-be permanent age spots. It's called Photo Aging, and dark spots aren't the only thing you should worry about. UV radiation also breaks down your collagen and elastin, the guys that make your skin plump and firm. Without those, your skin is leathery, saggy and wrinkled and it can't be reversed without surgery. Don't you want to look 22 when you're 42? Yes, the answer is yes. Now I know I'm breaking some sun bunnies hearts so let's make a deal. Cut your sun exposure time in half!

2. Stay Hydrated. Drink more water, drink more water, drink more water, I know you haven't heard it enough. ;) You need to be drinking a half ounce to an ounce of water per pound that you weigh. I'm one of those people that doesn't like water too, you're not alone. But now they make those squeezy flavors you can add to your water to make it bearable! Anyway, when you drink water, your skin is happy. By happy I mean, glowing, plump, less dull, less saggy and it may even reduce your pore size. Also, wear you're moisturizer morning and night to keep your skin cells balanced. The key to healthy ageless skin is hydration internally and externally.

3. Quit Smoking. It causes wrinkles, skin discoloration, and cancer. But I really don't want to sit here and tell you all the reasons you need to quit smoking. You already know. It's not healthy and we're trying to have healthy skin here.

4. Get a Monthly Facial. Yes girl, treat yourself! Not only is getting a facial one of the best ways to relax, it's also super healthy for your skin. Estheticians use professional products which are stronger and more concentrated than what you're able to use at home. Getting that nice deep exfoliation monthly is going to turn back the time! Plus, you'll likely be getting some massage to stimulate circulation and encourage your skin to produce more collagen and elastin.

5. Antioxidants! I love antioxidants. You need to be using them every day! Antioxidants are the warriors that fight off free radical damage to your skin's cells. Free radicals are unstable molecules with a missing electron. They like to attack healthy skin cells to steal an electron, resulting in more free-radicals. This then causes a chain reaction called Oxidative Stress, which leads to pre-mature aging and possibly even cancer. Free radicals literally decay healthy cells and the best way to stop that is by using antioxidants. Antioxidants donate an electron to a free radical to neutralize them without then becoming one itself. What a nice guy.
Here are a couple things you need to be aware of that can cause free radical damage: environmental pollution, cigarette smoke, car exhaust, food preservatives, pesticides.. the list goes on. Scary right? So, there are many different ways to get antioxidants, most are found in foods you eat or you can apply them topically. I'm sure you're familiar with some.. Vitamins C & E, green tea, wheat grass, acai berries, herbs, avocados, artichokes, nuts, coco powder and resveratrol. Do you know what resveratrol is? It's found in blueberries, cranberries and red grapes. Do you know what this means?! "Red, red wiiiiine, it's up to youuu!" You have probably heard that drinking a small glass of red wine each day can save you from heart disease, but it can also help you fight your free radicals! But be careful, drinking too much alcohol can also be a major producer of free radicals.

Like I said before, it's never too late to prevent aging and it's never too early to start! Let's get healthy skin together and try these 5 easy steps! Better yet, let's make them habits!

Please e-mail me if you have any questions and I'll totally get back to you within 24 hours!
urestiebestie@gmail.com

Thanks for hanging out!

XO Lindsay

Let's Talk Acne

I want to start by saying, the topic of acne is a tough one. People experience acne in many ways and respond to treatments differently. Not all faces are created equal. In my opinion, there is no right answer telling why your skin breaks out the way that it does, but there are probable causes. I would also like to say, if you have acne, your best option for the skin you are looking for, is going to be found in the hands of a skincare professional. Please don't ask your bestie (unless your bestie is me) what they are using to treat their acne because their skin is not yours! You need a personal consultation to figure out the best treatment for YOU. And it will take TIME.Your skin does not change over night, in a week or even in a month! But trust me, it will be worth it when you're using effective, professional products fit for you.

So what is acne? Well if you're reading this, you probably already have an idea of what acne is, and I mentioned it in my last post. Acne is when a pore is blocked by oil or dead skin cells, creating a lovely home for p. acne to get a job, get married, start a family and eventually take over your whole face. Just kidding. There a few different types of acne that I am going to breakdown and explain, I'll show you some products that I like, and then we're going to talk about the different areas these babies might appear.

