Posts Tagged ‘pimples’

BEHIND BEAUTY: The Truth About Adult Acne

Once I was out of my teen years, I thought I’d be acne free… No such luck. Adult acne can continue well into your 20s, 30s and beyond.

Unlike teenage acne, which is primarily triggered by hormonal fluctuations, Adult Acne can be triggered by a variety of causes. Clogged pores, Stress, hormones, inferior cosmetics, skincare and styling products, all contribute to adult acne.

Using inferior products is one of the largest Adult Acne causes. Some ingredients in non-professional makeup, hair and skin products can irritate skin, especially for sensitive skin. Oil based makeup and hair products can clog pores causing blackheads.  Once clogged, bacteria can grow inside the pore, causing it to erupt into a nasty red blemish. Instead, consult an esthetician to help you replace your acne-causing products with professional ones that help you achieve a clear complexion.

A regular exfoliation routine is a key component in preventing breakouts and keeping your skin glowing. By regularly removing the dead skin cells from the surface, you reduce the chance they will end up clogging your pores.

Some hormone fluctuations, especially the release of cortisol caused by stress, are another cause of adult acne. Additionally, Women are likely to see intermittent breakouts through till menopause a few days before their periods due to natural hormone fluctuations.

Whether your diet influences your breakouts is a hotly debated topic in the esthetics industry. Even science can’t seem to make a decision. The latest research out of Australia suggests that foods with a high sugar content may be more likely to cause breakouts. Additionally, some research suggests that dairy products may be the culprit. It can be confusing trying to sort through all the research out! However, most estheticians agree that the majority of food related breakouts are the result of an allergic sensitivity and can be caused by a variety of factors. By embracing foods with higher nutrient value, such as vegetables and fresh fruits, your diet can improve your overall skin health.

Contact with unclean surfaces, such as cell phones, pillow cases, and hands can increase the amount of bacteria on the skin leading to more frequent breakouts. Make sure to wipe down your cell phone thoroughly at least once a week. Launder your pillowcases on a regular basis. Some estheticians recommend changing them up to 3 times a week! Finally, try to keep your hands off your face. Our hands are in contact with some pretty dirty surfaces throughout the day, computer keyboards, public transit rails, doorknobs and more! Avoid spreading bacteria by washing your hands frequently.

• Invest in a cleanser that will completely remove makeup and regulate oil production.
• Exfoliate with a gentle mask or scrub. If you prefer a chemical exfoliant, try a gentle AHA/BHA peel.
• Apply a Benzoyl Peroxide product directly to healing blemishes
• Opt for a clay based or  soothing masque to prevent skin irritation from treatment

Adult Acne should not be treated the same as teenage acne. As you age, your skin ages with you. The products that were effective in your teens may actually worsen acne for mature skin. If you’re not seeing the results you’d like with your home care, consult your local esthetician. She will be able to recommend a routine specific to your skin.

We recommend the following kits:

VivierSkin Oily or Acne Prone Skin System (6 PC)
Obagi CLENZIderm Acne Therapeutic System Normal-Oily Skin
GM Collin 3 pc Travel Kits – Acne

As always, just for being a follower of our blog, enter coupon code BLOG10 for 10% off your next purchase! Also, remember to follow us @spaboutique on Twitter, like our Facebook  page, and check out our boards on Pinterest! You could be the lucky winner of one of our many contests!

 

Discover… Pangea Organics

Spa Boutique is excited to announce the newest addition to our growing organic family, Pangea Organics!  A natural line that believes beauty should be organic, cruelty-free and nutrient dense. Concentrated formulas eliminate filler so  your skin feels only the best botanicals, oils, and nutrients nature has to offer.

With so many award-wining products, it’s hard to know where to start! We recommend checking out the Italian Red Mandarin with Rose Lip Balm. The light rose and citrus scent is a perfect way to gear up for Valentine’s Day! This 2008 Natural Solutions Beauty With A Conscience winner, and Real Simple Magazine Pick is packed with essential oils. This Lip Balm protects and soothes while providing a deep level of hydration. Also available in Pyrenees Lavender with Cardamom and Egyptian Fennel with Grapefruit & Sweet Orange!

The Canadian Pine with White Sage Hand Soap is a fantastic way to begin introducing Pangea Organics into your home. Winner of The Healing Life Styles and Spas Earth Day Award, talk about a soap that is not only antiseptic but hydrating and refreshing too! Available as a Bar Soap or Body Wash, the pine scent leaves your sink or shower naturally fresh. 

