The Skin Balancing Toner is used throughout the Iconic Facial routine and has many skin health benefits due to its multi-botanical blend of ingredients. It is also an essential part of every home care routine with numerous benefits, leaving the skin in prime condition for serums, moisturizers, and other daily skincare applications.
What are the benefits of toning?
Toning can often be overlooked in a home care routine because we often think its purpose is just to remove any residual cream cleanser. This is only one aspect of why a toner is used, and educating our clients about the skin health benefits of a toning product is so important.
Toners have become much more sophisticated over the years. They used to contain harsh astringents and alcohols, which stripped the skin’s barrier function, causing inflammation and dryness.
The newer formulations are more advanced with specific benefits to the skin’s health, replenishing and restoring balance with a blend of skin actives. These can include anti-oxidants to fight free radical damage, humectants which lock in moisture and cell communicators and lipids.
The Glow & Skin Balancing Toner is an advanced formulation. It is, in its own right, a topical skin treatment, penetrating the uppermost layers of the skin where hydration is most needed. Aside from the physical act of removing a cleanser, the Glow & Skin Balancing Toner is a powerful, biologically active liquid hydrator with multiple benefits helping with a range of skin conditions.
Glow & Skin Balancing Toner
The Skin Balancing Toner in the Glow & Skin range of professional products is a unique blend of natural botanical extracts, selected and formulated for their skin health benefits working in synergy with the other Glow & Skin products.
In the Glow & Skin home care routine, the Skin Balancing Toner is used after the Ultra Glow Cleanser twice daily, morning and evening. It comes in a generous 120ml spray dispenser that prevents it from becoming contaminated and lasting longer. The dispenser also means it can be sprayed directly onto the skin and then gently wiped away using a cotton pad. This avoids waste and, more importantly, allows for longer contact with the skin.
A great tip we have at Glow & Skin for those clients that wear heavier make-up or work in polluted cities or dirty work environments is to ‘double tone’. After using the Ultra Glow Cleanser, we recommend spraying two to three pumps onto a slightly damp cotton pad. Wipe the pad over the entire face (not forgetting the neck). Once the whole face has been toned, spray two to three pumps of Skin Balancing Toner directly onto the face. Gently massage in and allow to dry. This ‘second tone ’acts as a treatment and allows the botanicals to do their thing.
Another tip our Iconic facialists advise their clients to do is to pop the toner in their handbags and use it over make-up to freshen up during the day. Also great for a long-haul flight or when working in dry atmospheres with low humidity. This helps to stop the skin from drying out.
What’s in the Glow & Skin Balancing Toner that makes it special
The Skin Balancing Toner formulation is based on multi-botanical herbal extracts blended to create a gentle but biologically powerful effect on the skin.
Hamamelis Virginiana Water, commonly known as Witch Hazel, is a natural ingredient obtained by distilling twigs, bark and leaves from the Hamamelis virginiana plant. It is well known for its soothing, cleansing and toning properties.
Sodium Hyaluronate is a derivative of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is used throughout the Glow & Skin professional skincare range because of its unique ability to hydrate and moisturise, forming a non-occlusive film on the skin.
The blend of multiple botanical extracts gives the Skin Balancing Toner a beautiful natural fragrance and leaves the skin feeling smooth and clean.
With too many to discuss individually, here is a selection of some of the botanicals in the Skin Balancing Toner.
Arnica. Used to reduce redness, alleviate irritation, and soothe and calm the skin. Its other properties include antiseptic, astringent, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and healing.
Arctium Lappa Root extract, commonly known as burdock, is a well-known remedy for skin problems such as acne, dermatitis, and psoriasis. It is cleansing because of its ability to control oiliness and is also known for its ability to relieve bruises and inflammation.
Equisetum arvense extract is a herbaceous plant commonly known as field horsetail or shave grass. It has anti-oxidant properties to fight off free radicals that cause damage to the skin and accelerate ageing. It has soothing properties, promotes collagen production, and calms irritation and wounds. This extract moisturises while also removing dead skin cells.
