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5:30pm Milano, Italy. We’re back, taking a Spritz (4 Questions) with the ever delightful and beloved Italian Makeup Artist and Beauty Coach, Raffaella Solcia.

1. Buonasera, Raffaella! Let’s speak about evening makeup, what is your approach?
   
   Buonasera! I really like doing important makeups, being able to make the most of people’s features with shades and colors. The makeup must last and be flawless even in the spotlight, so the skin must be perfect.
   For this type of base my secret is to add 1 drop of Antioxidant Boost to the foundation, this facilitates its application and makes the complexion more homogeneous.
   
   
2. What are the emerging evening makeup trends for Autumn, especially in Italy?
   
   For evening makeup, the current focus, which will also continue for Autumn, is all about the eye which must be very elongated and surrounded by eyeshadow, but above all by long and thin lines of eyeliner according to the dictates of the Cat Eye.
   
   
3. You have been using our Antioxidant Boost for evening on your clients. Tell us about that.
   
   Antioxidant Boost, I have to confess, is my favorite product in the line. It’s unique and extremely versatile, I haven’t yet found a product that can match it.
   I mix it with foundation to create an even more uniform base that stays supple for the duration of the makeup. Furthermore, in mixed skins I noticed an appreciable reduction in skin shine. In more mature or dull skins it also creates a plumped and toned skin effect which greatly helps the final effect of the makeup.
   
   
4. Any Antioxidant Boost makeup secrets you are willing to share?
   
   I recommend using Antioxidant Boost both in the morning and in the evening.
   In the morning, after applying HYDRATOR 2 Dry Touch, I use Antioxidant Boost alone or better, mixed with a small amount of foundation to improve its performance.
   In the evening, after or together with HYDRATOR 1 Nourishing. Believe me after a short time your skin will have a breakthrough.
   I recommend it also and above all to those with sensitive and problematic skin because it has helped to reduce these problems on several people, me included.

Find Raffaella at:

Instagram: raffasolcia
Facebook: raffa solcia

10:30am Venice, Italy. We’re taking an Espresso (5 Questions) with the delightful and beloved Italian Makeup Artist and Beauty Coach, Raffaella Solcia.

Buongiorno Raffaella, thank you for taking an Espresso with us. You are a well-beloved Makeup Artist and Beauty Coach and I understand you are celebrating your tenth year inside the fashion industry. That’s spectacular, congratulations! Tell us about that.

Buongiorno, I’m glad to be here with you this morning. Thank you, I have always been a lover of beauty with a life spent collaborating with some of the most important fashion brands. I love making people more beautiful.

My career began out of passion and then became a gratifying reality, I love calling myself a “beauty coach” for the broader approach I have with the world of beauty and skin care combined with the sector I’ve always worked in, which is fashion.

1. We’re here in beautiful Venice, any fascinating Venetian stories you care to share?
   
   I have a very nice memory of a shooting we did at dawn, makeup at 4 in the morning and at 5 we were already in Piazza San Marco shooting with the square deserted, a wonderful moment. We finished around 6.30 and with the models still in their very long evening dresses we all entered the first café, Florian, on the square to have cappuccini and brioches.
   
   

   

2. How would you describe your approach to day makeup for the red carpet?
   
   For day makeup of an important event, I like to make a very light but structured base, which lasts a longtime and the eye is very bright, but intense, I prefer natural tones such as browns, bronze, and earthy colors.
   
   
3. What are the emerging day makeup trends for Autumn, especially in Italy?
   
   For autumn the trend that is emerging in Italy, but in general, in the world of makeup, is the makeup-no makeup with an extremely luminous light finish given by the use of luminous and light foundations and bronzer and blush mainly in cream with a satin finish.
   Obviously, especially when it comes to natural makeup, the result depends a lot on the skin care that is done first, well-cleansed skin with the right degree of hydration is the “perfect canvas” on which to create.
   
   
4. You’ve been using our Hydrator 1 during your skin prep for day makeup on your clients.
   
   Hydrator 1 is an excellent makeup base for all skin types due to its characteristic of not greasing the skin in any way while providing the right degree of hydration.
   I use it before applying makeup, after a thorough cleansing, by doing small circular massages to reactivate circulation, so, as to make the skin more turgid and receptive, I wait until the skin has completely absorbed it.
   Sometimes when the days are warmer, after applying Hydrator 1, I spray thermal water all over the face and then I start applying the makeup. This minimizes skin shininess that the heat can create over the hours.
   
   
5. Lastly, what is your favorite restaurant in Venice that you can’t miss when you’re there?
   
   I really like the osterie on the canals where you eat typical Venetian fish cuisine, such as Ristorante da Raffaele, there you eat outdoors or under a portico overlooking a characteristic canal just behind Piazza San Marco.

Find Raffaella at:

Instagram: raffasolcia
Facebook: raffa solcia

The last days of summer are drawing to a near, and many are lamenting this moment. The hedonism of the heat and the freedom of summer is liberating. While we love the sexiness of summer, right now we’re about ready for a change. Who said that Autumn cannot be just as thrilling, but in a different way? Think about it, no melting face/makeup, heat exhaustion, or flushed skin.

