5 Things To Do For Your Skin In 2016

Happy New Year everyone! Here are 5 ways to ensure your best skin as we move into 2016! I look forward to seeing you all in January....

1. Out with the old.
Take a look in the bathroom cabinet. Yes, it's time to toss all that expired product and anything you haven't used this year. Say goodbye to the old, discolored, unreadable jars and tubes. If you haven't used it, didn't like it, or didn't see results, it's time for it to go. While you're at it, toss the old makeup sponges and applicators, and wash all your brushes.

2. In with the new.
So now that there is space in your cabinet, maybe it's time to try something new! Is there something you're missing in your routine, or something you want to address? With so many great ingredients out there, adding in or replacing just one piece can be a game changer.

3. See your skin therapist.
Lost after #1 and #2? The new year is a perfect time to check in. Your skin therapist can help you decide what to keep and what to tweak in your current routine. Travel, diet, and lifestyle over the holidays take a real toll on your skin, so it's a perfect time for a facial too.

4. Commit to your routine.
The key word here is "your". For something to work, you have to do it. Really assess what you have time, budget and are willing to do on a daily basis. For some, it may be a completely new protocol, for others it may just be the commitment to wash their face every single night, no matter what. Baby steps are still steps!

5. Wear sunscreen.
Oh I know, you grow weary of my pleas. Think of it this way. We know UV causes free-radical damage in the skin. The skin does it's best with its own resources to battle this. By wearing sunscreen every day, you free up those resources to do a myriad of other things instead. Not to mention the bonus of skin cancer prevention and whole lot less premature aging.

As always, don't hesitate to contact me if I can help you or answer questions in 2016!

jill@jjodar.com

Ingredient Spotlight! Niacinamide

I recently posted an article from New Beauty on Facebook and Twitter, which was titled "The Miracle Skin Care Vitamin You're Probably Not Using". I thought, hey, my clients have been using products utilizing this ingredient for well over a year. But just in case you haven't heard of it.....

Image credit: Bookofchemistry.blogspot.com

Niacinamide 

What is it? A physiologically active form of Vitamin B3 used in skin care formulations. You can find it in serums, moisturizers, masks and professional treatments.

Claims: There are a lot of skin care claims made for this multifunctional ingredient. Niacinamide is said to help the skin repair itself and maintain its barrier, reduce the appearance of pigmentation (when used in certain percentages), regulate sebum (oil) production, and possess both antioxidant and calming properties. Yes, That's a lot!

Concerns raised: Wait for it....  None!
I can't find any (not even from a certain website, which I won't give press to this time around)! This is a very good thing, most ingredients have at least a caveat or two.

What I've found: There's a decent amount of research out there on this ingredient, including a study on safety, one on the ability to inhibit melanin transfer (lessen the appearance of pigmentation or dark spots), and another showing a range of anti-aging benefits.

Bottom Line: I absolutely love this ingredient and suggest it both in formulations and use it in my treatments as well. Aside from the scientific literature, I've seen a noticeable change in the skin of clients using products with niacinamide. Perhaps more importantly, so have they! Its multidimensional benefits, combined with the range of skin types that can use it make it a hero in my book.

Find it in: Total Age Corrector, Clarifier, Refiner, Redensifier, Eye serum, Rapid Repair