Centella Asiatica extract, also known as Tiger Grass, comes from a plant used in Indian medicine for thousands of years and can help dry red, irritated, or inflamed skin.
Why the Glow & Skin Balancing Toner is an integral part of the Iconic Facial routine and essential homecare product
The Glow & Skin Balancing Toner offers so many skin health benefits that it’s clear why it’s an integral product in the Iconic Facial. Not only does it work in synergy with the Glow & Skin Ultra Glow Cleanser, but it is also used following stimulating treatments to soothe and restore calm to the skin, reducing inflammation which might otherwise cause harm.
Key benefits
· Helps shrink the appearance of pores.
· Helps to balance the skin.
· Minimises oily build-up.
· Tones and hydrates the skin.
· Suited for all skin types as well as blemish-prone skin
· Pump dispenser for limited waste and easy dosing
We hope you enjoyed our blog. Please leave a comment below and let us know what you think about this blog.
]]>But are all Dermaplaning treatments equal? We take a look and discover why Glow and Skins dermaplaning treatments using the multipurpose balm are as Iconic as the facial itself.
What is dermaplaning?
Dermaplaning is a quick and painless procedure that exfoliates the skin on the face while at the same time removing fine vellus hairs.
In previous news, we discussed the different types of hair growth and their causes. Our training courses cover all aspects of Anatomy & Physiology relating to hair growth, structure, and function and how this relates to dermaplaning treatment. This depth of knowledge ensures that Iconic Facialists can make an accurate assessment before any treatment is given, ensuring their clients receive the best treatment.
Dermaplaning is only as safe as the therapists performing it, and our therapists are trained to the highest standards.
Dermaplaning you can trust.
So, dermaplaning involves a surgical blade being scraped all over the skin! You need to be sure you’re in safe hands and that the equipment is of the highest quality, right?
Well, you can relax. Glow & skin has sourced and selected the best dermaplaning tools making sure the treatment is safe and effective.
The dermaplaning blades are individually packaged and made of sterile premium carbon steel. The blades are single-use, so they will only be used once and stay sharp throughout the procedure. The tips are curved for extra comfort and to ensure every part of the face can be reached, so nothing is missed giving perfect results every time. The blade handles are ergonomic and comfortable to work with.
Glow and Skins Multipurpose Balm
We often get asked whether it’s better to perform dermaplaning with a balm or on dry skin.
The Glow & Skin multipurpose balm has been specifically formulated to work with the dermaplaning equipment. It provides the necessary glide and slip to ensure a safe treatment and avoid injury with the blade.
Dermaplaning without a balm will create friction, increasing the risk of cutting and abrading the skin, making it sensitive, and increasing redness and skin rashes, which can take several days to settle. Clients with dry skin are more likely to experience sensitivity, so the treatment would have higher risks if a balm was not used and more uncomfortable.
Dermaplaning on dry skin will create ‘drag’, which is particularly dangerous when treating mature clients or areas of loose baggy skin.
Glow & Skin's multipurpose balm is 100% natural, using a super-rich blend of soya wax and oils.
Soya wax is packed with vitamin E, a powerful anti-oxidant that locks in moisture. Extra vitamin E is added to increase its anti-inflammatory properties and help protect the skin from sun damage.
The balm has a silky-smooth texture and feels beautiful with a rich blend of sunflower, sweet almond, calendula, and grape oils. Collectively these oils are soothing and provide anti-oxidant protection.
Calendula oil has anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial properties. It can be used as a natural antiseptic, making it ideal for dermaplaning treatment.
A blend of shea and seed butter softens, naturally moisturises and hydrates the skin, protecting it from damage and environmental pollutants. They both have anti-inflammatory properties ensuring the skin is not sensitised or irritated by the treatment.
This balm packs a powerful punch but is gentle on even the most sensitive skins. It makes dermaplaning safer and acts as a treatment for the skin.
And the benefits don’t stop there! The Glow & Skin multipurpose balm is cruelty-free and can also be used as a make-up remover, removing stubborn make-up effortlessly.
