Category: Cosmedix

From Beginners to Experts, Here’s How to Incorporate Retinol Into Your Skincare Routine

Chances are, you’ve probably heard about the benefits of using skincare products with Retinol in your skincare routine. This age-defying Vitamin A derivative is ready to join you in your skincare journey to help prevent signs of aging, helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for a smoother-looking complexion. Help brighten, balance and firm the look of your skin with this night-owl antioxidant that works hard to help restore your glow while you sleep. While there’s so much buzz around this skincare superstar, how do you actually incorporate it into your weekly routine to experience the benefits for yourself? Keep reading to learn how to get started, or how to step up your Retinol skincare routine, with clean, clinical and luxurious products from COSMEDIX.

What is Retinol?

Retinol, part of the Retinoid family, is a multi-tasking Vitamin A derivative that absorbs deep into the skin to help address skin concerns and encourage healthy skin renewal for a brighter, firmer-looking complexion. Retinoids are known for having notable age-defying effects, but many forms can take skin a while to get used to; the Retinol formula is the happy medium of Retinoids, highly effective in helping address signs of aging while also suitable for routine use.

What are the benefits?

You should consider using the game-changing Vitamin A derivative if you’re interested in an ingredient that:

• Helps minimize the appearance of common signs of aging
• Helps brighten and balance the look of skin
• Helps firm the appearance of skin for a youthful-looking complexion

Will it work for my skin?

While Retinol is a great option for many skin types, especially mature skin which can reap much of the age-defying, skin-firming benefits, it may be a bit much for sensitive or sun-damaged skin. Luckily, there is a gentle, plant-based alternative to Retinol called Bakuchiol that deeply conditions and hydrates the skin to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for a more even skin tone and texture.

TRY: COSMEDIX Bakuchiol Complete Plant-Based Retinol Alternative Serum

Retinol for Beginners:

As with anything, less is more. Before you start using Retinol, know that it’s always a good idea to patch-test products, to start with use only a few times a week and to make sure you’re supplementing skin with a hydration-intensive SPF moisturizer in the morning, as Retinol may increase sun sensitivity.

Night Cream

We recommend beginning your Retinol journey with an indulgent, ultra-hydrating overnight cream for a gentle introduction into the purifying perks of Vitamin A.

Try: COSMEDIX Define Age-Defying Treatment

Start with the COSMEDIX Define Age-Defying Treatment, the multi-tasking, deeply conditioning overnight cream that helps promote a smoother-looking complexion while also helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and other imperfections. It’s formulated with 2% AGP Retinol Complex and a skin-loving cocktail of Hydroxy Acids, which work together to gently exfoliate the skin and encourage healthy skin renewal for a smoother, brighter-looking complexion.

Apply to freshly cleansed and toned skin two times per week, working up as tolerated, as part of your nightly skincare routine. If further hydration is needed, follow with your favorite COSMEDIX moisturizer.

Next-Level Retinol:

If you’ve been using Retinol-infused night creams for a little while now and you want to up your game to even more age-defying benefits, we recommend incorporating a Retinol serum into your nighttime skincare routine.

Serum

Known for being jam-packed nutrient delivery systems, incorporating a serum into your daily skincare routine is an excellent way to provide a burst of hydration and show some love to your skin, especially when they’re formulated with Retinol.

TRY: COSMEDIX Clarity Skin-Clarifying Serum

The COSMEDIX Clarity Serum is ideal for those who want to focus on rejuvenating the look of skin, drawing out pore-clogging impurities and helping to even the appearance of skin tone for a smoother-looking complexion. With Retinol and Salicylic Acid, this powerhouse serum is especially beneficial for acne-prone skin, helping to clarify the look of pores without stripping the skin of its natural moisture. Plus, this best-selling Clarity serum is designed to soothe red, flaky skin with conditioning botanical skincare ingredients, like Willowherb, Tea Tree Oil and Aloe Vera, making it a conditioning serum for your skincare routine.

