My Recent Skincare Haul

04.05.2019 by awellpacedlife // Leave a Comment

Hi Guys! I thought I’d share with you, my most recent skincare haul with you, since its such an important part of our everyday. If its NOT, it definitely should be!!! Skincare is what helps bring our skin to life, giving it that moisturized,youthful, clear and bright glow that we all yearn for. Not to leave out the benefits of drinking plenty of water, has on your skin as well. Drink up y’all!

Holy Grail of Skincare

Ever since I worked as a territory sales manager in the cosmeceutical industry, I really discovered the benefits of medical grade skincare. It has stronger ingredients in them, than what you can buy products at Sephora or Ulta or any other big box store. They also are allowed to have certain ingredients in them, that only a place where a physician or medical director is in charge of the place of business, such as Vitamin A/RetinA. The Holy Grail of youth!!!

I have really been taking good care of my skin for the past 13 years now, and heavily regret ever sunbathing without sunscreen or using tanning beds in my 20s! It all just wreaks havoc on your skin and leaves it damaged, only causing you the need to correct it, later on in life, or worse yet, remove skin cancers. I have a great article I wrote about the best sunscreens for your body here, and my top choices for face sunscreens here, if you want to read them.

Since I’m in my early 40s, I’ve noticed a change in fine lines, elasticity, and moisture levels, and I now have Rosacea on my nose(which will have to be a later blog post about that separate topic). I notice I am dry in the winter, and oilier in the summer, I think that is fairly common. So in the winter, I usually choose a heavier moisturizer in the a.m. and p.m., than I will going into Spring/Summer. I focus on anti-aging skincare, exfoliating, preventing and regenerating new skin cells alot!

My Recent Skincare Haul

Ever since I tried the Pixi Glow Tonic toner with Glycolic Acid last year, I was hooked! It literally did give my skin a clear glow after using it each night. The 5% Glycolic Acid gives my skin just enough exfoliation that I need, plus its for all skin types. I have been out of it for about a week now and I can tell that I havent been using it. I especially like this product, because with going to the gym and sweating a lot, this helps keep my pores clean and helps get rid of the excess oils that soap can leave behind.

I also became hooked on the Epionce skincare line last year and LOVE LOVE LOVE it. Its ingredients really are focused on a plant based skincare, along with medical grade ingredients. I use their entire line of products, just FYI! I was almost out of my Renewal Facial Lotion for normal skin, so I needed more. If you read the ingredient list, its chalk full of natural oils like Safflower, Meadowfoam, Orange Peel oil, Lemon Peel Oil, Linseed oil, & Avocado Oil, which are all very moisturizing, non-comedogenic and paraben free. Just a small detail that I appreciate, is that the bottle is see-thru, so you can tell how much product you have left in it and when you need to get more! I love that!!! Most bottles, you have no idea how much product you’ve got left, and all of a sudden there’s no more product to pump out and so you’ll be out of that product for a few days, long enough to have to wait for it to ship to you! It really is the small things in life!

The 3rd item I purchased because one of my favorite skincare youtuber: Brianna Stanko. This woman knows what she’s talking about. She’s worked for a physician and with medical grade skincare for so many years and is WONDERFUL for tips and advice: She has tons and tons of very useful videos! Ok, so back to the product: It is by Glowbiotics, and its their Probiotic Hydraglow Cream Oil. I have been hearing how beneficial probiotics are as a topical in your skincare, not just as a supplement for your gut! This product says its supposed to help you achieve just a nice dewy glow to your skin. It goes well under your foundation, or you can even use it to highlight your prone areas of your face, on top of your makeup. You can read more on their site at www.glowbiotics.com

The 4th Item that I recently purchased again, thanks to Brianna Stanko is the Osmosis Renew Vitamin A Serum. My skin is pretty acclimated to Retinols, so I chose their strongest product of the RetinA line, which is the Renew, level 4 that you can find here. I have heard Brianna rave about the Osmosis line for years, so I finally decided to try it for myself. It’s supposed to have the same effects of a RetinA cream, however, without the dry peeliness that you can get from a RetinA. If you want to read more about the osmosis line, you can visit their website at www.osmosisskincare.com