Every year, around this time, we start to get excited about the newness that Autumn brings. Cozy temperatures, the change of the season, a different wardrobe, and a new skin routine to change things up.

Now’s the perfect time to start a skin makeover routine, so you can return to work looking refreshed and healthy, not like “the party is over”.

Did you know that small, but key tweaks are all you need to reignite your skin routine during this critical period? And at Beauty Thinkers, we don’t believe more is more, so the answers are probably already in your Beauty Thinkers routine.

Our skin minimalist philosophy focuses on comprehensively addressing the basic needs that our skin requires to be healthy: 1) Hydration, 2) Moisturizing Nourishment, and 3) UV Care. When these three basic needs are met, we find that we can reduce or eliminate many common, but avoidable skin concerns. To be sure, you don’t need many products or actives to build a solid, Preventative skin routine.

This allows you to continue to use Beauty Thinkers year-round and by just tweaking the timing that you use our products and the amount you use, you can stay ahead of the curve when the season changes.

Let’s get started.

Week 1
Relief

At this time, our skin is feeling dry, tender, irritated, and tight. All we want is soothing relief. Now’s not the time to introduce retinoids, exfoliators, or any ingredients/products which are potentially irritating.

You want to calm your skin in this immediate period.

MORNING ROUTINE

Step 1: SOOTHING NOURISHMENT << DOPO SOLE After Sun Restore

Step 2: SUNSCREEN PROTECTION << UVA UVB SPF 30 Mineral Filter

EVENING ROUTINE

Step 1: HYDRATING & SKIN BARRIER SUPPORT << HYDRATOR 3

Step 2: MOISTURIZING NOURISHMENT << ANTIOXIDANT BOOST

SEMI-SLUGGING

For two nights, increase ANTIOXIDANT BOOST to 5-12 drops for a non-greasy hydrating and nourishing mask.

SOOTHING RELIEF.

DOPO SOLE After Sun Restore targets the appearance and sensations of irritation and dryness. We formulate with Aloe, Shea butter, and Panthenol, well-known for their moisturizing nourishment benefits. But did you know they are also the go-to ingredients for soothing? It’s the reason why everyone with a tattoo will tell you the importance of Panthenol post tattoo.

And of course, you will find high levels of our beloved Hydroxytyrosol antioxidant to target the signs of UV-generated photodamage. The optimum time to use high-activity antioxidants are during the day to help neutralize highly damaging UV-generated free radicals.

REPLENISH HYDRATION.

During the summer, we lose so much hydration when we sweat. What are some of the signs of dehydrated skin? Tightness, roughness, irritation, pronounced lines, and sensitivity. Sound familiar?

This is the time to focus on hydrating your post-summer parched skin. We believe that a healthy skin is always a well-hydrated skin.

We formulate HYDRATOR 3 Barrier Support with actives to attract and retain water: Glycerin, TMB (Betaine), and Illipe Butter, and our proprietary Enzymatic extra virgin olive oil. You see, hydration is important, but keeping it is equally important. Otherwise, it is like pouring water into a cup with a hole at the bottom.

Here, you will also find high levels of our beloved Hydroxytyrosol antioxidant to target the signs of UV-generated photodamage.

FUN FACT. Did you ever notice that your skin sometimes feels oiler in the summer, even if you have dry skin? This can happen when your skin is dehydrated over an extended period and your body reacts by producing more oil to try and reduce further water loss. So, keeping your skin well-hydrated can also help keep your skin in balance.

SKIN BARRIER SUPPORT.

At this moment, your skin barrier is probably also feeling a little vulnerable. What are some causes of skin barrier disruption? UV rays, wind, lack of sleep, and poor diet – unfortunately, all things typical of summer.

A damaged skin barrier allows water to escape more quickly and is one of the causes of skin dehydration. A healthy skin barrier is your skin’s first defence to help retain hydration.

In HYDRATOR 3 Barrier Support we also formulate with biotech Ceramides and Phytosphingosine to help support the protective function of your skin barrier which helps the skin to retain water.

You see, not only does Hydrator 3 hydrate the skin, but it also supports the skin’s own mechanism to retain hydration. You’re one and done.

MOISTURIZING NOURISHMENT FUNCTION.

This is the perfect time to introduce a facial oil into your routine. It seals in all hydration, nourishment, actives, and serums. ANTIOXIDANT BOOST is the moisturizing oil serum that also nourishes your skin barrier while helping to seal everything in without a hint of greasiness.

BROAD-SPECTRUM PROTECTION.

Now’s not the time to stop using a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Our UVA UVB SPF30 Mineral Filter is also moisturizing for an added nourishment (always a good idea). Mineral filters are also recommended UV filter for those with sensitive skin.

WEEK 2-5:
Restore Vibrancy

In week two, your skin should be feeling calmer and much less irritated. Now is the moment to focus on restoring your skin vibrancy.

MORNING ROUTINE

Step 1: HYDRATING & SKIN BARRIER SUPPORT << HYDRATOR 3

Last step: SUNSCREEN PROTECTION << UVA UVB SPF 30 Mineral Filter

EVENING ROUTINE

Step 1: HYDRATING & SKIN BARRIER SUPPORT << HYDRATOR 3

Last step: MOISTURIZING NOURISHMENT << ANTIOXIDANT BOOST

SEMI-SLUGGING

Increase Semi-slugging to three nights a week.

