Before you decide to switch regimens to address breakouts for the 100^th time, read this!

So you just started a regimen a week or two ago that your esthetician raved about and now you are breaking out more than ever?  Believe it or not, this is not the time to change routines.

It is crucial to understand how your skin functions and how certain ingredients influence its behavior so you know what to expect when starting a new regimen.

Normally, your skin regenerates itself every 28-50 days depending on age and skin health. You shed skin cells daily, but the amount is so minute that you rarely see it happening.  This is called natural exfoliation.  Acne regimens rely on products that will enhance this process (along with anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredients).

When starting a new acne regimen, your skin goes through an accelerated exfoliation and renewal process.  This allows for breakouts to show up much more quickly than they would have otherwise.  The products are not creating new breakouts, but rather unveiling them at a sooner date.  You would have seen the same blemishes surface weeks down the road, but since your skin function has been sped up you are seeing 5-6 weeks worth of breakouts in one or two weeks.  This amazing and horrifying process is commonly referred to as “purging”.

This can definitely be alarming, but it is very important to adhere to the regimen suggested to you so you can get through this period, and you will get through it.  The average time frame is 7-10 days, but it is not uncommon for it to stretch to 2-4 weeks.  It all depends on the severity of acne you were experiencing and how quickly you can advance your regimen.  Sensitive skin has to advance more slowly so the “purging” period may be a bit longer than tolerant skin which can increase the frequency of product usage more quickly. This breakout period can be minimized by using products with anti-bacterial properties such as benzoyl peroxide or topical antibiotics from your derm.  We suggest sticking to a regimen for 6- 8 weeks and sometimes longer before deciding to switch, unless you are have a reaction (not skin purging).  Keep in mind that not all acne will clear in 8 weeks, but you will definitely get a sense of the products and if you will be able to achieve better results over time.

The bottom line is to stick it out and you will see clearer, more refined healthy skin.

The key players in this acclimation process are:

Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids (glycolic, lactic, salicylic, malic, mandelic acids) -   Hydroxy acids have the ability to break down corneodemosomes on the surface of the skin.  These are what hold the dead skin cells together.  Think of the mortar on a brick wall.  Once the corneodesmosomes are dissolved, the dead skin cells are ready to fall off.  Using a hydroxy acid will speed up the rate that the cells are shed which means your skin has to make new skin cells to fill their place.  When these new cells die, they are pushed to the surface for their turn to be shed. Any debris or microcomedones (pimples) rise to the surface too, which is why it seems like the product is making you break out.  When using these ingredients for acne, daily is usually best.

Retinol – Retinol works from the inside out, which is opposite of a hydroxy acid.   This ingredient stimulates cell renewal first, which then forces your skin to shed the dead skin cells from the top layer.   This is a very potent ingredient and flaking and peeling is a common reaction because it has the ability to speed up the production of new skin cells so fast that you can visibly see the shedding of the old skin cells, which is usually invisible.  This is generally not a desirable outcome, so moderation is the key with retinol.  Use maybe 2-3 times a week.

Ask a professional before starting a regimen with either of these active ingredients.

Have a questions for our estheticians? Ask us here.

We are so excited to announce our latest giveaway! Starting now, through April 10th you can enter for a chance to win a Yonka Violet Bon Voyage Bag with Creme Teintee, Hydralia, and Serum Vital. ($300 Value!)

CRÈME TEINTEE:  Go from drab to fab in an instant!  This lightweight tinted and protective crème also leads to a healthier complexion due to pumpkin seed oils and a power packed cocktail of antioxidant vitamins a, c and e.   A golden glow and protected, healthy skin is just a dab away.

HYDRALIA:  A few drops of this super-hydrating concentrate are enough to eliminate rough spots and the feeling of tautness.  Also eases fine lines and crepiness caused by dehydration.  Mix with your favorite crème for best results.

SERUM VITAL:  Is stress and fatigue showing up on your skin?  Yon-Ka Paris to the rescue…this unique dual phase serum (oil & water so shake well!)  is highly concentrated in botanical extracts and  24 amino acids.  An essential beauty serum for  regenerating and  boosting healthy radiance all year long.

Want to win one? ENTER HERE

It has been said, “your eyes are the window to your soul”. If that is the case, shouldn’t we keep our eyes looking as young as we feel? Here is a list of our Top 5 Eye Creams:

StriVectin SD Eye Concentrate for Wrinkles (New Beauty Award Winner)- clinically proven to visibly diminish lines, creases, dark circles and puffiness in 2 to 8 weeks.