At night, gently massage a dime-sized amount of Clarity serum into the skin after cleansing and toning. Follow with a hydrating serum like Reboot Overnight Hydration Complex or Surge Hyaluronic Acid Booster.

TRY: COSMEDIX Serum 16 Rapid Renewal Serum

For a burst of intense hydration, our fan-favorite Serum 16 serum is formulated with a highly potent and deeply penetrating form of LG-Retinex to hydrate and lock in moisture while also helping to address signs of aging and protect the skin’s natural moisture barrier function. This skin-loving serum helps smooth the appearance of wrinkles, and balance and firm the look of skin.

Retinol for Seasoned Pros:

If you’ve found Retinol to be your skincare savior and are looking to indulge in high-potency, clinical-grade products, COSMEDIX has just the line for you! The Spa-Exclusive COSMEDIX Elite Collection offers a variety of high-grade Retinol products that you should definitely pick up post-facial the next time you’re at the spa. Take a look at our Spa Finder to find the closest COSMEDIX Elite products to you.

Concentration Increase

TRY: COSMEDIX Elite* Refine RX Retinol Resurfacing Treatment

Help dramatically renew the look of skin with this unique and highly potent form of 1.5% pure Retinol, designed to help firm the appearance of skin and plump the look of fine lines and wrinkles for a more youthful-looking complexion. Refine RX also features the highest concentration of our exclusive AGP Retinol Complex (12%). This is perfect for those who have used Retinol for a long time and are looking for an even more potent Retinol-infused skincare product.

Since this is a mega-concentrated formula, only use after your skin has become accustomed to Refine Plus for 60-90 days. Apply a small amount to freshly cleansed and toned skin as tolerated every 1-3 nights, working up to nightly use. Follow with recommended moisturizer if needed. Protect your results by wearing sunscreen daily.’

Targeted Treatment

TRY: COSMEDIX Elite Eye Doctor High-Potency Eye Treatment

The thin skin around the eyes is the most delicate on your face, making it easily susceptible to skin concerns like dark circles, crow’s feet and other imperfections. Eye Doctor is an age-defying, liquid crystal eye serum that’s formulated with Retinol, Spin Trap & Alpha-Lipoic Acid and Coconut Extract to help replenish the sensitive, tired eye skin with much-needed moisture for a revitalized, firmed-up look.

To apply, gently pat a pin-sized drop around the eye area during your nighttime routine.

*Discover COSMEDIX Elite, a spa and doctor’s office exclusive line of enhanced, anti-aging skincare. Sold at luxe spas around the world. Take a look at our Spa Finder to find the closest COSMEDIX Elite products to you.

Honoring our roots as a brand built by and for aestheticians, COSMEDIX is thrilled to announce that we’re visiting our partner spa and skincare professionals this peel season to collaborate with skincare pros on how to prepare and care for your skin before and after peel treatments with our indulgent COSMEDIX Elite lineup. This spa-exclusive collection of clinical-grade products delivers a luxurious, pampering experience for visibly noticeable results with less harsh side effects. Visit our online Spa Finder to see where you can stock up on COSMEDIX Elite products near you.

WHAT IS A PEEL TREATMENT?

A peel treatment generally involves removing the outermost layer of skin through deep exfoliation, helping to address various skin concerns like fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and other common signs of aging. As the outer layer of skin is sloughed away, the new, more regenerated skin is usually smoother and healthier-looking.

COSMEDIX peel treatments use clean botanical ingredients to gently help clarify the appearance of skin. By lifting away pore-clogging impurities and encouraging healthy skin renewal, a COSMEDIX peel is perfect for those who hope to achieve a softer, more vibrant-looking complexion. And, you can gently ease your way up. COSMEDIX peel treatments work with your skin at two levels of exfoliation:

Level 1: This beginner-friendly peel uses natural, chirally correct forms of Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) and Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) to exfoliate away dead skin cells, helping to reveal the next layer of skin.

Level 2: The most powerful treatments COSMEDIX offers, Level 2 provides medium-depth resurfacing to make the skin appear dramatically tighter and smoother. A 10 day pre-treatment prep is required for these peels.

