​If you follow skincare TikTok trends, you may have seen the words “skin cycling” buzzing around recently. Videos explaining the regimen have racked up more than 90 million views.

But as we all know, not every popular skincare trend is worth pursuing. (Remember snail facials?) So, what actually is skin cycling, what are the benefits, and is it worth incorporating into your skincare routine?

​There are some simple rules of achieving clear skin that are practically a given at this point — we all know how important it is to cleanse regularly, moisturize, and always apply SPF. But when you start adding more products, like anti-aging serums or exfoliants, it gets a little more complicated. What products should you use, in what order, and when? Figuring how to layer active ingredients can be confusing — and getting it wrong can create ingredient cocktails that are irritating to your skin.

That’s where the concept of skin cycling comes in. Rather than layering the same products on top of each other every day, skin cycling is a way of being strategic with how and when you apply certain products so that they complement one another (literally “cycling” through skin products). It involves using active ingredients only on certain days and following them with “rest days” to align with the growth and repair cycle of the skin.

​So, why has this particular skincare trend taken the internet by storm? It turns out there are several benefits of cycling for skin:

​While the #skincycling trend may be new, the technique is not: Dermatologists have been recommending intermittent or alternating use of active ingredients for a long time. That’s because certain products can be harsher on the skin than others, so this practice allows you to reap the benefits of your exfoliants and retinoids without overdoing it and causing irritation.

​A healthy skin barrier protects you from infection, harsh chemicals, and allergens. On the other hand, a compromised skin barrier can contribute to a wide range of skin conditions — including acne, eczema, and atopic dermatitis. Over-exfoliating and using powerful retinoids may harm this barrier (leading to redness and irritation), which is where rest days come in handy. That’s probably why when TikTok stars post about skin cycling, acne (or their lack thereof) is referenced often.  

​Recovery nights also become especially beneficial in fall and winter, since cold, windy, and dry climates can cause dry skin and worsen certain skin conditions. Skin cycling may help prevent your skin from getting dry in the first place, so that your face can handle the elements better.

​One of the best things about this technique is that it doesn’t require a massive investment — since skin cycling uses routine products that are probably already on your shelf at home. To get started, the only skin cycling products you’ll need are:

​With skin cycling, your morning routine won’t be affected — because the regimen specifically pertains to what you do before bed. Fortunately, these skin cycling steps are super straightforward.

The skin cycling calendar is four days long: The first is the exfoliation night, the second is a retinoid night, and the third and fourth are recovery nights, then you repeat the cycle. (Your esthetician might suggest variations on the method, depending on how your skin responds.)

Each night begins with cleansing and ends with moisturizing, but the skin cycling steps pertain to what varies in between. That skin cycling routine includes:

​On this night, after cleansing you’ll use an exfoliant to clear your pores and remove dead skin cells. This step comes first because it allows other products to penetrate more deeply — making them perform more effectively and in a controlled, predictable way.

​This night is focused on retinoids, which can help speed up skin cell turnover, treat mild acne, fade hyperpigmentation and scarring, and reduce signs of aging. Retinoids are vitamin A -based skin products, and one of the powerful ingredients to include in your skin cycling routine. However, they can also be very irritating when you first introduce them, or if you have sensitive, reactive skin. Which brings us to...

​On recovery nights, your goals are hydration and moisture to support the natural growth and repair cycle of the skin. So, cleanse your skin and apply a moisturizer… and that’s it. By holding off on the exfoliating acids and retinoids, you avoid any irritating ingredients and give your skin a chance to recover — nourishing your skin microbiome and repairing your skin barrier.

​At the end of the day, skin cycling is just another trend that has emerged largely because skincare is hard. Even aside from all the various products and active ingredients, everyone’s skin type is different — so what works well for one TikTok influencer may wreak havoc on your face. So while these tips may be useful, before making any changes to your skincare routine, we strongly recommend that you consult with an esthetician to determine what’s right for you.
 