• Clogged pores: hardly noticeable, non-inflamed, painless, yet still a pain in the butt. These guys are like those people that show up at your birthday party, without an invitation, just for the food and drinks. People with dry skin tend to experience these and they can usually be taken care of with regular exfoliation 3-4 times a week. I personally like to use an exfoliating mask like GlamGlow Supermud because it contains charcoal and kaolin clay draw out the impurities. I would use this as a spot treatment too, maybe twice a week. Sold at Sephora or glamglowmud.com.

• Whiteheads: also known as pustules or papules, inflamed, sometimes painful and red, literally a pimple with a white head. Most acne sufferers experience these and strive to prevent them. The problem with whitehead is that they are hard to treat because its difficult to find what exactly causes them. Once you do find what is causing them and you find your holy grail products and regimen, they are treatable. Just don't pick at them! Your beautiful face doesn't want scars, girl. Instead of picking, as soon as I see that little red dot forming, I dab on some Acne Spot Fast Fix from Murad. I am not kidding you, that baby will be gone in 72 hours. Apply as needed, spot treat only. Can be found at most Massage Envy Spas, Ulta, and Murad.com.

• Blackhead: a pore plugged up by sebum (oil) and darkened by oxidation, not painful, but not fun either. Since these are due to excess oil build up, exfoliation is key as well as sometimes using products with ingredients such as Salicylic Acid and Benzoyl Peroxide. And like I always say, it doesn't help to skip the moisturizer. Use it. Juice Beauty has an awesome serum for oily or problematic skin. It has willow bark, salicylic acid, and fruit acids to help control oil and reduce breakouts. Plus, it's organic, yay! You would use this after your cleanser and toner, and before your moisturizer. Now since I'm not letting you skip the moisturizer, the next two products are great daytime and night time moisturizers for oily/blemish prone skin. And yes, they're Murad. Oil control moisturizer has spf so you'll use it during the day. Skin Perfecting Lotion is used at night and will help sooth, hydrate and minimize appearance of pores. Both are Oil free. 

• Cystic: Ughh.. wanna-be besties. These puppies are painful, big, tumor-like, and anchored deep in your skin. Unfortunately, they are usually caused by an internal issue, hormones, allergies, or food sensitivities. They take a long time to heal and they will get extremely worse if you pick at them. I hate saying this, but if you think you might have cystic acne, see a dermatologist. 

Now that you understand acne almost as well as I do, let's see where our unwanted friends like to show up and WHY. According to Chinese Medicine, your face correlates the internal health of your whole body. Whether you believe this or not, in my work, I have found it to be quite accurate. Here is a picture of the face and the regions that reflect your body.

Starting with the forehead, these are the reasons you may be breaking out in certain areas:

• Forehead- Digestive problems (hard time breaking down certain foods), small intestine issues, liver issues, irregular sleep schedule, stress, bad temper, too much worrying, to many sugary foods, toxin build-up, hair products, bangs, wearing hats.
• Temples- Poor lymphatic circulation, diet high in fat, gallbladder issues, too much McDonald's- I mean processed foods..
• Between Brows- Weak heart, too much alcohol (uh-oh), too much tobacco.
• Left Cheek- Liver, overeating, nutrition having a hard time absorbing, stress, stomach problems, dirty cell phone, dirty pillow case, dirty make up brushes (Gurrrll...) 
• Right Cheek- Lungs, allergies, stress, stomach problems, too much sugar, dirty cell phone, dirty pillow case, dirty make up brushes.
• Nose- Poor diet, constipation, bloating, gastrointestinal imbalance, indigestion. Poor blood circulation if the skin on the nose peels.
• Lip Area- Constipation, irregular bowels, too much spicy or fried food, toothpaste, ovulation in women.
• Chin and Jaw- Hormonal problems, Gynecological issues, kidney imbalance, resting hands on face, toothpaste.