Perricone MD Hypoallergenic Firming Eye Cream  (New Beauty Award Winner)- The Best Firming Eye Cream, ideal for sensitive & dry skin.

Neocutis Lumiere Bio-Restorative Eye Cream- PSP and Hyaluronic Acid help firm and hydrate the delicate skin under and around the eyes.

SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Eye Complex- Dramatically improves puffiness & dark circles within 4-12 weeks.

Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Capsules Daily Youth Restoring Eye Serum- Single dose capsules, strengthen the skin’s barrier against crow’s feet for a younger, brighter look.

So many brush heads, so little time to figure out which one is the right for your specific skin type.  Many people are either using the wrong brush head for their skin type or have no clue which one to use. So, I’m here to help. Here are the basics:

Normal Brush (light gray) – For those with normal skin and for use on your body. (Men love this brush head for their skin)

Sensitive Brush (white) – Most popular, gentle brush designed for normal skin, sensitive skin and first time Clarisonic users.

Delicate Brush (light blue) – Ultra sensitive brush best for extremely delicate skin.

Deep Pore Brush (aqua ring) – The only double-action brush designed to effectively clean large pores and the T-zone. Gentle enough for daily use.

Acne Brush (green ring) – Super Soft, specifically designed to be gentle on acne-prone skin.

Body Brush (gray) – For the body only, makes skin noticeably softer & smoother. Helps reduce dry patches on elbows & knees. Also, helps improve Keratosis Pilaris on the upper arms. This brush head will only work on the Clarisonic PLUS device.

To keep your brush head clean, simply rinse the brush head with antibacterial soap and warm water. We recommend replacing your Clarisonic brush head every 2-3 months.

A lot of the time people think “if some is good, more is better.” But is this really true? Generally speaking, if you are using good, quality skin care products, a little bit goes a long way. If you are using too much product, you might just be washing away money.

For moisturizers, a pea sized to a dime sized amount is usually all that you will need. You want to make sure the product covers the entire area you are trying to treat, but not so much that there is some left visible on the skin. Make sure your skin is slightly damp when you apply a moisturizer too so it can spread better, absorb quicker and you will use less product. Don’t forget your neck and décolleté!

On the other hand, sunscreens are like medicine. In order for sunscreen to be active, the right amount needs to be used. The average-sized person needs to use 1oz of product per application for the entire body. 1oz is about the size of a shot glass. For just the face, neck and décolleté you need approximately a teaspoon full to get the proper coverage. Sunscreen is needed every day, including the winter months.

Many people don’t like using toners in their daily skin care regimen, but when you have large pores you’ve got keep your options open for products that yield results. The Perricone MD Intensive Pore Minimizer tightens the appearance of pores and refines skin texture. It contains DMAE or (dimethylaminoethanol) a nutrient that improves skin tone and sagging. Studies show that people who use DMAE regularly had fewer wrinkles and more supple skin. This product also contains Salicylic Acid, a BHA used for its antimicrobial benefits. This ingredient has the ability to penetrate deep into the pore, exfoliating the interior of the pore as well as the surface of the skin.

To use, simply shake well and apply to a cotton pad and smooth over face and neck. Allow skin to dry before using other products. Use twice daily.  If you have oily skin, this product will help decrease oil production and keep your skin matte. It’s a must have for  any skin type.

The signature ingredient found in all B. Kamins products is Bio-Maple™ Compound. It is a simple, yet complex, compound that is derived from the resin of maple trees. Bio-Maple™ Compound is a clear liquid that looks like water, but contains small amounts of acids, antioxidants and sugars. It absorbs well, is well-tolerated, and has the benefits of plumping the skin, mildly exfoliating, improving radiance and diminishing fine lines and wrinkles.

What Makes Bio-Maple™ Compound Highly Efficacious?

Sugar:

- Binds to water when applied to the skin.

- Brings water to the surface of the skin for ultimate hydration.

- Allows even oily and acne-prone skin types to be hydrated without feeling heavy and does not cause a breakout.

- Improves the skin’s barrier function by binding water to the skin’s surface.

- Leaves skin hydrated, healthy and looking beautiful.

Malic Acid (an alpha hydroxy acid or AHA):

- Offers a low level of exfoliation to speed up the rate of cell renewal, promoting healthy replication.

- Balances skin’s pH. Normal skin pH is around 5.5. An unbalanced pH caused by oil, for example, leaves the skin vulnerable to infection and bacterial attack.

- Acids have a low pH and oils have a high pH, so acids work to neutralize excess oils that are disrupting the skin’s pH.

- Results in smooth, soft and radiant skin.