Phase out DOPO SOLE After Sun Restore in the morning (don’t worry, you can continue to use DOPO SOLE down the road whenever you feel stressed or run-down to calm your skin) and replace with HYDRATOR 3.

When used twice daily, HYDRATOR 3 visibly improves the signs of skin barrier damage in just five days.¹ And in just 28 days, hydration increased +60%. Skin appears noticeably vibrant, rebalanced, hydrated, nourished, and plump.

With just a few tweaks in your current skin routine, you can return to skin vibrancy with minimal effort and product change. The best look for Autumn 2023? Healthy and refreshed.

¹ 28 day study, 20 male and female volunteers ages 20-50 using instrumental evaluation

Face oils are skin savers in the Autumn and Winter seasons. Plant-based face oils are naturally rich in fatty acids which help to moisturize and soften the skin when many of us are experiencing extreme skin dryness and roughness. During this period, our skin increasingly loses hydration due to intense indoor heating, abrasive winter winds, and low outdoor temperatures. This is when face oils are beneficial because they provide an occlusive layer to help seal in hydration and nourishing actives.

Due to its very nature of having a rich texture and being occlusive, users, in the past, generally reduced or stopped using their face oils altogether in the summer. It seemed counter-intuitive, especially for those with oily skin, in the summer.

Today, biotechnological advances allow us to uniquely remove greasiness from our ANTIOXIDANT BOOST Facial Oil and convert heavy free fatty acids into nourishing Free Fatty Acids. So, not only can you use our facial oil in the summer, we encourage it. Learn how insiders are using it to get a nourished, healthy skin glow in the summer and not an oily face.

So, let’s skip to the chase and get right to it.

UNIQUE SUMMER ADVANTAGE 1:

Our Key Biotechnological Difference

Using biotechnological conversion, we created a significant and uniquely key difference which allows our ANTIOXIDANT BOOST Facial Oil to become desirable to use in the summer. How?

You see, traditional plant-based face oils make good emollients as they are rich in fatty acids. These fatty acids have long carbon chains which make it structurally difficult for the skin to absorb. So, they sit on top of the skin and act as an occlusive layer protecting the skin below.

This is especially great if you have dry, winter skin because it helps to seal in hydration and actives. It’s similarly like wearing a heavy cashmere winter overcoat to help retain body heat and keep you warm. But, wearing heavy cashmere in the summer? Not so great.

So, what makes ANTIOXIDANT BOOST Facial Oil different? Using biotechnology, we enzymatically convert our Italian extra virgin olive oil to remove greasiness and cut a portion of our fatty acids into short Free Fatty Acids which are now structurally small enough to be absorbed and able to directly nourish your skin barrier. We’re able to transform the winter overcoat into a summer-fresh, pressed juice.

In the best of both worlds, we purposely don’t convert all the fatty acids into Free Fatty Acids. The resulting semi-occlusive texture allows it retain its protective function without the dreaded heaviness or greasiness. This vanishing texture and nourishing function is uniquely ours. We are the only enzymatic extra virgin olive oil facial oil in the world.

UNIQUE SUMMER ADVANTAGE 2:

A Boost Of Antioxidants

ANTIOXIDANT BOOST Facial Oil naturally contains Hydroxytyrosol, the new star of antioxidant potency.

To be sure, antioxidants are fundamental in any anti-aging routine (we believe that Pro-aging is the more accurate term) because they help neutralize highly volatile free radicals which cause skin cell and tissue damage over sustained periods of time (think wrinkles, and sagging).

But, in not so good news, everyday things like UV rays from the sun, pollution, and stress cause the formation of free radicals – things we can never escape entirely. What can you do?

FIRST, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily. This is your first defence against UV-generated free radicals.

SECOND, use a stable and non-irritating antioxidant. This will help neutralize free radicals in general.

Unfortunately, plant-based face oils naturally have low antioxidant activity. Yet, there is one rare exception – ANTIOXIDANT BOOST Facial Oil, naturally contains Hydroxytyrosol, well-known for its potent olive antioxidant activity that scavenges skin damaging free radicals and ability to withstand a highly oxidizing environment.¹ And, a landmark study shows Hydroxytyrosol re-charges Vitamin C.²

So, you can boost the antioxidant activity of your favorite summer products, whatever they are.

¹ Avola R et al. Hydroxytyrosol from olive fruits prevents blue-light-induced damage in human keratinocytes and fibroblasts J Cell Physiol, 2019

² E. Lopez-Huertas, J. Fonolla, Hydroxytyrosol supplementation increases vitamin C levels in vivo. A human volunteer trial, Redox Biol 11, 384-389, 2017

UNIQUE SUMMER ADVANTAGE 3:

It’s All About the Midnight Hour

Lastly, this insider’s technique is a game changer and will propel your summer routine from good to glorious. Soon, you too, will not be able to live in the summer without ANTIOXIDANT BOOST Facial Oil.