BENEFITS OF A PEEL TREATMENT

Whether you’re treating yourself to a one-session peel treatment or opting for a peel treatment series, indulging in a peel from your favorite COSMEDIX aesthetician or spa can make a big difference in your complexion. Some of the age-defying skincare benefits include:

• Helps address visible signs of aging and skin concerns, like fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, discoloration, acne and age spots
• Improves the look of skin tone, texture and clarity
• Helps reveal brighter, smoother-looking skin

HOW TO PREP FOR YOUR PEEL TREATMENT

As with anything, proper preparation is the first key to a successful chemical peel! Be sure to consult your skincare professional for tips tailored to your specific skin health history. In general, there are skin prep guidelines that everyone considering a chemical peel should incorporate into their skincare routine prior to their treatment.

• Gently cleanse skin to exfoliate away any dead or dull skin in order to help create the smoothest surface possible for your peel treatment.

• If you’re opting for a peel treatment due to sun damage or other discoloration skin concerns, work in a brightening treatment to help restore the look of dull, photodamaged or hyperpigmented skin.

• Because peels work deep within the skin to exfoliate, your skincare professional may recommend a Retinol-based product to incorporate into your skincare routine, helping pre-treat and balance your skin tone for optimized nutrient uptake during the peel treatment.

• Make sure you’re applying a daily broad spectrum sunscreen to help protect your skin during your skincare journey.

Want to work in these steps, but don’t know where to start? COSMEDIX has rounded up four of our favorite skincare superstars to help put your best skin forward on the day of your peel treatment.

SHOP THE TREATMENT PREP STARTER KIT:

• Purity Clean – Exfoliating Cleanser
• Simply Brilliant – 24/7 Brightening Serum
• Define – Age-Defying Treatment with Hydroxy Acids & Retinol
• Hydrate+ – Broad Spectrum SPF 17 Moisturizing Sunscreen

COS POST-PEEL TREATMENT CARE TIPS

Caring for your skin after the peel is just as important as beforehand! Specific care instructions will be given by your skincare professional based on the type of chemical peel you received, but here are some steps to take to soothe and protect your sensitive, post-peel skin.

• For the first 24-48 hrs. after a peel, stay away from products with Alpha or Beta Hydroxy Acids, Retinol, topical skin treatments, or prescriptions.

• Stay out of the sun as much as possible and always apply a broad spectrum SPF sunscreen. Your post-treatment skin will probably be extra sensitive to the sun while healing.

For a look at some of COSMEDIX’s favorite skin-soothing products that help restore and hydrate your freshly exfoliated skin, shop our Post-Treatment Starter Kit!

SHOP THE POST-TREATMENT STARTER KIT:

• Benefit Clean – Gentle Cleanser
• Cell ID – Nutritive Defense System
• C.P.R. – Skin Recovery Serum
• Hydrate+ – Sunscreen

GO ELITE: ALT-A DAILY REJUVENATING MOISTURIZER

To continue to help make brighter, firmer and more balanced-looking skin a priority in your skincare routine after your peel, try COSMEDIX’s newest addition to the Elite line: ALT-A Daily Rejuvenating Moisturizer. This lightweight daily moisturizer is powered by Bakuchiol, a gentle yet powerful plant-based alternative to Retinol that’s ideal for even the most sensitive skin. Awaken the skin through this ultra-soothing, antioxidant-packed treatment with a botanical burst of hydration and skin-loving ingredients that help rejuvenate the complexion for a more youthful-looking radiance.

Want to learn more about chemical peel treatments? Book a free 15-minute consultation with a skilled COSMEDIX licensed aesthetician here.

There’s no better way to wake ourselves up or wash the day off than with a gentle, indulgent cleanser to help remove dirt, excess oil, makeup and other impurities from our skin. This vital step in your daily skincare routine helps our skin rest and breathe to prepare for the day or night ahead. Keep reading to find out about the different types of cleansers we carry and how to integrate the cleanser or cleansers of your choice into your skincare routine.

