What? You Want Me To Put Acid On My Face?!

Acids and skincare don’t exactly sound like a good pair...

However, acids encompass some of our favorite ingredients–things like Hyaluronic Acid (preferably Botanical), Glycolic Acid, and even Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)! Let’s delve in to how we can use them.

First of all, an important note:

There are two different types of acids used in skincare; exfoliating acids and fatty acids. When used properly in your skincare routine you can see the benefits in the way your skin looks and feels.

Below, we have listed some of the most common types of exfoliating acids used in skincare...

Exfoliating Acids
Exfoliating acids help skin to look its best by removing dead skin cells and revealing a fresh complexion.

Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid is the smallest and most highly soluble of the alpha hydroxy acids making it especially efficacious in exfoliants and chemical peels. It reduces cell adhesion in the uppermost layer of the epidermis, promoting exfoliation of dead skin and cell replacement contributing to a smoother brighter complexion.

Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring polymer found in connective, neural, and epithelial tissue in both animals and humans. Hyaluronic acid can hold about 1,000 times its weight in water. Because of its ability to hold water, HA is an easy choice when looking for an ingredient that will hold moisture when applied to the skin. As always and forever, we recommend botanical HA only!

Lactic Acid
Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid manufactured by fermentation of non-GMO corn derived carbohydrates. Lactic acid is used in the formulation of cleansers, splashes, astringents, and moisturizers to enhance the appearance of dry or mature skin. Lactates are also effective humectants and buffering agents in soaps and wipes due to their excellent ability to attract and hold moisture within the skin.

Citric Acid
Naturally occurring citric acid is a member of the alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) group and in skin care products it is often used as an ingredient in exfoliants and chemical peels, Most often citric acid is used to adjust the pH in personal care products such as lotions, cremes, shampoos, etc.

Fatty acids
Are critical building blocks in helping skin to appear hydrated, plump, and more youthful. Essential fatty acids are not produced by the body naturally so they must be eaten or applied directly to the skin.

Myristic Acid
Myristic acid is a non-toxic fatty acid that occurs naturally in some foods, such as animal fats and most vegetables. Nutmeg, palm oil, and coconut oil contain relatively high levels of myristic acid. The saturated fatty acid myristic acid has 14 carbon atoms. Myristic acid is used as a cleansing, surfactant and opacifying agent in cosmetics and personal care products.

Stearic Acid
Stearic acid is a vegetable (castor) derivative used to stiffen and stabilize lotions and cremes. Stearic acid occurs naturally in the human body and vegetable fats.

P.S. So the next time you reach for a pretty bottle of shampoo or face & body care products, look at the ingredient deck and think about which kind of "acid" you are wanting on your skin and what is it's main purpose.

P.P.S. You can always email us your questions here at Dr. Lucy for a quick response and some helpful advice!

With Love and Blessings,
Rebecca

Ultra Moisturize, Plus 2-in-1 Hydrating Serum Duo!

Nourish, Continuous Hydration, Aids In Cell Renewal, With Botanical Hyaluronic Acid

Support, Nourish, Heal, Protect Your Skin’s Natural Barrier

Ultra Moisturizer with botanical hyaluronic acid, has the ability to balance to your skin type, power to hydrate, protect and heal the skin’s barrier while producing youthful, glowing skin. Naturally potent ingredients aid in collagen stimulation, cell renewal and regeneration leaving your skin calm, buoyant and with a luminous finish.

With special ingredients like, DMAE, MSM and botanical hyaluronic acid unite with Aloe (Vitamins A-betacarotene, C, E, plus 20 minerals), Shea (Vitamins A, E, K and F) and Jojoba to provide your skin with the ultimate hydration while encouraging collagen stimulation and production.

Green and White Tea work together to support a youthful, radiant appearance. Rounding out its benefits, our moisturizer has Vitamin C activity that contributes to a healthy skin tone, brightness, balance and structure by supporting the formation of new collagen and cell renewal. Formulated for dry, normal, oily, combination and aging skin types.

2-in-1 Hydrating Serum also aids in cellular renewal and regeneration of collagen and elastin by way of smaller molecules with naturally potent ingredients like aloe ( Vitamins A-betacarotene, C, E, plus 20 minerals), rooibos (Vitamins D and Zinc), DMAE, antioxidants, MSM and Botanical Hyaluronic Acid. Formulated for dry, normal, oily, combination, aging and chaotic skin.

This potent, silky gel serum also aids in the overall health of your skin.