We love the Glow and Skin multipurpose balm and know you will too.
We hope you enjoyed our blog. Please leave a comment below, we'd love to know your thoughts on our blog and answer any questions you may have!
]]>The therapeutic benefits of LED light therapy are well known, which is why it is an essential step in the Glow & Skins 14-step Iconic Facial.
We touched on the benefits of blue light therapy on active acne, so this month, we want to take a closer look at this common skin condition.
Acne the facts
According to the British Journal of Dermatology (BJD), acne (often referred to as acne vulgaris) is a common skin condition affecting around 9.4% of the global population.
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) suggests that acne is the most common skin condition in the United States, affecting up to 50 million Americans a year! It might be surprising to know that 85% of us will suffer from acne in our lifetime.
We often think of acne only affecting teenagers, which they will eventually ‘grow’ out of. In fact, the average age of those most likely to suffer from acne has increased from 20 to 26 years of age! Acne affects all ages, often appearing in later life in people who didn’t have it in their teenage years and is referred to as ‘adult acne’. Acne affects all skin types regardless of race or ethnicity.
During puberty, a higher percentage of males suffer from acne compared to females. This changes with adult acne, when females are more affected than men.
Once the period of active acne is over, the consequences of acne can be long-lasting and, in some cases, permanent.
Acne scarring is an everyday reminder long after the acne has gone. The scars can be permanent and more difficult to treat than the active acne that caused them.
It’s not just the physical scars of acne, the mental scars can be even more challenging. Confidence issues and low self-esteem are common among those that have suffered from acne. Severe depression is found in approximately 11% of people with acne, which is double compared to those without acne.
Getting under the skin of acne
Acne is a common inflammatory skin disorder which affects the pilosebaceous unit. This unit is a structure in the skin made up of a hair sitting in its follicle. Think of the hair follicle as a vase and the hair as a stem of a flower. Each hair has a thin muscle attached to it, and a small sac called a sebaceous gland. The sebaceous gland produces oil, known as sebum, which has many useful and important functions, such as lubrication of the hair and skin, along with anti-bacterial properties supporting the skin barrier function.
Sebum production is controlled by hormones known as androgens, specifically testosterone. Testosterone production increases during puberty in males and females, with males producing higher amounts. Testosterone can activate the sebaceous glands to produce more oil. This results in the hair follicle becoming blocked with excess oil, which causes inflammation and the formation of blackheads, whiteheads and spots, all common signs of acne. Acne can vary in severity and range from mild to severe.
Treating acne
Iconic facialists are trained to have an in-depth understanding of the skin anatomy and the causes of acne. Whilst active acne is a contra-indicated for the complete 14-step Iconic Facial, LED light can be used as a standalone treatment.
The Glow & Skins LED Light Therapy mask can be used on active acne using a combination of lights. Blue LED light is one of the most useful for its powerful anti-bacterial benefits.
When the skin is exposed to blue light, it is absorbed by the harmful bacteria found in acne. The bacteria present in active acne are called Cutibacterium acnes or C.acne (previously known as Propionibacterium acnes or P.acne). When exposed to blue light, the harmful bacteria absorb it, which then kills them.
Red light can also be used for its anti-inflammatory properties. This combination therapy approach promotes skin rejuvenation and induces wound healing, helping to prevent permanent scarring as well as remodelling old scar tissue.
How the Iconic Facial can treat acne scarring.
Acne scarring can be an upsetting long-term effect of acne long after it has gone.
The Iconic Facial is an effective system to treat acne scarring using the combined therapies of LED light and Microneedling. The Glow & Skins specially selected dermaroller is an effective cosmetic device that uses Titanium needles to puncture the skin at precisely the correct depth, causing micro wounds and inducing a wound healing response. The ultra-sharp needle tips can be combined with active serums to promote increased collagen for skin rejuvenation and can also be used to treat stretch marks, fine lines, and wrinkles.
The Glow & Skins professional skin actives stabilise inflammation and strengthen the skin’s barrier function.
