How Stress Affects Skin and What to Do About It

How Stress Affects Skin and What to Do About It

Skin Exfoliation is important
Stress Skin

April is recognized as National Stress Awareness Month, and there is no better time to consider the impact of stress on skin concerns and overall skin health.

There is more and more research about the correlation between stress and skin health —now, more than ever. To that end, Rodan + Fields’ founders Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields published an eight-week study on the impact of skincare on cortisol (the stress hormone) levels.

Can stress cause you to break out?

The study: “Improvements in acne-prone skin quality correlate with a reduction in saliva cortisol levels after use of an 8-week 3-step topical regimen”

The study uncovered the mental health ramifications of adult acne and found that following a three-step skincare routine can dramatically reduce stress levels. A team of experts, including Rodan + Fields brand founders Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields, studied 30 acne-prone women in the 18- to 45-year-old range who used a skincare regimen including antioxidants, prebiotics, electrolytes, and SPF twice a day.

Rodan + Fields developed the Multi-Med Therapy approach, the right ingredients in the right formulations used in the right order, to deliver visible results you can see and feel. Over many years of testing and assessing consumer input, Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields found that having a three- or four-step routine is optimal in terms of treating skin concerns and improving skin health. For this study, Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields didn’t provide any additional guidelines beyond their standard recommendation they have with all of Rodan + Fields Regimens. The participants used a three-step Regimen. 

The Results of the Study

The results found that participants’ cortisol decreased by about 83%. In addition, the participants felt 76% more confident taking a selfie compared to 53% at the beginning of the study. Many reported being able to wear less makeup, as their skin looked better, and said their “skin looks as good as it feels.” 

We know that stress can leave its mark, literally and figuratively, on your skin. Here are some of the key ways that stress can affect skin and what you can do to alleviate it.

If your skin isn’t looking its best and you’re stressed, ask yourself the following questions. Are you:

1. Not sleeping enough?

When you’re not sleeping at least eight hours per night, the restorative function of your skin can’t be completed. Having a consistent nighttime skincare routine is essential when it comes to having healthy, youthful-looking skin. However, your skincare routine is most effective with proper sleep. Lifestyle changes can also help with better skin regeneration. Checking in with yourself and assessing whether you’re getting enough sleep can make that difference. Another sleep-inhibiting factor is blue light exposure. Switch off your computers and TV an hour or so before bed, or better yet, avoid having these electronics in your bedroom if you can. Alcohol consumption can lead to a less-than-glowing complexion the next morning. Drinking in moderation will have an impact on how your skin looks.

2. Eating sugar?

Eating sugar can impact your cortisol levels, which can lead to an overproduction of sebum or oil in your skin glands, which can cause acne breakouts. What foods should we opt for, and which should we avoid? “I recommend an anti-inflammatory diet, which means low-carb and no sugar as they directly cause skin inflammation,” Dr. Kathy Fields says. “It is so important to get to a target healthy weight and maintain it by implementing a reasonable diet that fits your lifestyle and one that you can practice long-term,” she adds. Exercise is another critical component. The best foods to eat to protect your skin from aging are antioxidants (think berries), carotenoids (think apricots and carrots), and greens (think spinach and broccoli).  Learn more about the best foods to achieve clear and healthy skin.

3. Dealing with bags under your eyes? 

It’s hard to get that glow when you’re not getting the right amount of sleep. Bags under your eyes is a direct result of sleep deprivation. Your skin has its own circadian rhythm, which is a 24-hour cycle that’s part of the body’s internal clock. Think of it as an operating system: it runs in the background to carry out essential functions and processes. At night, your skin absorbs products better, as it’s thinner at that time and undergoes the cell renewal and skin regeneration process. During your nightly eight hours, you give your skin a chance to replace old skin cells and make room for the new ones. So, don’t skimp on that time for the sake of your skin! It’s important to consistently apply your skincare routine every morning and night—including face serum (like one with Retinol, Hyaluronic Acid, or Vitamin C) to avoid acne in addition to fine lines, wrinkles and aging in general. Consider a high-quality anti-aging eye cream to visibly reduce key signs of aging, such as fine lines, wrinkles, sagging, and crow’s feet.

