skin care Archives - Be Beautiful Now

Autumn woman As summer is a distant memory and we have settled into Fall, our skin also needs to acclimate to this transition. Out with the old, as we prepare the skin for anew and the excitement that this season brings. Changing up your skin care regimen can support Fall skin that may be feeling damaged, dry and in need of repair.

Let me share with you a few of my favorite tips for:

getting rid of sunscreen and other build up that may be clogging your pores,
treating skin that may have suffered from some inevitable sun damage, and
correcting the dull and dehydrated appearance of your skin, so it will be glowing once again.

Here are my 5 steps to achieving beautiful Fall skin:

Cleanser: It is important to incorporate a purifying cleanser that can exfoliate the dead skin and stimulate collagen production. I love Quantum Hydrox’s Gentle Foaming Cleanser this time of year. It contains Glycolic & Salicylic Acid which are awesome exfoliators and Bio Marine Peptides that help to stimulate collagen, promote cellular turn over and plump up the skin.
Exercise & H20: Nothing beats getting a great work-out and sweating to expel toxins from your body. Think about how great your skin always looks post a workout. If you really got your workout on and broke a huge sweat it is a good idea to do a cleanse right after, especially if you are prone to oily and acneic skin. I can’t mention exercise without mentioning the huge benefits of getting enough water daily.

I follow and feel perfectly hydrated when I drink 1/2 of my body weight in ounces of water daily. Since our skin is prone to getting more dried out in the fall it is imperative to properly hydrate so your skin can reap the benefits.
Healthy Diet: I cannot stress enough the importance that diet plays on our skin. It can really promote beautiful skin that is glowing literally from the inside out, or it can lead to dull, grey looking skin that looks like it needs some TLC. Eat as many fruits and veggies as possible.

Nothing can replace the benefits of real food and all of the nutritional value that they bring to our wholeness and well being. They really are our first defense against aging and what our bodies need to look vibrant. Grab seasonal fruits and vegetables and eat according to the season. Shop at your local framer’s market for the best options and prices.
Exfoliate: I would also consider a peel to fall proof your skin. I like both fruit acids and enzymatic peels. I absolutely recommend the Be Beautiful Now 30% AHA Pumpkin, Chemical Peel treatment. The aroma of pumpkin always gets me excited during this season. A good exfoliation treatment really unclogs the pores and prepares the skin to receive the benefits of an active moisturizer by allowing it to really penetrate deep into the skin. Just as important it is to exfoliate, it is equally important to not over exfoliate because that can add to more dryness, sensitivity and depletion of you skin’s natural moisture barrier.

An active exfoliation treatment like the BBN 30% AHA Pumpkin, Chemical Peel is great every 14+ days depending on your age, skin type and condition. An over the counter gentle exfoliator should be used no more than 2-3x’s a week, again depending on your age, skin type and condition. Basically the drier, thinner and more irritable your skin is prone to being the less you want to topically irritate it with over exfoliation, less is best.
Moisturize: Skin needs more TLC during the fall because the transition from warmer to colder weather can be extremely drying. Dry skin is fragile, therefore, it requires you to do more to protect your lipid layer. Remember to moisturize in the a.m. with a moisturizer that contains SPF. Just because the temperature has dropped it doesn’t mean that the sun is not present.

You need SPF 365 days of the year. Also, summer sun and pollution can cause stress to the skin so fall is the perfect time to repair any damage with an intensive moisturizer. Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid and antioxidants are the active ingredients you want to be incorporating into your daily regimen via your moisturizers and serums. They help to deliver and retain moisture and hydration to the skin while supporting youthful skin structure and function.

This time of year a lot of heaters are working overtime and that can also lead to more dehydration, so pull out a humidifier for extra skin support.

Enjoy and cheers to Healthy, Happy, Beautiful Fall skin!

This is a superficial chemical peel and is the mildest of the peel formulas.

Superficial chemical peels remove skin through a portion, or all of the epidermal layers. These are considered the “refreshing” forms of skin peels. This particular chemical peel contains a 30% formulation of pumpkin (nature’s source for healthy, hydrated, and radiant skin), Glycolic and Lactic Acid, (also known as milk acid) White Willow Bark (a chamomile & yarrow derived extraction) and contains an approximate pH of 3.2.