Choosing the Right Cleanser

Chances are, we don’t have to tell you twice to use a cleanser—the feeling of clean, smooth skin and the clarified appearance of your complexion speak for themselves. Plus, cleansers help address the visible—dirt, oil, sweat—and invisible skin stressors, like environmental pollutants and bacteria, for a healthier-looking glow. The next step is choosing the right cleanser for your skin type. Being aware of the advantages of each type of face cleanser and of your skin’s tendencies will allow you to incorporate the cleanser that might have the biggest impact in your daily skincare routine.

Gel Cleansers

What it is: A gel cleanser is a gentle, water-based formula designed with skin-loving, mild-yet-powerful botanicals for a refreshing, deeply cleansing experience. Gel cleansers are typically lightweight and non-foaming, making them ideal for use by even the most sensitive skin.

Benefits:

• Helps gently lift off dirt, oil and makeup while also penetrating deep into the skin to aid in drawing out pore-clogging impurities
• Cleanses while helping to maintain skin’s natural moisture barrier
• Helps soothe skin for a soft and hydrated feeling

Skin Type: A gel cleanser is an all-around favorite, but it is especially beneficial for those with sensitive skin.

TRY: Benefit Clean Gentle Cleanser

Exfoliating Cleanser

What it is: “Exfoliation” often brings to mind face scrubs, which are great (and see “Scrub Cleanser” on this list to read more about those), but this section is dedicated to the chemical exfoliant, the multi-tasking cleanser that uses a gentle exfoliating acid to wash away dead skin and help reveal a brighter-looking complexion underneath.

Benefits:

• Exfoliates congested skin for a smoother-looking complexion
• Helps restore and balance skin by removing excess oil and shine
• Skin is left feeling rejuvenated and refreshed

Skin Type: Exfoliating cleansers can be a helpful addition to many skincare routines, but is especially beneficial for those with oily skin.

TRY: Purity Clean Exfoliating Cleanser

Cream Cleanser

What it is: A cream-based cleanser is often geared towards hydrating and conditioning the skin, containing emollients and antioxidants that help remove impurities from the skin while providing a moisture boost to help create a more refined-looking complexion.

Benefits:

• Rich lather cleanses away makeup and other pore-clogging impurities
• Boosts skin hydration to dry skin for a softer, fresher-looking complexion
• Creamy formula helps deliver moisture deep within the skin

Skin Type: While gentle enough for use by all skin types, a cream cleanser is an ideal choice for those with mature skin, as they help boost hydration to deeply condition the skin.

TRY: Crystal Cleanse Hydrating Liquid Crystal Cleansing Cream

Foaming Cleanser

What it is: Our skin feels so renewed after washing with the air-light, frothy lather of a foaming cleanser. Usually formulated with skincare superstars like Salicylic Acid to help those with acne-prone skin, foaming cleansers help remove makeup, excess oil, sweat and other daily impurities without stripping the skin of its natural moisture barrier.

Benefits:

• Foamy lather helps gently lift off daily impurities for a clearer-looking complexion
• Ingredients like Salicylic Acid exfoliate the skin for smoother-looking skin
• Helps soothe and comfort skin

Skin Type: A foaming cleanser is a great choice for those with acne-prone skin, teenagers or those with oily skin.

TRY: Clarify Salicylic Acid Foaming Cleanser

Oil Cleanser

What it is: It might seem counterintuitive to cleanse your face with oil, but an oil cleanser and its unique composition can actually help purify the skin and balance out oil production. Sometimes, when skin gets moisture-deprived, it tricks itself into thinking it’s not producing enough oil, so it produces even more. An oil cleanser is designed to use good-for-your-skin, conditioning oils as a method of removing daily pore-clogging impurities for a smoother-looking complexion.

Benefits:

• Helps remove makeup and other impurities while helping maintain the skin’s natural moisture levels
• Helps purify the appearance of skin for a clearer-looking complexion
• Conditioning oils help provide the skin with radiance-boosting ingredients

Skin Type: An oil cleanser can be especially beneficial for those with dry skin.

