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Your After-Sun Skincare Guide!
Did you know caring for your skin after prolonged exposure is just as important as wearing SPF to protect it during the day? When the skin is exposed to UV rays for extended periods of time (yes, even if you constantly reapply sunscreen), the top layer of the skin gets fried. Dry skin, especially after a long day in the sun, causes redness, creates the perfect environment for acne-causing bacteria to get comfortable, and can cause premature signs of aging.
Being diligent with your after-sun skincare routine not only soothes the skin to remove redness and irritation but restores and protects the skin’s natural moisture barrier, which is critical to the overall health of your complexion. Here are our favorite products to keep your skin healthy and glowing all summer long!
Green Tea & Pomegranate Antioxidant Tonic
This powerful toner is perfect for rehydrating and refreshing the skin after sun exposure. It works to remove any leftover oils, bacteria, or product residue that might still be lingering on your skin after cleansing. This lightweight, moisturizing toner is packed with antioxidants, amino acids and niacinamide to help repair and regenerate at a cellular level to keep your complexion bright and even!
Uses:
Spray on face & body after cleansing or to soothe sunburns
Use to refresh skin post-workout or during long periods of sun exposure
Soothe dry hands
Botanical Milk Cleanser
If you’ve spent a long day in the sun, using an active ingredient cleanser may be too harsh on the skin (especially if it’s burned) and can cause further irritation and redness. Opting for a mild, gentle cleanser like our Botanical Milk Cleanser will effectively cleanse the skin while rehydrating the skin to keep it looking youthful!
Acne & Rosacea safe
Vitamin C brightens the skin
Use as makeup remover
Hydro-facial Daily Gel Cream Moisturizer
It’s likely that as the seasons change, so will the daily moisturizer you opt for. The heavier creams you use in the winter will likely cause breakouts in the summer due to increased sweating and sun exposure. Our light-as-air Hydro-facial Daily Gel Cream Moisturizer can be used all year round and is packed with Hyaluronic Acid to deeply nourish and rehydrate the skin without clogging your pores.
Hyaluronic Acid deeply hydrates & restores
Caffeine energizes look of dull skin
Acne & Rosacea safe
What you should know about face acids.
We know what you’re thinking….what the heck is a face acid and how do you pick the right one? Don’t worry - you’ve come to the right place!
Though the term “face acid” sounds positively terrifying, it is actually the prize of the skincare world and can get your complexion to go from not to hot. Here’s everything you need to know about face acids:
What they are
To say it simply, face acids in skincare refer to ingredients that are used for exfoliation and have a pH balance of < 7. Face acids can be separated into two major categories: AHAs and BHAs. These ingredients work to stimulate cellular turnover and shed old, dull, dead skin cells to make way for shiny, bright new ones. It’s the equivalent of a micro-chemical peel that loosens up all the bad stuff and allows it to slough those cells right off your face.
AHAs vs BHAs: What’s what?
AHAs, or alpha hydroxy acids, are water-soluble meaning they work mostly on the surface layer of the skin and target things like texture issues, fine lines, wrinkles and dullness. They gently exfoliate the outer layer of skin to even out tone, texture and ultimately brighten the skin.
BHAs, or beta hydroxy acids, penetrate the skin and get into the lower layers to help unclog pores and remove oils and dead skin cells making them a great option for those with acne-prone skin.
Our favorite face acids
While there are many different acids to choose from, we have a few that we always find ourselves coming back to to keep us looking young and radiant. Here are our top 5 all time favorites:
Hyaluronic Acid: If you’re looking to draw moisture into your skin and get that plumping effect look no further. Hyaluronic acid is the holy grail of hydrating acids and can help reduce the look of dull, dry skin and fine lines.
Kojic Acid: Kojic acid actually works to prevent the forming of melanin (what gives our skin pigment) and lightens the skin. It targets dark spots, discoloration, hyperpigmentation and can battle acne scars.
Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C): Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant as well as a face acid and works to brighten the complexion and protect against photoaging. Skin looking tired, dull or lifeless? Give it some Vitamin C.
Mandelic Acid: Mandelic acid is our favorite acid for fighting acne-causing bacteria because it’s gentler on the skin and yields the same results as other AHAs like glycolic or salicylic acid. Mandelic acid works to promote collagen production, accelerate cellular turnover and is a powerful exfoliant perfect for acne-prone skin.