Here’s the thing, the skin regenerates itself while we sleep. This is why night routines include serums that contain hydrating, nourishing, and antioxidant actives – to support our skin during its process of renewal. Think now, how critically supportive this overnight process can become after a full day under the sun.

By simply shifting ANTIOXIDANT BOOST Facial Oil to your night routine, you take full advantage of its semi-occlusive texture to seal in nighttime serums and actives without leaving a trace of oiliness.

Beyond a shadow of doubt, the optimal usage time is during your overnight routine. It’s all about the midnight hour.

The next morning, you will wake to a noticeably dewy skin glow, not an oily face. This is how even oily skin users can use ANTIOXIDANT BOOST Facial Oil during the summer. What is the best facial oil in the summer? Experience for yourself the true enzymatic difference. You will not be able to live without it.

Hindsight is 20-20. Merriam-Webster defines it as:

“THE FULL KNOWLEDGE

and COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING

that one has about an event only AFTER it has happened.”

As far as idioms go, well, this one’s pretty spot on. With the passage of time, we do tend to see things more clearly in perspective. So, we thought, what do some of our Thinkers think about their own 20-20 hindsight? Knowing what they know now, what would they do differently? So, we posed the following question:

“What skin care and life advice would you give your age 23 self?”

As a Collective, our goal is to share and learn from each other. So, let’s hear what our Thinkers think.

Reoccurring themes, they’re onto something

To paraphrase the renown American poet, Dr. Maya Angelou, when you know better, you do better. As we received from our Thinkers their advice to themselves, we began to see some patterns.

First, were they super eager to share their life-earned wisdom with their age 23 selves. They were not only willing participants, but very motivated to mentor themselves.

Second, there were reoccurring themes in their advice. Regardless of where they are in the world, they often had similar advice.

While we were not surprised by this, we were not expecting it to be a clear majority.

The Top 3 skin care advice to their age 23 years self?
<< 53% of advice: Wear sunscreen and correctly
<< 21% of advice: Hydrate skin regularly
<< 16% of advice: Cleanse skin regularly

The #1 life advice to their young adult selves?
<< 88% of advice: Seize the moment

We hope that their answers inspire you to think of your own 20-20 hindsight.

“We want to speak about Prevention”

What skin care advice would you give yourself at age 23?

FLORA T
HONG KONG

DEAR AGE 23 FLORA, please use better UV protection. It’s a great time to enjoy the outdoors and play, so it is important to have enough protection before your skin gets damaged.

MARIA MANTERO
LAKE COMO

DEAR AGE 23 MARIA, always drink lots of water. Always cleanse your skin in the morning and in the evening.

CLAUDIO C
SOLOMEO

DEAR AGE 23 CLAUDIO, always use sunscreen. Don’t ever, never use the tanning reflector après ski – that is the stupidest thing that you will do.

GABRIELE T
MILANO

DEAR AGE 23 GABRIELE, take care of, protect, and hydrate the skin because clean and moisturized skin is a symptom of well-being, I see it a bit like an accessory on a suit, it must be worn with style and chosen with care.

MARCO P
MILANO

DEAR AGE 23 MARCO, always protect your skin from the sun by applying a sunscreen, preferably with a high protection factor to prevent damage caused by UV rays such as premature aging and the risk of skin cancer.

It’s also essential to hydrate your skin on a daily basis, either by drinking enough water or with a moisturizer suited to your skin type. Hydration helps keep skin healthy and glowing.

Always eat a balanced diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals (fruits, vegetables, and whole grains). A healthy diet contributes to and improves overall skin health.

VITTORIA Z
MILANO

DEAR AGE 23 VITTORIA, use sunscreen in the summer, especially at the beach. You will spend years applying nothing and now it’s something you will always do.

ELEONORA C
LONDON

DEAR AGE 23 ELEONORA, always clean deeply your skin before going to bed and moisturize it. If you have a long busy day, do it before dinner, this is a tip that I found it useful to avoid doing it fast or not at all.

Sun, we love our sun, but we need to protect our skin at an early age to avoid ageing and dark spots. I wish I protected my skin more when I was 23…

LINDA C
MILL VALLEY

DEAR AGE 23 LINDA, do not simply follow skincare advice from ads & marketing campaigns. Oil is not the enemy; removing oil does not prevent breakouts.

It’s all about balance! And wear sunscreen everyday!

CHANTEL H
VANCOUVER

DEAR AGE 23 CHANTEL, you’ve always known the importance of applying sun protection, but you need to reapply every 2-3 hours.

JEFFREY TM
HONOLULU

DEAR AGE 23 JEFFREY, always use sunscreen every day, especially since you live in Hawaii. Your skin feels indestructible now, but it won’t be once you hit 40. The sun spots that will start to appear will make you really regret it.

“We want to speak about what’s truly important”

What life advice would you tell your age 23 self?

FLORA T
HONG KONG

DEAR AGE 23 FLORA, learn and absorb as much as you can, the world is so big and there are always something interesting and fun at the corner.

CLAUDIO C
SOLOMEO

DEAR AGE 23 CLAUDIO, focus on your dreams because they can come true.

GABRIELE T
MILANO

DEAR AGE 23 GABRIELE, be curious, travel, discover, and keep wanting to take action and grow. Every experience will shape your future.

