Posted on

How to Actually Care for Skin Before and After Spa Treatment

Self-care means spa care. If it’s been a while since your last trip to the spa—or you’re a proud spa newbie—there are a few things to know before (and after) you go. Pre and post skin care is a MUST if you are wanting to get the most out of your recent spa treatment. After all, no one wants to spend time and money on their complexion just to end up where they started. So, whether you plan to stop in for a routine facial, rejuvenate the look of skin with micro needling or get a whole new looking face with a chemical peel, follow these COSMEDIX tips before and after you go:

PREP

Use a Prep Skincare Kit

The best way to prep for a skin treatment is to invest in a prep skincare kit. As you probably gathered from the name, this skincare kit is specially made to help get skin ready for a facial, microneedle or chemical peel. Many prep kits feature convenient, travel-friendly products that help exfoliate dry skin, boost hydration and protect the skin from environmental stressors so that your skin is ready, set, go for your scheduled spa appointment.

PRO TIP: Though prep kits help prepare the complexion for a treatment, it is important to stop using any active ingredients right before your visit. If your skincare kit includes exfoliants, Vitamin C or Retinol, we recommend you stop using these skin care products 24-48 hours before your spa trip.

Avoid the Sun

Of course, you don’t need to hide out in the house the whole week before a spa treatment, but it is a good idea to minimize sun exposure. Sunshine can often lead to redness or general skin sensitivity, which is why it is so important to slather on a broad spectrum SPF. By cutting back on your time in the sun, you can help ensure that your complexion is ready and “unbothered” before your spa treatment.

Steer Clear of Waxing and Injections

Again, the goal before a spa treatment is to help keep skin “relaxed.” Just like the sun, it is important to skip any maintenance that might irritate the skin or cause redness—this includes waxing, fillers and Botox. So, if you are prepping you skin for the big day or an exciting event and want to get the full beauty treatment, try to reserve your cosmetic appointment 1-2 weeks before or after a facial treatment.

POST

Focus on Soothing Skincare Ingredients

Post spa treatment is all about recovery. Whether your skin is flakey from a chemical peel or a little red from extractions, help your skin hit “reset” with a gentle skincare routine that features soothing ingredients. Reach for a serum formulated with Hyaluronic Acid or antioxidants to help encourage a more even skin tone and texture, or a gentle cleanser with Sandalwood to help gently wash away impurities.

Use Sunscreen

Sunscreen is always a must, but it is a definite MUST after a chemical peel. Chemical peels work by literally shedding your outer layer of skin, which means that your new “baby skin” is even more sensitive than before. Wearing sunscreen will help protect this fresh layer and help minimize the appearance of dark spots and sun damage. 

Skip the Makeup

Ideally, you should give your skin room to breathe after a trip to the spa. If you stopped in for micro needling or a chemical peel, chances are your complexion is still “healing”. It is best to let your skin indulge itself to some fresh air before going back to your regular makeup routine. And, if you must  apply makeup for work or a big event, try to use lighter skin care products like BB creams or tinted moisturizers.

Posted on

Celebrate Earth Day with 5 Clean Ingredients You Need in Your Skincare Routine, Now!

Earth Day is here and now is the time to thank Mother Nature for all the natural ingredients she provides to help benefit our mind, skin and spirit.

As the world continues to become more and more aware of the health of our environment—plus the ingredients that go in and on our bodies—both the fashion and beauty industry have risen to the occasion by offering clean and sustainable options for consumers. Of course, COSMEDIX has been in the business of clean skincare for over 20 years, so we like to think ourselves pretty seasoned when it comes to providing products that are good for skin—and the globe. COSMEDIX knows that creating a clean beauty routine should be simple, which is why we choose to source our clinical-level skincare ingredients from the Earth.