Are you thinking of trying skin cycling? Have questions about how to optimize your skincare routine? I’d love to hear about it. Schedule your free consultation, and let’s chat.

​Another birthday, another year around the sun — you are older, wiser, and grateful. But not all aspects of aging are quite so enjoyable: each time you look in the mirror, you may notice more and more evidence of your years. One of the most noticeable signs of the aging process is facial age spots.

Also called liver spots, dark spots, senile lentigo, melasma, or sun spots on skin, these blemishes are mostly seen on the face, hands, arms, shoulders, and upper back.

While facial age spots are usually associated with getting older, the main culprit (as you might have guessed) is sun damage. When skin is overexposed to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays, the body produces more of the naturally occurring pigment, melanin, to protect itself. That melanin clumps together, leading to flat brown, black, or gray spots.

That means especially for those of us in San Diego, our carefree youth spent soaking up the California sunshine has come back to haunt us.

While age spots are harmless, their appearance can be distressing. Fortunately, there are plenty of tricks for how to remove age spots naturally and get back to looking and feeling your best.

​I wouldn’t be doing my job as a holistic skincare specialist if I didn’t start by saying that the best offense is a good defense. Products and treatments can only go so far in removing age spots on the face if you’re not also working to prevent new facial age spots from occurring.

Avoid the sun, especially at times when it’s most intense (usually from 10am-2pm). Use a good, broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least 30 SPF before you go outside, and reapply often. Cover up with gloves, a hat, or other clothing — especially in areas where you already have sun spots on your skin. The best way to remove age spots naturally is to be proactive first.

If you’re looking to treat melasma naturally or address other facial age spots at home, you may have seen that certain ingredients in your kitchen like lemon juice, oatmeal, or honey can help. While these things aren’t going to hurt your skin, they probably won’t do much to remove age spots on the face. Because the pigment is located at the base of the epidermis — the topmost layer of skin — any treatments meant remove sun spots on the skin must penetrate this layer. So, if you really want to remove age spots naturally, you may need to look beyond the kitchen cupboard.

You can attempt to treat facial age spots at home using over-the-counter (OTC) topical creams and lotions. There are a plethora of products that may help lighten the skin and cause the age spots to fade gradually. However, these products contain chemicals that range from hydroquinone to niacinamide to kojic acid to retinol… and it can be challenging to know which cream is actually safe and effective.

Before purchasing any skin lighteners, it is important to note that some ingredients may cause side effects. For example, products that contain hydroquinone may cause skin irritation. 

At the very least, first test the cream or lotion on a small part of the skin before applying it to a large area. Better yet, work with a skincare professional before trying anything to determine how to remove age spots naturally given your unique skin type

​When it comes to sun spots on the skin, people don’t always think of a spa treatment first — but anti-aging facials are a great way to accelerate the removal of age spots on the face.

During your first consultation, your esthetician will examine the treatment area and make a recommendation about the best treatments for your specific needs. Depending on the number of facial age spots and the degree of pigmentation, there are many different facials for dark spots available. The most important factor here is duration and consistency of care.

​One common procedure for the removal of age spots on the face is microdermabrasion — which works by exfoliating the skin to remove dead skin cells and stimulate cell turnover. However, its methods are a little aggressive: It “sands” your face by spraying aluminum oxide or sodium bicarbonate crystals. As a result, it has a high risk of irritation and inflammation, which is why I don’t recommend microdermabrasion for dark spots.

Instead, at Simply Skin I recommend the Dermasound Elite Anti-Aging Facial, which uses no abrasive brushes or sanding crystals and still penetrates deep into tissue to treat sun spots on skin at their roots. Believe it or not, the only tools used to exfoliate your face are water and sound — making it one of the best facials for dark spots and the most effective way to remove age spots naturally.