Glow & Skins professional and home care ranges are designed to work in synergy with the Iconic Facial treatments, making this the perfect therapy for those with acne scarring.
]]>To appreciate how the Ultra Glow Cleanser can improve skin health, we must firstly understand the benefits of cleansing and why it is one of the most important stages of every home care routine.
Why do we need to use a Cleanser?
Cleansing twice a day is essential for skin health and maintaining the integrity of the skin's barrier function. Some may think that a cleanser is only needed to remove makeup, but there are many more reasons why a cleanser is an essential twice-daily product.
Cleansing prepares the skin for all the preparations, skin actives or treatments that are to follow. Without completing a thorough cleanse, much of their activity and effectiveness will be significantly reduced.
Our skin has a layer of protective oil called sebum. Sebum is a natural oil produced by tiny glands attached to our hair follicles under our skin. Sebum is the skin's natural moisturiser, as well as helping it defend against harmful bacteria due to its anti-bactericidal properties. Sebum is pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory, which means it can cause inflammation and reduce it.
When sebum mixes with sweat, it creates something called the acid mantle. This is a protective layer on the skin, which, as the names suggest, is slightly acidic and gives the skin's surface a pH of between 5.0 and 6.0.
Maintaining the skin's pH is directly linked to maintaining a healthy sebum balance. Too little, the skin becomes dry, cracked, sensitive and open to infection. Too much, the skin becomes inflamed and blocked, leading to blackheads, spots and red skin. Both conditions cause a breakdown in the skin's barrier function, which causes unhealthy skin.
Using the intelligent Ultra Glow Cleanser will ensure enough natural oil is retained without stripping too much of it away.
The microbiome of the skin
Have you heard the expression "making your skin crawl"? Well, if you were to see your skin under the microscope, you might be shocked! Our skin is covered with creepy crawlies, otherwise known as skin flora or microbiome of the skin. Sounds gross, but these microscopic organisms, including bacteria, viruses and mites, live on our skin and are integral to our skin's defence and immunity function.
These microorganisms not only live on our skin but also attach to our eyelashes! But no need to panic. We need these little creatures for several reasons, including wound healing and exfoliation. But it's all about balance, and if these colonies become overgrown, we start seeing skin problems and inflammation. Cleansing is essential to maintain this balance, or homoeostasis, of the skin, but over cleansing and stripping the skin can cause as many problems.
Cleaning with the Ultra Glow Cleanser will maintain a healthy microbiome and stop them from causing harm.
Skin actives in the Ultra Glow Cleanser
The Glow & Skin Ultra Glow Cleanser is a foaming gel cleanser that is super easy to use. It is a wash-off cleanser which can be used in or out of the shower. It comes in a pump dispenser, which means no waste, no fuss and no mess! Once it is mixed with water, it gently foams, allowing it to get into all areas of the face and neck. The foam removes dirt, impurities and residue, leaving the skin soft, smooth and hydrated.
It has a gentle fragrance which is subtle and reassuringly natural. So, let's look at these ingredients.
Glycolic acid
There is so much to say about Glycolic acid, and we shall focus on it in more detail another time. The Glycolic acid Ultra Glow Cleanser is gentle enough to lightly exfoliate dull skin but powerful enough to unclog pores and clear a pathway for all the other products to actively penetrate the skin. This tiny acid really packs a big punch, and its one of the reasons we love the Ultra Glow Cleanser.
Gentle Surfactants
It doesn't sound very sexy! But surfactants are a necessary part of the formulation of a cleanser as they allow water and fat to mix, which can lift and remove dirt from the skin. The difference is that the Ultra Glow Cleanser doesn't have the harsh cleansing ingredients used in many other formulations. Natural surfactants, including decyl-glucoside and coco glucoside, which is derived from coconut, are used, which is why a gentle foam is produced to thoroughly degrease the skin without leaving it feeling tight, dry or uncomfortable.
Corallina O cinalis
This ingredient is extracted from Marine Seaweed. Known as coral seaweed, it is rich in micronutrients, magnesium, zinc and calcium, all of which support healthy-looking skin.
