5 SKINCARE GOALS FOR THE NEW YEAR

Allyson Welch

As we step into the new year, it is always a good time to reset and reevaluate our goals.  Self care is always one that pops up for me whether that is adopting some type of meditation practice, a new workout, new diet, etc.  Skincare (obviously) consistently remains at the top of my list . Here are 5 skincare goals that will help kick start 2021.  Commit to the following: Making an appointment to see your dermatologist.  It is really important that you see your derm every year to check your body for cancerous moles or other skin conditions.  They...

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IS THERE A LINK BETWEEN DIET AND ACNE?

Allyson Welch

There has been quite a bit of research that has been done in an attempt to prove whether diet is  linked to acne.  An obvious statement is that nutrition affects overall health and needs no additional support or further explanation; but is there a direct link to diet and acne production?  It is still under debate but, through some deductive reasoning, it is safe to say there is much evidence to support the claim that there is at least a correlation.   There are several oral treatments one can take for acne which already implies that what you ingest can have...

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SEBUM PRODUCTION BEFORE YOUR MENSES

Allyson Welch

If you are a woman with a period there is hardly a chance you haven't experienced the pre-menses breakout.  It’s so common, and most of us do the exact opposite of what we should do meaning we squeeze, poke, pick, dry out, etc. Here is a little background on what is going on in your body and why the [almost predictable] breakout.   The average woman's menstrual cycle is about 28 days and during this cycle hormones shift and change before and during menstruation.  Initially, the predominant hormone is estrogen for the first half of the cycle and then the second half...

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SELF-CARE AND SCENTS

Allyson Welch

Most self care products contain some type of fragrance or scent that has been added for the consumer’s pleasure.  The range is huge and oftentimes the term “fragrance” refers to a host of other things which may be harmful.  However, scientifically proven, a fragrance or scent from essential oils can change your mood, lift your spirit, give you clarity, help you relax .  In these stressful times, we need to be finding ways to help ourselves sink deeper into gratitude, peace, relaxation, etc.  Here are some aromas that can really boost your mood!  Lemongrass’s refreshing scent makes it a valuable...

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OUR SKIN BARRIER'S IMPORTANT ROLE

Allyson Welch

What is a skin barrier? It is the outermost layer of your skin that defends your body against a constant onslaught of environmental threats such as pollutants, smog, dirt, chemicals, and other irritants, while simultaneously protecting your body’s critical water balance.  When your skin barrier is compromised you will see that in your complexion with uneven skin tone, overproduction of sebum, breakouts, irritation, dryness, among others.  But good news...there are several ways you can manage keeping your skin hydrated, balanced, and healthy.  We weaken the barrier through an ecosystem of factors- diet, toxin exposure, pollution, water intake, sleep deprivation, etc. ...

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LIFT, SCRUB, HYDRATE, PROTECT

Allyson Welch

The essence of good skincare applies to a 4 step process- lift, scrub, hydrate, and protect. Painting over the problem [with makeup] doesn't correct blemishes, enlarged pores, uneven complexion, sun and age spots, etc.  You have to treat your skin like a piece of wood furniture.  Let’s say for instance that you set a wet glass on a wood table and the condensation left a ring.  You cannot just paint over it; you have to strip it, sand it, and then re-stain/ seal it.  Same goes for your skin.  Let’s do a deeper dive. Lift: This is particularly important for...

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