I’ve dedicated my life to helping my fellow San Diegans navigate the world of proper skin wellness, to get the treatment they need and the results they want. My commitment to you is that I will help you restore your youthful complexion in 3-6 months, by using the most effective anti-aging facial treatments in the industry. Schedule a consultation today to learn more.

​As far as pimples go, those deep, cystic acne flare-ups are probably the most emotionally and physically taxing. Not only do they tend to cover a lot more surface area than other types of acne, they’re also painful, making them impossible to ignore.

But what is cystic acne, why does it show up, and how can you get rid of it? Read on to learn about cystic acne, treatments, causes, and everything else you need to know about this pesky condition.

​While pimples come in many shapes, sizes, and forms, cystic acne is considered to be the most severe type of acne. All pimples occur when pores become clogged with oil and dead skin cells, but cystic acne is caused by bacteria getting into the pores as well — causing swelling and acne inflammation.

You’re probably familiar with these types of acne cysts because of how deep and painful they are — often creating pimples under the skin rather than the whiteheads and blackheads we’re used to seeing on the surface, and feeling almost more akin to a bruise.

Typically, you’ll find cystic acne on the face, since it has so many oil glands (cystic chin acne and cystic acne on the cheeks are both common). But it can also appear elsewhere on the body, such as cystic back acne. It tends to show up again and again in the same location, so unless you get treated, your first chin acne breakout will likely not be your last.

​There are several main causes of cystic acne, and unsurprisingly, many of them have more to do with holistic lifestyle considerations than your skincare routine. Those causes include:

​You may have also heard the term “nodular acne” to refer to this condition. They’re both very similar — both cause deep, painful pimples under the skin, and are likely to cause scarring. But the main difference is that acne cysts contain fluid while acne nodules do not, making nodules harder and more solid.

​There are ways to prevent cystic acne by taking a few simple steps at home:

But of course, if you’re reading this blog then it’s probably because you’re past the point of prevention — and you’re here to learn how to get rid of cystic acne.

While some cystic acne will clear up in time without intervention, it’s probably not a risk you want to take. Some people develop pigment changes (light or dark spots) at the site of the acne cyst after the skin clears up, and that type of scarring can be even more challenging and expensive to treat than the acne itself.

​To avoid that, you should seek help from a skincare professional as soon as possible. After a brief initial consultation, they can help you better understand how to treat your cystic acne and get rid of it for good.

​Your typical skincare routine might not cut it when it comes to treating cystic acne at home. Sure, there are a plethora of topical acne creams, serums, cleansers, and treatments that supposedly help with cystic acne…. but all too often they leave the skin feeling dried out, irritated, or sometimes even more oily. That’s because surprisingly, many skincare product lines have ingredients that are incompatible with acne-prone skin — and can actually make cystic acne worse.

​Instead, at Simply Skin, I recommend the Face Reality skincare program: a personalized and adaptive cystic acne treatment that includes a suite of products tailored specifically to your skin type. It includes only high-quality skin replenishing ingredients and produces over a 90% success rate in 3 months.

​It’s no secret that facials can rejuvenate and nourish your face, making your skin look healthier. But many don’t realize that some facials are specifically designed to clear and prevent cystic acne. An acne facial is a medical skin treatment that not only helps to address breakouts on your face, but also speeds up at-home cystic acne treatments, making it an excellent addition to your skincare routine.

I recommend the Dermasound Facial — the ultimate non-invasive facial treatment for cystic acne. Dermasound uses gentle sound waves to loosen dead skin cells, cleanse clogged pores, and enhance the penetration of acne products. In as little as 6-10 treatments, it can clear your complexion and restore skin to a smooth, youthful glow.

​Treating cystic acne looks different for every individual — which is why it’s crucial to work with a licensed esthetician that will customize a skincare regimen for your unique needs.

​My Cystic Acne Treatment Promise means that I will help clear up your cystic acne in 3-6 months, using the most effective treatments in the industry. (And the results speak for themselves.) Schedule a free consultation today to learn how to get rid of your cystic acne for good.

