PEEL POWER

We all know that regular exfoliation is important. It keeps the pores clear, minimizes uneven pigmentation and offers skin a more vibrant, smooth youthful glow.

Exfoliation also stimulates cell turnover. This means that when you remove the dead surface cells you send a message to the skin to crank up production of newer, fresher cells that will rise to the surface of the skin and enhance that wonderful glow. Exfoliating also improves the penetration of performance ingredients (like Vitamin C, peptides, growth factors and the like) that are instrumental for creating your best complexion possible.

This is why I feel, when having professional Skin Therapy one should always include a professional peel. Starting off your treatment with a professional peel is essential for attaining maximum results. By removing the surface corneocytes you are temporarily reducing the skin’s barrier function (which is your skin’s natural defense against substances from the outside world from getting into your skin). But, in the case of Skin Therapy you want to allow important actives to get in to do their job. So you must create a pathway for this to happen. Hence the need for a peel.

Not all peels are created equal. A good esthetic studio or spa should offer a variety of peels that hone into the individual client’s skin type and concerns. Most spas charge anywhere from $50 to $300 to add a peel to the cost of your facial treatment. I feel so strongly that this step is essential to good skin therapy that I include a peel with every Elizabeth Renee Skin Therapy at no extra charge. After all – it’s results oriented skincare we are trying to achieve.

Here are some of my favorite peels:

GLYCOLIC ACID PEEL

This is the original exfoliating peel done by estheticians. Glycolic was originally derived from sugar cane but is now more commonly created in the laboratory. Because glycolic acid is a sugar it not only peels away the surface layers of dead skin but is very hydrating. The strength of glycolic acid peels are all over the place. Some, like at home peels, have a lower percentage and more importantly a higher pH (which actually makes the peel weaker). The pH of the peel is the dominant factor in how strong this peel is going to be. Glycolic Acid peels are recommended for younger skins with a robust surface layer of cells that contribute to the skin looking dull and can also lead to clogged pores. This peel is often included as part of our Clear Skin – Skin Therapy where blackheads as opposed to blemishes are the main concern for younger clients. It’s important to note that estheticians today are more likely to choose a combination peel over basic glycolic acid. These newer peels have the ability to address several skin concerns.

BLUEBERRY PEEL

The Blueberry Peel is a fantastic combination peel which also contains salicylic acid, lactic acid , tartaric acid and malic acid. Together these acids are even more effective at clearing pores, providing important antioxidants that calm inflammation and enhances a healthy complexion. I like to include the Blueberry Peel as part of our Problem Solved Skin Therapy when the skin’s primary focus is to clear the pores once we’ve gotten past the point where calming inflammation and reducing infection was the primary concern.

LACTIC ACID PEEL

Lactic acid is my favorite peel for mature, dry or dehydrated skin. The Lactic Acid peel is a mild to medium strength peel which is easily tolerated by more mature skin types. This milk derived acid is especially hydrating and also tends to brighten the skin to help soften uneven pigmentation. This is my top choice when doing a Time Turner Anti-aging Skin Therapy.

VITAMIN C PEEL

This is my go to peel when the #1 concern is sun induced pigmentation. Vitamin C is one of the most efficacious ingredients found in skincare. This potent antioxidant is an essential factor in collagen production (for firmer skin). Vitamin C helps brighten pigmentation, protects against environmental agers, helps clear blackheads and improves sunscreen’s protective capabilities. I include it as part of a Beyond Brightening Skin Therapy.

SALICYLIC PEEL

Salicylic acid belongs to the beta hydroxy acid family of acids. Because it is oil soluble it can penetrate deeper into the pores. This makes it effective for reducing oil production in the skin. When used as a peel, this type of acid is excellent for clearing the pores of those who have blemishes and acne. It also has excellent anti-bacterial properties to reduce breakouts. This is often my go to peel for a Problem Solved Skin Therapy when there is a lot of inflamed blemishes. While this is a pretty potent peel, after the peel your skin not only feels softer and smoother but is calmer and clearer.

ENZYME PEEL

Not all skins can tolerate the acid peels listed above but exfoliation is still important. In this case we chose an enzyme peel based on pancreatin. This is the same enzyme our bodies use to break down proteins during digestion. Our Smart Peel is perfectly formulated for gently enhancing the release of dead surface cells from the stratum corneum. This allows sloughing off of the outer layer without damaging the inner living cells. A smooth, more evenly toned and hydrated skin is the result of this proteolytic enzyme activity and is most often chosen for sensitive skins while enjoying a Moisture Immersion Skin Therapy.

Elizabeth believes in “Longevity Skincare”, the idea that beautiful skin can endure throughout one’s lifetime when utilizing the best that science and nature has to offer. LONGEVITY is a science-based skincare line that appreciates skin of all ages. LONGEVITY by Elizabeth Renee provides hydration, nutrition and protection from environmental aging. Your skin will receive high performance ingredients to help energize and repair its cells, resulting in a healthy skin with an enduring, vital glow.