Chemical Skin Resurfacers ... The future of facials?

The word chemical always makes treatments seem worse than what they are, when were talking about resurfacers the 'chemical' does not refer to the ingredient itself but to how it works. A chemical resurfacer is the opposite to mechanical resurfacers such as microdermabrasion, mechanical resurfacers consist of an abrasive tool or product to remove dead skin cells from the surface of our skin this can include facial exfoliating products that contain rough beads. They buff away dead skin cells and work in a similar way to sand paper.

Chemical resurfacers work by using acids, many of which are plant derivatives. When applied to the skin they break the chemical bonds between old cells working like a PAC man breaking down the surface layers, at the same time stimulating cell renewal.

Chemical resurfacers can feel quite irritating on the skin but this generally only lasts for around 5-10 minutes, the irritation is definitely worth it for the results. Not only do the acids used in these treatments exfoliate the skin they also treat skin concerns for example, salicylic acid cuts through oil cleaning out pores and reducing acne breakouts, lactic acid hydrates whilst lighting and brightening the skin, kojic acid reduces pigmentation.

There are many different acids used within resurfacers, this means that treatment courses can be tailored to suit your specific skin needs and more importantly get the results that you want!

Gone are days of fluffy facials chemical resurfacers will be at the top of everyone's list for a skin pick me up .

Give your skin a drink !

In weather like this don't forget your skin needs a drink too!

The quickest way to hydrate your skin is by using a product containing Hyaluronic Acid.

Hyaluronic Acid has the ability to hold a thousand times its own weight in water, the water that it holds is then used to hydrate our skin. Because water is used so rapidly within the body it depletes from the skin very quickly, Hyaluronic Acid ensures that the water stays within the skin and is not lost, turning your skin from a shrivelled up raisin to a juicy grape.

Dehydration within the skin not only gives it a dull & sallow appearance but also contributes to fine lines, especially around the eye area. Moisturisers typically work on the surface dead skin cells and do not deposit ingredients where we want them in the dermal layer of the skin (where all the living cells are),

To give your skin a boost try Dermaquest's Advance B5 serum, it contains 40% Hyaluronic Acid and will give your skin the pick me up it needs. Every skin types needs hydration so this product is suitable for all from ageing skin to acne breakouts!

Glyco Creamy Cleanser... Love !

This is a product that I think I'll be using for the rest of my life. Don'tthink of this product as just a cleanser but as a daily treatment.

This cleanser contains 15% glycolic acid and works like a PAC man on theskin eating away at old dead skin cells, dirt and debris leaving behind radiantglowing skin.

Glycolic acid is a chemical exfoliatior , meaning that it has no beads toscratch the surface of the skin like mechanical exfoliatiors.

If you want glowing skin use this product every evening, apply a 5 pencepiece amount and work into the skin, leave for 3mins (to do its magic) thenrinse with damp cotton pads.

Environ Hydrating Oil Capsules

Ok so I'm going to be honest and say I was a little sceptical at first asusually 'capsules' are a little gimmicky and contain very little product,however environ proved me wrong. I was initially drawn to these capsules fortheir ingredients, anything with vitamin A excites me.

Im going to write a post on the most potent ingredients and how they workwhich will give you a better idea of what vitamin A does, but for the moment itstimulates cell renewal which in turn, sloughs off old dead skin cells, improvesthe tone and texture of skin, helps to regulate acne and can even reducepigment. All of these results leave your skin radiant and glowing.

There are many products on the high street which claim to contain vitamin A(also called retinol), although they have such a little amount that there isnot enough to penetrate the layers of the skin. Environ has a higher amount ofactive ingredient which means you really do get what you pay for.

Anyway back to the capsules, as well as the stimulation from the vitamin Athe capsules also hydrate the skin and help to fight free radicals that attackthe surface of the skin. When I opened my first capsule I was pleasantlysurprised at the amount of product inside, much more than inside some otherbrands. I had already cleansed my skin with a glycolic cleanser and applied thecapsule all over even having enough product to use on my neck.

The product was silky, light and easily absorbed into my skin iteven smelt lovely which is always a bonus. Then I went to bed.

The morning saw me wake to a lovely silky smooth skin and one happycustomer.  Environ provided a product that did what it said on the pot, ithydrated my skin giving it with a healthy glow, banishing dull dry patches.

I was so impressed we have actually started to use it in clinic after ourclients have had treatments such as Dermaroller or LED light therapy.

Cleansing : Why Bother??

You could be using the worlds most expensive, amazing products but if youhaven't cleansed first it's wasted on old dead skin cells, dirt and bacteria.Our skin has layers and layers of old dead skin that are constantly beingreplaced and forced to shed, this is what gives your skin that dull sallowappearance, cleansing will help to reduce this. Skin also has lots of bacteriaon its surface; these are also known as porphrins and contribute to oily acneprone skin.

As I said in my previous post face wipes and soap and not beneficial toclean your face with, in most cases they dry out the skin and cause more layersof old dried out skin cells and often leave behind the bacteria.

There are many different types of cleansers, some better than others, themost common forms are milk cleansers or washes (some washes are soap) a basicjudgement can be made on how the cleanser leaves yours skin feeling immediatelyafter use. If after use your skin feels tight and 'squeaky clean' then thiscleanser is more than likely to stringent for your skin, this can also happenwith alcohol toners. A cleanser should leave a silky film on the surface ofyour skin; it should not feel like your skin is screaming for a moisturiser.

When cleansing always remove the cleanser with a clean face cloth or dampcotton pads, this will ensure the skin is thoroughly cleaned. To get maximumresults 'double cleanse' the first cleanse is to remove surface dirt andmake-up and the second is a deep cleanse.

Now your ready to apply the next product in your routine.

Want more advise on what type of cleanser to use .... just ask, leave me acomment and ill get back to you

Step away from the face wipes !

When it comes to choosing your skincare it's really quite simple..... Read the ingredients. Forget the fancy advert with the hot model it's what's in the jar that counts.

It might be easier to start with what to avoid 💗

1. Face wipes, they might be quick but that's about it. Even the all singing all dancing cleanser, toner and moisturiser wipes are doing more bad than good. Step away from the wipes!

2 . Soap, the devil in the eyes of a skin therapist. Soap is alkaline and the skin is acidic so these two are never going to work together , we want to stabilise the ph of our skin not change it.

That tight feeling we get when we use these products is a little misleading, although you might feel clean your skin is feeling stripped and dehydrated.

Using a cleanser that does not leave you feeling tight and dry should always be the start of your skin care routine, toners are not always necessary. I'll go into cleansers in more detail in a specific post .