Skin’s Barrier Function

What is the Skin’s barrier function? and why it is so important for skin health?

One way to understand the importance of your skin’s barrier function is to think of your body as an apple. The skin of the apple keeps the firm flesh beneath moist and protects it from drying exposure to the air and environment. The uppermost layer of your skin, like a peel of an apple, is a waterproof seal, keeping air out and moisture within, so the cells stay plump with fluid.

When the skin of an apple is cut or damaged, the inside of the apple begins to dry, and the exposed flesh brown. Even if a bump or dent so tiny that it can’t be seen injures the apple skin, the flesh beneath it becomes discolored.  Tiny breaks in the surface of your skin allow moisture to escape and let in bacteria, irritants, and free radicals, all of which not only damage various structures within the skin but also accelerate further moisture loss, Collagen and elastin break down which you don’t see it in your snake eyes. So that it is very important to have a healthy barrier. When your barrier is compromised, it speeds up the aging process as well as problem skin occurs.

Make sure all your cleanser, serum, moisturize products must-have ingredients that don't disturb your skin's barrier function. Everything you use must maintain the barrier and prevent water from evaporating through the upper layers of skin and into the atmosphere.

Hope this helps you to make a decision about what products need to choose not the price :-)

For a complete skin consultation, make an appointment with one of Beauty Journey’s expert estheticians by schedule online appointment or contact beautyjourney@gmail.com if you need further information.

PERMISSION TO REPRINT: You may use any items from this article in your print, blog, magazine or electronic newsletter. But in order to do so, you must include the following paragraph, including a link to www.thebeautyjourney.com

"Information is courtesy of www.thebeautyjourney.com, a website with skin care tips, products, treatments and advice from skin care expert and licensed esthetician, Kristina Trinh."

Foods to Avoid This Holiday Season

One of the best parts of the holiday season is all of the delicious food there is to eat. Although we don’t want you to deprive yourself of your favorites, it does pay to eat smart. After all, the food we eat is directly connected, not just to what size pants we’ll be wearing, but to our skin. So although you might be able to rationalize that slice of pie in exchange for a new gym membership in January, that pie can also mean a breakout of blemishes for the annual family Christmas photo. And that photo could be framed on the mantel for many years to come, so it’s best to know when to splurge and when to decline.

By far, the worst holiday splurge of all is Egg Nog. This creamy cup of deliciousness can spell disaster for your skin AND waistline. Sugar, milk and fat are a recipe for disaster when it comes to the skin. They increase oil production and therefore make your skin a perfect habitat for bacteria. If you must have your egg nog to truly feel in the holiday spirit, have a very small portion and keep the alcohol out of it.

Which brings us to a second holiday no-no. Alcohol. I know it’s difficult to deal with old Uncle Ernie without a drink your hand, but if possible, go easy on these tasty beverages. Alcohol is very dehydrating, and your body will respond by taking much needed water away from the skin, so you’ll likely end up with a dry and flaky complexion. It’s not the best look. If you must indulge, try going with clear spirits like vodka paired with a non-sugary mixer like soda water. Add a squeeze of lemon or lime for flavor.

Creamy Dips are dangerous. Don’t let the carrot you’re dipping into it fool you. These dips are generally bowls of mayo, cream cheese or sour cream. They can spell disaster for the skin. Instead set your radar on the shrimp cocktail and cocktail sauce or baked tortilla chips and salsa. These are much better options.

Beware of Casseroles and Creamed Vegetables. Yes, we understand that they are vegetables and potentially have a lot a great nutrients in them, but the term casserole or creamed should serve as a warning. Usually that means tons of cream, butter and salt, none of which are good for your skin. Get your dose of vegetables at the appetizer tray. Raw carrots, red peppers, broccoli and celery dipped in hummus is a better place to stock up on vegetables than those enveloped in lots of cream.

