The ocean is an abundant source of truly organic, hydrating, nourishing, and healing ingredients which are beneficial for practically every complexion. Those with aging and dry complexions with discolorations and adult acne require a healing and anti-inflammatory approach that is also hydrating and nourishing. These complexions cannot utilize drying ingredients like salicylic acid, traditionally associated with oily and acne-prone teenage skin. Instead, marine ingredients are proven to be an effective hydrating, nourishing, and anti-inflammatory alternative. 

Oceanic sponges and fermented kelp help balance skin’s microbiome when applied topically. Powdered pearls are proven to have soothing, calming, and healing effects on inflamed skin as well as nourish it with a variety of proteins. Skin care professionals are sometimes hesitant to incorporate these ingredients into acne protocols because of their concern about iodine content and its possible stimulation of thyroid function. Though extracts of marine ingredients contain trace amounts of iodine, more and more studies have proven these ingredients can be used to disinfect, increase skin regeneration, promote healing, and deliver anti-inflammatory benefits without any negative effects on acne. 

Elina Fedotova is the Founder and Chief Formulator for Elina Organics. Since 1998, Elina has created organic, seasonal, and liposome-encapsulated formulations that naturally deliver clinical results. Elina is also an award-winning cosmetic chemist, master and celebrity licensed aesthetician, and president of the Association of Holistic Skin Care Practitioners (AHSCP) which she founded in 2007. Elina handmakes her professional skin care line using small-batch production in her Michigan-based laboratory. Elina Organics’ entire product line is available online, in skin care spas, and in medical offices. Elina continues to personally offer her unique, holistic skin care treatments to clients who come to her Florida and West Michigan spas. 

Most skin care professionals attempt to make acne skin transformation daily. They think up strict, skin-clearing regimen comprised of a combination of treatments, at-home products, and lifestyle changes, but the reality is clients do not always listen, which can lead to frustration among all involved. There are the clients who follow everything their treatment provider says to a T. Then there are the ones who blame everything and everyone else besides themselves for their lack of results. And of course, there are the clients who struggle with big-picture focus. 

How can spas and clinics create consistency with a set plan of action and accountability for acne clients? The answer is by creating a specialized acne bootcamp program. A streamlined service, programs are typically a mixture of beneficial services, homecare, and lifestyle changes for acne clients. An outline of the program should be reviewed with applicable clients during their initial consultation to better the chances of mutual success. Acne bootcamp programs imply there is a shared commitment between the client and service provider, rather than a one-off visit.  This should be cemented further with a signed agreement, ensuring full cooperation with both parties to make the client’s skin goals a reality. 

Samantha Dench is a 15-year licensed aesthetician, author, speaker, and owner of Skin Deep. Dench’s passion goes beyond treating skin to include internal health, so she can achieve healthy skin for her clients by finding the root of the problem. Dench loves to educate groups of women and share her knowledge and passion for skin through her book and speaking engagements. 

People have control over precious little in their lives. For the majority of the day, the mind is running the show – making endless to-do lists and shifting focus in a million different directions, replaying conversations from the past and projecting potential scenarios of the future. This cannot be soothing for the soul. The good news is there are three simple, soul-sustaining secrets that can allow one to navigate life with grace and a smile (for the most part). 

AWARENESS

By nature, humans are programmed to be thinking machines, dissecting everything from wake to sleep. The mind is constantly churning out thoughts like “get ready for work,” “make breakfast,” “send appointment reminders,” “wake up kids,” and the list goes on and on.

I am not sure there is anyone else in the industry that uses the term, “age reversal” because it has not been the goal of most formulators and brands. While there are promising studies for future medical strategies to reverse aging, the skin care industry has been focused on slowing aging and making people look less old. Is there hope for more? 

Yes. As it relates to skin, aging can be defined as a loss of collagen and elastin, a loss of circulation and nutrients, and an increase in wounds that leave skin with hypopigmentation, hyperpigmentation, or chronic redness. Many companies offer products that temporarily lighten redness or pigmentation, but the goal should be to heal and reconstruct skin. How is that done?  First, use ingredients that rebuild lost circulation. They exist – chlorella, niacinamide, retinaldehyde, and growth factors to name a few.

Aging can be proactive but inevitable. Skin changes over time. Some of these changes can be quite intense and affect not just skin but also mental health and well-being. For example, a teenager with severe acne may feel self-conscious and lack confidence due to their skin condition. A person in their 40’s who has developed deep wrinkles from improper skin care and sun exposure can resent their older appearance. From birth to final breath, it is imperative to provide skin with the proper products to meet its changing needs.

Education is an important factor for the longevity of a skin care professional’s career and ensures not only safety compliance but also ethical standards and the understanding of current industry trends. Skin care professionals must remain humble, with a true willingness to learn and absorb more information at all times as the industry is constantly evolving and changing. Professionals must focus on three categories of education investment: quality and compliance, investing in yourself, and credentials. 