Salvia O cinalis Leaf
This natural extract from the sage leaf has long been used in natural medicine to treat various conditions, including rheumatism and inflammatory disorders. The Ultra Glow Cleanser contains this aromatherapeutic essential oil for its clinical properties to help reduce skin sensitivity to irritants and lighten the appearance of facial pigmentation.
Krameria Triandra Root
Extracted from the root of the Rhatany plant, it has long been used in medicine as a natural remedy for swelling and pain. Krameria triandra Root extract has many properties and has been selected for the Ultra Glow cleanser for its natural astringent, purifying, anti-reddening, healing, soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is gentle enough for dry and irritated skin and helps fight the effects of oxidative stress on the skin.
Lycopene
This natural but powerful antioxidant is a phytonutrient derived from tomatoes. It is well known for its effects against skin photodamage. While it gets to work on skin discolouration caused by sun damage, it also helps improve the skin's texture and fine lines and wrinkles.
Glycerin
Glycerin is a natural humectant which draws water into the skin, keeping it hydrated and minimising water loss, known as Trans Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL). Glycerin can remain in the skin for a period of time, which helps the skin to retain moisture continually, even when exposed to damaging environmental aggressors like pollution. This means the Ultra Glow Cleanser is working harder for longer.
Summary of the benefits of cleaning morning and evening with Glow & Skin Ultra Glow Cleanser
Dermaplaning is one of the specialised procedures performed in the Glow and Skin Iconic facial. It is a quick and painless procedure that exfoliates the surface of the skin and temporarily removes fine vellus hairs.
Dermaplaning is intended to remove vellus hair on the face only and is not a treatment for thicker terminal hair. Therefore, a thorough assessment of the skin and hair is completed before the Iconic facial can be performed.
Vellus hair is difficult to treat with other hair removal systems as it is not a hair type that responds to lasers and is unsuitable for removal with electrolysis. Waxing, threading, and depilatory creams can be painful and messy and only treat the hair and not the skin.
Dermaplaning not only removes the fine downy vellus hair, but it also exfoliates the skin leaving it smooth and hair free. It does not affect the root of the hair, nor does it affect the blood supply or natural growth and so it will not make the hair come back darker or thicker or stimulate new hair growth!
There are so many benefits of Dermaplaning, both men and women can be treated, even pregnant women.
The benefits of Dermaplaning
• Removes soft facial vellus hair that traps dirt and oils.
• Exfoliating dead skin cells which encourage new skin cells to the surface.
• Allows deeper penetration of topical skincare and treatments.
• Reduces the appearance of acne scars.
• Lessens acne outbreaks.
• Reduces the appearance of dark spots and pigmentation.
• Promotes smoother skin and improved texture and tone.
• Minimises the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
• Skin is instantly glowing, refreshed, and rejuvenated.
• Boosts collagen production.
• Improves the appearance of large pores.
• Makes the facial features look sharper and the face appears ‘thinner’.
• Makeup application is smooth and flawless.
We hope you enjoyed our blog. Please leave a comment below, we’d love to know your thoughts on our blog and answer any questions you may have!
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With billions spent every year on make-up, a large proportion of this spend is on under-eye concealers. The aesthetic industry offers an ever-increasing range of fillers, anti-wrinkle injections and bio-stimulating mesotherapy products specifically to target the eye area. This shows us how much of a problem this area is for both women and men!
Said to be the 'windows to the soul', and we can tell a lot about a person from their eyes. We hear people describe others' personalities related to their eyes. Phrases like 'he has kind eyes' or 'they have sad eyes' are commonly used to describe people. Our eyes express positive emotions but they can also communicate negative ones such as tiredness and poor health.
We can see why the eye area is the focus of many beauty and aesthetic treatments, but any good dermatologist or beauty specialist will tell you it all starts with good skincare.
The anatomy of the skin around the eyes.
To really appreciate why the Glow & Skin Brightening Eye cream is such an essential daily product in your skincare routine, we need to understand why the skin in this area is so different to the rest of the face.