This treatment is formulated to provide deep exfoliation to the facial area, allowing acids to effortlessly penetrate clogged pores by successfully destroying surface bacteria and oil, while assisting in cell proliferation. The oil from pumpkin seeds is uniquely beneficial for the skin. This type of superficial chemical peel is great for the treatment of fine wrinkles, areas of dryness, uneven pigmentation and acne.

Which Skin Types/Conditions can Benefit from a 30% AHA Pumpkin, Chemical Peel?
Many skin types and conditions can benefit from this treatment with its perfect combination of pumpkin and gentle, yet effective AHA. Pumpkin being so rich in essential fatty acids along with the perfect blend of AHA assist in improving the symptoms of oiliness by regulating proper, sebum (oil) production, making it beneficial for both oily/acne-prone skin and dry skin.

Pumpkin seeds are also a rich source of minerals, particularly zinc, which is a great antioxidant and skin healer. So, individuals with acne will benefit from this peels balancing and healing properties, as well as people with aging, mature, or dry skin will see a change due to its ability to promote healthy cell structure and cellular renewal. Individuals with a normal skin type will also enjoy and benefit from this peels gentle, nourishing qualities.

A series of treatments can also help with: reducing the appearance of very mild, blotchy skin discoloration, help lighten hyper-pigmentation, remnant acne discoloration, reduce the appearance of mild scarring, provide a thorough, deep cleansing of the pores and reduction of stubborn blackheads, softening and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and correcting the effects of sun damage.

How a H2t 30% AHA Pumpkin, Chemical Peel Works?
Acid peels are chemical treatments that are applied to the skin’s surface that then eat away at the exterior layer of skin cells, which are dead and appear dull. Often replacing the need for mechanical scrubs. All chemical peeling agents have a “keratolytic” action, meaning that the uppermost layer of the skin, called the epidermis, is removed. This stimulates the production of new epidermal cells which help to improve skin texture and color.

Pumpkin is the perfect ingredient because it contains enzymes, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and gentle acids that help to safely and easily remove the dead layer of skin from the face while rejuvenating and revealing the healthy, glowing skin underneath.

At our skin’s prime, the process of epidermal turnover, where older skin cells die off and new ones make their way up to the surface of the epidermis to replace the older ones can take as long as one month depending on the condition of one’s skin. However, as we age that process can be twice as long. However, the important elements found within pumpkin assist in this cellular rejuvenation process and in turn can strengthen weakened skin structures. This is especially important for aging or damaged skin, that does not renew itself as effectively and easily as our younger skin once did. So, in order to restore the process of natural exfoliation, we can use enzymes and gentle acids like those found in this pumpkin peel.

Removal of the top layer of dead skin cells proves to be very beneficial for many skin types and conditions. Providing for the perfect extraction opportunity if necessary. This particular peel can be used as an individual treatment, or in conjunction with other facial treatments such as microdermabrasion. It can also be used to pre-condition the skin for more aggressive treatment peels.

By using an acid peel you are tapping into your body’s own natural ability to replenish and refresh skin cells while binding moisture, antioxidants, vitamins and nutrients to the skin. This allows the fresh new skin cells below the surface to brighten up the skin’s appearance.

What to expect during & after a 30% AHA Pumpkin, Chemical Peel
The chemical peeling agent is applied to your skin and is left on for 5-10 minutes depending on your skin type and condition, and remains there until it is neutralized. This is the step that exfoliates and stimulates the skin. Within the first minute or two this peel may cause stinging, skin redness, mild skin irritation, and dryness. Due to the fact that this peel is more superficial than other, deeper peels, there is little to no downtime and you will notice immediate results.

It is important to properly moisture your face after a chemical peel. The top layer of the skin is typically protective and the bottom layer is exposed prematurely after a peel. Apply high-quality moisturizers, a broad spectrum UVA/UVB SPF, and products to your skin because your skin will be more absorbent and susceptible after a peel. If your skin was dry or dehydrated prior to the treatment you may experience some flaking skin in the days to follow. As you shed the top layer of the skin, you also reveal dirt and bacteria that is buried into the deeper layers of the skin.

Although chemical peels due alleviate acne, excess oil, and reduce blackheads, these will also be brought to the surface first as they are purged from your skin and some individuals may experience their acne and congestion come to the surface two or three days after the treatment. If that is the cause a mud/clay masque can be applied to absorb and treat the excess oil and breakouts. In the days to follow your skin will feel and look beautiful guaranteed.

Click here to learn more about this highly effective skin exfoliation treatment available.