My last item that I’ve been using for a few weeks now is a Vitamin E oil. It has helped my skin become incredibly soft, and I swear my skin simply glows now! It helps improve fine lines, skin texture, tone and aging! One of my all time favorite bloggers Jennifer Reed with The Sister Studio blog raves about this all of the time, so I broke down and had to try it. I could rave on and on about it, but you just need to get it and see for yourself. I even tried it on the ends of my hair because I’m way past due for a trim, and my ends are so dry. It made a huge difference!!! Also, my hands are still dry and gross from our awful winter that we had, and I put it around my cuticles and knuckles. Guys, I can’t even explain how much better my hands and nails are! It’s like that one product that has so many uses and tons of benefits!!! It says it can even be used on stretch marks!

Thanks for reading guys and I hope you love them as much as I do!!!

Take care of your skin and it will take care of you!

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The Ultimate Microneedling Experience in St Louis

02.27.2018 by awellpacedlife // Leave a Comment

I had a chance to try one of the best treatments on the market for your skin, recently, and I can’t wait to tell you all about it. I had the ultimate microneedling experience in St Louis, and was brave enough to do a live video of it! Read on to find out what the one, single biggest myth about it, is!

The Ultimate Microneedling

Experience in St Louis

Pretty much throughout my teenage years and well into my 20’s, I suffered from cystic acne, and was left with some scarring that really affected my day-to-day life and self-esteem. Then, during and after pregnancy, I was left with hyperpigmentation (aka melasma) in certain areas on my face. Now, as each passing year creeps up, it seems that fine lines and collagen loss is slowly but surely affecting my skin.

I became extremely passionate about taking care of my skin, and have been trying to reverse the damage that has been done. I started using sunscreen religiously, and began seeing a Dermatologist on a regular basis. Throughout the years, I have done: Fraxel laser resurfacing, multiple medical grade chemical peels, microdermabrasion & IPL. I became so interested in skin care, that I became a sales rep for a medical grade chemical peel company, and sold to Medical Spa’s and Dermatologists. I was well versed on all of the different types of treatments available, but the one that I had never done was microneedling.

Having worked in the industry, I’ve had a chance to meet tons of Estheticians. One in particular is Susie Lynch at The Women’s Laser Center of St Louis. You can tell someone is passionate about their job, when you learn more in 1 hour than you have your entire life. There are estheticians who don’t really listen to your concerns, trying to push products on you and there are ones that take the time to explain things thoroughly, so that they can truly help change your skin for the better. Susie knows so much about the skin and what treatments work the best for each individual. She is licensed and certified, a CMA and as a bonus was a prior phlebotomist(making me a bit more at ease about the procedure), fully trained in microneedling, as well as several other laser & skin treatments. Talking with Susie is practically like talking with your best friend. The woman knows her stuff and truly loves what she does! If you have any areas of concern or just need educated on caring for your skin, you need to make an appointment with her!

What is microneedling with PRP? It’s designed to improve the appearance of fine lines, large pores, wrinkles & scars on the face & body. It creates thousands of precise micro injuries into the dermis, triggering new collagen, & elastin production. Both are of the utmost importance for smooth/radiant looking skin. PRP(Platelet Rich Plasma) is derived from a small blood sample from you, releasing your own growth factors that recruit & increase reparative cells which “rev up” the results. So, 2 of the main things I knew about microneedling was, that it #1)looked like it was painful, and #2) you had a bloody face, so needless to say I was a bit nervous! As it turns out, I was wrong on both things. She only had to strap both arms down, not my legs…..just kidding!!!!! A numbing cream is applied to your face about 20 minutes prior to the actual treatment, so it’s completely painless, and secondly, the plasma is spun out of the blood, and put into a syringe that gets trickled over your face(not the blood) during the procedure, but thanks -Kim Kardashian for creating that dramatic bloody picture of what the celebs call it the “Vampire Facial”.