So, if you are looking to dive into the world of clean beauty—or just want to learn more about the plant-based ingredients we personally love—keep on scrolling to discover 5 earth-loving ingredients you should add into your skincare routine:

Sandalwood

Sandalwood doesn’t just smell good in a candle, it’s also a multi-tasking wonder for your skin. Available in both powder and oil forms, this tree-derived skincare ingredient is filled with antioxidants and soothing properties to help reduce the look of redness and protect the skin from environmental stressors. Sandalwood is also a popular addition to a blemish-prone cleanser, as well as a daily serumand facial oil, thanks to its ability to help:

  • Soothe the look of blemish-prone and uneven skin tone
  • Improve the appearance of skin texture
  • Soften the look of the complexion
  • Protect skin from potentially age-accelerating environmental stressors

Find It In: Benefit Clean and Benefit Balance

Cranberry

Loved for age-defying skin care properties, Cranberry is a refreshing staple to any clean skincare routine. Not only are cranberries packed with Vitamin A and Vitamin C, but they also contain a gentle acid that works as a chemical exfoliator to help slough away dry skin. Incorporating this fruit into your weekly regimen is an easy way to help:

  • Lift away dull, dead skin
  • Promote a softer, smoother-looking complexion
  • Plump the look of skin and improve the look of fine lines
  • Brighten the overall look of the complexion

Find It In: Pure Enzymes

Green Tea

Go green this Earth Month with a dose of Green Tea. Another antioxidant-rich superstar, Green Tea is packed with skin-sational properties that help protect and improve the overall appearance of skin.  Powered by naturally occurring nutrients that help minimize oil production, Green Tea is a vital skin care ingredient that helps balance the look of skin, along with these other benefits:

  • Hydrates and nourishes the look of skin
  • Helps prevent the look of fine lines and wrinkles
  • Helps protect the complexion from environmental stressors, like pollution
  • Refreshes the look of skin

Find It In: Simply Brilliant and Recovery Face and Body CBD Lotion

Sunflower

Yep, beautiful and uplifting flowers can be used to benefit your complexion, too. The rich oil derived from sunflowers is a popular hydrator found in skin care products thanks to its high-level of Vitamin E. Sunflower seed oil is also a great source of nutrients and antioxidants that help address skincare concerns like blemishes, general redness and irritation. Beyond that, sunflower is also shown to help:

  • Maintain the skin’s natural moisture barrier
  • Soothe the look of dryness with added hydration
  • Plump the appearance of skin to minimize the look of fine lines

Find It In: Affirm, Clarity and Define

Turmeric

Get glowing with a global ingredient that has been praised for centuries for it’s “healing” properties. Turmeric might not be new to the kitchen, but it has seen a recent surge in popularity within the skincare industry. The orange-colored spice is said to tote a long list of “anti” benefits (antioxidant, anti-redness, etc.), though COSMEDIX loves it for its ability to help brighten the look of skin with a natural-looking glow. When used in skincare, Turmeric is also known to help:

  • Even the look of skin tone and texture
  • Improve balance of both oily and dry skin
  • Reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
  • Encourage a brighter, more radiant-looking complexion

Find It In: Pure Enzymes, Clear, Opti Crystal and Purity Balance

`

Posted on

Ingredient 101: Understanding Skincare Ingredient Lists and How to Read Them

So, you come across a sleek, nicely packaged skincare box that promises clearer, brighter and healthier-looking skin. You pick it up and turn it over, only to be met with a long list of unidentified words typed across the back. Ah, the ingredient list.

Ingredients can feel a little overwhelming at first, but with a good search engine or—even better—a great aesthetician, you too can make sense of all the technical jargon. Of course, investing in a skincare brand that is clean, cruelty-free and free of additives (hi, we’re COSMEDIX), is a great place to start. And while is it easy to get caught up on all the things to “avoid” on an ingredient list, is also important that you understand what to look for.

To help you discover the ingredients that are right for your skin type, COSMEDIX has put together a quick list of 5 common ingredients you should add to your skincare routine, plus how you can spot them on the back of the box:

Oily Skin Look For: Beta Hydroxy Acid

Don’t let the word “acid” scare you away. A BHA is a chemical exfoliant that is ideal for oily, combination and acne prone skin types. This is because BHAs are oil soluble, meaning they can dive deep into the pore to help refine the look of congested skin, improve the look of enlarged pores and reduce oil production. Beta Hydroxy Acids are also gentle enough for everyday use and are often found in both a cleanser and toner that are specially formulated for blemish-prone skin.