Potatoes are another tricky one. Like vegetables, make sure they are not stuffed with tons of cheese, bacon and sour cream. Stuffed potatoes can quickly go from healthy to not based on the toppings alone. Likely, there will be some sweet potatoes on the table as well. Stick to the these sweeter cousins as long as they are not overly candied. If they’ve got butter and marshmallow, then they can be just as bad. But a simple sweet potato with some cinnamon on it might be a delicious treat.

And last but not least, stay away from the Pie. It might look innocent enough filled with healthy fruit, but don’t be fooled. The crust is full of sugar, white flour, shortening and butter. And the fruit filling tastes great because it ‘s loaded with sugar. Pie is no friend to the skin. If you must indulge, seek out the pumpkin pie. The filling will have vitamin A and fiber in it, which is great for the skin. And if you can swing, it maybe leave the crust on the plate.

Now if you’ve got a bit of free time before your gatherings, and you think you might want to splurge a little bit, why not pre-game by scheduling yourself a facial. We’ve got just the thing to get you feeling your best so you can walk into your holiday parties feeling amazing. Schedule your appointment right here.

The Dangers of Sugar for Your Skin and Health

Sugar is everywhere. You probably already know that certain foods and beverages — such as soft drinks and candy — are loaded with sugar. But what you may not know is that the sweet stuff is added to processed foods of all kinds, from peanut butter to spaghetti sauce. Even packaged foods that are advertised as "healthy," "light," or "diet" may have a high sugar content. To make sure you're avoiding sugar in all its forms, make sure to read labels at the supermarket before buying.

The Effect on Sugar on Your Skin

If you have issues with acne, sugar could be the culprit. You've likely heard that the old adage "chocolate causes breakouts" is a myth; however, there's actually some truth to it. Any food that contains too much sugar can lead to breakouts, because sugar is an inflammatory substance. One of the easiest ways to achieve clearer, smoother, healthier skin is to simply remove sugar from your diet.

Sugar and Overall Health

It's not just your skin that's affected by sugar — this substance can have a damaging effect on your body as well. Not only can sugar raise your risk of obesity and diabetes, it can also harm your kidney and liver. In addition, sugar raises your body's level of uric acid, which can elevate your heart disease risk. By cutting sugar, you're doing both your skin and body a favor.

Tips for Reducing Your Sugar Intake

Quitting sugar doesn't have to be difficult. When you crave something sweet, reach for a piece of fruit instead of a processed piece of cake or candy. Increasing your water intake can work wonders for your sugar cravings, because water makes you feel fuller longer. Adding Omega-3 fatty acids to your diet — if you're not already consuming them — can help offset the damaging effects of sugar and soothe overall inflammation.

The longer you go without sugar, the fewer cravings you'll experience. And, once you see the positive effects of abstaining from sugar, it'll be easy to avoid this harmful substance. Self-care is a great way to nurture yourself while reducing bad habits and developing good ones. We offer a range of pampering facials that nourish your skin while reducing stress and tension.

Beauty Journey Studio: Natural Skin Care with a Gentle Approach

At Beauty Journey Studio, we use only clinical ingredients with a clean formula. All of our products are free of toxic chemicals, and we take a gentle, non-inflammatory approach to caring for your skin. We use targeted dermal delivery systems and solutions that directly address the source of acne, aging, and other skin conditions. Our products and treatments:

• Strengthen the immune system

• Increase skin circulation

• Improve scar remodeling

• Repair DNA

• Replenish growth factors

• Re-establish the skin's natural moisture barrier

• Restore antioxidant levels

• Activate collagen production

Contact us today to schedule a consultation with one of our skin care experts. Whether you want to get rid of acne or achieve younger-looking skin, we're here to help. Make sure to check out our current promotions for special money-saving deals.

PERMISSION TO REPRINT: You may use any items from this article in your print, blog, magazine or electronic newsletter. But in order to do so, you must include the following paragraph, including a link to www.thebeautyjourney.com

"Information is courtesy of www.thebeautyjourney.com, a website with skin care tips, products, treatments and advice from skin care expert and licensed esthetician, Kristina Trinh”