The skin of the upper and lower eyelids is unique as it has no supporting fat. This makes it up to 10 times thinner than facial skin, which means it's the thinnest layer of skin of the whole body. The thin skin is more transparent (see-through), so we can see blood vessels and pigmentation more clearly, which are the most common cause of dark circles.
Eyelid skin has fewer sebaceous glands, the oil-making glands found in our skin that produce our natural moisture, sebum. This means it is more susceptible to dryness, fine lines, and wrinkles.
The skin around the eye is loosely attached to the underlying tissue, making it easier for fluid to drain into and cause puffiness. Around the entire eye, we have a continuous muscle, which we use in facial expressions, particularly when smiling and squinting. Over the years, the skin starts to weaken with the repeated movement of this muscle, and we begin to see lines and wrinkles under the eyes and 'crow's feet'. With ageing, the tone of this muscle weakens, and we see a loss of firmness under the eye, resulting in the formation of tear troughs and eye bags and crepey skin.
Our expert team at Glow & Skin are frequently asked "Do I need a separate eye cream? Why can't I use my face cream?"
The answer is simple "Yes, you do". And the reason? Because the skin around the eye is so different in structure from facial skin, with additional stresses, which means that it is vulnerable to a range of ageing and skin problems. We must treat and protect the delicate eye area with specialised products that target the problems and delay ageing.
Glow & Skin Brightening Eye cream
The Brightening Eye cream is from the Glow & Skin professional range and is also part of the daily home care system.
The Brightening Eye Cream harnesses the latest developments in skincare technology coupled with targeted botanicals to address three major eye area complaints.
Its unique 3-in-1 formulation makes it suitable for all ages for prevention and treatment. It gains super hydration from hyaluronic acid, a key ingredient in many of the Glow & Skin professional skin products.
Additionally, the Brightening eye cream contains Squalane which is derived from olives. Squalene is also found naturally in sebum, the oil the skin produces to keep it moisturised and support the skin's barrier function. Notice the difference in spelling. Squalane is the by-product of squalene. Squalene is found in living tissue and squalane is the cosmetic version. The squalane in the Brightening eye cream is molecularly close to the skin's sebum.
A Powerful Peptide Complex smooths fine lines and wrinkles, and Cucumber Extract (which smells amazing) provides anti-oxidant protection and helps with drainage around the eyes to reduce puffiness and swelling.
Then we have the dynamic duo! Vitamin E and Vitamin A. This power couple is formulated to provide maximum anti-oxidant, anti-pigment and anti-ageing protection whilst still being gentle enough to use on delicate eye skin.
Key benefits of the Glow & Skin Brightening Eye cream
Aside from the fantastic blend of peptides and anti-oxidants, one other feature we love about the Glow & Skin Brightening eye cream is that it comes in a squeeze tube. No unhygienic dipping in pots that are not designed to use with long nails! Great for taking to the office or outdoors to pat on during the day for extra protection and cooling.
With so many benefits, it’s clear to see why the Glow & Skin Brightening Eye cream is a firm favourite with our Iconic facialists and their clients.
]]>Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, meaning it can attract water, and one hyaluronic acid molecule can attract up to one thousand times its own weight in water. Hyaluronic acid is also a powerful antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory properties, protecting the skin from environmental stressors such as pollution and UV exposure.
For these reasons, we can see why hyaluronic acid is so important to maintain healthy, younger-looking skin. From the age of 30, we lose around 1% of our hyaluronic acid per year, which equates to 10% per decade, this means that we must supplement our natural hyaluronic acid with our topical skin actives.
The Glow and Skin hyaluronic acid serum is used every day, as part of daily skin nutrition, containing both high and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid molecules, which means that it can hydrate both the superficial and deeper layers of the skin. It is also a key product used during the Iconic facial and is used in conjunction with the hyaluronic acid jelly mask which increases the serum’s skin penetration, leaving the skin hydrated and protected.
This month we are going to focus on the Glow and Skin hyaluronic acid jelly mask and look at how it increases the availability of hyaluronic acid in the skin, as well as many other skin health benefits.