4. Lips sore?

You may be surprised by this stress-related result. But it happens: people tend to bite their lips when they’re stressed out—no matter the weather conditions. Stress, fear and anxiety are some of the reasons those who are prone to lip biting may give in to the urge. Dry lips can also be uncomfortable. Make sure to keep lips hydrated by using a balm or serum daily.

5. Dealing with skin irritations?

Stress can lead to skin irritations resulting from picking at acne or scratching at your skin. If you’re stressed, you might also skimp on your skincare routine, which can also aggravate skin issues.

Things to Remember When You’re Feeling Stressed

Think of your skincare Regimen as your daily ritual – a few moments each day where you can practice self-care. Carve out time each morning and night to treat yourself (and your skin!) to some much-needed TLC and ideally, some stress relief.

*All referenced results are based on an 8-week U.S. clinical and consumer study.

Learn more about Rodan + Fields  and how you can get your most radiant skin ever. Trust your skin’s glow to the Doctors and to your consultant who know how to help you get your skin glowing.

Results may vary depending on multiple factors: age, gender, skin type and condition, concomitant products used, health history, location, lifestyle, and diet.

Share this with friends or family members. It will save their skin — and boost their confidence.

PM me for the best options to suit your budget 🙂

*information is taken from The R+F Source.

Why a Skincare Regimen is Worth Your Time and Money

Why a Skincare Regimen is Worth Your Time and Money

Skin Exfoliation is important
HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR SKIN FROM HEAD TO TOE

Show me a person new to a multi-step routine — any routine — and I will show you a skeptic.

It makes sense. Disappointed in the past, they want to know if all those steps really matter or if it’s just marketing. What they’re really asking is: “Is it worth my time and money?” and “Will it work for me?” So, how can you know for sure if purchasing a full Rodan + Fields skincare regimen is worth it? Let’s dive in and see!

When using a skincare regimen, you should always do your due diligence to get familiar with all the steps and the potential results from following the regimen:

  1. Look over the clinical studies to see what results are possible
  2. Review the before and after pictures to see real examples
  3. Take your own before and after pictures to track your progress
  4. Follow the directions and be consistent

Rodan + Fields Skincare Advantage

Dermatologists Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields set high standards by challenging their chemists to create cutting-edge, life-changing skincare solutions for common skin issues to give visible results. They evaluate every ingredient and formula down to the molecular level to make sure it delivers the transformative, visible results we’re known for.

The Regimen Advantage

R+F regimens use Multi-Med Therapy: the right ingredients, in the right formulas, applied in the right order. Let us deep-dive into the product types that make up a skincare regimen—an orchestra of strong and gentle instruments performing together in the perfect combination for a majestic masterpiece: healthier-looking skin.

-Cleansers: Does using a cleanser matter? You just rinse it off anyway. As the first step in the routine, cleansers are a very important step to prep the skin for what’s to come. R+F cleaners offer a range of benefits that include gentle exfoliation and purifying skin as they remove dirt, oil, makeup, to chemical exfoliation of the skin’s surface for a more even appearance in tone and texture, and lines and deep wrinkles. Your cleanser offers its own benefits while also affecting how your skin responds to the remaining products in the regimen.

-Toners: Often seen as a throw-away product, a toner clears the skin for optimal application and efficacy of the products that follow. Our toners are not drying or astringent in any way. So, this format allows us to layer ingredients effectively on the skin’s surface. The different toners in each regimen offer different benefits depending on the regimen you choose, like minimizing and unclogging pores or gently exfoliating and promoting natural cell turnover.

-Creams/Moisturizers (AM + PM): Is using a cream both morning and night necessary? The cleanser and toner have prepared the skin for these next steps to allow for maximum absorption and additional benefits from creams and moisturizers, like moisturizing and protecting from UVA and UVB rays during the day (make sure to re-apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen every 2-2.5 hours when exposed to the sun), and replenishing or exfoliating the skin overnight.

Can’t I just make my own regimen?

