Before you run out to purchase new skincare, let's purge together and make room for multi-tasking formulas designed for your specific needs.
We’re going to start by saying this is a no-judgment zone. We, too, have had 4-year-old beauty products lingering in our vanity. Unused, too-oily moisturizers taking up precious real estate in our beauty cabinet, on our shelves, or in our drawer. Specialty serums still on our shelves. You get it.
Many of us have no problem decluttering our lives Marie Kondo style, so why can’t we seem to part with these products? Well, for one, we spend a lot of money on products. And, we genuinely want them to work – like they said they would. But as the weeks and months go by, and bottles of serums and creams go unused, there’s a good chance those active ingredients are slowly losing their efficacy.
We asked our founder, Hillary Clark to help us out. This time of year, you can find her editing the vanities and beauty cabinets of her beauty-loving friends and celeb clients, sorting through their products and assessing their skin concerns. She helps them get real about what they are actually using. (And yes, this almost always involves a lot of laughs and applying toss-outs as body masks on the spot.) Here are her top three tips for cleaning out the precious beauty cabinet.
1. Categorize and Clean
Start by taking a look at all expiration dates and tossing old products. Then, look at your skin and identify your current goals and areas of concern. Hormonal Breakouts? Fine lines? Dry skin? Noted.
Then, remove all products from your beauty cabinet and sort them into categories by benefit or usage. Only put aside the products that address your current concerns and you actually use. (Not sure if a product actually works? Start here.) Now, throw away any products that have expired.
Pro Tip: If you don’t have the heart to throw away products that aren’t expired but that you never use, follow our lead and use those products on your body (or, even in your hair as a mask instead.)
2. Create an AM and PM Routine
Let’s focus on the pile of products that you actually do use – or want to use – on a regular basis. Divide by category and look for active ingredients to determine where they fit into your AM or PM routine. For example, caffeine is a great ingredient for de-puffing in the morning and has diuretic properties that keep fluids from pooling under your eyes while you sleep which is why we put it in our Eye Serum.
3. Label and Organize
Now that you have your favorite products sorted by AM and PM routines, you can label and organize them by category and the time of day that you use them. For example, divide your products by face and neck, then body, and then hair – for morning and night. You can also store all of your weekly treatments together.
Share your before & after Beauty Cabinet Clean Out photos with us @beautyhac.
Sweep away trapped fluid that contributes to eye bags and heavy lids while delivering firming and hydrating ingredients with our cooling eye roller designed to work 360 around the entire eye area.
]]>Puffy eyes and visible bags are caused by stagnant fluid that pool around the orbital bone stretching delicate eye skin.
Sweep away trapped fluid that contributes to eye bags and heavy lids while delivering firming and hydrating ingredients with our cooling eye roller designed to work 360 around the entire eye area.
]]>Tired, puffy looking skin from countless sleepless nights, edited or non-existent ‘Me Time’ and abandoning your favorite ‘See-The-Difference’ skincare products for safe formulations are sacrifices that new Mom’s don’t have to make with Beauty HAC.
We’ve HAC’d your skincare practice with pampering roller applicators that make every application ‘Me Time’. Even better, they are attached to multi-tasking serums that deliver ‘See-The-Difference’ results- thanks to ingredients proven to be effective and safe for new Moms and Baby.
Safe, See-The-Difference Ingredients
Our approach to results-driven skin care is different. With Beauty HAC, you get the visible results from our ingredients without the risks and side effects of aggressive topicals.
Rather than bullying and aggressing your skin into action with irritating, pro-inflammatory ingredients that, overtime, compromise cellular function and can lead to premature aging and stressed skin, we focus on supporting cellular function with gentle and equally effective alternatives.
For example, we refine texture by stimulating cell turnover and collagen production with Bakuchiol, aka nature’s retinol which has been clinically proven to work as well as retinol without the irritation, UV sensitivity and potential contraindications for Mother and Baby.
Hyperpigmentation and “Pregnancy Mask”
Fluctuating hormones can make skin overproduce melanin resulting in stubborn dark spots and patches on the face and neck after pregnancy.
Harsh acids and bleaching agents often employed to combat dark spots and fine lines are are exactly that- HARSH. Not recommended during breastfeeding and they can make you more prone to hyperpigmentation by weakening your barrier.
Our formulas work to regulate the cells that produce melanin to safely prevent hyperpigmentation before it starts and combine ingredients proven to safely lighten existing dark spots.
