How often should I replenish my skincare products?

Why the worst thing you could do while clearing Adult Acne is let yourself run out of product.

I hope it doesn’t seem like I’m repeating myself.  :)  This is really just a follow-up to a previous post where I talk about how much of each product you should use at a time.

I started it out with a conundrum I often experience when facial clients check in, where we don’t see as much progress in their acne clearing as I think we should.  I take a look at when they last purchased.  I know approximately how long each type of product should last when it's used properly (which I will go over a little later), so if it’s been a while, it's not always the case that they’ve stopped buying their products and let their skincare go; often the client has either stretched the products out for budget reasons, or stretched them out figuring they have an upcoming appointment so why not wait. 

The truth is, using too little of each product renders them pretty much useless.

How Much of Each of My Skincare Products Should I Use?

After filling out the full Eval by Email® form for Adult Acne and Sensitivity issues, a sample packet of an entire skincare regimen is sent to your home to check for likeability, but mainly for any adverse reactions, after which full sizes are purchased from my web store.  

Of course, accompanying this sample packet is a full set of instructions with the order in which the products are to be used, and how to use them.

However, in addition to daily and weekly instructions, I also include a special post card with information on how much is used at a time, and how long each product should last when used in the amounts and frequency they're meant to be.

For your convenience, there are full step-by-step instructions in my web site’s Advice Section for an entire skincare routine for every skin type.

Every time a client comes to get a facial at my skincare salon, Daniela’s Facial Studio, or when a remote client checks in when they need to order more product, I check on their previous product purchases and the date they purchased last, because that's how I can tell if they're been using the products the way they've been instructed to.  Then I check whether they might need to repurchase, or tweak their routine. 

Does a Change in Weather Mean a Change in Skincare ?

This is SO typical me.  Yes, it’s confession time. 

March is Mask Madness Month at The Acne Whisperer !

Yes indeed, folks, it’s Mask Madness time here at The Acne Whisperer! The entire month of March will be devoted to the masks offered at my main web site, what they do, how they work, how to use them and how to choose them.

With so many choices and benefits, I thought I would start out with a simple lesson in the best way to apply a mask.

No, Seriously, I Really Am 49 Years Old! My Skincare Regimen and My Thanks

Today is my 49th birthday! :)

I don’t feel any different than I did 10 years ago, so I can’t believe that I’m near 50 (holy…!). However, I am different -- and I have my clients to thank for that. 

I’m not just saying that because everyone is thanking their clients today and tomorrow because of Thanksgiving. I really would be **nowhere** without a clientele that has seen 12.5 years of developments, failures, transitions, and a very tough move to a new location this past summer.

Please permit me to share something with you.

I didn’t have an easy childhood and I’m not secretive about that because it was due to undiagnosed ADD; I am very vocal about that. I believe ADD is the most misunderstood, under- and over-diagnosed cognitive disorder in Psychiatry today, and the more I learn about it, the more I want to shout from the rooftops any way I can help people who also struggle.

It’s Not The Brush; It’s The Blush!

If you have ever experienced breakouts along your cheekbones that just won’t go away no matter what you do or use, you may have concluded that the pimples must be connected to your blush. After asking around, or perusing Pinterest, there's no doubt that you've come across the advice to wash your makeup brushes. It only seems to make sense that your dirty makeup brushes would cause breakouts, right? 

Actually -- no.  As I always tell my clients, "It's the blush, not the brush!"

A few facts:

The Wonder Product That Will Simplify Your Skincare Routine

One of my proudest achievements, my hand-crafted Papaya Pumice Clay-Scrub Kit, gives you the best of multiple salon care products at home. Made with 2 fruit enzymes, 3 types of clay, soothing allantoin, and crushed pumice, this kit is a wonderful multi-purpose addition to your skincare routine.  It comes in powder form, and the kit includes 2 plastic shot glasses, a small scoop for measuring, a small spatula for mixing, and a small brush for application.  Why the silly name?  Honestly, I had no idea what else to call it.  I'm open to suggestions. lol

This Clay-Scrub kit is great for giving yourself a once-a-week facial at home for smooth, clear, decongested skin. For an occasional pick-me-up when your skin is looking dull or feeling a little rough, the powder makes for a perfect scrub (thanks to the action of the crushed pumice) when mixed with your regular cleanser. 

When used as a scrub and mask, first scrubbing very gently to make way for the actions of the enzymes and clay, the various clays then work their magic, and then going even further are the fruit enzymes that loosen and dissolve dead skin cells, which enhances the drawing action of the clay ingredients. Then, the crushed pumice whisks away all the loosened dead cells as you rinse! Nothing else like it out there, I checked!

Corporate Acne and Stress: Part 2

Yesterday, I discussed why you might be more likely to be stressed at work and why that gives you breakouts.