Let’s explore this possibility. There is an immense amount of time and money dedicated to research, selecting the targeted ingredients to make a visible improvement on the skin, quality control, trial and error in stabilizing and developing effective formulations, and determining product compatibility and effectiveness. And sometimes, you might try a combination of products where some ingredients may not play well together, or you could get too much of a good thing like exfoliation, and this misjudgment may affect your skin negatively. Can’t I just buy the “hero” product from the regimen? You can but realize that we cannot guarantee the same results if you were to use the full regimen. Following a regimen is like baking a cake, it’s best to stick with a highly tested and studied regimen with all the right ingredients and to follow all the directions for the best results.

Can one regimen do it all?

R+F skin and hair regimens are designed to address common skin and hair concerns, but everyone’s skin is different. So sensitive skin may have occasional acne or discolored skin may have lax sagging skin. This is why our Consultants invite customers to use the Solution Tool to receive personalized recommendations to address a combination of concerns.

Putting together your own regimen can be overwhelming and isn’t clinically evaluated for specific results. Rodan + Fields has done the research and work for you so you can focus your time, energy and commitment to getting started right away on your skin improvement journey with proven results!

 

Written by Mary Radford, RNBA
Mary Radford, RNBA, has an extensive background in Dermatology, Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Spas. She worked side by side with Dr. Katie Rodan as a Registered Nurse in her dermatology office before being recruited to Rodan + Fields in 2004, where she currently focuses on Field Education + Tools.

*All referenced results are based on an 8-week U.S. clinical and consumer study.

Learn more about Rodan + Fields  and how you can get your most radiant skin ever. Trust your skin’s glow to the Doctors and to your consultant who know how to help you get your skin glowing.

Results may vary depending on multiple factors: age, gender, skin type and condition, concomitant products used, health history, location, lifestyle, and diet.

Share this with friends or family members. It will save their skin — and boost their confidence.

PM me for the best options to suit your budget 🙂

*information is taken from The R+F Source.

Benefits of Stacking Your Skincare Habits

Benefits of Stacking Your Skincare Habits

Skin Exfoliation is important

Learn how stacking your habits can improve your daily routines with Kayla Kozan, Founder of Peak Wellness in Canada.

When it comes to skincare, you probably already know that consistency is key to your success. Achieving your skincare goals means sticking with a consistent routine in order to yield the best results. In fact, creating a routine is the best way to ensure your morning and nighttime skincare regimens become an integral part of your day.

Routines are essentially habits that are implemented in groups. Have you heard of habit stacking? For this blog post, we caught up with Founder of Peak Wellness in Canada, Kayla Kozan, to learn about what the term means, how to stack your habits, the benefits of stacking your skincare habits, the importance of a daily skincare routine, and of course, self-care rituals.

So: What Is Habit Stacking? 

“Habit stacking is the process of ‘stacking’ a new, desirable habit on top of an existing one,” Kozan explains. So instead of starting from scratch, you’re simply modifying a practice you already do in your morning or evening routine. What’s great about that is that this strategy is proven to increase the likelihood of you sticking to your new routine. Crafting your personal lifestyle and wellness regimen is all about habit stacking—at least in the beginning.

Creating Your Custom Skincare Routine 

Because we all had a little more time on our hands since the pandemic, we’ve allotted a little more time to our skincare regimens. Why is that? Well, it’s easier to stick with a four- or five-step routine when there are fewer late nights, less plans in general, and no coming home after a night of a few drinks. In other words, with nowhere to go and no one to see (for the most part), there was little temptation to skip the entire enterprise of doing an evening skincare routine. What’s more, not having to commute in the morning (for many of us), meant we had more time to do that extra skincare step. Whether that additional step was something as simple as applying REDEFINE Multi-Function Eye Cream or taking the time to indulge in a 15-minute mask, not feeling rushed gave us a little more time to indulge in the self care that is a complete skincare routine.

To help you further customize your skincare routine, try the newly reformulated Rodan + Fields Redefine Regimen, which allows you to choose your favorite textures. You can select products based on your own unique preference for Step 1 and Step 3 for a.m. and p.m. moisturizers, respectively. In other words? You can choose your own hydration adventure. Want a rich, thick cream during the day? We’ve got you covered. Prefer a thinner, lighter lotion for evening? Go for it.