Bio-Maple™ Compound compliments the other ingredients used in B. Kamins skincare (active and inactive), because of its unique composition. It is more polarized than water, so creams and serums bind to it easily and the result is that they feel less thick and are more absorbable. The B. Kamins award-winning acne line is very hydrating due to Bio-Maple™ Compound. Bio-Maple™ Compound hydrates acneic skin, reduces oil and does not over-dry the skin.

I know you probably have a million things in your makeup case. But do you have an eyeshadow primer? If the answer is no, then we strongly suggest that you get one! Why? Because if you have 600 different shadows and pigments in your makeup collection but don’t have a primer then chances are those eyeshadows are not living their ‘lives’ to the fullest.

An eyeshadow primer will set your eyeshadow and allow for pigments to become much more saturated and visible on the lid, therefore you’ll need less shadow, therefore… you’ll spend less time and less effort packing on the color! And what’s more; an eyeshadow primer will prevent creasing and fading through the day AND it’ll help to conceal any initial redness or veins on your lids- so you can skip the concealer!

Our favorite (and best selling- seriously sells like hot cakes) is the Too Faced Shadow Insurance. Check out this video for more info on our choice:

Argan oil is in high demand because of its unique benefits and limited supply. It has become increasingly popular recently but the Argan tree has been around for centuries. It is made from the edible part of the nut inside the shell of Argan fruit and is found mostly in Morraco. Argan oil has many uses and it’s no wonder that this rare oil is always in pursuit.

The many reported benefits of Argan oil include anti-inflammatory properties, lowering cholesterol, helping with digestion, sore joints, chickenpox, and of course is great for the skin and hair. It is also thought to reduce stretch marks post pregnancy while hydrating the skin. It also protects the body against ultraviolet radiation and is very anti-aging as it prevents the muscles and skin from degenerating. You can apply it alone to your face, body, and hair or with your favorite moisturizer. You can also add a few drops to your bath for added moisture or massage into nails to repair cuticles.

Argan oil is often referred to as “liquid gold” because it can transform dull, dry and frizzy hair into smooth strong tresses, by penetrating into the shaft or pore of the hair. To use on hair apply a few drops and massage into scalp then comb product through to the ends of the hair. It is recommend wrapping the hair in a towel overnight before washing it out. For soft frizz free locks you can apply a drop to styled hair. If you struggle with dandruff Argan oil can be beneficial for relieving an itchy, dry, and flaky scalp. Argan oil will also extend the life of your hair if color treated by keeping your hair conditioned and protected.

Argan oil is very rich in Vitamin E and Omega 6 so it works great for hydrating and protecting the skin. You can apply the oil directly on the skin and use alone. For really dry skin types it will boost the benefits of your moisturizer by combining the two. Because of its anti-inflammatory benefits, you can use Argan oil on acne prone skin to help with breakouts and irritation.

SkinStore.com has Argan oil made by the organic line Melvita. Melvita’s Argan oil contains 100% of the total ingredients from natural origins, so you can be confident the Argan oil is authentic and pure.

I think we will be seeing more popularity as this wonderful gift of nature continues to intrigue us.

Lets be honest, one of the greatest perks of my job is the abundance of products I get to try. I’m like a kid in a candy shop when something new comes our way. Not only do I want to try any new products because I’m obsessed, but also so I can better educate our customers about the products we carry.

Now, this type of situation comes with its goods and its bads. The good? A seemingly endless supply of products at my disposal, doing at-home facials when I feel up for it, having a variety of gifts readily available and getting to try something new whenever I’m bored.

The bad? Products go bad before you get a chance to use them and the biggest downer of all… a random breakout caused by a product. When I jump back and forth from different products or use too many at once, my skin will tell me it’s had enough and punishes me. I guess I can’t say it’s “random” because it’s obvious why it happened… the greedy got to me… too many products at once. Sigh….So what to do now? Here’s a guide to all you over-users and abusers that love products as much as I do…

Step One: Purge and Purify

Action: You need to remove all the impurities. Therefore things are most likely going to get worse before they can get any better.

Recommended Product: Tracie Martyn Amla Purifying Cleanser

Step Two: Keep in Balance

Action: Using a toner will help keep your skin in check.

Recommended Product: Yonka Lotion PS Toner

Step Three: Treat

Action: Eliminate impurities, calm irritated skin and balance out the pH.

Recommended Product: iS Clinical Hydra-Cool Serum

Step Four: Hydrate

Action: Prevent moisture loss and seal in benefits of treatment product.

Recommended Product: MD Formulations Moisture Defense Antioxidant Lotion