MARCO P
MILANO

DEAR AGE 23 MARCO, make the most of your time and use it to get to know  yourself better, cultivate your interests, define your goals and find your passions.

Cultivate friendships, dedicate time to them, true friends will be important at every stage of your life. Invest energy in cultivating your relationships with friends, share experiences, interests and travels. Special moments will remain in your heart.

VITTORIA Z
MILANO

DEAR AGE 23 VITTORIA, live more carefree and enjoy every minute you have. Time flies away so fast.

LINDA C
MILL VALLEY

DEAR AGE 23 LINDA, as a Gen-Xer, achieving success and happiness in life does not require “paying your dues” through endless work. Instead, understand that establishing a work-life balance from the start is the key. Nourishing your mind and spirit through professional and personal experiences paves the path to success and happiness.

CHANTEL H
VANCOUVER

DEAR AGE 23 CHANTEL, follow your passion and do something that is truly meaningful and sustainable in the long run. It’s also ok to fail and remind yourself that every failure is a moment of reflection.

JEFFREY TM
HONOLULU

DEAR AGE 23 JEFFREY, no one will remember all the times you will fall. What they and you will remember is that you did get up.

A big grazie to our Thinkers around the world for sharing their lived experiences with all of us.

What did you learn about your own skin care and life advice after reading theirs? We hope this sparked some inspiration of your own.

20-20 Hindsight is a new quarterly column where all Thinkers are invited to share and grow together. Let us know!

The next prompt for September 2023:

1. What skin care alert would you give yourself at age 23? That is, what’s an embarrassing skin care mistake you made that you would like to tell your age 23 self to avoid?
2. What life flash would you like to share with your age 23 self? That is, what is one special moment the age 23 you can look forward to?

Write us at bthq@beautythinkers.com. We’ll share the best ones on Instagram!

For some of us, surgical cosmetic procedures, even non-invasive ones (think botox, laser resurfacing), are not an option. To consider, the healing time for Asian and darker skin tones can be longer and the risk of skin darkening or PIH (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) exists. Despite the many incredible advancements in procedures performed by many well-qualified specialists, these types of procedures just remain off the table, for whatever personal reasons.

For those of you who are looking for an alternative, let’s speak about the very interesting preventative skin care trend that pro-agers are getting behind to help delay the signs of aging – Prejuvenation! Look your naturally healthy best without undergoing any cosmetic procedure.

Let’s cut to the chase and help you learn how to Prejuvenate.

Prevention is better than cure.

Yesterday’s skin care was highly focused on cure/repair, a reactive response. The Prejuventation trend is gently moving skin care in another direction toward prevention, a proactive approach.

This proactive approach aligns perfectly with the values of wellbeing – nutrition, fitness, mental health – all pushing toward wholistic health. The goal of Prejuvenation is not to “turn back the clock”, but to delay the signs of damage for as long as possible. To help you maintain a vibrant, but natural complexion for a longer period.

Similarly, five years ago, it was not common to wear sunscreen daily and all year-round. Today, it is not even a question. Habits do evolve and become more sensible as we become more educated. As the renowned American poet and scholar, Maya Angelou, profoundly observed, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”

Unlike some skin care protocols, Prejuvenation is neither complicated, nor costly. So, let’s get to it!

3 simple steps to Prejuvenate.

The three pillars of Prejuvenation are simple and easy to follow:

1. Sunscreen: Use a broad-spectrum formula daily with a minimum SPF 30.
   
   This is arguably the most important step. UV damage is the most common cause of skin damage (think wrinkles, spots). Nothing supports “Prevention is better than cure”, than sunscreens; think of it as “nipping the problem in the bud’.
   
   Tips: Find a sunscreen which you will gladly use daily. A “hyped” product that you don’t enjoy using runs the risk of sitting on the shelf unused. As the saying goes, better something than nothing.
   
   Once opened, sunscreens are best used within 6 months to ensure efficacy.
   
   
2. Antioxidants: Use every morning and night.
   
   Antioxidants reduce skin damage before it happens. How? By neutralizing free radicals that cause skin damage.
   
   Free radicals are highly volatile molecules which act to damage healthy cells like collagen and are typically generated by UV rays, stress, pollution/smoke. Think of antioxidants as your personal body guards disabling the bad guys.
   
   Tip: Pair your antioxidant moisturizing serum with a sunscreen for double-defence. Sunscreens protect from damaging UV rays, Antioxidants neutralize free radicals generated throughout the day, including the sun.
   
   
3. Retinoids: Use 1-2 nights a week.
   
   Retinoids accelerate skin cell turnover and help to improve appearance of unevenness in texture and pigmentation. Certain retinoids can help promote the production of collagen. You can sort of think of it as slowly evolving and upgrading your wardrobe, not a total makeover.
   
   Tips: Speak with your dermatologist or aesthetician which type of retinoid is best for you and how to safely use them. They can help you achieve the best results and avoid wasting money on a retinoid not appropriate for you.
   
   Retinoids can be sensitizing, so use them at night, on dry skin, and always use broad-spectrum sunscreen protection during the day. In general, alternate usage of retinoids, exfoliants, and vitamin C. In other words, don’t use them together on the same evenings.
   