Discover Pangea Discovery Kits! With a wide range of skin options, from combination, dry or blemish prone, there’s a start set for everyone.  Each 6 piece Pangea Organics Discovery Kit includes a Facial Cleanser, Facial Toner, Facial Cream, Facial Scrub, Facial Mask and Eye cream in a convenient sample size.  Each product comes in a different scent- a great way to get to know their entire line!

Oily skin? Try the Oily to Blemish-Prone Discovery Kit; hydrating without adding surface oil. The weightless hydration and sebum-control calms surface inflammation. As part of your morning, this kit provides a fantastic foundation for make-up!

Looking to renew dry, damaged skin?  The Normal to Dry Discovery Kit uses nutrients and botanicals to provide superior hydration as well as work some anti-aging magic!

Combination Skin? We’ve got you covered! The Normal to Combination Discovery Kit offers the best of both worlds. With nature’s best anti-aging, purifying and soothing ingredients, this kit replenishes dull, dehydrated or sun damaged skin.

Great news! Pangea Organics are considered safe for pregnancy (even the scented ones!) due to the concentration levels of their essential oils.  Pangea Organics produces their products with as many Vegan ingredients as possible. The products selected for Spa Boutique are Gluten-Free. All Pangea Organics products are cruelty free and have a shelf-life of up to 12 months once opened.

As always, just for being a follower of our blog, enter coupon code BLOG10 for 10% off your next purchase! Also, remember to follow us @spaboutique on Twitter, like our Facebook  page, and check out our boards on Pinterest! You could be the lucky winner of one of our many contests!

 

Countdown to Glowing Skin for the Holidays

The countdown to Christmas has started which means that the countdown to Christmas parties has also started.  We all want to look our best during these festive occasions so I’ve put together an express skin makeover that will have your skin glowing right through till the new year!

Take it from dull to radiant with exfoliation

If you are like most people, you would like to say that you are exfoliating regularly, but the truth is that it gets put off more often than not.  It’s hard enough to drag yourself to the bathroom to wash your face before bedtime and in the morning when you’re racing to get to work? Forget it.

Normal to Dry Skin

Use a gentle exfoliator (not a harsh scrub) everyday for a week for a jump start and then twice a week to maintain.

Yonka Gommage 305

Normal to Oily & Acne Skin

Use an exfoliator that contains salicylic acid everyday for a week for a jump start and then twice a week to maintain.  The salicylic acid will help to dissolve excess oil and clogged pores leading to brighter, clearer skin.  For acne skin, avoid scrubs as they can irritate the skin and spread infection.

B. Kamins AHA & BHA Gommage

Cure your affliction with a serum and a mask

Think of your serum and mask like your skin’s medicine.  Whatever is bothering you most about your skin, choose your serum and mask accordingly.  Use your serum every day, twice a day.  Use your mask daily for a week as a jump start and then twice a week to maintain.  If your main concern is bringing radiance back to your tired, dull skin, choose a brightening serum and mask.

Phytomer White Lumination Remineralizing Lightening Mask

Pimple problem

If your pimple is infected (white inside, sometimes painful, sometimes itchy) it needs to be extracted in order to heal quickly.  If you can’t make it in to see your esthetician for professional extractions, you will have to do it yourself at home.  Instead of squeezing it until it pops open (which leads to a big, noticeable red spot and later turns into a scar), make a small opening and gently press the white fluid out.  A sterilized pin or extraction tool works and a disposable lancet works even better.  Once the pimple has been extracted you can apply a product which contains an antibacterial ingredient such as tea tree oil.  Now you must leave it alone and let it heal.  Don’t touch or pick at it and you’ll be surprised at how fast it disappears completely!

Skeyndor Clear Complexion Spot-Less Patch

Now that you have a fresh, clean, and clear canvas, your makeup will go on beautifully and look flawless!  If you’d like to indulge on holiday drinks, be sure to drink plenty of water too to maintain your skin’s hydration levels.

For more skin tips or for product recommendations for your skin type, don’t hesitate to leave a comment or to contact one of our estheticians!

As always, just for being a follower of our blog, enter coupon code BLOG10 for 10% off your next purchase! Also, remember to follow us @spaboutique on Twitter, like our Facebook  page, and check out our boards on Pinterest! You could be the lucky winner of one of our many contests!

