Whatever our skincare goal is, most of us have heard of retinol or retinoids, but what are they?! Retinol, a derivative of vitamin A, is a fat soluble vitamin found in many foods we eat including meat, fish and especially liver. Retinoids are a compound that comes from retinols that usually require a prescription to obtain.

What are the benefits of using Retinol

The skin improvements associated with retinol are endless, but why? Retinol is truly a super ingredient when it comes to promoting skin cell turnover, unclogging pores and giving us an overall glowy and gorgeous complexion. 

So what sorts of things can we use it for? 

1. Ance: Whether your issue is preventing breakouts, clearing up current ones, or erasing scars from previous ones, retinol is effective for even the most stubborn blemishes. It is great for cleaning out the pores and neutralizing free radicals while also healing past breakouts, ridding your skin of dark marks left behind. 

2. Anti-aging: Because it boosts the production of elastin and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles! 

3. Overall more even and flawless skin tone: Retinol produces an effect similar to exfoliation to the skin, leaving you with an improved tone and texture to the skin. The appearance of pores is also minimized from the plumping effects of it. 

How to use it properly? 

Retinol is effective, and for good reason. It is a POWERFUL product to use. That is why it is so important to use it safely! 

• Use retinol at night. 
• Avoid too much sun by wearing wide brimmed hats and sunscreen.
• Be consistent about your sunscreen application.
• Use a good moisturizer.
• Use a retinol product with good buffer ingredients too, this help soothes the skin! 

These are all ways to make sure that you can obtain the benefits of retinol without the unnecessary risk. Retinol and retinoids definitely make it easier for your skin to suffer sunburns and sun damage, so protection from the UV rays becomes increasingly important. 

Be sure to inform any professionals working on your face that you are using a retinol! 

Most importantly though, be mindful of the retinol product that you are using. Not all retinol serums and creams are created equal. Of course, concentration and your general skin type can play a role in how it will affect your skin, but being sure your retinol products are of highest quality will help you prevent unwanted irritation. 

So, what are you waiting for?! Check out out Sleekskin® Aesthetics, Retinol Radiance and see what all the hubbub is about! 
While you’re at it, consider adding Sleekskin® Brilliance Antioxidant Serum to really target any pigmentation. Vitamin C pairs wonderfully with retinols!

I think we can all agree that there is nothing quite like that post-facial glow! Imagine if that could be your normal skin complexion?! Well it can be! All it takes is a good facial routine, or as I like to call it, proper facial hygiene 😉 

How often should you be getting a facial?

A good rule of thumb is one facial a month! Of course this could seem like a big financial commitment, but it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. 

Ways to truly get the bang for your buck out of your facial: 

• Finding an esthetician that you’re comfortable with and that knows your skin and sticking with them: This allows you to find a treatment plan that is within your budget and compliments the needs of your skin. 

• Follow the aftercare instructions: How you treat your skin between facials truly makes a difference. Following any regimens suggested to you by your trusted professionals is key. So is using quality skincare products that align with your skin goals. 

Routine facials aren’t just great for combatting the frequent stressors of life! You can be prepared to see incredible improvements to your skin such as: 

• Less acne scarring: Regular facials can help stop breakouts in their tracks before they have time to come to the surface and wreak havoc with inflammation and hyperpigmentation. Trustworthy methods include:

• Oxygen facials
• Light therapy
• Gentle extractions 
• Probiotic masks

…and more. Keep your pores clean and your acne at bay BEFORE the breakout appears. 

• Better absorption of skincare products: Routine exfoliation and facials will allow you to get more out of your skincare products! Without all of the dirt, debris and dead skin clogging your skin, your products can penetrate the surface and become more effective, rather than just sitting on the surface of your skin. 

• Fewer fine lines and wrinkles: Routine facials are HUGE on improving the texture of your skin. Not only do they address the causes of fine lines and wrinkles, such as the lack of hydration, but it also helps reduce muscle tightness in the face that results in permanent lines. Facials are like yoga for the face, helping it let go of tension! 

As if you needed another reason to schedule a facial with Sleekskin® Aesthetics, there are a few more 😉 So what are you waiting for?! Head on over to www.sleekskinaz.com and schedule your facial today!  

With the UV index registering off the charts these days, our need to protect ourselves from the sun is as important as ever! Although sunscreen is a great way to fend off the harmful rays, many do contain very harmful chemicals. 

In 2019, the FDA published findings stating that the ingredients…

• Homosalate
• Avobenzone 
• Oxybenzone

Are not safe to use and when placed on our skin, it is absorbed directly into our bloodstream and can put us at risk for health problems. 

So what does this mean for sunscreen?! 

This does not in any way mean that you shouldn’t be protecting your precious skin with sunscreen products that are safe! It just means that you must be more cautious about what ingredients are in the sunscreens you’re using. The FDA did go on to show that zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are both safe and effective! 

All of this being said, we cannot stress enough that sunscreen is really just one of many steps that we must take to protect ourselves from ultraviolet radiation. Like we always say, healthy skin starts from within, and skin protected from the sun is no different. 

What can you add into your diet to protect yourself from sun damage? 

Nicotinamide: Derived from B3, this powerful nutrient helps reduce UV induced immunosuppression as well as assisting with DNA repair. You can get this by eating a diet rich in: 

• Poultry
• Fish 
• Eggs

If these are not a part of your diet, consider consulting your doctor about adding a niacin supplement to your diet. 

Red orange extract: 

Imagine if you could reduce the intensity of your sunburn by up to 35%?! Red orange extract is definitely worth considering adding into your diet, perhaps just a drop into your water in the morning!  

Astaxanthin: 

Astaxanthin is known for helping promote moisturized skin while reducing the appearance of wrinkles for more reasons than one! It has also been shown to help protect us from the sun. As if we couldn’t get enough of this stuff and it’s benefits, it is also cancer preventative! Both topically and orally, astaxanthin is worth checking with your doctor to see if it is safe to begin supplementing! Sleekskin® Aesthetics also proudly offers an antioxidant serum that contains astaxanthin, Sleekskin® Brilliance Antioxidant Serum,  great to put on before going out in the sun! 
Whatever you do, make sure to take care of your skin and to let Sleekskin® Aesthetics help keep your complexion gorgeous, glowing and healthy! Schedule an appointment for a facial and to check out some of the very best skincare products in Scottsdale!