New Year Skincare Resolutions You Can Keep!
We’ve heard it before - “this year I’m definitely going to pay more attention to my skin!” We know you have good intentions when it comes to following through with your new year’s goals, but then life gets in the way. Our advice? Start small. You don’t need a 27-step skincare routine to have glowing skin. What you DO need is a good routine and a few carefully selected products to get you started.
Here’s where to start:
Figure out what your skin type is.
This is the most important thing you can do for your skin. Knowing what skin type you have will determine which types of products you use. In order to get maximum results you absolutely cannot skip this step! Here’s how to tell based on how your skin feels:
Tight? Your skin is likely dry
Noticeable shine on nose and forehead? Likely normal / combination
Shine on cheeks in addition to forehead and nose? Likely oily
Get the skincare basics.
First things first: the essentials. You can worry about all of those extra products later. Here’s what you should start with:
Cleanser: Natural products can be great for the skin but not when it comes to preventing breakouts. Make sure you choose a cleanser with an active ingredient so that it kills acne-causing bacteria and keeps your skin’s delicate ecosystem healthy and balanced.
Toner: The type of toner you choose should be specific to your skin type. It gently exfoliates the skin so be careful of over exfoliation!
Serum: We would opt for a hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid or a brightening serum with vitamin c to start with!
Moisturizer: Having hydrated skin is literally a cureall. When your skin is properly hydrated you look younger, have less prominent fine lines and wrinkles and protect your skin from breakouts. When your skin is dry you get microtears in the skin and it's the perfect environment for acne-causing bacteria to settle into...yuck!
SPF: SPF IS YOUR BFF. Seriously. If you want to prevent dark spots, dull looking skin and signs of aging then you absolutely need to wear SPF. Yes even inside and YES even in the winter. Don’t forget about your neck and your hands!
Eye cream: The skin under your eyes is 10x thinner than the rest of the skin on your face. Your under eyes deserve special attention and are also the area that can show signs of aging first. A good eye cream can make you look brighter, more awake and younger all at the same time!
Establish a routine.
If you ever want to see results from your hard work, consistency is key. Even more importantly is the actual layering of your products for max results. Here’s what our AM & PM routines look like:
Morning Routine:
Cleanse with gentle cleanser
Vitamin C serum
Moisturizer
SPF
Bedtime Routine:
Gently remove makeup
Use cleanser with an active ingredient
Use toner
Apply serums (thinnest to heaviest)
Moisturize
Apply eye cream
Weekly Routine:
Gently exfoliate 1x per week
Use a hydrating mask 2x per week
Healthy skin habits to prioritize:
Hydrate:
Hydration is essential to a glowing complexion. Staying properly hydrated allows your skin to look and feel rejuvenated every day. Well-hydrated skin is generally less sensitive and helps fight fine lines and wrinkles.
Here’s how we like to keep our skin hydrated:
Internal hydration: Water. Water. Water. There is nothing more important to full body and skin health than drinking enough water. Everybody is different, but we recommend at least 8 8oz glasses per day. Tip: drink coconut water for extra hydrating power.
External hydration: We LOVE our hydrating masks. We recommend Get Glowing 2x per week along with Mandelic Acid 5+ Pads for gentle exfoliation to give you the best hydrating experience.
Don’t Touch:
Hands OFF the face! We know, we know, with a face this pretty it’s nearly impossible to resist. But listen here - not touching your face will expedite the skin glowing process. This means no picking, no sleeping with your hands on the pillow, no resting your face on your hands. It’s tough, we know, but pay attention to it and you’ll be able to build this healthy skin habit.
4. Stick to your Routine:
Ultimately, habits come down to routine. Healthy skin habits are no exception, you’ll succeed as you prioritize these in your routine. Use our guidelines about to build your perfect am and pm routine then stick to it!!! Your skin will thank you for your dedication to washing, taking off makeup, putting on serums, and protecting with the appropriate SPF! WE GOT THIS!
Sweata weather is in full swing and that means your skin is more susceptible to dehydration...Think fine lines, wrinkles, dry patches, redness, flaking and sensitivity - no thanks! Here are some of our favorite products we lean on to keep our skin bright, plump and hydrated during the winter months:
Mandelic Acid 5+ Re-texturizing Pads to Exfoliate
Giving your skin a light peel works wonders for brightening the face and keeping a healthy amount of oil on the skin. These pads are a cureall for almost any skin woe including minimizing pores, brightening the complexion, reducing fine lines, battling blemishes and killing acne-causing bacteria at the source.