Masks and their role in skin health
Facial masks have been used for centuries and are an important step in professional treatments, as well as part of a comprehensive home care regime.
Essentially masks are a concentration of active ingredients, left on the skin to ensure maximum penetration and activity. Depending on the formulation, masks can be taken off after a short period of time (usually 15-20 minutes) or left on the skin.
Masks vary in formulation, from clay masks which use dry clay, or mineral powder which is mixed with a therapeutic liquid. Once applied the mask sets firm and is then rinsed off. These types of masks can be messy, uncomfortable, and difficult to remove.
Over the past 5 years, masks have become popular again. ‘Sheet’ masks, infused with skin actives, came over from South Korea and are now a popular home treatment.
Glow and Skin hyaluronic acid Jelly mask
The Glow and Skin Hyaluronic acid jelly mask is an advanced treatment that supercharges skin actives, formulated to ‘push and lock’ them into the skin.
The jelly mask forms a soft, vacuum-like seal over the face, which facilitates the delivery of concentrated doses of active ingredients into the skin, and is then sealed in. This means the jelly mask can be bespoke to the individual needs of the client. Depending on the condition of the skin, the actives are selected to target specific skin types and a range of concerns.
The hyaluronic acid jelly mask is used during the Iconic facial as a treatment, and to cool and soothe the skin following the Iconic facials’ stimulating procedures. Appling the jelly mask after derma roller and dermaplaning, will help reduce inflammation which could otherwise result in free radical damage in the skin. Using the mask in conjunction with LED light therapy will also further reduce inflammation, which is one of the major causes of skin ageing.
Our Iconic facialists love the Glow and Skin jelly mask. It’s super easy to mix up, with no mess or waste. It’s easy to apply and can be removed quickly, peeling cleanly off. Clients love the cooling feeling of the mask and can see a visible difference in the skin’s plumpness and hydration.
The hyaluronic acid jelly mask can be used as a quick refresh before an event or to cool inflamed skin conditions.
Key benefits of the hyaluronic acid jelly mask
Provides hydration
Smoother skin texture
Stimulates cellular regeneration
Reduces fine lines
Keeps the skin free of impurities
Improves skin pigmentation
Hydrates dehydrated skin smoothing fine lines and wrinkles
Plumps skin’s appearance so helping where there is a loss of fullness
Helps to minimise trans epidermal water loss
Suited for all skin types
With so many ways to use the Glow and Skin hyaluronic acid jelly mask, suitable for all skin types and clients, even pregnant women, it’s clear to see why it has earned its place in the Iconic Facial!
Thank you for reading our blog, if you have any questions please reach out to us at info@glowandskin.com.
]]>Each month, we are going to spotlight a product from the Glow & Skin professional skin care range. We will delve a little deeper into the science of the skin actives and look at how they can help a range of skin concerns and work to slow down the ageing process.
The Glow & Skin professional range contains all the products needed to treat a variety of skin concerns and have been formulated using powerful skin actives.
Education is so important when it comes to skin care. Understanding the difference between skin care that is bought in stores and online to those that are from a professional range used by highly trained skin specialists, is key to unlocking great skin.
With so much misleading information, it’s difficult to know what’s effective and what’s not. But that’s where our skin experts at Glow & Skin are here to help, separating skin science from marketing hype.
The Glow & Skin product range has been specifically formulated to use ingredients of the highest quality which work in synergy to maximize the skin health benefits. Skincare you can trust which works hard, 24 hours a day 7 days a week, with targeted delivery of the recommended doses of skin actives needed to maintain healthy, glowing skin.
So, let’s look at our first featured product, the Glow & Skin Hyaluronic acid serum
The anatomy of the skin and why we age
If we are to appreciate why the Glow & Skin Hyaluronic acid serum is such a hero product, we first need to understand a little bit about the structure of the skin.
The skin is made up of layers. The outer layer is called the Epidermis, which forms a protective barrier to the outside world, preventing harmful environmental aggressors from getting in, such as chemicals and UV light. It also controls substances from getting out, including water. Loss of water from the skin is known as Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL).