Keep it Simple

When it comes to creating a new habit, Kozan notes that “if a habit feels effortless, it will fit perfectly into your day, without requiring brain power or willpower.” With regard to skincare, Kozan says that it’s “far more effective to maintain your simple skincare ritual seven days in a row, than to do an extensive multi-step routine once a week.” The bottom line? Bespoke skincare routines have thrived since COVID became a reality — and they will be a habit that sticks long after the pandemic. Taking a little extra care of our skin is something we’re all reaping the benefits of — and after a year of seeing our skin up close and personal on video calls, it makes sense that we’d continue to make the time for a robust routine.

Multi-Med Therapy Prioritizes Consistency

Multi-Med Therapy is the approach to skincare on which Rodan + Fields is built— and it’s designed to make consistency easy. “Even the bottles are numbered to make your routine effortless,” Kozan points out. “The simplicity of their Regimens take the guesswork out of your skincare routine.”

The Benefits of Stacking Your Habits

Batching a few habits together gives you a sense that you’re sort of “on autopilot.” These easy associations make a mindless, routine maintenance activity feel a little less rote. “A great example of a base habit is brushing your teeth,” Kozan says.  “Since you already brush your teeth twice a day, you have two opportunities per day to add on to that habit,” she adds. She recommends stacking your skincare routine on top of brushing your teeth for an effortless ritual. “Begin step one of your skincare routine after brushing your teeth in the morning and begin your evening skincare routine right after brushing your teeth at night,” she advises. Before you know it, you’ve habit stacked.

Habits Are The Secret To Wellness

After you’ve stuck with a consistent self-care and skincare routine for a few months, it becomes easy. These routines and rituals are not just a trend, they also help you ensure that you’re taking care of your mind, body — and skin.

*All referenced results are based on an 8-week U.S. clinical and consumer study.

Learn more about Rodan + Fields  and how you can get your most radiant skin ever. Trust your skin’s glow to the Doctors and to your consultant who know how to help you get your skin glowing.

Results may vary depending on multiple factors: age, gender, skin type and condition, concomitant products used, health history, location, lifestyle, and diet.

Share this with friends or family members. It will save their skin — and boost their confidence.

PM me for the best options to suit your budget 🙂

*information is taken from The R+F Source.

Send Me a Message

Apply Your Skincare Routine in the Best Order

Apply Your Skincare Routine in the Best Order

Skin Exfoliation is important

Skincare doesn’t have to be complicated, though it’s easy to see how it can be confusing to someone just making her entrance into the world of its lotions and potions. Simply put, skincare is a routine you apply consistently, in the morning and at night.

The order of events, however, is important. We want to get the most out of our skincare products. Our regimen is much more effective when we apply products in the order they were designed to be used and follow some simple rules. Here’s why the order of application matters—and how it can impact your skincare goals.

The Right Order for a Skin Care Routine

There are so many approaches to skincare. From 10-step applications to the simplest, most essential 3 steps of cleansing, toning and moisturizing. Your skincare routine can range from basic to broad. Our Multi-Med Therapy approach is at the core of all Rodan + Fields’ skincare Regimens and we love it because it takes the guesswork out of skincare. The fact is, no single ingredient can effectively address a complex skin concern.

Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields created the Multi-Med Therapy approach as a means to control a particular skin concern, like acne, by creating a system with a focus on prevention, as opposed to treating individual pimples. From Dr. Katie Rodan’s and Dr. Kathy Fields’ years of research, they saw that it takes the right ingredients, in the right product formulations, used in the right order, to visibly improve skin. Each Regimen is backed by this Multi-Med Therapy approach in order to effectively address an individual’s skin concerns.

How to Create a Skincare Routine

When it comes to customizing your own skincare routine, these are the steps—in the right order—to follow both morning and night to achieve your desired visible results.