Antioxidant powered for more stable, calm, renewed skin.

Made for both face and eye area to nourish, hydrate, soothe and plump fine lines and wrinkles, brighten and even-out skin tone.

Apply your nutrient dense 2-in-1 Hydrating Serum after cleansing and toning, then apply the Ultra Moisturizer with botanical hyaluronic acid, collagen stimulating vitamins and minerals for dewy, hydrated, glowing skin perfection!

Testimonial!

“Anyone looking for an amazing natural skincare product I would highly suggest Dr. Lucy. I received a free sample to try the product and I am so incredibly impressed with it after using it for two days. My face feels amazing with and without makeup.” -Shelby Crystal

5 Nutritionist Tips For Making a New Year’s Resolution That Sticks!

Set the right goals

Here are 5 realistic nutrition-based goals says Reena Panjwani, registered dietitian-nutritionist at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee

Increase your vegetable intake!

Most of us don’t eat enough vegetables, so start small. If you’re not eating many vegetables, focus on adding 1 or 2 more servings a day. Throw a handful of spinach into pasta, or add peppers and onions to your scrambled eggs. You don’t have to start eating salad for every meal to get a big nutritional benefit.

Switch from refined, white grains to whole grain

Choosing whole grain pasta, bread or crackers can increase fiber, which is important for digestive health.

Cook at home 1 more night a week

We all get in the habit of relying on processed or packaged foods because they’re easier to throw together at the end of a long day. Try to cook just one more night a week with fresh ingredients. It’s a great way to cut down on hidden sodium and extra calories.

Cut down on sugary drinks

Tennessee is second only to Mississippi in soda consumption, and more than 40% of us drink non-diet soda daily. Cutting down on that is an easy way to remove empty calories, and the same is true of juice, which many people forget about. Start by trying to cut out 3 sugary drinks per week, or drink one extra glass of water per day. Most of us don’t drink enough water, and hydration is key for metabolism to function properly.

Go meatless 1 day a week

Swap the meat in one or two meals for beans, lentils or organic tofu, for example, which are great, affordable sources of protein.

Quick Skin Care Tips!

Why You Need To Use a Face Serum and Moisturizer - Day and Night!

First, something that has been on my mind..

One more thing I would like to address before I dive into the main topic on this short missive...

Over the counter products or OTC's are convenient and will usually cost you a lot less, but not always. The problem with OTC products is they are usually made with chemicals in a big factory, or the natural ones are rancid with all their "plant base powers" oxidized and gone by the time they get to you. Plus, they have a very low percentage (pixie dusted) of active ingredients in them to actually help and protect your skin.

*Quality, natural skin care products like Dr. Lucy's not only work better to make those changes in your skin, but they are also more concentrated, so a little will go a long way!

Protect Your Skin Barrier!

The need to protect the skin's barrier (outer most layer) is so important in keeping your skin healthy and happy. I am proud to say that Dr. Lucy is at the forefront of the natural skin care field.

Let’s look at the needs and benefits of using a fresh, natural, potent, skin changing serum and moisturizer.

Do I really need a natural face serum?

Yes, from age 30+. Look, don’t you want the best skin you can possibly have as you get older? Then, use a natural (only) serum, preferably a gel, to not only boost our other products into working better, but to really ramp up those antioxidants, natural retinols, Vit. C, etc. for deeper penetration.

-Listen to Dr. Lawrence Samuels, Chief Dermatologist at St. Luke’s Hospital on the benefits of a face serum...

A serum is your go to product to improve the overall look of your complexion. Serums are formulated to keep the skin hydrated by putting a protective barrier between it and the outside. Serums have a lipid-soluble base that allows the active ingredients to actually penetrate into the epidermis. The active ingredients can bring antioxidants to the skin, restore cell growth and help decrease pore size. They are formulated to penetrate deep into the skin to deliver key ingredients by way of smaller molecules. Serums are used after your crème cleanser and toner, but before your moisturizers.

Can I use a face serum instead of a moisturizer?

The quick answer is No. Sorry, didn't mean to sound harsh.

Here’s why…

Serums are the "work horses" in skin care. They have very little humectants (emollients) in them, are lighter in texture and have smaller molecules to provide deeper penetration of concentrated nutrients and antioxidants into the skin layers. A serum also enhances the effects of the moisturizer.

A moisturizer has humectants (emollients) that a serum just doesn't have. Its main job is to hydrate, protect and seal in moisture for a more softer, supple, youthful looking skin.