Brightening Vitamin C Ester lightens, Targeted Peptides inhibit dark spots formation and clinically proven Antioxidants protect from melanocyte triggers in both of our formulas for the Neck, Face and Eyes.
Beauty HAC’s specifically selected ingredients Prevent, Protect and Correct.
Prevent: Tyrosinase inhibitors help to prevent dark spots before they start.
Protect: UV and Stress Hormones can trigger melanin production. Our expertly formulated Antioxidant Blend strengthens the cell membrane and mitochondria while reducing radiation-induced DNA damage that leads to the destruction of collagen and elastin. Astaxanthin, Vit CEster, Ferulic Acid, CoQ10, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Triple Teas, Algae Matrix
Correct: Bakuchiol and Hibiscus Flower gently and effectively improve cell turn over to reveal new skin while Vitamin C Ester, Teas, Algaes, Mushrooms and Peptides brighten stubborn melanin deposits.
Beauty HAC = Skincare that IS Self-Care
Roller applicators makes every application an act of self care- with each sweep, you feel tension fall away as you massage tired muscles, support lymphatic drainage and see the results of a mini spa treatment at home.
Lymphatic Drainage immediately works to start draining stagnant and excess fluids that commonly linger during and after pregnancy.
Daily use of the rollers has a cumulative effect and daily use keeps the lymphatic system active reducing swelling and related stretching that cause wrinkles. The results: visibly firmer, tighter skin, awake looking eyes and chiseled cheek and jawlines.
“You’d never know that I have a newborn that keeps me up all night. Sometimes, I think that I shouldn’t use my roller so often because I’d get more help, lol.
The tint in your Eye Cream brightens my circles right away and the roller make the puffiness disappear.
My friends say that I look like I sleep through the night- from the neck up at least.”
Lexi, 34 Baby Penn, 9 weeks NYC
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It's that time of year- Spring inspires us to fling open our vanities to clear out expired, heavy formulas to make way for fresh, new lightweight versions.
After months snuggled up in sweaters eating comfort foods, we feel the urge to do the same internally and it all starts by kick-starting your lymphatic system from head to toe.
As your largest organ, your skin is responsible for managing and eliminating waste with help from your lymphatic system- the lymphatic system is literally your body's housekeeper and after the long winter months, She is ready to start Spring Cleaning!
Before you panic, note that your skin and body aren't technically "dirty" (no scare tactics here) however, most of us aren't as active or likely to practice all over body care rituals during chilly winter months and waste fluids can become stagnant in our lymphatic capillaries leading to puffiness, dull skin, a touchy immune system and even brain fog.
Time to dust off your shelves and make room for body brushes, scalp massaging tools, rollers and new exercise routines to reinvigorate you lymphatic system and get your Spring 2022 Detox Glow.
Here's How:
Dry Brushing
Get ready to rev up your energy -even before your morning cup of coffee. We like to dry brush before our morning shower; it only takes a few minutes and gets your system pumping- literally.
Start at the palms of your feet and sweep upward in light, brisk strokes toward your abdomen. Next, extend your arms and sweep downward in the same manner from the palms of your hands to your heart.
Benefits include:
Scalp Stimulation
Take extra time to brush conditioner or hair treatments through your hair with scalp stimulating brushed curved to hug the contours of your cranium.
Benefits include:
Exercise
Moving your body for just 15 minutes at a time activates the large lymphatic pumps located in your armpits, groin and stomach to rev up full body lymphatic drainage.
Benefits include:
Face and Neck Lymphatic Massage
The lymph nodes located in the face and neck are responsible for moving fluids that contribute to puffy eyes, heavy jowls and a thick neck. Rolling with Beauty HAC’s Treatment Rollers activate lymphatic drainage and microcirculation for an immediate GLOW.
Benefits include:
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Now you know too - cosmeceutical ingredients like Retinol, Hyaluronic Acid, and Arbutin are inspired by nature and clinical studies have shown natural versions to be more powerful, delivering more benefits with fewer complications than their laboratory-born look-a-likes.
Up your Hydration Game with Snow Mushroom, aka Nature’s Hyaluronic Acid.
This mighty little mushroom holds 5 times more water than HA and its smaller particle size allows it to penetrate more deeply to lock in moisture.
