Exhale Expert: Rachael Gallo
We all want to wake up every morning and look in the mirror at a face that is glowing and radiant. Attaining radiant and balanced skin depends greatly on the routine that you put together to take care of it. Your skincare routine can bring you more than just visual results, but it can bring a sense of serenity, rejuvenation and an elusive sense of total wellbeing. Struggling with pesky breakouts and excess oils or the inevitable process of aging are the natural elements that make up the individuality of our skin. The best way to give your skin the treatment it needs (especially when you’re stuck at home without your favorite esthetician) no matter what type of skin you have is to use the right products.
To give us the glow guidance we need, Rachael Gallo, National Spa Director at Exhale, gives us a thorough breakdown of each of the three most common skin types and walks us through the details of which products we should be using in our skincare routine. Luckily…most of these products can be found right in our online store. Now, let’s hear from the expert.
Skin type:
Dry / Dehydrated
If your skin is dry, that means it is lacking oil. Our body produces natural lipids and oil to protect our skin, and when we lack this oil our skin feels rough, appears dry, and can be flaky. Dehydrated skin means a lack of water in the statum corneum, which is the top layer of skin. Lack of water causes the skin to look dull, feel tight, and can even create sensitivity, leading to the appearance of fine lines. To ensure that your oil and water levels are balanced, it’s important to use the right products to maintain that perfect harmony.
I recommend:
EmergenC Peptide Booster Serum
An advanced, active peptide booster serum synergistically crafted with bamboo extract, pomegranate concentrate, red algae, kombucha, and super antioxidant asthaxanthin to hydrate, brighten, improve skin tone and texture, and actively fight the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Use: Morning and/or night.
Active ingredients: Colhibin PF®, Astaxanthin, Kombucha, Red Algae Extract, Bamboo Extract, Pomegranate Fruit Extract, proprietary fruit (Orange Peel Oil, Lavender Oil, Peppermint Oil, Ginger Oil, Clary Sage Oil, Bergamot Oil, Citrus Fruit Oil, Lime Peel Oil, Mandarin Peel Oil, and Grapefruit Peel Oil) extract blend.
EmerginC Hyper-vitalizer cream
This rich, nourishing, hydrating cream contains alpha-lipoic acid, a “master antioxidant” that is a potent anti-inflammatory and cellular energizer, Coenzyme Q10, and lutein, a plant-based antioxidant that helps protect against UVB sun damage.
Use: Morning and/or night.
Active ingredients: Alpha-Lipoic Acid, Coenzyme Q10, Lutein, Liposomes, Hyaluronic Acid, Borage Seed Extract, Meadowfoam Extract, Shea Butter, Vitamins H, C and E, Rose Essential Oil.
EmergenC Vitality mask
A rich, buttery, creamy mask with coenzyme Q10 and lutein to help soothe, hydrate, nourish, and protect skin.
Use: 1-3 times weekly. Excellent post-sun.
Active ingredients: Coenzyme Q10, Lutein, Vitamin E, Vitamin H (Biotin), Shea Butter, Glycerin, Vitamin A.
Acne-prone skin
Skin that is more prone to acne is typically oily and can appear shiny. The excess of sebum produced by the sebaceous gland develops comedones and pimples. As we age and our skin begins to change, we see breakouts in different areas of our face. In your teens, acne is more common on your t-zones, ranging from your forehead and nose, through to your cheeks. These areas produce the most sebum causing clogged pores resulting in pimples. As you start to get older, we see how acne moves around to the mouth and jawline — this is due to fluctuating hormone levels brought on by too much sugar and stress.
No matter your age for acne prone skin, I recommend:
DR Dennis Gross Peel Pads: (Universal or Extra strength preferably).
This product will treat existing acne but used regularly will prevent it from coming back providing good balance, immunity and lots of antioxidants.
Step 1 Key Ingredients: 7 Alpha Beta® acids lift away dead skin cells, while toning and smoothing skin. Chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties that helps neutralize and soothe skin. Step 2 Key Ingredients: Retinol helps smooth wrinkles and lines while increasing moisture & elasticity. Green Tea Extract is a natural antioxidant that protects skin from free radicals and environmental toxins.
DR Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Marine Oil-Free Moisture
Commonly referred to as “sea grapes” or “green caviar”, this Japanese algae is fortified with essential amino acids and B vitamins to enhance skin’s elasticity and moisture content. Japanese Marine Algae is rich in amino acids and enhances elasticity and moisture content. Sodium Hyaluronate is a humectant that holds 1000x its weight in water and hydrates and plumps skin. Aloe Extract moisturizes, calms, and soothes skin
DR Dennis Gross Blemish solutions clarifying Mask
This multi-purpose, clinical strength, acne-fighting mask is loaded with colloidal sulfur, bentonite clay, and kaolin clay to reduce breakouts, diminish the appearance of enlarged pores, clear blackheads, and absorb excess oil. Colloidal Sulfur works quickly to neutralize acne bacteria and balance excess sebum production to treat blemishes. It efficiently exfoliates dead skin cells, unblocks pores and dissolves impurities for a clear complexion. Bentonite Clay has the ability to absorb more than its own mass to powerfully draw out excess oils and toxins from the skin. Kaolin Clay is a gentle, fine-grained clay that mildly exfoliates to reverse dryness and dullness. It also absorbs excess oil for a mattified skin appearance.
Anti-Aging
As we get older, we experience a lot of changes. Our skin becomes thinner and loses fat, making it less plump and smooth. Primary factors contributing to wrinkled and dull-looking skin includes normal aging but sun and pollution are also contributing factors, as well as a loss of subcutaneous support, which is the fatty tissue between your skin and muscle. Other factors that contribute to aging of the skin includes stress, daily facial movement, and even sleep position. Luckily for some of us, the oily skin that we have battled throughout our life can now slow down the aging process because the oil you produce acts as a moisturizer for the skin, which creates the appearance of a smoother skin texture.
To help increase elasticity and create a plum smooth texture I recommend:
IS Clinical – Pro Heal Serum Advance +
Helps improve the appearance of blemish-prone skin, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Ingredients: Vitamin E, Retinol (Vitamin A), Olive Leaf Exxtract, L-Ascorbic Acid
IS Clinical – Youth Complex
Provides rapid initial hydration for visible “Plumping” of fine lines and wrinkles, promotes controlled exfoliation, and is clinically proven to support the foundation of healthy skin.
Ingredients: Mixed Fruit Acid Extracts, Hyaluronic Acid, Copper Tripeptide Growth Factor, White Willow Bark Extract
IS Clinical – Youth Eye Complex
This formula is clinically proven to target visual areas of concern and, as a result, skin looks firmer and more resilient. Powerful peptides, key growth factors, and potent antioxidants help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and visibly brightens the under-eye area to keep skin smooth, hydrated and protected all day long.
Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Copper Tripeptide Growth Factor, Acetyl Octapeptide-3
Have at-home skincare questions? Email Rachael at [email protected]