Vitamin C-20+ High Potency Anti-oxidant & Brightening Serum to Brighten
No one likes a dull complexion. We refer to this supercharged product as our personal fountain of youth. This product is a must for brightening dull, lifeless skin, reducing dark spots, fine lines and hyperpigmentation.
Lactic Acid 12+ Body Smoothing Lotion to Repair
The holy grail of products for your body. Our Lactic Acid 12+ Body Smoothing Lotion works as an anti-aging treatment for your whole body by stimulating cellular regeneration to hydrate and soften rough, bumpy or chapped skin.
Get Glowing Antioxidant Renewal Deep Hydration Mask for Hydration
Last but definitely not least, our favorite deep hydration mask. Dry skin can be the cause of so many types of skin concerns, so keeping your skin healthy and hydrated is essential. This antioxidant-infused mask has hyaluronic acid to improve your skin’s texture, plumpness, elasticity and firmness due to its deeply hydrating properties!
Breakouts vs. Purging - Which is which?
It seems like it’s an endless cycle.. Girl sees skincare, girl buys skincare, skincare leads to a massive breakout. But what if all this time you weren’t actually breaking out and your skin was just purging? Here’s what to look for to find out.
Breakouts
If you pay close attention to your skin, you’ll notice it always asks you for exactly what it needs - moisturizer, a gentle cleanser, a detox mask. This rule also applies to trying out new skincare products. Breakouts are caused by bacteria and pores that are clogged by dead skin cells. The bacteria gets trapped in the pores and triggers an immune response, causing a flare up and angry, red blemishes.
Purging
Purging refers to blemishes caused by an increase in cell-turnover to remove dead skin cells, which, incidentally, also produces flare ups and blemishes. The difference with purging is that it usually will last 6-8 weeks before your skin returns to normal. Think of this process as an accelerated shedding process that pulls up all of the gunk currently trapped in your pores.
How to tell the difference
Purging pulls up what already exists deep below the surface. If you begin breaking out in areas that you’ve never had blemishes in before, it’s likely that it’s a breakout, not a skin purge. Purge blemishes are also somewhat mild, existing just below the surface of the skin while blemishes caused from breakouts are categorized as cysts, nodules and pustules that are rooted deep beneath the surface.
Pay attention to the time frame in which you’ve implemented a new skincare product to your routine as well as the ingredients it contains. Look for products that are non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores) and be sure to always do a patch test before using across the entire face!
‘Maskne’ - the acne taking the world by storm
What is maskne?
2020 has been stressful enough - why not add a new type of acne into the mix! NOT. The term ‘maskne’ was dubbed by the internet in reference to the breakouts on the lower part of the face, consolidated riiiiight under your mask. It’s no surprise that the addition of a face covering is causing breakouts due to the bacteria that can linger on your mask. Worse, the constant friction of the mask rubbing against your face can add even more irritation where you’re used to having none.
Just like touching your face breeds acne-causing bacteria, so does wearing a mask. It traps oils, sweat, saliva and bacteria from your mouth and spreads it across your face where it sits for the rest of the day…..YUCK. Fortunately, though it seems like we will be wearing masks for the foreseeable future, there is something you can do to keep your skin from becoming a petri dish:
Wash your mask (and your hands) regularly
Kill bacteria at the source. If you wear a reusable mask, we recommend getting a few extra so you can wear a fresh one every day if you don’t have time to wash it. If your skin is extra sensitive, avoid washing with scented detergent that can add extra irritation.
Don’t skip your skincare routine
Keeping up with your skincare routine (yes, even if you’re too tired to do it) is crucial for keeping maskne at bay. Having healthy skin improves your skin’s natural barrier so it’s better able to seal the good stuff in while keeping acne-causing bacteria out. If you feel greasy during the day and don’t have time to cleanse with water, our Mandelic Acid 5+ Re-texturizing pads will do the trick.
Wash your face with an antibacterial cleanser
Though gentle cleansers are great for preventing dryness, they don’t always kill acne-causing bacteria. Look for a cleanser that has mandelic or salicylic acid to keep pimples at bay. Throw in a detox mask 1-2 times a week for an extra boost.