 

 

 

 

How to get rid of pimples and get clear skin

Pimples can be the most frustrating and difficult skin issue to deal with.  Having acne brings down our self confidence and on some days we just feel like hiding rather than leaving the house.  Our skin can break out for many different reasons including hormonal imbalance, excess oil, clogged pores, and excess bacteria.  Here are a few key steps to maintaining clear skin using the Celazome Clinical Skincare O-Plex System:

1. Proper cleansing to purify and prepare the skin

 

Celazome Clinical Skin Care O-PLEX Wash with Complex Origanum (AM+PM) – contains salicylic acid & Egyptian geranium

 Celazome Clinical Skin Care O-PLEX Mist with Complex Origanum (AM+PM) – purifying toner contains oregano oil & Egyptian geranium

2. Exfoliation to keep surface of the skin clear of debris and to allow active ingredients to penetrate easier

Celazome Clinical Skin Care Gly-Clear Cleanser (AM or PM, 3 days per week) -  exfoliating cleanser with alpha hydroxy acids and green tea extract

5. Treatment with anti-bacterial and oil-balancing ingredients (tea tree oil, sulphur, camphor…)

Celazome Clinical Skin Care O-PLEX Target Facial Treatment (AM, PM up to 3x daily)

6. Hydration and sun protection

 

Celazome Clinical Skin Care O-PLEX Acne Treatment Lotion (AM, PM) – a light, exfoliating hydrator with retinol & salicylic acid

Celazome Clinical Skin Care naturalSkin Finishing Powder (AM) a non pore-clogging mineral powder with natural sun protection

More tips:

•Don’t pick at your skin because this can lead to permanent scarring

•Don’t touch your skin unless you’ve washed your hands

•Sanitize your telephone regularly with alcohol if it touches your face

•See an esthetician for professional extractions if you have infected breakout and deep clogged pores

We would love to hear your thoughts on the topic of this blog! Feel free to leave your comments or questions below.  As always, just for being a follower of our blog, enter coupon code BLOG10 for 10% off your next purchase! Also, remember to follow us @spaboutique on Twitter, like our Facebook  page, and check out our boards on Pinterest! You could be the lucky winner of one of our many contests!

 

How to use concealer to cover up any type of imperfection

We all have (or have had) some sort of imperfection that needs covering up.  Using concealer sometimes requires the artist in us to come out (and some of us have a better artist inside than others!).  Let’s look at some tips for using the best shade and texture for covering up each type of imperfection:

The blasted blemish!

•yellow neutralizes red so choose a color with a yellow base

•use a concealer with built in bacteria-killing ingredients like tea tree oil, green tea, zinc oxide, or benzoyl peroxide

•clean your concealer brush with an antibacterial soap & water or brush cleaner in between each application to prevent the spread of infection

•dry mineral powder can when applied with a concealer brush for an added SPF (to prevent post inflammatory scarring or ‘brown spots’)

Best Blemish Concealing Picks:

 

Jane Iredale Zap & Hide Concealer,  Jane Iredale Botanical Brush Cleaner

The dark under eye circle with blue-purple tones

•Peach neutralizes blue so choose a peachy-colored concealer

•If you have lines/crow’s feet use a creamy texture as dry textures tend to emphasize lines

•Try to match the shade of the rest of your face – many people make the mistake of going really light under the eye which looks too obvious

Best dark circle picks:

Jane Iredale Active Light Under Eye Concealer, Jane Iredale Circle Delete Concealer

The bruise with blue, purple, red, or yellow tones

 

•Use a thick, full coverage concealer

•Peach neutralizes blue/purple, yellow neutralizes red, and lilac neutralizes yellow

•Apply concealer in layers and follow each layer with an application of mineral powder to set

Best bruise covering picks:

Jane Iredale Disappear Camouflage Cream, Jane Iredale Corrective Colors, Jane Iredale Pure Pressed Mineral Powder

 

Applying concealer is always easier when you use the right tool.  If you find you are having a hard time getting your concealer to look right you may need to get a good concealer brush.  I also recommend that you finishing concealing one spot before you move onto the next, this way you won’t accidentally walk out of the house with a glob of concealer on you that hasn’t been blended in!

 

We would love to hear your thoughts on the topic of this blog!  Feel free to post your comments or questions below.  As always, just for being a follower of our blog, enter coupon code BLOG10 for 10% off your next purchase! Also, remember to follow us @spaboutique on Twitter, like our Facebook  page, and check out our boards on Pinterest! You could be the lucky winner of one of our many contests!