\

Courtney Sykes is the chief administrative officer of Southeastern Esthetics Institute and is a licensed aesthetics instructor in South Carolina. Sykes is also the creator of Courtney Sykes Molecular Anit-Aging, a clinical skin care line for consumers and professionals. Her passion lies in creating real change in the aesthetics industry, assisting her students to obtain gainful employment, and making a difference in the lives of their clients. Sykes specializes in a science-based approach to skin health and education. Her primary focus is chemical peels, laser treatments, eyelash extensions, micropigmentation, and cosmetic lasers. Her background in medical spa management has led her to nationally accredit the largest licensed aesthetics school in South Carolina – Southeastern Esthetics Institute. 

Social media can be overwhelming, exhausting, and disheartening at times. It can feel like a necessary evil for business owners and industry specialists with constant pressure to set yourself apart from competition and show up perfectly manicured for viewers. 

Social media may or may not be for everyone, but it is a free and powerful tool if you know how to utilize it in ways that won’t kill your spirit. It can be difficult to master the art of online sales through social media, but with a few simplified tips and tricks, the path to success is much easier. 

Tiffanie Orr has owned and operated her own skin care business for eleven years. She has successfully grown her business from a one aesthetician show to a thriving multiple six-figure operation. She has a team of nine amazing women in a small and rural town of only 3,500 people. She is proudly partnered with Éminence Organic Skin Care and Herbal Skin Solutions and is an educator and coach for beauty and skin care professionals through her sister company, Sweet Cheeks University (@sweetcheeksuniversity). Orr deeply wants to impact the lives of women through her work, and she especially wants to impact women who want to serve others as aestheticians as well as the women who depend on them. Orr is a mom to three beautiful children and resides in Salmon, Idaho. Follow her at @sweetcheekswaxingskincare. 

In the realm of advanced aesthetics treatment such as chemical peels, microneedling, lasers, and cosmetic surgery, achieving optimal results requires more than just the procedure itself. Properly preparing skin before undergoing these treatments is crucial to maximize benefits and minimize potential risks. Skin pre-conditioning plays a pivotal role in enhancing the overall effectiveness and safety of these procedures, regardless of skin type. By incorporating key ingredients into a pre-treatment regimen, individuals can pave the way for successful outcomes and a smoother recovery process.

Before delving into the specific ingredients that should be a part of every pre-treatment regimen, it is vital to understand the underlying reasons why skin pre-conditioning is essential. The primary objectives of pre-conditioning are to optimize skin health, improve treatment outcomes, minimize adverse effects, and expedite the healing process.

References

1. Desai, S., Ayres, E., Bak, H., Manco, M., Lynch, S., Raab, S., Du, A., Green, D., Skobowiat, C., Wangari-Talbot, J., & Zheng, Q. (2019, May 1). Effect of a tranexamic acid, kojic acid, and niacinamide containing serum on Facial Dyschromia: A clinical evaluation. Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31141852/

1. Sander, M., Sander, M., Burbidge, T., & Beecker, J. (2020). The efficacy and safety of sunscreen use for the prevention of skin cancer. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 192(50). https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.201085 

1. Mukherjee, S., Date, A., Patravale, V., Korting, H. C., Roeder, A., & Weindl, G. (2006). Retinoids in the treatment of Skin aging: An overview of clinical efficacy and safety. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 1(4), 327–348. https://doi.org/10.2147/ciia.2006.1.4.327 

1. Yip, D. L. (2020). A pilot study on the use of a non‐crosslinked hyaluronic acid with associated anti‐oxidant ingredients to improve the effectiveness of nd:YAG laser toning in the treatment of Melasma in six patients. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 19(9), 2212–2218. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.13565 

1. Lintner, K., Gerstein, F., & Solish, N. (2020). A serum containing vitamins C & E and a matrix‐repair tripeptide reduces facial signs of aging as evidenced by PRIMOS® Analysis and frequently repeated auto‐perception. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 19(12), 3262–3269. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.13770 

Most dermatologists and well-meaning aestheticians recommend the use of sunscreen everyday as one of the most important parts of daily skin care routines. I believe this to be a mistake.

The quest for glowing, healthy-looking skin is never-ending. Innovative and unusual ingredients are continually sought after to give skin a coveted youth boost, whether found in technologically advanced laboratories or plucked from nature’s bounty. Enter caviar lime, an elegant-sounding natural extract that adds zest to any skin care regimen. 

IN THE LIMELIGHT 

Caviar lime is not the typical lime gracing margaritas or mojitos. Au contraire, also known as finger lime, this small, slender citrus fruit (microcitrus australasica) with green, red, purple, or black peel is found in the tropical rainforests of Australia. The textured skin encases an interior filled with translucent, caviar-shaped pearls in shades of white, yellow, pink, green, or red. Caviar lime is often used in food because of the citrusy flavor and unique look of the caviar lime beads. However, this ingredient is increasingly popular due to its skin care benefits as a natural exfoliant, acne-fighting powerhouse, glow-getting brightener, and antioxidant-rich elixir. The bottom line is that caviar lime extract is one of the keys to a fresh, radiant complexion.