February 28, 2020
Required reading for your skin, the results of my "clean" tinted moisturizer search, Protocol's awesome vitamin C serum, a different kind of deo and the pro treatments you'll want this year.
Required reading for you (and your skin)
I don’t have all that much time to read for pleasure these days, and I’m still trying to finish the JFK, Jr. biography that I started months ago. (Although the rise of George is very interesting, I’m really tempted to just skip to the part about his marriage to Carolyn Bessette.) Yet when I receive a just-released book from a celebrity aesthetician, I make the time…
I dove into Glow from Within by Joanna Vargas as soon as it arrived—which fortunately was a Sunday so I had a window of opportunity. Peppered with celebrity anecdotes, this comprehensive yet engaging and easy-to-read tome covers all the skin basics, and I found it was wonderful way to get back to basics at a time when I’m writing a ton of stories and have so much information swirling around in my head. I especially appreciated the many references to scientific studies, because there’s so much misinformation and hype out there (which we all know).
In a nutshell, Vargas believes the secret to great skin is a combination of skincare, nutrition and lifestyle—and not necessarily aggressive professional treatments. To that end, she outlines a basic five-step daily routine that anyone can follow (plus add-ons that you’re probably already using or doing). From creating the ideal skincare regimen for your skin type, explaining ingredients and professional treatments, and emphasizing the importance of diet and lifestyle habits, you get it all in a beautifully designed book—I just love the silver and millennial-pink cover and ombré pages!
Vargas devotes a lot of ink to nutrition, including “Glow Foods” like greens, heathy fats, and herbs and spices, as well as “Moderation Foods” (dairy, grains and caffeine) and “Foods That Dim Your Glow” (i.e., alcohol and sugar). Then, the Self-Care section outlines the effects that exercise, stress, sleep and attitude can have on the state of your skin—and calls out the bad habits that are sure to sabotage your efforts. From there, you’ll learn everything you ever wanted to know about various professional treatments like lasers, microcurrent, microneedling and more. Finally, Vargas shares targeted tips for specific skin concerns such as acne, dark circles, dullness, sensitive skin and all the other major biggies—as well as specific plans of attack when you have six months, one month, one week or one hour to get your skin in shape.
But perhaps my favorite section is the recipes—and I was shocked that I already have all of the ingredients required for most of them. From juice blends to DIY masks for virtually any skin issue that may arise (as if I don’t already spend enough time in the kitchen).
All and all, this is one of the best beauty books I’ve read in a while, and I’ll definitely use it as a reference when I write—and you should use it as a reference for getting your best skin yet!
I searched for a safer tinted moisturizer, and here's what I found
Last month I found myself with a little extra time on my hands—and a Neiman Marcus gift card burning a hole in my pocket. At that point, I was slightly obsessed with finding a non-toxic alternative to my favorite CC cream (and I’m still somewhat devastated that it has an EWG score of 8). I was lucky enough to get a really knowledgeable salesperson who took me from counter to counter—and I tried about five before narrowing the options down to two. I’ve learned that it pays to take a sample home to see how complexion products fare in the “real world,” and I left the store with these…
Chantecaille Just Skin Tinted Moisturizer
Although this tinted moisturizer provides less coverage than I’m used to, I just love how it melds seamlessly into my skin and leaves a lovely, dewy finish. Extra antioxidant protection courtesy of thyme and butterfly bush extract (I’ve never encountered this ingredient before), is a major plus—and although I prefer more than SPF 15, it’s really not a big deal since I apply 50 before I reach for any makeup. (It also contains iron oxide, which helps protect skin from blue light as well.) I found that squeezing a bit on the back of my hand and applying it with a foundation brush provides the most even finish—and this product is still in the running for purchase (although I haven’t pulled the trigger yet).
Sisley-Paris Tinted Sunscreen Cream
I was a bit taken aback when I was presented with this option, since I wasn’t in the market for a true sun-protection product, but this powerful water-resistant SPF 30 ticked all of my boxes. The coverage is perfect, the texture is divine and the finish is exactly what I would strive for if I set out to create the foundation alternative of my dreams. I can’t stop thinking about it, and I’ve only used the sample once because I haven’t deemed any day since worthy of its awesomeness. I would have bought it on the spot if not for the price tag, as I am in no position to buy a $170 sunscreen (as much as I wish I were). So for now, I’ll continue to dream…
Chantecaille Just Skin Tinted Moisturizer
EWG/Skin Deep® Score: 5 (via the “Build Your Own Report” tool)
Sisley-Paris Tinted Sun Cream
EWG/Skin Deep® Score: 4 (via the “Build Your Own Report” tool)
Please tell me you’re using a vitamin C serum…
At the risk of sounding like a broken record (since I’m assuming you’re old enough to know what that means—my 11-year-old son doesn’t), if you’re not using a vitamin C serum you’re not getting the most out of your anti-aging skincare routine. Even more, you’re not protecting your skin from environmental damage that contributes to skin aging.
