Trusted beauty Touch

Starting tretinoin? Read this before you damage your skin barrier 👇

Tretinoin is the active form of a retinoid (vitamin A) — meaning it works directly on the skin without needing conversion. Powerful, but not for everyone right away.

✨ Key tips before you start:
• Consistency > intensity
• Start slow (1–2x a week) and build up
• Begin with over-the-counter options (retinol/retinal) if you’re new
• Always start with the lowest %

⚠️ What to expect:
Some people can’t tolerate tretinoin at first — redness, irritation, and inflammation can happen (this is why easing in matters!)

🧴 How to layer (PM routine):
Sensitive skin → serum → moisturizer → tretinoin (buffering)
Normal skin → tretinoin → serum → moisturizer

🚫 Avoid:
• Using exfoliants the same night
• Applying too close to eyes, nose folds, or mouth

💡 Pro tip: Apply a little Vaseline around sensitive areas to protect your skin barrier

☀️ And ALWAYS wear SPF ! no exceptions.

Let’s talk PEPTIDES ✨
Peptides are short chains of amino acids (the building blocks of proteins). Think of them as “mini messengers” that tell your skin what to do especially when it comes to repair + anti-aging.

Why peptides are so good for the skin:
✔️ Help support collagen + elastin production (firmness + bounce)
✔️ Improve the look of fine lines + wrinkles
✔️ Strengthen the skin barrier (less irritation, more resilience)
✔️ Support cell regeneration for smoother texture
✔️ Help improve hydration + plumpness
✔️ Many peptides also have antioxidant benefits, helping protect against environmental stressors

🧴 Best way to use peptides:
Peptides work best when they’re left on the skin long enough to absorb, so choose a serum, moisturizer, or mask rather than a cleanser (cleansers rinse off too fast to give full benefits!).

🔍 Ingredient tip:
Peptides may show up on labels as names like “palmitoyl” (ex: Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1).

⏰ How often to use:
For best results, peptides can usually be used twice a day (AM + PM) consistently.

🧪 What peptides pair well with:
✅ Niacinamide
✅ Vitamin C
✅ Hyaluronic Acid
✅ Antioxidants
✅ Ceramides + barrier-repair ingredients

⚠️ What to avoid mixing with:
Avoid using peptides at the same time as strong exfoliating acids like glycolic acid, since low pH can reduce peptide effectiveness.

💡 Pro tip:
Peptides come in many forms, and not all formulas are created equal , 🟰 so if you’re unsure what’s best for your skin goals, ask a professional (your esthetician 😉).

✨ Healthy skin is built with consistency, not just trendy products.

L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) ✨🍊

If you’re trying to brighten, protect, and improve your skin … L-Ascorbic Acid is one of the ingredients you can add to your routine.

💛 What it does:
✔️ Powerful antioxidant that helps prevent skin damage
✔️ Brightens dull skin + improves uneven tone
✔️ Helps fade dark spots + hyperpigmentation
✔️ Supports collagen production
✔️ Helps reduce the appearance of scars + fine lines
✔️ Can even help with dark circles over time

☀️ Best time to use:
Morning! Vitamin C works best under sunscreen because it helps boost protection against UV damage.

⚠️ Good to know:
Vitamin C can sting a little or cause mild redness at first (especially for sensitive skin), so start slow.
Begin around 10% strength, and work up to 20% max for better results.

📦 Pro tip: Packaging matters! Vitamin C breaks down with light + heat, so store it properly.

-ascorbicacid

❄️ Winter Skin Tip: Your heater might be drying out your skin!

During colder months, indoor heating systems lower the humidity in the air. When humidity drops, your skin loses water faster through a process called transepidermal water loss (TEWL) — meaning moisture is literally evaporating from your skin.

This can lead to:
✨ dryness + flaking
✨ tightness + sensitivity
✨ irritation + redness
✨ worsened eczema
✨ breakouts (from a damaged barrier + dehydration)
✨ dull texture and rough patches

💧 A humidifier helps by adding moisture back into the air, which supports your skin barrier and helps your skincare products work better (especially hydrating serums + moisturizers).

⭐️ Esthetician Tip: Try keeping your room between 40–60% humidity for optimal skin comfort.

No humidifier?
🫶🏼 Place a bowl of water next to your heater to help add moisture into the air naturally.

Healthy skin starts with a healthy barrier 🤍

Save this for your winter routine! ❄️💦

Skin feeling dry, tight, irritated, itchy, or inflamed?
That could be a sign of a weakened skin barrier. ✨ Try Face Basting:
Apply your moisturizer, then layer a thin coat of zinc oxide cream on top as the final step.

Zinc oxide is anti-inflammatory, calming, and creates a protective barrier while your skin recovers.

Somewhere between life and responsibilities, we forget ourselves. This is your reminder to come back 🤍

❄️ Winter Skin Hack: DIY Glycerin Mist ❄️
Dry winter air pulls moisture from the skin, this mist helps attract hydration and keep skin comfortable.

How to use:
💧 Mist after cleansing and before moisturizer (on damp skin)
💧 You can also lightly mist over makeup for added hydration

How often:
✨ 1–2 times daily (AM & PM) ( 2-3x a week)
✨ Great for dry, tight, or compromised skin
⚠️ Avoid overuse - glycerin works best in moderation

Pro tip:
✔️ Always follow with a moisturizer to seal hydration
✔️ Use distilled water
✔️ Make small batches (1 day use) to avoid contamination

Hydration + sealing = happy winter skin 🤍

Low humidity increases transepidermal water loss (TEWL), meaning moisture evaporates from your skin faster. Over time, this can weaken the skin barrier, leading to dryness, sensitivity, flaking, and irritation. Layering hydration helps replenish water levels, strengthen the barrier, and keep skin balanced and resilient.

🧼 The Inkey List – Fulvic Acid Cleanser

Main benefits:
• Gently cleanses without stripping the skin
• Helps brighten dull, tired skin
• Removes makeup + daily buildup
• Supports skin barrier (great for AM or PM)

💧 The Inkey List – PHA Toner

Main benefits:
• Very gentle exfoliation (PHA = larger molecule, less irritation)
• Improves skin texture over time
• Hydrates while exfoliating
• Safe for sensitive or compromised skin barriers

👁️ Kiehl’s – Powerful-Strength Vitamin C Eye Serum

Main benefits:
• Brightens under-eye darkness
• Helps smooth fine lines & crow’s feet
• Boosts hydration with hyaluronic acid
• Lightweight but effective for daily use

🌿 Youth To The People – Kale + Green Tea + Spinach Cleanser

Main benefits:
• Antioxidant-rich formula (protects from environmental stress)
• Deeply cleans without drying
• Helps calm inflammation
• Great everyday cleanser for glowing skin

👁️ Youth To The People – Peptides + C Energy Eye Concentrate

Main benefits:
• Helps de-puff tired eyes
• Brightens and smooths
• Peptides support firmness
• Lightweight gel texture (AM-friendly)

🧴 Kiehl’s – Ultra Facial Cream

Main benefits:
• Long-lasting hydration (24 hours)
• Strengthens the skin barrier
• Non-greasy, lightweight texture
• Perfect for year-round use