Watch it live below:

I asked tons of questions, because that’s just my personality! I wanted to know everything about the procedure, post care, benefits, etc.

You can get Microneedling with PRP done even if you have filler or Botox-just be sure to wait at least 2 weeks after receiving the filler/Botox
A series of at least 3 treatments are recommended, 4 weeks apart(this allows the skin time to heal & repair itself)
You can get microneedling done even if you have semi-permanent makeup on(just wait 4 weeks after getting the makeup).
You can wear makeup the following day, just be sure to stay out of the sun!
They only draw a small amt of blood from you, not vials upon vials like I had imagined.
They give you moisture rich post care products to use in the following days after.
My skin was definitely pink afterwards, but I went shopping to a few places right after, even managed to spark the interest of several women and tell them all about the procedure!
Never have a procedure done by someone who isn’t fully trained and licensed! Do not trust, just anyone!
Microneedling with PRP is one of the most widely used treatments for acne scarring as well as the above mentioned skin concerns, and it can even treat all skin types.
If you live in the St Louis area and are needing help with your skin, call Susie Lynch @ The Women’s Laser Center of St Louis at 314-807-8765.

I can honestly say that I am looking forward to the following microneedling with PRP treatments, it wasnt painful in the least bit. I cant wait to see how my skin continues to get better with each passing day and feeling more confidant, going makeup-free!!! These pictures are 3 days post procedure and I can already tell a difference!

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3 skincare tools that you need in your arsenal

10.05.2017 by awellpacedlife // Leave a Comment

Anyone wondering which skin care tools are worth it, and which ones make the biggest difference in your skin? I have made a tutorial on three skin care tools that you need in your arsenal. They’re affordable and won’t break the bank, I promise! I have had several ladies ask me about my skin and what I do to help keep it youthful and clear, so I thought it would be a no brainer to talk about my three favorite skin care tools. I use them weekly, and swear by them. They’ve made such a difference in my skin and probably saved me thousands of dollars by not having to go to my dermatologist.

One of the biggest differences they have made in my skin is helping my acne scarring (from previous cystic acne), the texture of my skin, annoying melasma, my pore size is minimal now, and my makeup just looks so much better! I really do wish I had a side by side comparison of my skin. You would never know I used to have scars and less than desirable skin. Also I want to mention that my skin care is even more effective now. When you use good skin care along with these skin tools, you’re getting the most bang for your buck. They just go hand in hand and you’ll see much better results. I use medical grade skin care, mostly because it’s stronger and more effective. I do alternate brands so my skin doesn’t get used to something and not work as well. I tend to alternate between Epionce, Skinceuticals, Skinmedica, Regenica, Neocutis, & Obagi. My favorite sunscreen has to be Elta MD! You can get it in sheer or tinted. They are possibly the lightest weight sunscreen I’ve found yet. Read my previous post about my 4 favorite sunscreens in-depth, here.

I’ve been a territory sales rep in the cosmeceutical industry for going on 7 years now and have seen and heard of all the latest and greatest tools in med spas and Dermatologist offices. Being around estheticians can really make you re-evaluate your own skin, let me tell ya! They all have FLAWLESS skin!!! But most of us don’t have access to all the lasers, and tools that they do, nor can most people afford the maintenance & upkeep, and the time it takes to schedule a visit. I haven’t had any Botox or Fillers for several years, and oh how I miss it, but it’s just so expensive! That’s another reason I thought you guys needed this video, is because these 3 tools aren’t expensive and you can do them in your own home, plus there’s no downtime needed! BONUS BONUS BONUS