I know these products can be expensive, but a high-quality vitamin C serum is one of the best investments you can make in the health and appearance of your skin—even if that means making the rest of your routine more budget-friendly. But I’m happy to report that I’ve come across a super-effective antioxidant serum that falls into that sweet spot between super-expensive and too-good-to-be-true—and I actually think it has a leg-up on its pricier counterparts…
Meet Protocol Lab’s Vitamin C Superserum. Featuring a 10% concentration of L-ascorbic acid (the most potent form of vitamin C), 3% magnesium ascorbyl phosphate (an extremely stable form of vitamin C) and 0.9% tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (a fat-soluble form of vitamin C that does a great job at penetrating the skin), this serum delivers the benefits of vitamin C in three different ways.
To refresh your memory, these benefits include protection against skin-damaging free radicals generated by pollution and UV light (which your sunscreen probably isn’t doing anything about), increased collagen production for smoothing of fine lines and wrinkles, improvement in uneven skin tone and an overall brighter, more radiant complexion.
Yet these major upsides sometimes come along with a hitch… Vitamin C serums are notoriously unstable, and exposure to light and air reduces their effectiveness. (I’ve always had an issue with top-of-the-line antioxidant serums that come in a bottle with a dropper since this seems to tempt the product-degradation gods.) Another advantage of Protocol is the unique packaging—which makes it virtually impossible for the serum to come in contact with the air before it’s in your palm and about to be put on your face. Beyond the air-tight pump and opaque inner lining, there’s also a little cap for the nozzle for an extra layer of serum protection.
If I had no idea about the Superserum’s price, I’d definitely bet it costs more than $100. But alas, it rings in at a cool $72—which is well within my comfort zone, and hopefully yours, too.
Protocol Lab Vitamin C Superserum
EWG/Skin Deep® Score: 4 (via the “Build Your Own Report” tool)
The clean deodorant works in a whole different way
At this point, most of us have experimented with aluminum-free deodorant (which inherently means you lose the anti-perspirant factor) with mixed results. I personally found a winner in Kai’s Rose Deodorant, but I know many others haven’t been as lucky. The good news is, there’s another brand-new option, and if you haven’t met your clean deodorant match yet, Surface Deep’s Anti-Odorant may be it.
Unlike most other clean products for your pits that use baking soda to neutralize odor, these individually-wrapped pads (which look a lot like the exfoliating peel pads for your face) harness the power of glycolic acid and probiotics to minimize the “bad” bacteria responsible for B.O. and promote the “good” bacteria that keep your skin’s microbiome in check. (For more about the microbiome, click here.)
Developed by dermatologist Dr. Alicia Zalkan, the paraben- and sulfate-free pads are formulated according to the Clean at Sephora and Whole Foods banned ingredient lists—and also offer soothing aloe vera juice, antioxidants, rosemary extract and eucalyptus essential oil.
Just so you know, one pad covers both armpits—and the packaging makes them ideal for travel, after working out or anytime you need an underarm refresh! (Oh, and your skin will be super-smooth and soft!)
Surface Deep Anti-Odorant
EWG/Skin Deep® Score: 4 (via the “Build Your Own Report” tool)
The treatments and procedures you're going to want this year
Is today a holiday or not? This particular President’s Day is an odd one, because although there’s no mail or banking, my son is in school. My inbox is experiencing a significantly lower level of traffic but it seems at least a few people are actually working—myself included (kind of). To keep it light on this maybe-holiday, let’s talk about the treatments and procedures The Aesthetic Society says are going to be at the top of our lists for 2020…
1. “Baby” Botox
I like my grown-up Botox very much, thank you—but a relatively new off-label use is getting a lot of attention. “Baby” Botox involves smaller doses that are strategically placed to smooth fine lines and wrinkles without making your face look frozen. If you’re on the younger side, this technique may help prevent wrinkling—but if you’ve been using Botox for a while, you may be left longing for less muscle movement after treatment.
2. Generation Z will get more “done”
When my babysitter (who’s in her early 20s) told me she got Botox, I almost fell on the floor. It’s not my place to judge how she spends her hard-earned cash, but it does make me think this whole social media thing is partly responsible for young women thinking they need to keep up with the Kardashians. As a reference point for her age, she didn’t know what stirrup pants were—even when they were on my body at that moment. And now that I think about it, she was probably an actual baby the first time I got Botox.
3. The Daddy-Do-Over
Brace yourself ladies, because your husband may want to play the plastic surgery card—which means he gets time off from his already lighter load of parental responsibilities. From lipo on his abdomen and chest (perhaps followed with Emsculpt so he can have the six-pack he’s always wanted) to finally saying goodbye to those man-boobs, more men than ever are expected to turn to plastic surgery to improve their dad-bods.
4. The facelift is back
The Aesthetic Society points out that many patients are realizing that their usual injectable treatments just aren’t cutting it anymore—and many women are getting facelifts as early as their mid-to-late 40s. Shit.
5. More non-invasive options
As if we didn’t have a hard enough time keeping up with all the downtime-free ways to resurface our skin, melt fat and tone muscle, 2020 is sure to give us even more to add to our aesthetic wish lists. I better get back to work because I’m going to need to increase my personal-care budget.