Step 1: Facial Cleanser

A facial cleanser is important for you to use every morning and evening to remove makeup, dirt, excess sebum and oil. Your cleanser of choice can also gently exfoliate to help slough off dead skin cells. This step must come first because your skin needs to be clean and free from makeup and debris before applying products on top—so they can do their job to the fullest. In other words, cleansing your skin prepares it to absorb the ingredients coming next in your skincare routine. You wouldn’t mop your floor without sweeping it first, right? This step is similar to that.

Step 2: Toner

Toner helps with softening your skin and enabling better penetration for the ingredients that follow in the next step. Toners also serve to cleanse your pores and keep them free from debris. Toners are often formulated with acids that help promote natural cell turnover to achieve this. They also help minimize the look of pores and even out the appearance of your skin tone. If you apply toner to uncleansed skin, the toner will not be able to work as effectively.

Step 3: Eye Cream

Hydrating and moisturizing this area is key. You want to use an eye cream like Redefine Multi-Function Eye Cream, which is specifically designed for the under-eye area so as not to cause any irritation. Applying an eye cream before any serums or moisturizers also helps to protect the delicate skin around the eyes. 

Step 4: Face Serum

Serums contain the most valuable and desired ingredients, often with a higher concentration. It’s important to apply your serum before your moisturizer so that your skin can absorb these active ingredients. Whether your serum offers Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid/hydration or Retinol, you don’t want to skip this step.

Step 5: Moisturizer, Lotion or Night Cream

Your moisturizer, whether you choose a cream or lotion, helps provide anti-aging benefits, in addition to skin-restoring moisturization. Moisturizers and night creams also serve to maintain the health of your skin barrier. Some products, like Redefine Triple Defense Lotion Broad Spectrum 30, also contain SPF in addition to their skin-moisturizing benefits, making them perfect for your AM routine.

Step 6: SPF

This step is only for your morning routine; skip it at nighttime. Always apply sunscreens as the last layer to protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays. You’ll need to reapply your SPF throughout the day as necessary according to FDA guidelines.

Incorporate as Needed: Face Masks

Face masks are great for those times when you want to give your skin a little extra self-care. Whether you’re doing an at-home facial or indulging on a Sunday while you catch up on a show you’re bingeing, masks serve as extra care for your secondary skin concern.

For example, when you use anti-aging skincare but you occasionally suffer from acne, you will want to use an acne-targeting face mask each week.

How often should you apply your masks? Aim for 2-3 times per week, more often for hydrating ones if your skin is very dry or dehydrated. You can apply your masks in the morning or evening after you cleanse your skin. Don’t forget to continue with the rest of your routine after —toner, serum, moisturizer, etc. If you want to do a mid-day mask, apply your moisturizer after removing your face mask for best results. You don’t want to leave your skin bare post-treatment.

*All referenced results are based on an 8-week U.S. clinical and consumer study.

Learn more about Rodan + Fields  and how you can get your most radiant skin ever. Trust your skin’s glow to the Doctors and to your consultant who know how to help you get your skin glowing.

Results may vary depending on multiple factors: age, gender, skin type and condition, concomitant products used, health history, location, lifestyle, and diet.

Share this with friends or family members. It will save their skin — and boost their confidence.

PM me for the best options to suit your budget 🙂

*information is taken from The Skincare Source.

Send Me a Message

How to Exfoliate Without Damaging Your Skin

How to Exfoliate Without Damaging Your Skin

Skin Exfoliation is important

We hear about exfoliation quite a bit as a means of keeping our skin smooth, moisturized, and healthy. After all, how can we get a glowing, healthy-looking complexion if we’re constantly dealing with dead skin cells that pile up?

But knowing that exfoliation is a good idea and knowing how to exfoliate are two entirely different things. Here, we break down exactly what exfoliation is, and how to exfoliate without damaging your skin.

What is exfoliation?

According to Cosmetic Dermatologist Dr. Michele Green, the purpose of exfoliation is to get rid of dead skin cells on the surface of the skin and clear out congested pores to reveal a brighter, smoother complexion.