P.S.

Food for thought. When you don't use a moisturizer, your skin's Ph becomes disrupted. This in-turn will cause dry, red, rashy, ashy, wrinkled, sagging skin, with more skin tags and lesions. Plus, your skin will not age well and you could possibly end up looking 5-10 years older than you are. I'm sure you feel the same, but you will never catch me not wearing a moisturizer...ever. :)

P.P.S.

I want to leave this on a positive note. I truly think you are beautiful inside and out. Have a good weekend and take care of you!

French Friday Product Spotlight!

Ultra Moisturizer, PLUS Cult Favorite 2-in-1 Hydrating Serum Duo and Benefit!

Ultra Moisturizer

This Ultra Moisturizer has the power to hydrate, protect and heal the skins barrier while producing youthful, glowing skin. Naturally potent ingredients aid in cell renewal leaving your skin with a luminous finish.

With special ingredients like, DMAE, MSM and Botanical Hyaluronic Acid unite with Aloe (Vitamins A-betacarotene, C, E, plus 20 minerals), Shea (Vitamins A, E, K and F) and Jojoba to provide your skin with the ultimate hydration while encouraging collagen stimulation and production. The Green and White Tea also work to support a youthful, radiant appearance. Rounding out its benefits, this moisturizer has Vitamin C activity that contributes to a healthy skin tone, brightness, balance, and structure by supporting the formation of new collagen. Formulated for dry, normal, oily, combination and aging skin types.

2-in-1 Hydrating Serum

Discover a potent, gel serum that aids in the overall health of your skin. With antioxidant powers for more stable, calm, renewed skin.

This silky, gel formulation is made for both face and eye area to nourish, hydrate, soothe and plump fine lines and wrinkles, brighten and even-out skin tone.

The 2-in1 Hydrating Serum also aids in cellular renewal and regeneration of collagen and elastin by way of smaller molecules with naturally potent ingredients like aloe (Vitamins A-betacarotene, C, E, plus 20 minerals), rooibos (Vitamins D and Zinc), DMAE, antioxidants, MSM and Botanical Hyaluronic Acid. Formulated for dry, normal, oily, combination, aging and chaotic skin.

4 Ways To Help Wake-up Your Tired Face!

Did you know the first and most common reason for tired skin is lack of sleep?...

Don't forget your 8!

Repeat after me, "sleep is my friend!" Getting at least 8 hours of sleep a night and going to bed consistently at the same time every night will help to keep you and your skin healthy, happy and balanced!

“Overnight, skin goes into repair and restore mode, meaning it removes toxins, repairs cell and DNA damage caused by the environment, replaces aging cells, and creates new ones. That’s why after good-quality sleep, skin looks fresher, younger, and more radiant.” According to the National Sleep Foundation

Moisturizing your damp skin!

Timing is very important when applying your moisturizer. Right after you wash your face or jump out of the shower, lightly blot your skin with a clean towel and then apply your toner, serum and the moisturizer. This way your skin will absorb all those nutrients and stay plump, hydrated and glowy all day!

"Dryness is the most common cause of dull face skin. It creates cracks in skin's surface and causes dead skin cells to build up, making the complexion look uneven and lackluster", says Kenneth Howe, M.D., a dermatologist at Wexler Dermatology in NYC.

Cold blast your face and body!

A cold shower, steamy suds-up and icy rinse finish will perk-up tired looking skin and refresh your mind!

Blush, don't bronze!

When your skin is looking tired you automatically think sun-kissed skin right? Actually you want to restore a beautiful glow, so grab a creamy pink or peach blush instead!

French Friday Product Spotlight!

Ultra Moisturizer and Hydrating 2-in-1 Serum Duo!

Ultra Moisturizer, PLUS Cult Favorite 2-in-1 Hydrating Serum Duo: Nourish, Continuous Hydration, Aids In Cell Renewal.

Ultra Moisturizer

This Ultra Moisturizer has the power to renew and heal the skins barrier while producing youthful, glowing skin. Naturally potent ingredients that are properly formulated to soothe, nourish, hydrate, aid in cell renewal leaving your skin with a luminous finish.

2-in-1 Hydrating Serum

Discover a potent barrier serum that aids in the overall health of your skin. With antioxidant powers for more stabile, calm, renewed skin.

This silky, gel formulation is made for both face and eye area to nourish, hydrate, soothe and plump fine lines and wrinkles, brighten and even-out skin tone.