Snow Mushroom plays well with other active ingredients like Vitamin C Ester and Peptides. Unlike Hyaluronic Acid, it has a velvet cushion touch and never feels sticky.
We’ve got your Bak with Bakuchiol- better known as nature’s retinol.
Studies have shown that bakuchiol works like retinol to assist cell turnover and helps to prevent fine lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation while boosting elasticity and firmness without the irritation associated with retinol.
Astaxanthin makes flamingos pink. This powerful carotenoid antioxidant is found in the algae that our colorful friends eat and it turns them their signature hue to protect them from sunburn. (sadly, Humans still need SPF)
We added Astaxanthin to protect from UV damage and according to scientific studies, Astaxanthin is known to be 6000x more potent than vitamin C - it acts like in internal SPF for your cells.
Tea is for Tyrosinase (blocker)
If dark spots on your skin are not your cup of tea, then look to that very same cup to help prevent hyperpigmentation. For millennia, Asian cultures have relied on the protecting and brightening properties of green, white, black, and purple teas.
Science has revealed that teas work to block Tyrosinase, the enzyme responsible for the formation of melanin production.
We power-pack our bases with efficacy-enhancing naturals like Centella Asiatica, Aloe and Algae instead of using cheap cosmetic fillers that dilute potency and can cause irritation.
Our bio-available bases are readily assimilated by your skin and boost the efficacy of our clinical ingredients, nourish and deeply hydrate.
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In one word: YES. Sugar is a skin villain that can make collagen brittle and "break", leading to wrinkles.
Before you panic and leave the page because you don't want to hear it, read on- we've included ingredients to help prevent the dreaded 'SUGAR SAG'. (yes, that's a real term used by dermatologists.)
Ever wonder why your skin looks BLAH, during the Holiday Season? We tend to blame it on stress and lack of sleep but SUGAR plays a major role too.
Dermatologists call it ‘Sugar Sag’ and blame the loss of elasticity and sallow color on ‘Glycation’.
When you consume sugar, the glucose from the carbohydrates and sugar molecules float around your bloodstream before attaching themselves to proteins and lipids in your body. This is the protein glycation process.
When they attach to these lipids and proteins, they form new molecules, referred to as AGEs or advanced glycation end products.
Glycation degrades these important proteins in a similar fashion to the way rust weakens and degrades metal; by hardening and loosening elasticity in the skin. The end result is skin that sags and is at a higher risk of lines and wrinkles.
Eat The Cake. Sip The Champagne. Roll Your Beauty HAC.
The good news- our Serum contains Cebula Fruit, a known Glycation inhibitor. Clinical studies show that the antiglycating activity of chebulic acid, isolated from Terminalia Chebula Fruit breaks the cross-links of proteins induced by AGEs and inhibiting the formation of AGEs.
So, have the cake and Roll With Beauty HAC!
✨Neck / Face Serum
✨Eye Creme Serum
#sugar #glycation #BeautyHAC #holiday #glow #wrinkle #defense #naturalskincare #healthyskin
Astaxanthin is a powerful carotenoid antioxidant found in the algae that our colorful friends including flamingos, salmon and lobster feast upon- it gives them their signature hue AND acts as a natural SPF. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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So, what can it do for our skin? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
No, it won't turn your skin pink and it won't replace your SPF. HOWEVER, it can inhibit UV- induced free radical damage and studies have shown that Astaxanthin improves skin elasticity and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
According to a 2007 scientific study, it is known to be 6000x more potent than vitamin C and also improves the moisture content in the skin.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
We took a hint from Mother Nature and included it in our Eye Treatment Roller- yes, that is why the gel-crème is that flamingo tone. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Bonus, it acts as a color- corrector to cancel out the purple/blue undertones that contribute to dark circles. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Fancy, huh?