What it Looks Like on an Ingredient List: Salicylic Acid, Betaine Salicylate, or Salix Alba

Dry Skin Look For: Ceramides

If you find yourself constantly slathering on moisturizer yet still have dry skin and rough patches, Ceramides are about to become your new best friend. Ceramides appear by many different names on an ingredient list, but all you need to understand is their hydrating and moisturizing skincare goodness. While Ceramides occur naturally in the skin, they tend to deplete over time, which is why it is so important to use them in a skincare routine. Applying a moisturizer 1-2x a day that is formulated with Ceramides will help restore the skin’s natural moisture barrier, lock in hydration and soothe the look of skin.

What it Looks Like on Ingredient List: Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NG, Phytosphingosine or Sphingosine

All Skin Look For: Niacinamide

We’ve highlighted Niacinamide in the past and we are here to do it again! This holy grail ingredient has quickly risen to the top of trending skincare thanks to its diverse list of skin-loving benefits. Perfect for all skin types, Niacinamide helps maintain oil production in oily skin types, hydrate dry skin types and boost Ceramides (reference last paragraph) for mature skin types. Not to mention it is super easy to spot on an ingredient list since it appears under one name and one name only: Niacinamide.

What it Looks Like on Ingredient List: Niacinamide

Prevention Skin Look For: Peptides

Retinol gets a lot of attention when it comes to wrinkle reduction (as it should), but if you are in the game of prevention there is one ingredient you don’t want to sleep on: peptides. Simply put, peptides act like tiny building blocks in the skin that help boost the look of elasticity while helping to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and give skin it’s “bounce.” Peptide skincare also helps support the overall health of the skin by soothing and hydrating the complexion.

What it Looks Like on Ingredient List: Palmitoyl Pentapeptide, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Acetyl Hexapeptide, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, or Tripeptide 1

Anti-Aging Skin Look For: Alpha Hydroxy Acid

We’ll start with an acid and end with an acid. AHA’s share many similarities with BHA’s: they both help reduce the look of fine lines and improve the overall look of skin texture and tone. The key difference is that AHA’s are primarily praised for their exfoliating and anti-aging properties. For that reason, they are commonly used in a skincare routine that aims to promote healthy cell turnover while helping reduce the visible signs of dark spots and wrinkles.

What it Looks Like on Ingredient List: Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Malic Acid, and Mandelic Acid

Posted on

Skin Quiz: Find the Best Cleanser for Your Skin Type!

We’ve all been there. Staring at the computer with an endless collection of cleansers to choose from staring right back, anxiously contemplating which face wash was ACTUALLY made for you.

The game of skincare can feel like a complicated journey, but it doesn’t have to be. Like most things in life, finding your perfect match starts with knowing yourself—and cleansers are no different.

If you are looking to add a new cleanser to your AM and PM routine, or just want to learn a little more about your complexion, keep on scrolling to take our skin quiz and discover which cleanser is right for you!

1. Let’s start simple… What Is Your Skin Type?

A.) Dry: You have dry skin on the cheeks, forehead, and nose

B.) Combination: You have an oily T-zone with normal to dry skin everywhere else

C.) Oily: You have a shiny complexion and have tried every blotting sheet on the market

D.) Normal: You have skin that is perfectly balanced—congrats!

2. What Is Your Top Skin Concern?

A.) Dehydrated skin with a dry, flakey texture

B.) Uneven skin tone and large pores

C.) Congested skin, blackheads or blemishes

D.) Maintaining moisture and balance

3. What Type of Texture Do You Like in a Cleanser?

A.) Cream Cleanser

B.) Cooling Cleanser

C.) Foam Cleanser

D.) No preference

4. What COSMEDIX Ingredient is Your Skin OBSESSED With?

A.) Liquid Crystal Technology

B.) L-Lactic Acid

C.) Salicylic Acid

D.) Essential Oils

5. What Benefits Are You After?

A.) Moisture that lasts throughout the day

B.) Balanced skin that is hydrated and smooth

C.) Clearer-looking skin that is refreshed and refined

D.) Soothing ingredients that help maintain healthy-looking skin

Mostly A: NEW! CRYSTAL CLEANSE Hydrating Liquid Crystal Cleansing Cream

You’re the lucky winner of COSMEDIX latest launch! Formulated for all skin types (but a match made in heaven for dry skin), this cream cleanser helps wash away impurities while quenching the skin with moisture. Prickly Pear Seed and Liquid Crystal Technology combine to lock in moisture throughout the day and soften the look of skin for an uber-hydrated appearance.