This two-way system is finely balanced and is known as the Barrier Function of the skin. When it’s working well, the skin is generally healthy, but when the barrier function is compromised it can result in a number of skin problems.
Below the epidermis lies the Dermis, which is a thicker layer in comparison. The dermis is mainly made up of what’s known as the Extracellular Matrix (ECM) which gives the skin its strength and thickness, keeping it looking young and firm. The main skin cell found in the dermis is called a Fibroblast.
Fibroblasts are incredibly hardworking skin cells, producing a number of things to maintain a firm, hydrated and healthy extracellular matrix. Fibroblasts also play an important role in wound healing.
Fibroblasts production includes.
Collagen and elastin fibres give our skin its strength, structure, stretch and support. While hyaluronic acid gives our skin its plumpness and hydration.
As we age, we have less fibroblasts and their activity slows down, which means we produce less of the good stuff to support a thick, dense extracellular matrix. Even worse, they produce more of the enzymes known as Matrix-degrading Metalloproteinases (MMPs), which ‘munch up’ our collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid!
This leads to skin ageing, and we see loss of firmness, lines and wrinkles as well as dryer skin.
What is Hyaluronic acid?
We’ve learnt that Hyaluronic acid is Glycosaminoglycan, produced by the fibroblast cells and crucial in maintaining a healthy extracellular matrix. Hyaluronic acid is an humectant, which means that it can attract water. A hyaluronic acid molecule can attract up to one thousand times its own weight in water. This makes it a super hydrator giving the skin its fullness and rounded shape. Hyaluronic acid is also a powerful antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory properties.
From the age of 30, we lose around 1% of our Hyaluronic acid per year, which equates to 10% per decade. Transepidermal water loss increases, and this causes the skin to become dryer and lose its firmness and we start to see visible lines and wrinkles. In simple terms, our skin goes from a nice plump grape to a dried-up old raisin!
Transepidermal water loss is not just associated with ageing. Certain skin disorders such as acne and rosacea cause disruption of the barrier function and water cannot be retained as easily.
All skin types benefit from having a daily dose of topical hyaluronic acid, to supplement what the skin is producing naturally and to support a healthy barrier function and extracellular matrix.
Glow & Skin Hyaluronic acid serum
Getting hyaluronic acid into the skin can be difficult. This is where the Glow & Skin Hyaluronic acid serum is superior to many other hyaluronic acid products on the market. It combines two types of hyaluronic acid, with high and low weight molecules.
What does this mean? Larger hyaluronic acid molecules will have less penetration into the skin and will work in the epidermal layer providing visible hydration. Smaller, or lower molecular weight hyaluronic acid, will penetrate through the lipid barrier of the skin - due to the specialised delivery system in the Glow & Skin hyaluronic acid serum – into the deeper layers where it can hydrate the skin and support the extracellular matrix and stimulate fibroblast activity.
Without this combination of high and low molecular weight, hyaluronic acid will not be able to actively improve skin health.
Key benefits of the Glow & Skin hyaluronic acid serum
The pure Hyaluronic acid LH Serum comes in a 30ml glass bottle with a pipette to administer the exact dose to the skin without waste. The two forms of hyaluronic acid, both low and high molecular weight, ensure direct hydration of both the superficial and deep layers of the skin. It smoothes and plumps, giving a flawless, oil-free base and providing an extra burst of hydration for drier skin types when layered with other products.
When used in conjunction with the Glow & Skin Iconic Facial, penetration of the pure Hyaluronic acid serum can be significantly boosted, giving superior results and efficacy.
With the Smart Hydration technology, the Glow & Skin hyaluronic acid serum is absorbed easily to instantaneously recharge moisture levels and restore the skin’s suppleness.
Versatile Simplicity. Hyaluronic acid has been known to act as a carrier for other ingredients, which boosts the performance of other products when used together.
This makes the Glow & Skin hyaluronic acid serum an essential part of any skin health routine and we just can’t live without it!
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To purchase Glow & Skin hyaluronic acid serum, click here.