As with all efficacious skin treatments, consistency and patience is key. While Prejuvenation is a long-run, preventative lifestyle protocol, you can expect to see first results within one month and great results in three months. Like investing in your nutrition, fitness, and mental health, Prejuvenation can help your skin feel and look healthy for longer.

Oily and combination skin types can be both oily and dehydrated. Yes, you heard correctly. Even for those who experience oily-dehydration, it can be confusing and frustrating.

Let’s cut to the chase and help you learn how to care for oily-dehydrated skin.

Making sense of technical words.

What’s the difference between dehydrated skin and dry skin?

• Dehydrated skin means your skin lacks water, not oil. The tell-tale signs of dehydration are skin tightness and visibly parched skin.
  
  Typical causes of dehydration are sun damage, skin barrier damage, indoor heating, change in season, stress/lack of sleep, harsh/aggressive products.
  
  Dehydration is a skin condition which means that it can happen to anyone. A skin condition describes what happens to the skin (acne is another example of a skin condition).
  
  
• Dry skin on the other hand, means your skin lacks oil, not water. Typical signs of dryness are roughness, flaking/peeling/cracking, scaling.
  
  Dryness is a skin type which means it is genetic and generally more permanent (the four commonly known skin types are dry, normal, combination, and oily).

To underline, dehydrated skin lacks water, not oil. So, this is how even oily or combination skin can also be dehydrated.

What’s the difference between moisturizers and hydrators?

• Moisturizers are generally formulated to hydrate (using actives called humectants; the most famous is Hyaluronic Acid) and retain hydration (using occlusives), often with the added benefit of comforting the skin from dryness and sensations of irritation (using actives called emollients, famous ones are Shea Butter and Panthenol).
  
  To help retain hydration and give comfort, moisturizers often use occlusives which act as a physical or protective barrier. This barrier helps to keep irritants and bacteria/toxins out while locking hydration in. Commonly used occlusives are silicones, oils, and petrolatum.
  
  And herein lies the issue for oily-dehydrated skin – many moisturizers are formulated for dry and normal skin (recall, dryness lacks oil) and so they are often rich in occlusives and emollients – not always so great for oily-dehydrated skin (recall dehydration lacks water, not oil). Unless explicitly specified, it is difficult to know by ingredients alone if a moisturizer is hydrating enough or too rich for oily-dehydrated skin. And as many oily and oily-dehydrated skin users know, finding these types of products are more difficult than you think.
  
  However, the recent rise of Hydrators may be just the formulaic solution for oily-dehydrated skin.

• Hydrators and hydrating serums are a growing category of products formulated to attract and increase hydration. They are different from moisturizers in that they contain minimal, or no emollients or occlusives.
  
  Hydrators offer oily-dehydrated users much needed hydration typically in an ultra-lightweight texture lotion or gel which absorbs quickly without any residual greasy barrier covering the skin.
  
  Along with Hyaluronic Acid, look for other great humectants which attract water like Glycerin, B5 (Panthenol), Propanediol, TMG (Betaine), and Pentylene Glycol.

Hydrator 2 is a fast absorbing, ultra-lightweight lotion designed to specifically hydrate oily and combination skin. Inside you will find a blend of four hydrators and light moisturizers carefully formulated to optimally attract and retain water without a trace of grease – leaving you feeling fresh for Spring and Summer.

• Glycerin. Attracts water in the superficial layers of epidermis, helping to maintain a soft and smooth skin.
• B5 (Panthenol). Acts as a moisturizer attracting and helping maintain water in place. It improves epidermis hydration, maintaining skin softness and elasticity.
• Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid. A low-molecular weight Hyaluronic Acid able to bind and retain a high number of water molecules.
• B3 (Niacinamide). Helps to retain moisture and rebalance excess sebum, improving skin texture.
  

Use daily, morning and night, to hydrate oily and combination skin.

The Slugging trend, the moisturizing act of applying an overnight petrolatum mask, has not slowed down. In fact, it has picked up steam again this past Winter. Why? The answer is simple, it works.

However, for some of us, leaving on an occlusive mask overnight, typically Vaseline, while we sleep, is not an option. Whether we have oily/comb skin or have skin sensitivities, this is not a risk we are willing to take. Not to mention the mess a petrolatum product can make with our bed linens.

For others, we need to shift to lighter product textures for the warmer, more humid Spring weather.

Here, we cut to the chase to help you learn how to biotechnologically Semi-slug, a cleaner, nourishing treatment for profound Spring hydration and moisturizing.

How to Semi-slug

FOR MANY OF US, WINTER IS THE SEASON OF WICKED DRYNESS. Our skin feels tight, lines appear more evident, and we see a lingering dullness all season.

Spring is the perfect time to biotechnologically Semi-slug to immerse your dry and dehydrated skin with nourishment and hydration. In just three nights, you will see the difference. Your skin appears noticeably softer and smoother to leave behind Winter dryness.