INGREDIENT HAC: Bakuchiol
We’ve got your Bak with Bakuchiol- better known as nature’s retinol. Studies have shown that bakuchiol helps prevent fine lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation while boosting elasticity and firmness without the irritation associated with retinol. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Cool fact- it works through the same receptors that retinol uses, which is why many refer to it as a natural retinol alternative. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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While retinol is powerful, it’s a known fact that it can be irritating to sensitive skin types and increases photosensitivity. This is exactly why we chose to add #Bakuchiol to our Neck / Face Treatment Roller. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Bakuchiol is a plant-derived retinol alternative that serves the same amazing benefits as #retinol but is gentler to serve all skin types! Bakuchiol is derived from the Babchi plant. The Babchi plant has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese medicine and is taking center stage in modern skincare.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Here are some of our favorite Bakuchiol benefits-⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
~Refines and evens out skin tone: Bakuchiol deeply penetrates the skin to help lessen the appearance of dark spots or areas of hyperpigmentation⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
~Reduces the appearance of fine lines: Bakuchiol activates your cells to make collagen, reducing the look of lines and wrinkles⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
~Doesn't cause dryness or irritation: While retinol and other skincare ingredients may dry out skin or cause irritation, bakuchiol is gentler and isn't known to cause the same irritation as retinol ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
~Speeds up skin cell regeneration: Bakuchiol sends signals to your cells to help amp up collagen production and cell turnover⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
~Unlike retinol, it is safe to use during sun exposure ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
~Safe to use TWICE a day: Since bakuchiol isn't as drying or irritating as retinol, you can use it both during your morning and nighttime skincare routines.
Move over Hyaluronic Acid.
Up your Hydration Game with Snow Mushroom, aka Nature’s Hyaluronic Acid.
This mighty little mushroom holds 5 times more water than HA and its smaller particle size allows it to penetrate easily and more deeply while forming a protective layer on the skin to help keep the barrier intact, lock in moisture and soften skin texture.
Plus, it is full of antioxidants to defend against free radicals and Vitamin D to promote healthy cell growth and healing.
Just ONE of our Powerful Ingredients in Beauty HAC! 💗
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#humectant #hyaluronic #hyaluronicacid #hydrate #plump #mushroom
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When our Lead Chemist reviewed our lab briefs, she slowly raised her eyes from the screen and looked at us like we were crazy because we spared no expense when sourcing specialty ingredients to combine with clinical levels of Peptides and Vitamin C Ester.
"These gorgeous decks are comprised of mostly specialty ingredients - do you realize the implications on the time to source and the costs involved- are you aware of how expensive these formulas will be?!?"
Yep, we are. And that is the #1 reason that you will never find Beauty HAC on a shelf in a fancy department store. (Trust, we LOVE a fancy skincare store as much as anyone, but, it doesn't fit our promise to you.) Instead of spending on going into retail, we choose to invest in the products themselves and save you from paying retail mark-up. More on that in another blog.
Back to the ingredients...
You see, some brands add a few buzz-worthy, marketing-approved ingredients to an existing formula, slap a label on it, and call it NEW.
Not us. After decades in the beauty industry as an Educator, Esthetician, Beauty Editor, Artist, and Consumer Advocate, our founder, Hillary Anne Clark, learned a thing or two about how the skin works and how products are made. She won’t stand for anything but the best, and that meant starting from scratch by sourcing the highest quality ingredients and auditioning numerous chemists and laboratories to find ones that share our passion and credo to develop our formulas.
By leaning into what she learned from renowned Dermatologists, Cosmetic Chemists, Celebrity Estheticians, and through her in-depth studies with European, Eastern, and Ayurvedic practitioners, Hillary set out to create products that are both HOLISTIC AND CLINICAL.
Meaning, we searched the globe for ingredients that have stood the test of time for efficacy and bio-availability in a laboratory setting then, paired them with detoxifying rollers designed to benefit the skin from the inside out and outside in.
Our Serums are a labor of love and major ingenuity. Set by our uncompromising standards that deliver immediate and long-term results, we designed our formulations over 19 months and tested HUNDREDS of lab samples before approving our signature serums.
We believe that the term "clean beauty" is over-used, misunderstood and leveraged to sell you, the consumer. Take a deep dive into our ingredient decks, we've mapped many of our sources and take you on a journey to discover their origins and ancient applications.
Like the Rollers? Thanks, they are exclusively ours. After trying every roller and applicator out there- literally- we selected the FLAT rollers because they activate lymphatic cleansing without closing the lymphatic channels- which can happen with domes rollers- while covering more surface area to drive the serum into the skin and stimulate circulation for an immediate glow!
]]>Do you know that exfoliation is one of the most misunderstood skincare steps and when done too aggressively- or too often- can do the most long-term damage?!?
We are here help you determine what type of exfoliation is right for YOUR skin right now- we will demystify the misinformation surrounding one of the most crucial steps in your skincare practice.