It’s no secret that we all want clear, glowing skin. But the quest for perfect skin never ends — and whether you’re in the prime of your life or hitting your golden years, chances are you’ve found yourself squinting in the mirror at one or two imperfections. Blemishes on the face can make your skin tone look uneven, making you insecure and messing with your makeup routine.

So, let’s break down what these blemishes on your face actually are, and what you can do about them.

The definition of the word “blemished” is anything “marked or spoiled by a flaw.” In other words, a blemish is anything that detracts from an otherwise aesthetically perfect appearance.

You might have heard it used to reference anything from blemished fruit to a blemished reputation… but most commonly, blemishes are used to describe facial imperfections.

A blemish is any type of mark, spot, discoloration, or flaw that appears on the skin, but that’s a fairly broad term. There are numerous different types of face blemishes, such as:

The color of the blemishes on your face may provide a clue as to their cause: If they appear red, they’re likely pustules, rosacea, or an allergic reaction. White blemishes are typical of whiteheads (acne) and certain types of fungal infections. Birthmarks and hyperpigmentation are often brown.

Black could be cause for concern, as it is associated with malignant melanoma. If you see black, raised dots (sometimes surrounded by a halo of red), be sure to speak with a dermatologist. It’s also worth a call to your doctor if any blemish begins bleeding, has irregular borders, or changes in size or color, since those could be signs of skin cancer.

With so many different types of facial blemishes, their contributing factors can be just as varied. But in general, there are a few common culprits when it comes to skin imperfections:

There’s no one-size-fits-all cure for how to clear blemishes on the face. But when it comes to blemishes, skincare is your first line of defense. Treatment for blemishes on the face can include:

Then again, facial blemish removal isn’t always easy — which means the best blemish remedy is prevention.

Since blemishes on your face can have so many potential causes and treatments, your best bet is to speak with a licensed esthetician. They can make recommendations based on your unique skin type, and help you achieve the long-lasting results you deserve.
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If you’re looking for an esthetician in San Diego, you’ve come to the right place. Schedule your free phone consultation below!

​It goes without saying that the most advanced skincare solutions can be found at your local esthetician’s office. But as any skincare specialist will tell you, how you treat your skin between facials can be even more important.

Perhaps a professional skincare solution just isn’t in the budget this month… or maybe you just came from your esthetician’s office, and you’re curious about what skincare solutions you can achieve until your next appointment. In that case, there are plenty of affordable skincare solutions that can help you achieve glowing skin right at home.

Before pursing any skincare solution at home, it’s important to understand your skin type, your skincare goals, and how your skin is likely to react to various products and treatments. Do you have dry skin? Sensitive skin? Is your face prone to oiliness? If you haven’t already, scheduling an esthetician consultation is a great way to learn more about your unique skin type and how to care for it.

For example, if you have acne-prone skin, the best acne skincare solution will depend on your specific type of acne. What works for hormonal acne may not be as effective to treat acne associated with other factors. So, you’ll want to proceed with caution when it comes to spot treatments.

Another common goal is to reverse signs of aging. In these cases, it’s important to know what specific issue you’re hoping to address. Dark spots may require a different treatment than wrinkles, and the same goes for under-eye bags.

Whatever the case, embark on any skincare solution with as much information as possible.

​Of course, you’ll want to follow your esthetician’s advice for the best skincare products to use between appointments. But in general, your skincare routine should include the following:

​Your skin is a direct reflection of everything that’s going on inside your body, which is why the first rule of holistic skin care is to nurture your skin from the inside out. For skincare solutions that have nothing to do with topical application, make sure you:

​Here are a few other insider tips worth noting:

While all of these best practices are great to keep in mind for at-home care, a licensed esthetician can determine the advanced skincare solutions that will suit your needs and recommend specific products that can help you achieve long-lasting results.
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Ready to put your best face forward? Schedule your free consultation today.