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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
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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Green Tea Cleanser: Alternative Uses
Your product, your way!
The best part about Beyond Complexion products is that they aren't limited to just one use case. Our Green Tea & Pomegranate Antioxidant Cleanser is an all-in-one solution that can be used as a face, body, scalp, and intimate cleanser due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and pH balancing properties. Here's a breakdown of all of the ways you can use this cleanser for sensitive skin and mild cases of acne, dry scalp, and Keratosis Pilaris!
1. Face CleanserThis cleanser is perfect for sensitive skin and mild cases of acne. It's full of antioxidant-rich extracts to help restore, rejuvenate, balance, and hydrate the complexion. It also contains essential fatty acids to stimulate collagen production to make way for fresher cells. Use this if you suffer from discoloration, rosacea, sensitive skin, puffiness, or have aging skin and fine lines! It's even gentle enough for use after peel or laser treatments!
2. Body CleanserBecause this cleanser is great for sensitive skin and is loaded with antioxidants, it can be used all over the body for mild cases of back, booty, and chest acne. It absorbs deep into pores to kill any pore-clogging and acne-causing bacteria!
Individuals with mild cases of Keratosis Pilaris and ingrown hairs have claimed to see improvements in their condition when using the Green Tea & Pomegranate Antioxidant Cleanser on their arms and legs. This cleanser is full of anti-inflammatory properties to diminish any redness or irritation.
3. pH Balancer The green tea and pomegranate antioxidants in this cleanser neutralize free radicals and gently restore balance to the pH of your scalp and intimate areas. Try using it as a shampoo during your next shower if your scalp is feeling dry!
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Winter weather has a drastic effect on your complexion. Cold temperatures, winds, and even the heaters in your home can all contribute to throwing your skin out of balance.
We put together a list of our three favorite products to help you restore hydration and maintain your glow even through the coldest and dryest of days.
Deep Hydration
To keep plump skin throughout the winter, it's essential that you use a deeply hydrating and nourishing moisturizer, especially around the eyes, like our Intensive Eye & Neck Cream. It's supercharged with peptides that firm, lift, and promote collagen production. This is a must-have to hydrate the outer layer of delicate skin while plumping beneath the surface.
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Daily Moisture
It's not enough to use a deeply hydrating cream or moisturizer at night. It's also important to keep your skin hydrated throughout the day and keep it protected from the sun, even if it doesn't feel like you're getting any. Our Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 30 is perfect for everyday use and won't leave your skin feeling greasy. You can also use it on dry arms and hands!
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Brightening
The worst part about winter? Lack of sunshine! It can leave a dewy complexion looking sallow and dull. Our favorite product to even out and brighten the complexion during the winter is our Vitamin C-20+ High Potency Serum. Heaters can oxidate the skin leading to dryness. This vitamin C serum is packed with antioxidants to reverse the effects, giving you a glowing complexion!
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The Best Skin Secret Ever? Ice Cubes.
You've probably heard that using ice cubes on the skin can be good for inflamed blemishes or to reduce puffiness, but its uses extend far beyond that. Makeup artists, estheticians, and dermatologists recommend ice cubes for everything. Pimples? Ice cubes. Puffiness? Ice cubes. Natural makeup primer? Ice cubes. The best part is that ice cubes can stand alone or be mixed with things like chamomile tea, caffeine, or even milk to promote a healthy glow by increasing blood circulation, soothing inflammation, and minimizing pores.
Soothe Stubborn Breakouts:
Sometimes it feels like everything you do to soothe an angry breakout just makes it worse! Breakouts are caused by bacteria and can be extremely painful when inflamed. Pressing ice cubes gently against the skin can constrict the blood vessels, reducing inflammation and forcing those blemishes to calm down.
Chamomile tea is a natural anti-inflammatory and works wonders for your skin. The flavinoids in the tea mixed with the cool temps of the ice packs an extra punch, leaving your skin looking tight, bright, and nourished. Here's what you'll need:
Chamomile Tea Bags
Ice Cube Trays
Filtered Water
Boil water and use it to steep 1-3 Chamomile tea bags. Let the water cool off to room temperature, and pour the tea into your ice cube trays. Let freeze overnight. When ready to use, grab 2 cubes and gently massage your face starting with the under eyes, and moving out toward the cheekbones, and onto the chin and forehead. If you have an especially stubborn breakout, use in the morning and at night on freshly cleaned skin!
Say Bye-Bye to Under-Eye Bags:
Under-eye bags can come from a variety of things - lack of sleep, sleeping in your makeup, aging, smoking, or even too much sun exposure. Cool temperatures reduce swelling and inflammation, so chamomile or iced coffee ice cubes may be just the DIY fix you need! When it comes to the eyes, these magic ice cubes can be used as a cold compress or to drain excess fluid from the eye area. Here's what to do:
Wrap the ice cubes in gauze or cotton, then, starting with the inner eye corners, slide the cubes up toward the brows in a circular motion. If your eyes look especially tired, swap your chamomile cubes for iced coffee cubes and repeat the steps above!
Rejuvenate Your Skin with beyond complexion
This is How You Get Glowing
Summer should be carefree - it's time to be outside enjoying the weather! It's definitely not time to spend hours in front of the mirror fretting about those extra few lines on your face and crossing your fingers hoping things will magically get better.
This summer rejuvenate your skin with beyond complexion products! Get glowing skin with fewer fine lines and wrinkles when you add our products to your skincare routine. Just put them on and walk out the door knowing they will do the work for you. Now get glowing!
Rejuvenate Your Skin with beyond complexion
Illuminate 2+
This powerful, over-the-counter strength skin lightening & anti-aging formula aggressively targets skin pigmentation associated with UV exposure and hormonal changes. The optimal delivery of 2% stabilized Hydroquinone (the only over-the-counter skin lightener approved by the FDA) is clinically proven to inhibit melanin production while improving and normalizing the cell renewal process.
Intensive Eye & Neck Complex
Swiss apple stem cells paired with retinol and tripeptide molecules provide the newest, most potent technology to transform areas around the eyes, neck and chest for noticeable results. Rice bran and soy peptides provide a natural moisturizing and brightening solution that targets dark circles, and restores, tightens and firms delicate skin on the neck.
Regenerate Complex Serum
With its revolutionary active ingredients, this lifting serum is clinically proven to deliver results equivalent to one injection of collagen with just two weeks of regular use. The combination of copper, proline, lysine, hyaluronic acid, and niacinimide triggers the production of energy in the mitochondria of the senescent fibroblast, safely reactivating collagen I, collagen III, and elastin production. The result is a painless, topical alternative to injectable fillers.
Radiance Tinted Moisturizer SPF 46
Look flawless with this mattifying, oil-free tinted moisturizer with SPF 46 that adapts to your skin color to enhance skin tone with long-lasting hydration. Containing an innovative blend of ingredients including Niacinamide, Vitamin E, Hyaluronic Acid, and the groundbreaking Knotweed Extract, this moisturizer helps smooth and restore skin, making it ideal for all skin types.
Green Tea & Pomegranate Antioxidant Cleanser
Our Green Tea & Pomegranate Antioxidant Cleanser is a powerful blend of antioxidants in a soothing cleanser designed to calm the skin and reclaim a youthful glow. Antioxidants from green tea help protect the skin from harsh toxins and carcinogens while essential fatty acids provide anti-aging compounds that stimulate cellular regeneration, encouraging skin cells to make way for newer, fresher skin. Pomegranate’s natural anti-inflammatory properties soothe the skin to alleviate redness and puffiness. It’s the perfect combo for clean, beautiful skin!