So, how do you know what exfoliation method is right for you? Below, we have made a simple list of “DO’s” and “Dont's”; categorized by skin type and current condition- think of it as your quick reference guide anytime that your skin is freaking out or looks and feels “blah”.
First, a few facts:
Do you know that your skin exfoliates on its own every single day?
Your body is a self-cleaning machine that is always replacing old, tired cells with new, fresh ones bursting with energy and ready to assist your body as it completes its daily tasks.
In fact, every bodily organ (except for your brain and eyes) has its own dedicated cycle and timeline for renewal; every seven years, you have an entirely new skeleton! The skin, which is the body’s largest organ, is on a 28-day cycle of regeneration, meaning, that every 28 days the uppermost layer of skin, the epidermis has fully shed and replenished itself with new cells.
You may be wondering why we bother with the exfoliation step if our skin does it on its own…? It’s simple- as we age, the rate at which our cells “turn over” or replace themselves slows down leaving skin looking dull. Luckily, with the help of a physical or chemical (we will explain the differnce) exfoliant, dead skin is removed, revealing newer, fresher looking skin below and the BIG BONUS is that treatment products like essences, serums with active ingredients like Vitamin C and Peptides can penetrate much more easily and deeply into new cells where they can work better which maximizes benefits like brightening, lightening and tightening of the epidermis.
What is the difference between a physical and a chemical exfoliant?
A physical exfoliant is any product that requires a rubbing or scrubbing action, hence the term 'manual exfoliation'. This could be a scrub that you apply with your hands. Or it could be a tool that does the scrubbing action for you, such as a battery-powered facial brush.
A chemical exfoliant is any product that contains acids or enzymes; when these ingredients are applied to skin, they gently dissolve the 'glue' that cements dead skin cells together.
The “DO’s” and “OMG, Pleeeaaassseeee Don’ts!” of Exfoliation by Skin Type or Condition
Inflamed, Cystic Acne
DO!:
-Look for soothing and gentle anti-inflammatory ingredients like Aloe Vera and Centella Asiatica in cooling gel and hydrogel bases. Keep your skincare in the refrigerator for an extra cooling sensation.
-Minimize friction and cross contamination on your skin. Silk pillowcases are naturally more resistant to bacteria and don’t “pull” on your skin when you move your face on your pillow.
-Clean sweep- wash all face towels and pillowcases regularly. There are companies that make towels and pillowcases woven with antimicrobial silver which keeps towels and pillowcases clean longer and helps to kill bacteria.
-Carry an anti-inflammatory spot treatment with you throughout the day to calm angry breakouts; look for alcohol free formulas with ingredients like Aloe, Willow Bark and Sugar Ferment.
OMG, Don’t!:
-Even think about coming near active, inflamed cystic bumps with ANY type of scrub or cleansing brush - the friction caused will literally infuriate the infection deep within in the pore and the surrounding inflamed areas making it soooooo much worse; because the skin is stretched so taunt over a bulging infection, the uppermost layers of the epidermis are weakened and you can literally tear your face open with a harsh scrub or brush. Guess what happens then....... more bacteria can enter the open skin and you can SCAR!
-Ever pick or attempt at-home “extractions”. Pretty please, leave this to the professionals. The chances are WAY too high that you may reintroduce MORE bacteria and cause a scar.
-EVER let the sun hit your face without SPF protection- preferably physical block which will protect you from acne scars that will turn into dark marks for the rest of your life.
-Over treat or over mask. We know, it's almost impossible to ignore a cyst from the moment you feel the tingle of a “seed” developing deep beneath the skin. It becomes a 24 hour a day distraction and over treating or manipulating can further irritate and cause the pocket to burst internally into surrounding pores.
Sensitive, Rashy Skin
DO!:
-Patch test as a rule. We know, this is super annoying, especially when you are excited to try something new and fancy or that promises to relieve your reactive conditions. Beat best is to try behind your ear overnight.
-Know what causes your reactions and avoid contact with anything that contains that product or related ingredients. For example, do you know that the skin of the mango can irritate people that are super sensitive to poison ivy because the two are distant relatives?
-Chill out. Keep water temperatures between cool and lukewarm. Avoid ice and hot water on delicate areas.
OMG, Don’t!:
-Rush with new products. If you are truly sensitive like some of us here, you've rushed home SO excited to try THE MIRACLE ingredient / product that promises to finally relieve your skin... only to hit the ceiling as soon as you slather whatever it is on your face that stings to high heaven. (Rework this last bit)
-Pick at or peel your skin- you will expose inflamed, vulnerable baby-like new skin and you will SCAR!