Green Tea & Pomegranate Antioxidant Gel Cleanser
Mandelic 5+ Antioxidant Gel Cleanser
Detox Therapy Mask + Cleanser
Moisturize
It might seem like adding a layer of moisturizer underneath your skin will clog your pores and make the maskne problem even worse, and don’t worry, we hear you, but that isn’t the case.
Keeping the skin hydrated protects the skin and prevents cracking, aka the places bacteria likes to settle into to wreak havoc on your complexion. The key ingredient to look for in addition to antioxidants and ceramides? Non-comedogenic, meaning, it won’t clog your pores. When wearing a mask your skin is taking on physical occlusion (blockage or closing of a blood vessel), sweat, and makeup residue. Think twice before opting out of using a moisturizer because skipping this step can make your acne flare up even worse.
Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 30
Why You Should Ditch Your Hand Sanitizer
We know you might not believe us based on your past experiences, but we’ll let you in on a little secret: it is actually possible to kill harmful germs and bacteria using hand sanitizer without destroying your skin!
Traditional hand sanitizer is known for its powerful antibacterial properties but likely even more so for its ability to dry out even the most moisturized hands - not to mention the stringent, clinical smell it leaves behind... No, thanks.
Keeping your hands clean and bacteria free is not only beneficial for your skin (we know you touch your face more than you want to admit), it’s essential for total body health. Most harmful bacteria makes its way into the body after your hands make contact with your mouth, nose, or eyes. Yuck!
We believe that you deserve products that do it all: powerful ingredients that are also kind to your skin. Our Hand Sanitizer, with the supercharged anti aging powers of Vitamin E, is our latest brag (and likely the sanitizer of your dreams)! It kills 99.9% of germs and leaves your hands looking fresh and hydrated without that clinical scent.
You can thank us later!
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Top 5 Best Foods For Your Skin
Ever heard the phrase you are what you eat?! When it comes to your complexion, it’s TRUE! The foods you eat have a direct impact on your skin’s health and whether or not your skin is extra prone to breakouts. Here are our top five favorite foods you can add into your diet to keep your skin glowing from the inside out..literally.
Avocados
Not all fats are equal. The healthy fats found in avocados work wonders for your body, and therefore your complexion! Not only are avos packed with vitamins C, E, and fatty acids that are essential to keep you looking fresh-faced, it also helps to minimize oxidation damage that can result from sun exposure and environmental toxins!
Sweet Potatoes
Skin looking dull? A sweet potato may be just what you need to uncover your natural radiance. Sweet potatoes are full of beta-carotene that helps fight free-radical damage that can lead to aging and copious amounts of Vitamin C (to boost collagen and elasticity) and Vitamin E to relieve signs of aging while keeping the skin supple.
Green Tea
We know this isn’t technically a food, but green tea is an antioxidant powerhouse and is an absolute must when it comes to naturally reviving the skin’s natural glow. Green tea is great for acne-prone skin because it acts as a natural anti-inflammatory. It also works overtime to reverse the effects of photoaging and free radical damage, not to mention the elasticity boost you’ll get from the water if you drink it in tea form!
Carrots
Did you know carrots can give you a natural glow? The beta-carotenes in orange carrots get turned into Vitamin A by the body. Vitamin A helps to keep the skin healthy, fights wrinkles, helps prevent breakouts and supports the immune system, meaning you heal from breakouts faster. The best part? It hydrates your skin so you look fresh and dewy.
Walnuts
We know it sounds random, but walnuts are actually a great antioxidant and contribute to healthy skin! It’s also loaded with the anti-aging properties of Vitamin E while the antioxidants work to slough off dead skin cells, and “polish” the surface of the skin!
What do all of those numbers on the bottles mean anyway? And how do you pick the right one?
SPF is an acronym for Sun Protection Factor. Think of it as a rating that tells you how well your skin will be shielded from the sun using spray or lotion.
But what about the numbers?
SPF allows us to filter out harmful UVB rays (or sunburn rays). Research tells us that the SPF equation goes something like this: 15 SPF is equal to filtering 93% of the sun’s UVB rays. That isn’t enough to keep you from getting burned though. SPF 30 is about 97% protection.
Sunscreen can be applied in layers, like in your moisturizer or with your makeup, but you should always reapply. After too much time in the sun, the sunscreen will begin to be broken down by the sun’s rays. After any type of sweating, exposure to water or to the sun, you should always reapply.