TRY: Purity Solution Deep Cleansing Oil

Want to double up? Try Clean & Condition, our 2-Step Double Cleanse Duo that features our top-rated Gentle Cleanser Benefit Clean along with hydrating Purity Solution Nourishing Deep Cleansing Oil for cleaner skin that’s also deeply conditioned.

Powdered Exfoliating Cleanser

What it is: An alternative to chemical exfoliation, a scrub cleanser utilizes physical exfoliation to gently polish away dead skin, makeup and other buildup for a smoother-looking complexion. Whether you opt for a liquid scrub cleanser or a loose scrub that you combine with water or another cleanser, this face cleanser category helps restore a natural-looking glow to the skin.

Benefits:

• Deeply cleanses skin to aid in removal of makeup, dead skin and other daily impurities for a brighter-looking complexion
• Helps reduce the appearance of skin concerns like dark spots
• Helps smooth and even the appearance of skin tone and texture

Skin Type: The scrub cleanser is a renewing must for your skincare routine, and is ideal for those with normal, combination and oily skin types.

TRY: Purity Detox Scrub

Let’s face it … there’s a lot of skincare ingredients to keep up with. In recent years, the interest in skincare has peaked which has resulted in many people seeking a professional aesthetician and/or scouring the internet for the “need to know” on all the latest skincare ingredients.

Well, COSMEDIX decided to give your web browser a break by rounding up 3 of the latest, on-the-rise skincare ingredients that you need to add to you summer skincare collection, stat:

Bakuchiol

What It Is: Dubbed THE retinol alternative, this plant-powered ingredient packs a true skincare punch. Retinol is a holy grail ingredient, no doubt, but the potent Vitamin A derivative can take time for the skin to get used to. Bakuchiol—an extract derived from the Babchi plant—is a gentle alternative that can be applied regularly while encouraging similar results to Retinol. It is also less reactive, which allows more freedom when it comes to mixing with other skincare ingredients like Vitamin C, BHA and AHAs.  

Benefits: Bakuchiol has a long list of skin care benefits that make it totally worthy of the buzz. Anti-aging properties are what it is toted for most—it is known to help improve the look of fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tone and texture, plus boost the appearance of skin firmness. Whoa. It is also a great starter for those who are interested in using Vitamin A, but don’t want to dive in too fast.

What It’s In: Bakuchiol Complete Plant-Based Retinol Alternative Treatment and A-Lift Overnight Vitamin A Treatment

Hyaluronic Acid

What It Is: Hyaluronic Acid is a naturally occurring sugar in the body, but when added to skincare, it is the ultimate hydrator! This substance can hold an impressive amount of water weight, and when applied topically to the skin, it helps lock in moisture at the surface. Like we said, yes it occurs naturally but similar to collagen , it breaks down over time. That’s why adding it into your skin care routine through a serum, moisturizer or face mask is such a must-do.

Benefits: If plumper looking skin is what you’re after, then Hyaluronic Acid is for you. Because it retains moisture, Hyaluronic Acid helps the skin “hold on” to hydration which results in a dewier, fresh looking complexion with extra “bounce.” By bringing moisture to the surface of the skin, fine lines and wrinkles appear plumper and the skin looks and feels suppler.

What It’s In: Skin Thirst Moisturizing Hyaluronic Acid Cream and Surge Hyaluronic Acid Booster

Probiotics

What It Is: The word “probiotics” might make you think of supplements and trendy Kombucha drinks, but these little guys can have just as positive of an effect on your skin as your gut. Basically, your complexion has a whole ecosystem living on the surface (i.e. microbiome) and probiotics help ensure that those healthy organisms keep thriving.

Benefits: Many intense skincare routines for acne, aging, etc. can leave your skin feeling stripped, dry and imbalanced. Indulging your complexion to probiotics can help restore balance to the microbiome for an overall smoother, healthier-looking appearance. Probiotics also help condition and hydrate the skin while rejuvenating the look of dry, dull skin.

What It’s In: Harmonize Microbiome Boosting Moisturizer and Micro Defense Microbiome Sheet Mask