3 skin care tools that you need in your arsenal

I first want to mention and failed to do so in my video, that I use the Clarisonic Pro brush to clean my face daily and am OBSESSED. I don’t know what took me so long to get one, and I’m totally spoiled. You will NOT regret ever purchasing one. I purchased the Pro version because it has 4 speeds, and it comes with a body polish brush head. I use the deep pore brush head, but there are several others you can purchase for your skin type. I even bought my husband a grey one for Christmas a couple of years ago (because he works outside daily and this is the best at getting sunscreen off and all the dirt on his face), and he loves it. If you can compare using a Clarisonic vs washing with your hands, you’ll be totally grossed out, by all the leftover makeup that’s left on your skin. Sadly, my pro just died on me. I have used it religiously for the past 5 years, and we had a great run. I will be purchasing another one ASAP, because my face is going through withdrawals now…..lol The Pro is now called their Smart Profile Uplift & Anti Aging Massage & Cleansing Brush that you can find here. If you don’t care about the body brush or faster speeds, then the Mia 2 is a perfect one for you.

***One more tiny tip that most people don’t think of, is to close the cover on the sunroof in your car! The sun can damage your skin even through the windows and we all know what sun damage can do to your skin. So do yourself a favor and close the cover on your sunroof!

PMD Microdermabrasion Tool-I purchased this at Sephora a few years ago and it didn’t take long to fall in love with. There are several different tips of coarseness you can purchase. I use the red which is the most course, because my skin has acclimated and can handle it.
Eyebrow Razor(aka dermaplaning tool)- I use these to carefully shave off the fine hairs on my face, and touch up my eyebrows. It makes my skin sooo soft afterwards and my makeup looks flawless.
Derma roller– This is a great alternative for micro needling at a med spa. The microneedling pen works deeper and is definitely more effective, but it’s also very expensive, and you need to go through several sessions, typically. However, if you have significant acne scarring, & can swing it, I do highly recommend them. You can always a couple of sessions and alternate with your derma roller! The dermaroller has been a game changer for my skin.

Shop my favorite skincare below

[huge_it_videogallery id=”2″]

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My 4 favorite UVA/UVB face sunscreens

07.06.2017 by awellpacedlife // Leave a Comment

4 Favorite UVA/UVB Face Sunscreens!!!

Hi everybody! I recently posted my favorite body sunscreens and promised you I’d post my 4 favorite UVA/UVB face sunscreens. Its so important to protect your skin from the sun, and if you want to retain that youthful look and protect yourself from having skin cancer, most definitely apply it to your face! A lot has changed from my high school days of lathering up with baby oil, laying out on top of a mat that looked like tin foil for hours, and dare I say “without any sun screen” It was more important and popular to have that sun kissed glow, and we really weren’t knowledgeable about any sun protection or the damage that the sun does to us. I’ve come a long ways!!! Now, I apply sunscreen under my makeup, or before I step foot out the house. Not only can sunscreen help prevent skin cancer, but it also helps prevent darkening of melasma. Melasma can either be caused by pregnancy or the extra hormones in(mostly birth control). Women mostly get it, however men can get it as well.

Prevent Skin Cancer!!!

My husband is a golf course superintendent, which means he’s outside every single day, and thanks to me asking him a bazillion times a week if he has his sunscreen on, it has now(no pun intended) sunk in, and he applies it religiously. He’ll thank me later, I just know it! My Dad is a farmer and has had a couple skin cancer’s removed, but he’s pretty set in his ways and refuses to apply it.

To recap: I highly recommend sunscreens with Zinc Oxide and Titanium dioxide as your active ingredients. You get both the UVB & UVA protection to keep your skin at its healthiest. I really love tinted sunscreens for myself, not necessarily for my kids, however. Lets face it, kids don’t care whether they have white sunscreen on their face, but its just not aesthetically “cool” for adults, and harder for us to pull it off…..#amiright, #ghostface? On a side note, who remembers the neon colored sunscreen? I’m sure my parents have a picture somewhere of me with it on! Face sunscreen needs to be non-comedogenic(which doesn’t clog your pores), lightweight and its always a bonus if it contains any vitamins.