At Beyond Complexion, we are obsessed with skincare and sunscreen is a surefire way to fight back against discoloration, skin cancers, wrinkles, and other signs of aging.
Here are some of our favorite non-traditional sunscreen products:
Loose Mineral Foundation Skincare Makeup: A 100% non-comedogenic foundation powder that feels like your own skin. All-natural minerals provide light-to-heavy coverage while also blocking the sun’s harmful rays.
Vitamin C+ Sheer Defense SPF 30 Sunscreen: Vitamin C + antioxidants + sunscreen = better skin and UVA/UVB protection. This lightweight sunscreen is loaded with potent antioxidants to fight free radicals, improve the appearance of aged, fragile skin, and discoloration.
Radiance Tinted Moisturizer SPF 46: Mattifying, oil-free tinted moisturizer with SPF 46 that adapts to your skin color to enhance skin tone with long-lasting hydration. The universal tint of Sheer Defense Tinted SPF 46 provides a smooth and even complexion, effectively masking imperfections, for beautifully radiant skin.
Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 30: Lightweight moisturizer reduces redness and discoloration while improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Our lightweight yet super moisturizing mix of aloe vera, vitamin E, and botanical oils hydrates skin without clogging pores.
Your Post-Workout Skin Refresh
If you’re someone who loves to exercise, odds are you’re probably all too familiar with that post-sweat splotchiness and annoying breakouts that always seem to form immediately after you finish.
While a dedicated skincare regimen is crucial to healthy, clear skin, a seven-step routine isn’t always realistic, especially when you’re on the go. Here are our favorite products to get rid of pore-clogging oils to refresh your skin, diminish redness, and kill acne-causing bacteria:
When you’re in a rush:
Our Mandelic Acid 5+ Re-texturizing Pads are about to become your go-to post-sweat product. These pads tackle and eliminate oil, acne, and any pore-clogging or breakout-causing bacteria. They’re perfect for cleansing your face without the water, and you can also use them to cleanse your back, bum, and chest if you don’t have time to change!
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When you have time to shower:
Do you usually save yourself time to shower at the gym? Our Mandelic Acid 5+ Antioxidant Cleanser is more than just a face wash. It can double as a body wash to stop breakouts on the face, arms, chest, back, and bum! The secret ingredients? Hops (to brighten the skin) and green tea antioxidants to soothe redness! It should be your go-to if you’re looking to refresh and rejuvenate your whole body post-sweat!
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When there’s time for a full skincare routine:
While mandelic acid is great for killing pore-clogging bacteria, it can sometimes leave your skin feeling a bit dry. Our Vitamin C+ Sheer Defense SPF 30 is more than just a lightweight sunscreen. We also packed it full of vitamin C to renew the skin’s natural moisture barrier, improve overall skin clarity, increase elasticity and firmness! You should always re-hydrate the skin, especially if you have time after you cleanse the skin post-workout!
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Your Skin Needs Plumping...Here's How To Do It
Your Skin Needs Plumping...Here's How To Do It
When we’re young, our skin is constantly regenerating itself by sloughing off old cells and replacing them with new ones. As we age, our skin begins to lose its ability to do so, leading to dead skin cell build-up, dullness, dryness, and sagging skin.
No one wants a complexion that looks aged or have their skin lose its elasticity, but what can we do to keep our skin in check?
First things first: Exfoliate.
Our 25% Mandelic Acid Peel Pads minimize the appearance of pores while exfoliating and brightening the skin. Exfoliating the skin before applying serums preps your skin and allows it to better absorb the solution.
The pad’s Mandelic Acid properties loosen impacted and clogged pores to boost skin elasticity and cell regeneration.
Up next: Plump it up.
Our Renegerate Complex Serum has similar effects to an injection of collagen within just two weeks of use. Yep.. you read that right. This serum is the ultimate skin plumper and perfect for this cold weather.
Use this serum for:
Reduction wrinkle appearance and volume by 15% in only 2 weeks
Firmness increased by 13 times in 15 days
190% Increase in elastin production after 11 days
179% Increase in collagen I production
194% Increase in collagen III production after 11 days
50% decrease in skin laxity after 28 days
Improvements sustained after two months of treatment
A reduction in the appearance of rosacea over a 12-week period