When we talk of an acne breakout being "hormonal" we usually mean breakouts that occur with PMS, changing or stopping birth control, or having an emotional freak-out. What do hormones have to do with acne?

As I mentioned in "Corporate Acne & Stress: Part 1," it's all about the male hormone, testosterone.

Testosterone is responsible for oil production in the skin. There are two main places where this hormone is produced in women -- the ovaries, and the adrenal glands. Any time there's an adrenaline rush, there is also an accompanying testosterone rush. Conflict stress (from the fight or flight response) can produce this rush.

Corporate Acne and Stress: Part 1

"How Can I Stress Less About Work?" (Part 1 & Part 2), talked about managing the stress that many of my clients ask me about, as the economy has produced a new kind of work force that is full of women under pressure. The subject of workplace stress is especially pertinent to my business. As a specialist in Adult Acne, I get quite a few clients coming in to see me because of the stress caused by their jobs.

Contrary to what conventional wisdom would hold, since the economy blew up in 2008 not one person has come to me for a facial to feel better or to prepare the skin to look better for an interview. Everyone who has come to me for help with Adult Acne is typically working a 9-5 (or later) job. So why did my business as an Acne Specialist boom after the 2008 recession?

What makes this recession different from all others are the layoffs that created a smaller workforce doing double to triple the work. This is what has affected the average client who has come through my door in the last 4-5 years. As middle management with MBAs were laid off, those working under them got promoted from within, at very little above their previous salary. Having no real experience in leadership or management, these (usually) women are under tremendous pressure to turn out numbers like their predecessors while supervising former colleagues.

The result?

Days on end of terrified supervisors behaving badly, creating an environment where if someone willing and able to do the work of more than one person wants to keep her job, she'd better comply. She may be more valuable than the supervisor, but she's not irreplaceable. She wants to flee or fight back, but she can't. As valuable as she is, she can still lose her job. And with companies enjoying this new found money-saving work force doing more work at less pay, why should they hire anyone else? No wonder there are little-to-no job openings. So! The worker has to keep her fight or flight response inside and take that stress home.

Toner, Orlando & Dawn

When you think of essential skincare products, what comes to mind? Cleanser, SPF moisturizer, spot-treatment... ? Actually, one of the most important products for troubled skin is very often missing from skincare regimens!

So, queue up some Tony Orlando and Dawn, and let's get to talking about the importance of toner. :)

I had a colleague in Florida named Dawn. (I say "had" because this sweet, amazing woman sadly passed away last fall after a long battle with cancer. May she rest peacefully and be a continued inspiration to her friends, family, and other skincare colleagues.) Dawn had a set-up in Miami much like mine. (Ok, so it's not Orlando, but what else was I going to call this post, considering it's about toner?) We were having a discussion about the role that increased water consumption plays when it comes to hydrating skin that lacks moisture. 

My correspondence with Dawn got me thinking about toner and how most people are still unclear on what it does and why they should use it.

Firstly, two facts about water consumption:

Welcome To The Acne Whisperer Skincare Blog!

Hi! Welcome to my new blog. :)

My name is Daniela, and I am the owner of Daniela's Facial Studio, located in the beautiful area of Lincoln Park in Chicago, IL. 

As an Esthetician for over 15 years, I have been specializing in the areas of Adult Acne, Rosacea, and Sensitivity. You can read more about my background on my About page.

This blog is where I can share information and insights about skincare concerns for adults with acne -- including info about non-comedogenic products, how stress and hormones relate to this skin condition and what can be done to treat this often embarrassing problem. 

It is my belief that most of the battle with breakouts is accomplished at home, whether your issues are with Adult Acne, Rosacea, or Sensitivity. Facials are great for cleaning out pores, but are much more effective after the skin has been softened and calmed enough to let matter in the pores loose. Much of the time, skin clears up with just skin-safe products and a consistent, personalized routine.

As an esthetician committed to providing quality service and care, I carry my own skin care line, which can be found in my webshop. 

These products, along with Mark Lees Skin Care, are manufactured with the best, skin-safe formulations for adult acne and sensitivity in mind. They use the purist, most standardized ingredients using the latest scientific technologies at lab-consistent levels, all without any pore clogging ingredients.

I have recently developed a skincare consultation service, called Eval by Email® Adult Acne Clearing Program,  which has worked tremendously well for people all over the United States. If you're in your 30s, 40s, or even 50s and still suffer from Adult Acne, you've found the right place!

Anti-aging and sensitivity products that are appropriate for adult acne and oiliness issues are incredibly hard to find.  This blog, along with my website is where you can find out more about products that are suited to your skin type.

I'm here to answer any questions you have about your personal skin care issues and to tell you the truth about what works and what doesn't -- without treating your skin like it's 16 years old!