-Step foot outside without SPF protection. If your skin is scaly, rashy or has a crust from eczema or psoriasis the sun will cause deep Hyperpigmentation and can even cause blistering if you are taking certain medications.
-Share products with friends or allow any type of cross- contamination. Use Q-Tips or wands to scoop product out of jars and be aware of how funky products can become if you are dipping your fingers in to get to the product.
Normal Skin
DO!:
-Have a blast- literally! Try it all-never too aggressively- and alternate between physical and chemical exfoliants every few days.
-Change up your skincare for the seasons and climate change like beach vacations or ski getaways.
OMG, Don’t!:
-Get overconfident because you have never had a real reaction to products or had real skin conditions. We have seen people with gorgeous skin get aggressive and use products meant for less delicate parts of the body on the face or, take the “more is better approach” with skincare and end up with a contact dermatitis or a rosacea diagnosis.
-Everything in moderation for a normal skin.
Combo Skin
DO!:
-You know who you are, you have moody, sometimes confused skin. Some days it’s perfect and others its just plain freaking OUT. If you feel like your skin has a split personality, you are not alone, you have combo skin- for sure. Trust us, we have all been there- we have a plan of attack that you can rely on no matter what is going on with your skin to make it manageable. because your skin has different zones or sometimes acts confused in certain areas, you will map your face and choose your exfoliant to match each area. If that sounds
-Face Mapping- if your T zone is a little oily and congested cleanse or exfoliate that area with a gentle scrub like bamboo or lava powder- both are full of minerals to balance and absorb oil without stripping. On normal to dry areas, apply a gentle chemical exfoliant loaded with AHA’s and BHA’s to digest dead skin, cleanse pores and reveal fresh, bright skin.
OMG, Don’t!:
-Strip your oily areas. Compared to the Normal-to-Dry areas on your face, the Oily-ish (shiney) areas may seem like your pores are gushing oil! It’s just contrast and stripping your skin with harsh ingredients will only confuse your sebaceous glands more and make them think that they are dry kicking oil production into overdrive. Not good.
-Remember, managing combo skin is a BALANCING ACT.
-Don't confuse your skin further by jumping around from product to product and brand to brand
Dry Skin
DO!:
-Sleep in a mask. Many brands offer a hydrating sleep mask that will work hard for your skin during this time of cellular regeneration. A sleep mask assists deep hydration and penetration.
-Pay attention to your neck and décolleté- consider this an extension of your face and treat it with the same care.
-Spritz throughout the day with a revitalizing antioxidant mist and re- apply your SPF.
-Read labels and stick with nourishing and bioavailable, organic emollients like shea, olive, almond and coconut oils and butters.
OMG, Don’t!:
-hot is a NOT! Hot water will further dehydrate and disrupt the lipid barrier stripping and throwing skin into a sensitive reactive state.
-Use Petrochemicals- they may feel good going on- rich and hydrating to the touch but they are actually creating a wax like mask that smothers the skin and blocks the absorption of the good active and hydrating ingredients. (Example of petros here with a link to something scary)
ALL SKIN TYPES AND CONCERNS
Nope. Nope. Nope.
Never, ever, ever, ever experiment with an at home microdermabrasion device. If you own one, chances are that you are like us and may lean a little toward the skincare junkie / OCD side...and the likelihood of overdoing it is HIGH. It is so easy to get carried away with microderm machines but it’s nearly impossible to see in the magnification and from the angle necessary to give yourself a good treatment- not to suck to hard, go too deep and break blood vessels. That story does not end well. Please, put the device down and back away....
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This regimen is all about waking up and prepping skin – and protecting it from the sun, pollution, and other harmful aggressors.
No. 1 – Cleanser
In the morning, start by splashing your face with cold water. And, use a gentle milky cleanser if you used a heavy night cream or sleep mask the night before.
No. 2 – Toner or Essence
Hillary likes to use a botanical or antioxidant essence if her skin is feeling dehydrated – or she just wants a little extra moment of pampering.
No. 3 – Antioxidant Serum
Serums are nutrient-dense and loaded with goodness that addresses specific skin concerns, so it’s best to keep them as close to the skin as possible. To really maximize absorption, you can use a roller to work the serum deeply into the skin and set lymphatic cleansing in motion. (Don’t forget your neck and decolletage).
