Cozy season is here! While we are thrilled to be wrapped up in a blanket while watching the leaves turn, we are also focusing on prepping our skin for the cooler months ahead. It's the perfect time of year for a seasonal skincare review with your pro. This will help you heal any damage leftover from the summer months and get your skin in top condition for winter and, dare we mention it, the holiday season.

Let’s Talk About Acids

Acids are a cornerstone active ingredient present in most effective skincare routines, thanks to their multitasking abilities. They can exfoliate the skin, resulting in a brighter appearance, boost hydration, and improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Different acids have varying effects, and sometimes we need more than one type of acid to help hit our desired skin goals. Combining acids and, crucially, using the right one at the right time of day is key to great results. Here's where your skin pro can help! They'll work with you to create the perfect skincare routine for you.

The Acid Deep Dive

While there are many different types of acids used in skincare, most people immediately think of AHAs or Alpha Hydroxy Acids. These naturally derived acids include lactic acid from milk and mandelic acid from apples. As active skincare ingredients, AHAs work to speed up the natural process of exfoliation, helping the skin efficiently shed dead skin cells and reveal brighter, smoother skin. You can read more about this on our blog Chemical and Enzymatic Exfoliation – What’s The Big Deal Anyway?

Lactic Acid

Exfoliating the skin with an acid, such as lactic acid (which is featured in our AHA Renewal Serum), not only promotes brighter and firmer skin but also prepares the skin for the absorption of other active ingredients. Yep, by sweeping away dead skin cells, dirt, and debris from the surface of the skin, it creates a clearer pathway for any products you apply to your skin afterward. You can exfoliate every morning and evening, or both, depending on your skin's needs and the other products in your skincare routine. Your skin pro will advise you on what's best for you.

L-Ascorbic Acid

Now we're onto the morning acid - L-Ascorbic Acid, AKA vitamin C, or the "glow giver" as it's affectionately known in the industry. This acid is not really an exfoliant (although it is multitalented); its primary skincare ability is as an antioxidant. It protects the skin from environmental damage, which can cause fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin. It also helps the skin naturally produce collagen, the protein that helps keep skin firm and it addresses uneven skin tone and pigmentation issues. We usually recommend incorporating vitamin C into your morning skincare routine, but it can also be used in the evening. Your skin pro will let you know what's best for your regimen. Our EverActive C&E® + Peptide is pretty special! It contains vitamin C crystals hidden in the lid, ensuring that the perfect dose is dispensed when needed for optimal freshness and incredible results.

Hyaluronic Acid

The Little Miss Sunshine of skincare has got to be hyaluronic acid. Everyone loves her because she's never irritating and she brings everyone a nice glass of water! Hyaluronic acid is a powerful substance that should not be underestimated. It occurs naturally in the body and has the ability to plump up cells by absorbing water from the environment and holding it deep within the skin. It combats dehydration quickly and easily and should be a priority for everyone as autumn approaches. The cooler weather and central heating (which is coming) can lead to dry, dehydrated skin very quickly and can even damage the skin barrier. Our Ultimate Boost Serum contains sodium hyaluronate, which is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is highly favoured by the skin and can be used both in the morning and evening. The lightweight formula boosts the skin barrier, hydrates, and works to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Your skin pro will guide you through incorporating these acids into your autumn skincare routine and, as always, provide you with all the advice to help you hit those skin goals!