Mostly B: PURITY CLEAN Exfoliating Cleanser

Give your skin the pick-me-up it’s been waiting for with this cult-favorite cleanser. Purity Clean is powered by L-Lactic Acid to help gently exfoliate the skin as it washes away dirt, oil and pore-clogging impurities. Featuring Peppermint and Tea Tree Oil, this invigorating face wash works into a rich lather to help minimize oil and prevent shine while encouraging an overall smoother, more balanced-looking complexion.

Mostly C: Clarify Salicylic Acid Foaming Cleanser

This gentle, foaming cleanser was specially formulated for oily and acne-prone skin types! With a light-as-air texture, Clarify lathers away oil and impurities while Salicylic Acid helps exfoliate the skin. This multi-tasking cleanser works to soothe the look of the complexion as hydrating ingredients encourage a clearer, more balanced-looking complexion.

Mostly D:  BENEFIT CLEAN Gentle Cleanser

Perfect for your morning and night skin care routine, Benefit Clean is a gentle gel cleanser that lifts away dirt, oil and stubborn makeup without stripping the skin. Featuring a soothing blend of Grapefruit and Sandalwood, this lightweight face wash indulges the skin to refreshing ingredients and leaves the complexion feeling soft and smooth.

Posted on

The Ultimate Guide to Tech Neck: How to Prevent Those Deep Lines on Your Neck

Dear screen lovers. Try to remain calm because we are about to drop a skincare bomb.

Did you know that the constant thumb scrolling and internet surfing done on your favorite devices could be contributing to early signs of aging? It’s true. With the tech industry booming and many of us sitting at a desk all day long, it’s no wonder we often find our shoulders slouching and neck creasing.

So, if you’ve started to notice two parallel lines making their way across your neck at a steady pace, you aren’t alone. These deep wrinkles, which have been fondly dubbed “tech neck”, are usually the result of sitting, lying and standing with your head tilted down. And while there might not be a magic cure, there are preventative measures you can take to help prevent these lines from running deeper:

Reset Your Posture

Incorrect posture is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to tech neck. Sitting with your shoulders hunched and your chin down can often lead to neck pain and neck wrinkles. So, to help reduce these results, check in with your posture throughout the day. Sending your shoulders back and holding your head high with help reduce creasing in the neck—not to mention it makes you look more confident. Also, when you do scroll through your phone, try to hold it up at face level rather than looking down.

Bring SPF and Vitamin C Down to the Neck

Skincare does not stop at your neck! Now that we all understand the importance of a good SPF and Vitamin C, it’s time to ensure that you are applying it below the chin. The skin on your neck is thinner than the skin on your face, which means it requires extra attention to prevent thinning. Applying Vitamin C to the neck in the morning will help protect the skin from environmental stressors while a SPF will help protect from UVA and UVB rays that could potentially cause aging.

Protect UV | Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Moisturizing Spray that adds hydration and helps prevent future sun damage.

Pure C | Vitamin C Mixing Crystals that boosts skincare while helping to brighten and protect the complexion.

Apply Retinol Every Other Night

Next to SPF, Retinol is the holy grail of skin prevention. Derived from Vitamin A, Retinol helps prevent a handful of skincare imperfections including wrinkles, dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Because the neck area is delicate, try incorporating Retinol into your neck-care routine 1-2x times a week. Once your skin adjusts to the new addition, feel free to bump your application up every other night. This will help prevent wrinkles and encourage healthy skin renewal.

Invest in a Neck and Décolleté Cream

While you’re stocking up on trendy blue light glasses to help protect your eyes from the screen, we suggest doing the same for your neck and décolleté area. Applying a moisturizer that is specially formulated to address the thin, delicate skin on your neck and chest is a foolproof way to help prevent the effects of tech neck. Try to stock up on a formula that features ingredients to help reduce the look of fine lines and firm the look of skin. This will help improve deep lines in the neck and chest that can form from gazing at screens or sleeping on your side.

Illuminate & Lift | Neck and Décolleté Treatment helps encourage smoother, firmer-looking skin and minimize the look of age spots and hyperpigmentation.