Blog Post

Programmed to Die

By: Helen Gibson-Nicholas

Beauty Expert, Health Coach, Author

OK! No one is looking forward to death, but there is something that you do want to die because it is programmed that way. In order to have HEALTHY YOUTHFUL-LOOKING SKIN, dermal cells must be born, move their way up to the epidermis, die and slough off. The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

A healthy epidermis (surface skin cells) undergoes remodeling about once a month until you get older and the process slows down. Unfortunately, as you age, those old skin cells like to "hang" around!

 

When new cells move their way to the surface, die and slough off: this is called desquamation. When I began my journey into the beauty business over 30 years ago, squam cells were the new cells born in the dermis, but today we refer to them as stem cells.


Your mission, if you choose to do it, is to remove the surface dead skin so new cells can move upward and take their rightful place on your face!! This is not mission impossible if you know what to do! As I said earlier, as you age the dead skin likes to hang around! Not only does this hinder new cell development, making the skin texture look dry and rough, but it also prevents nutrients to reach the dermis where all the ‘stem cell’ action should be occurring!


If you can afford it, you can have your face resurfaced with lasers, dermabrasion, and deep peels performed by your favorite plastic surgeon or dermatologist. Or you can focus on regular "at home" strategies that might be more affordable and with consistency, work just as well without permanently thinning the epidermis.


Masks, scrubs, Alpha and Beta Acid Serums (AHA’s and BHA’s), light peels, and microdermabrasion really do work. It’s all about daily, weekly, and monthly EXFOLIATION!! 

Remember Marie Antoinette and her milk baths, raw sugar cane rituals by Polynesian women, red wine skin regimens of the English aristocracy, or even grandma’s advice about rubbing a lemon on your elbows and knees? This is nothing new, today it’s just wrapped up into prettier packaging.

I want to focus on Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids and Enzyme Exfoliates. Lactic acid comes from milk, tartaric acid from grapes, citric acid from lemons, malic acid from apples, glycolic acid from sugar cane, and are known as AHA’s. Salicylic acid comes from the bark of a willow tree and is a BHA. These acids dissolve the glue between the cells that keep HOLDING ON too long. As skin cells are exfoliated and leave the skin’s surface, new cells are triggered to be born to take their place.



Papain, bromelain, and other exfoliating enzymes come from pineapple, papaya, pumpkin, mushrooms, grapefruit, green tea, and lemon. These enzymes gently dissolve dead skin cells and are more tolerated for sensitive skin types.

HELLO GORGEOUS TO THE RESCUE for this mission impossible home care solutions to exfoliate and renew your skin’s surface.



TRIPLE ACTION YOUTH SERUM – A strong blend of glycolic and lactic acid to slough surface debris and hyaluronic acid for plumping and hydrating. Apply 1 or 2 coats over face and neck area and leave on overnight 1 to 2 nights in place of PM cream or apply for a couple of hours in the morning, then exfoliate with Honey Jojoba Scrub, followed by serums and AM cream.



ALPHA BETA ACID SERUM - Combines glycolic and salicylic along with hyaluronic for superb exfoliation and renewal. Apply two coats all over the face and neck for 1 to 2 hours, then exfoliate with the Honey Jojoba Scrub. Follow with serums and AM or PM creams.



PUMPKIN ENZYME EXFOLIATOR – An incredible blend of enzymes that include all of the above-mentioned, to remove dead skin gently to promote skin renewal. Use daily to enhance exfoliation with our Honey Jojoba Scrub or use in place of your PM cream one night a week.



HONEY JOJOBA SCRUB – Honey, aloe, and dissolving jojoba beads make this a safe but effective daily exfoliator. Each morning remove dead skin cells for a smoother skin’s surface. Apply serums and moisturizer, then makeup if needed.



The skin cells in the epidermis are programmed to die, but sometimes need a little help to be removed. When you are young, your skin’s renewal cycle is around 28 days usually without a hitch. As you age, 10 to 20 days are added to that cycle, and they just want to stay!!! 

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