“Exfoliation plays into the life cycle of skin cells which is about 3 months in children and about 28 days in adults,” she explains. “With age, the dead skin cells that accumulate tend to take longer to shed from the surface of the skin. Dead skin cells build up and clog pores and lead to a dry and dull complexion and rough texture.”

Benefits of exfoliating

The main benefit of exfoliation, according to Dr. Green, is to help speed up cell turnover rate. “Exfoliation also allows serums, treatments, and moisturizers applied afterward to penetrate deeper into the skin and deliver the best benefits,” she explains.

Skin types that are suitable for exfoliation

All skin types are suitable for exfoliation, but you might have to make some tweaks in terms of how you exfoliate based on your skin type. For example, chemical exfoliants, which typically contain beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) and alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) can be great for sensitive or dry skin, according to Dr. Green. AHAs are great for dry skin because they don’t cause irritation, while BHAs are great for oily or acne-prone skin. With normal skin, you should feel comfortable going with a physical or chemical exfoliant.

How to exfoliate without damaging your skin

If you want to exfoliate without damaging your skin, there are a few key components to keep in mind, according to Dr. Green.

“Exfoliating too often or scrubbing too hard can strip the skin’s natural protective barrier and remove the essential oils present that provide hydration and healthy skin,” she explains. “This can lead to redness, inflammation, hyperpigmentation, dryness, infection, or acne breakouts. Stripping the skin of essential moisturizing oils can cause the skin to respond by overproducing sebum, which can then become trapped in the pores and lead to the formation of acne breakouts.”

It’s best to start slowly and gradually increase frequency of exfoliant use if you want to avoid irritated skin. “There is nothing wrong with decreasing the frequency if your skin shows any signs of irritation,” Dr. Green says. “It is highly recommended that you discuss with a board-certified dermatologist to determine which exfoliant and skincare regimen would be best for your specific skin type. If you’re experiencing redness, itchiness, or irritation, avoid using any exfoliants until your skin is healed.”

How to exfoliate the face

Before trying an exfoliating cleanser on the face, Dr. Green recommends applying it to your inner arm first.

“If you are trying a new exfoliating product, perform a patch test on your inner arm before applying to the face to ensure that the product will not cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction,” she says. “To perform a patch test, place a small amount of the product on clean skin and leave the area be for at least 24 hours. If there is no skin irritation after use such as redness, swelling, itching, burning, or rash, then the product should be safe to use on the face.”

Exfoliation on the face should be performed two to three times a week, and always remember to use a moisturizer afterward.

How to exfoliate the body

Since the skin on the body tends to be less sensitive than skin on the face, it’s easier to exfoliate it without damaging the skin, but you should still perform Dr. Green’s patch test before exfoliating your entire body. With a really high-quality body scrub, you can exfoliate your body two to three times a week, and be sure to use a moisturizer afterward.

How to exfoliate the legs

With a body scrub and a brush or sponge, exfoliate your legs by using short, gentle strokes on the skin. Just make sure to avoid any areas that have cuts, as an exfoliating scrub can further irritate those areas and slow down the healing process.

How to exfoliate the feet

Exfoliating the feet is different from exfoliating other parts of the body. You’ll want to soak your feet a few times a week, then use a pumice stone to slough off dead skin cells. Be sure to moisturize afterward, just as you would when exfoliating other parts of the body.

How often should you exfoliate?

You should not exfoliate every day, as doing so can cause dryness or irritation. Two to three times per week is the ideal amount.

Exfoliation is an important part of any skincare routine. With the proper attention, care, and the right products, you can say goodbye to dead skin cells and easily exfoliate your skin without irritating it. Enjoy!

*All referenced results are based on an 8-week U.S. clinical and consumer study.

Learn more about Rodan + Fields  and how you can get your most radiant skin ever. Trust your skin’s glow to the Doctors and to your consultant who know how to help you get your skin glowing.

Results may vary depending on multiple factors: age, gender, skin type and condition, concomitant products used, health history, location, lifestyle, and diet.

Share this with friends or family members. It will save their skin — and boost their confidence.

PM me for the best options to suit your budget 🙂

*information is taken from The Skincare Source.

Send Me a Message