My 4 favorite sunscreens

My favorite right now has to be the EltaMD UV Clear daily tinted broad-spectrum UVA/UVB Face Sunscreen SPF40, of which I am out of currently because I use it so much. EltaMD knows how to do sunscreen right! Pros: Super lightweight, tinted, non-comedogenic, ZO & TD active ingredients, and bonus ingredients-hyaluronic acid & Vitamin E. They also have a non-tinted version that goes on clear and has a SPF46 that I use often as well
Revision skincare Intellishade SPF45. This is well worth its price. A little bit goes a long way with this one. You can use this as your moisturizer, skincare, and sun protection all in one. Pros: includes peptides which reduces lines and wrinkles, vitamin c, & natural extracts and coQ10 that helps smooth your skin
Skinceuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF50. Skinceuticals is one of my favorite medical grade skincare, so it was natural that I would fall in love with their sunscreen as well. This one needs to be shook up before using, as its a little more liquidy and runny. Pros: Universal tint, lightweight, non comedogenic and has a higher SPF than others
MDSolarScience Mineral Creme SPF30. This goes on a bit more matte finish than the others, and again a little goes a long ways with this one. Pros: Includes vitamins C &E, coQ10, non comedogenic and tinted

I’ve heard great things about these below and really wanting to try: Epionce daily shield lotion SPF50, Skinmedica Essential defense mineral shield SPF32, Osmosis protect ultra sheer SPF30 and COTZ tinted silky foam SPF30. If anyone has tried these 4, leave me a comment below, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

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Choosing the right sunscreen

07.02.2017 by awellpacedlife // Leave a Comment

Choosing the Right Sunscreen

Here in the Midwest, summer months mean sunburns! They don’t have to with the right sun protection. Ever since I started seeing my dermatologist on a regular basis, they really educated me on what ingredients need to be included when choosing the right sunscreen to be effective and to really ward off both the UVA and UVB rays that you get from the sun. UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin. This is what causes wrinkling, premature aging(aka leather looking skin), and can also cause your immune system to be suppressed. UVB rays are what causes the actual burn on the outer layer of your skin, that can cause skin cancer.

There are also two different types of sunscreens, chemical & physical. Physical is the best when it comes to the two because it 1) protects you from both the UVA and UVB rays, 2)protects you right after you apply it, no need to wait, 3) Better for sensitive skin, 4) better for people who have rosacea, since it deflects heat, and 5) less likely to clog your pores than chemical sunscreens.

Chemical Vs Physical-

A Chemical sunscreen is one that contains ingredients such as Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Octisalate and Avobenzone, which cause a chemical reaction and change the UV rays into heat on your skin, then the skin releases that heat.

Some Cons of a chemical sunscreen are: 1) Clogging pores, 2) more frequent reapplication, 3) the higher the SPF protection, the greater chance of it causing irritation on sensitive skin, 4) you need to wait about 15-20 minutes for it to begin being effective, 5) due to the added heat on your skin, which can cause brown spots to begin appearing, 6) ingredients are rated the highest on toxicity results according to EWG(Environmental Working Group), linked to hormone disruptors that can damage cells leading to cancer and, 7) endocrine disruptors that cause endometriosis, early puberty, low sperm count and male infertility. All of these make you think twice before applying anything with these ingredients listed in them, especially your children!

Titanium Dioxide & Zinc Oxide-

The active ingredients listed on each container is the most important! You want to look for Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide. These will protect you from both types of rays, giving you ultimate sun protection! You’ll see lotion-type, sunscreen sticks, sprays, and now even foam sunscreens! Most people(especially with kids) are going to buy whats most convenient to put on their child(such as the sprays and foam ones), because if your a parent, like myself,applying sunscreen to a child is like tackling a rabid animal. Its complete torture for both parties involved! I try to buy my children rash guard suits that have long sleeves that save me and them the headache of wrestling them to reapply!

Here are some I really like for my family(ones that say “children’s” or “baby” on them have gentler ingredients, and I wear these, myself, as well).

Stay on the look out for my favorite face sunscreens in an upcoming post!!!!