The Biotech Semi-Slugging Difference

The Key Difference? The Enzymatic Conversion of the Oil

While traditional slugging uses an occlusive product to sit on top of the skin to seal-in moisture, biotech Semi-slugging directly nourishes the skin with a semi-occlusive enzymatic EVOO that seals-in moisture and hydration without any greasiness. In other words, a non-greasy sealant AND direct nourishment! This is ideal for Spring. Nourishing goodness, softening benefits, all without heavy greasiness

Enzymatic Italian EVOO is exclusively found in Antioxidant Boost. Antioxidant Boost is the only Enzymatic EVOO facial oil in the world.

DIRECTIONS. On three alternate evenings, apply your favorite moisturizing serum (we recommend Antioxidant Cream for pro-aging support or Hydrator 3 for skin barrier support) followed by 8-15 drops of Antioxidant Boost and go to bed. The biotech moisturizing oil serum will work overnight while you sleep. You will awaken to softer, nourished skin and clean bed linens. By the third night, your skin will be profoundly hydrated and nourished to start Spring this year feeling positively good and irresistibly looking your best.

Today, we understand how confusing it can be to create a minimalist skin care routine. A harmless online search will return with endless advice, sometimes conflicting. Don’t forget all the times we become distracted by viral beauty trends that make us doubt our skin care routines. You can easily lose track or become overwhelmed. It is understandable why this information overload is unhelpful.

Here, we cut to the chase to help you understand the Five Essential Steps of Skin Care and How to Build Your Best Minimalism Skin Care Routine.

Let’s Cut to the Chase About Skin Care

Five Skin Care Essentials

In the past, the marketing of skin care was targeted to women and very focused on how to make them more alluring for marriage. In many ways, consumers began to think it was synonymous with make-up. Think about it, why do some men today continue to think skin care is a “woman’s concern”, you know, make-up?

Skin care is literally “how to take care of you skin”. Yes, we know, that sounds snarky. However, for many, we did not grow up being told how to take care of our skin for its health. Instead, we were just told that using certain products would make us more pretty. The focus was less on self-care, less on routine building. So, how to take care of our skin is not so obvious.

To contrast, young adults today were raised on skin self-care awareness for about half their lives. So, it is understandable why they are much more clear on how to take care of their skin.

There are Five Essential Skin Care Steps you should know about before you start building your Minimalism Skin Care Routine. You would be surprised to see how your skin health can be noticeably improved if you first address these Five Essentials.

Essential Precursor Step 1: Antioxidants

Antioxidants are your first prevention. It helps reduce skin damage before it happens. So, you can say, they are the precursor to skin care health. How?

The sun, pollution, smoke, alcohol, stress (all things we can’t completely escape from) create free radicals. These free radicals are unstable molecular species which are highly reactive with our cellular structures. You see, free radicals contain unpaired electrons (ie they are missing an electron) and molecules don’t like to be unpaired. So, they hunt for cells (like collagen) in order to steal an electron from them in a process called oxidation which causes damage to parts of the cells. When a vital part of a cell is oxidized, the cell can stop functioning properly or die. To further add salt to the wound, when stealing this electron, free radicals can also turn a healthy cell into a free radical. So, like the zombie apocalypse, they continue on hunting for new cells to steal from and turn.

Now, our bodies have natural Antioxidant defence systems to fight free radicals. However, there are times when our bodies are outnumbered by free radicals and our Antioxidant defence systems are overwhelmed – like a party gone out of control. This is called Oxidative Stress. When this stress is prolonged, damage (or Oxidative Damage), can occur (think wrinkling, spots, sagging).

Antioxidants in skin care can help the skin neutralize free radicals. Think of it as adding additional troops to your front line. How?

Antioxidants scavenge for free radicals and neutralize them. You see, Antioxidants are stable enough to donate their electrons. So, Antioxidants not only reduce free radicals, they also help to reduce their formation in the first place. Add Antioxidants to help reduce and delay damage.

Yet, with even with this powerful solution, we need to take care to avoid overwhelming our bodies with free radicals. While we can’t totally avoid public smoke and pollution, we can use a broad-spectrum sunscreen and protect our eight hours of sleep.

Essential Step 2: Hydration

On average, the human skin is 64% water. So, the first essential thing to know about skin care health is hydration. Your primary mission is to keep your skin well-hydrated. A well-hydrated skin looks even, is smooth and soft, and it absorbs products (think of all the expensive products your skin may be only partially absorbing). A well-hydrated skin is plump, so lines appear softer. Have you ever noticed a dear friend with very dehydrated skin, how their lines appear more “sharply defined”?

Your skin naturally has the mechanism to attract and keep water. It produces humectants, compounds that attract and retain water. Dehydration can occur when the body chronically loses more water than its ability to rehydrate itself. You can help replenish water using a Hydrator. Hydrators are formulated with, you got it, humectants. Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid (HA), Propanediol, and Betaine (TMG) are a few of the efficacious humectants used in skin care.

To be certain, water passively evaporates from all skin. This is scientifically known as Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL). TEWL is unavoidable. What you don’t want is accelerated TEWL.

Accelerated TEWL is commonly caused by dry weather, indoor heating, diet, and makeup.

NOTE: Dehydrated skin means your skin lacks water. It is a skin condition which means that it can happen to anyone. A skin condition describes what happens to the skin (acne is another example of a skin condition).