Remember that these are just a few possibilities. Try to pay attention to your skin and figure out what could be causing your breakouts. Is it that time of the month? Have you been eating a lot of junk food? Do you change your pillow case often? If you can change some of these things and if you use great products in your regimen, your skin may improve!

Like I said in the beginning, not all skin is created equal. But if you have acne, you are not alone! Take some of these thoughts into consideration and see a skincare professional. Acne can be hard work but believe me, taking care of it the proper way is worth it! 

Please keep in mind that the products I mentioned are examples of things you may use. Since I can't give you a skin consultation through the computer screen, I cannot be sure these products will work for you.
Also, my last post brought a lot of questions so you if you don't know me personally you can e-mail me at urestiebestie@gmail.com

Thanks for hanging out!

XO Lindsay

Apricot Scrub and Why You Should QUIT IT!

Alright guys, what did you expect? Of course my first post is going to be about my hatred towards the oh-so-popular St. Ives Apricot Scrub!
Disclaimer: this post, and my posts in the future, are not meant to bash the people who are using this product. This post is to simply inform you that it is not highly recommended by me (and many, many other skincare professionals) to use. ever. :)
So lets get started. Everybody loves a nice deep exfoliation, but guess what.. scrubbing your skin literally OFF is not the way to do it. I go into work everyday and meet new clients and as soon as I get them on the table, I say, "Explain to me your skin care routine and the products you are currently using." I can honestly say that about 60% of clients mention a scrub and almost 80% of those people say ST. IVES APRICOT SCRUB. My next question: "How often do you use your apricot scrub?" Answer: "Everyday in the shower." My eyes then start twitchy and my blood starts boiling. Jk. But this really is my biggest pet-peeve. Scrubs are great, don't get me wrong, but this scrub in particular is made with walnut shell powder, sharp as needles! When you use this scrub you are creating tiny little cuts in your skin and damaging your sensitive little face! But not only that, you are spreading bacteria to the deepest layers of your skin. People with acne should stay far FAR away from this scrub.

HERE IS WHY:

• Scrubbing causes irritation and inflammation, especially when you are the type that thinks the harder you scrub, the cleaner your skin will get. Listen, Linda listen.. STOP DOING THAT. When your pores get inflamed they swell, close up and trap p. acnes bacteria inside. This creates a happy environment for the bacteria to survive and spread, resulting in more breakouts. The only thing that I can think of that is worse than scrubbing your acne to death is pouring bleach on your face. The idea of apricot scrub being advertised towards people with acne makes me want to vomit. 
• You know that tight feeling you get after cleansing your skin with this scrub? That my friends, is due to Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL) which is caused by you damaging your sensitive little face. Definition of TEWL: the measurement of the quantity of water that passes from inside a body through the epidermal layer to the surrounding atmosphere via diffusion and evaporation processes. Think of a grape, nice firm and juicy.. Now think of a raisin, dried, deflated and sad. 

It's okay to feel bad, you didn't know! That's why I'm here to help. Now as your new Estie Bestie, I'm going to teach you the right way to exfoliate!

1. When choosing a scrub, you need to look for ingredients such as jojoba beads and sugar.
2. Scrubbing is not the only way to exfoliate. Chemical exfoliation is a thing too!
3. Scrub GENTLY. Be nice to your skin, it's the only one you've got! Rub in small circular motions upwards for about 3 mins then rinse very well and follow with moisturizer. Please :)
4. The amount of times you should exfoliate depends on your skin type but it's not recommended to exfoliate more than 3/4 times per week.

There a millions of exfoliators on the market, choosing one that works for you takes time but if you have any questions go see a local esthetician or ask me :)

Now, throw away your St. Ive's Apricot scrub or give it to your worst enemy, apologize to your sweet little face, and share this with people you know who use this product!

Do you have a favorite exfoliator? Let me know in the comments!

Also, I'll probably be posting like this once or twice a week and I already have an idea of my first few posts but if you have any questions or ideas that you want me to write about, let me know!

Thanks for hanging out!

XO Lindsay