Essential Step 3: Moisturize

The second essential thing to know about skin care health is to moisturize. Hydrators help to hydrate, Moisturizers are multi-functional and help to hydrate, retain hydration, and restore dryness. Moisturizers contain a blend of humectants, emollients, and lipids. Your second mission is to keep your skin moisturized.

A good question you might be asking yourself is, why would you need a hydrator if a moisturizer can do both? A hydrator is a solution for those who need extra hydration because they have very dehydrated skin. It is also a solution for those with oily/combination skin where moisturizers are just too oily or rich for them. This could also describe Asian skin and darker skin tones who have both dehydrated and oily skin.

Lastly, moisturizers can do more than just this – some moisturizers are also formulated to soften and soothe the skin.

NOTE: Dry skin means your skin lacks oil. It is a skin type which means it is genetic (the four basic skin types are dry, normal, combination, and oily).

Essential Step 4: UV Protection

The third essential thing to know about skin care health is UV protection. However, we could say it is perhaps the most important thing. UV damage is the leading cause of skin damage. So, your third mission is to use a broad spectrum sunscreen. Hydrating and moisturizing without using sunscreen is like wearing a beautiful Italian cashmere sweater in a downpour. It can be the finest gauge sweater, with the perfect fit, and just the right shade of off-white – the rain will ruin everything.

Essential Step 5: Less is More

Today, we are sometimes responsible for our skin issues. We overconsume, misdiagnose, misuse, and overuse. In many ways, this has complicated our skin health. For example, we all have, at one point or another, become impatient and pre-maturely switched to a stronger chemical exfoliant or retinol to disastrous results. While the skin is resilient, it is delicate and can be easily disrupted, at best, and damaged, at worst.

We believe that today, now more than in the past, less is more.

To illustrate, did you know that when your skin is dehydrated, in self defence, it can start overproducing oil to compensate? What happens? We start to think we have oily skin and in our haste, begin buying “oil control” products. Which in turn can make us even more oiler. All along, we misdiagnosed ourselves in a downward spiral, rather than addressing the original skin condition: dehydration.

Skin minimalism is not just about reducing the number of products we use. It’s also choosing products which are “safety by design”. A well-studied formula tests how ingredients work together, not against each other. A great formula is designed to be gentle. An outstanding formula is one you will not grow tired of – remember, efficacy requires patience and consistency.

We believe in taking several steps back, focus on the Essentials, and then reassessing what our skin really needs.

How to Build Your Best Minimalism Skin Care Routine

Now that you understand the Five Essential Skin Care Steps let’s explain how you can build your best Minimalism Skin Care. You should plan to commit to a minimum of three months to see actual results. Focus on Antioxidants, Hydration, Moisturizing, and UV Protection during these first three months. Thereafter, you can properly assess if you require specific treatments to add to your routine (eg a retinol, chemical exfoliants).

Before we begin, some users are looking to build a Minimalism Skin Care Routine because they have skin sensitivity. You should consult with your dermatologist for guidance pertaining to your specific skin concerns. Ordinarily, you may want to avoid products containing fragrance and essential oils as they can be irritating.

Let’s begin.

Cleansing. How you cleanse is very important. Select a gentle cleanser and always cleanse with tepid water. Hot water is stripping and can create unnecessary dryness – you don’t want to create a new skin condition! Cleanse with your hands and palms (cleansing tools are tempting, but your hands are gentler and quite enough) and massage until you feel the cleanser move more fluidly (usually 20-30 seconds). Rinse well to remove all residue.

Allow your face to air dry, so it remains moist (not wet).

NOTE: If you live in any area with hard municipal water, pat dry with a clean towel to remove all water (don’t rub). Follow with a misting of a hydrating toner, just enough to moisten the skin (again, not wet).

Morning. As a general rule, you want to use your Antioxidant moisturizing serum in the morning as they will help neutralize free radicals and reduce damage. Apply after cleansing/misting and gently massage until the very moment it stops feeling “slippery”. This is your signal to stop.

Finally, it is well-known that Antioxidants and Broad-spectrum Sunscreens make a powerful duo. So, use both daily, all year-round.

Evening. Now, if you don’t have any dehydration concerns, you can continue to use your Antioxidant moisturizing serum in the evening. Again, gently massage until the very moment it stops feeling “slippery”. Finish with a face oil to seal in hydration and actives.

If you do have dehydration concerns, you will apply your Hydrator in the evening to restore any water loss during the day (TEWL). Gently massage until the very moment it stops feeling “slippery”. Finish with a face oil to seal in hydration and actives.

Face oils. Face oils are always applied last to seal everything in. In the morning, you will apply it just before your Sunscreen.

You may be asking yourself, “can I layer my Hydrators with my Antioxidant moisturizing serum?” We believe that you should not apply these Essentials together. If you select well-formulated products, it is best to dedicate separate times for each to do its job properly.

And that’s it. After years of being “sold” to by enticing beauty marketing, we are led to believe that a skin routine requires more products and with many steps.

At Beauty Thinkers, we have purposely kept our range tight and focused on the Essentials. We are designed by safety and formulated by following the philosophy that less is more.