Try: Beauty H-A-C Face/Neck
No. 4 – Eye Serum or Cream
Use an eye cream or serum consistently once or twice a day to maintain the health and thickness of your thin eyelid skin. This will help maintain a smoother more taut appearance. Hillary recommends covering the ENTIRE eye area, all 360 degrees, including the lids. If you want a quick pick-me-up, opt for a serum or cream with caffeine in it, like our Beauty H-A-C Eye. Caffeine is a vasoconstrictor, which means that it causes blood vessels to contract, minimizing veins and dark circles. Coffee is also a diuretic that pulls out the puffiness from excess fluids.
Try: Beauty H-A-C Eye
No. 7 – Moisturizer
Everyone needs a moisturizer. Even if your skin is on the oily side. Most experts recommend applying moisturizer while your skin is still damp, so you can lock in that hydration.
No. 6 – SPF
Never leave home without a physical SPF (rather than a chemical SPF). A physical SPF is like putting on a coat of armor, which gives you total sun blockage right away. Containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, physical sunscreen sits on the surface of skin, deflecting sunlight so it doesn’t even have the chance to penetrate the surface.
Your skin naturally repairs itself at night, so this routine is all about nourishing and pampering.
No. 1 – Cleanse
To remove makeup and sunscreen, you can use an oil that emulsifies with water or an oil-based cleanser. If you want a gentle exfoliation, Hillary loves using surgical gauze pads to provide the tiniest amount of friction. (Plus, they’re affordable and planet friendly.)
No. 2 – Toners, Essences, Boosters
If you’re using a toner, you can continue just the way you would in the morning. We don’t recommend cocktailing too many beauty products here. Keep it simple and let your skin absorb the most-needed ingredients from your serum. Too many steps can increase the risk of irritation and decrease the likelihood of results.
No. 3 – Serum & Roller
Like the rest of the body, the skin does the majority of its repairing and restoring during the night. So, don’t be afraid to really slather on the serum of your choosing. We love our Beauty H-A-C Face/Neck because it's packed with Holistic and Clinical ingredients that nourish and repair skin. At night, we apply it all over the face and neck and take our time with the roller. It’s great to activate lymphatic cleansing before bed because there’s plenty of time to eliminate toxins while you sleep.
Try: Beauty H-A-C Face/Neck
No. 4 – Eyes
Use a hydrating eye cream – like Beauty H-A-C Eye – and make sure to follow it up by sweeping a smaller roller from the inner to outer eye to release toxins. This is especially important if you’re a side sleeper. By applying a serum and rolling, you can help reduce the appearance of fine lines.
Try: Beauty H-A-C Eye
No. 5 – Moisturizer or Sleep Mask
Go all in for an extra dose of delicious hydration. Your skin has all night to really let these nourishing ingredients absorb and sink in.
See? We don’t have a 20-step beauty routine. We believe in keeping it simple and allowing your skin to actually absorb the ingredients without getting overwhelmed and irritated. Listen to your skin and find what works for you. And, when you do, share it with us @beautyhac.
Domed Rollers
While domed rollers are good for facial massage and stimulating micro circulation, they aren’t very effective when it comes to lymphatic cleansing. In fact, their shape can actually cause fluid and waste material to get trapped under the skin and in the lymphatic capillaries, rather than being released and moved towards the lymph nodes where it can be eliminated. (Need a refresher on lymphatic cleansing and its benefits? Start here.)
Lymphatic channels (or capillaries) are very close to the surface of the skin and are designed so that fluid only flows in one direction: towards the lymph nodes and eventually to the heart.
The dome in the center of most rollers actually pinches the capillaries closed when you roll over them. It acts as a pressure point, trapping fluid under the eyes (hello, eye bags) or throughout the face (puffiness).
Flat Rollers
Fear not, we developed a flat roller to combat this very concern. Flat rollers evenly distribute very light pressure and gently sweep fluids through the capillaries where they can be eliminated. We use this innovative flat head on our Beauty H-A-C System, so you can de-puff and activate lymphatic cleansing. Keeping in mind the capillaries, whenever you roll, you always want to sweep the roller outwards and down towards the lymph nodes – not back-and-forth on the face – unless you are starting with a facial massage and finishing with lymphatic drainage.
Ready to get rolling (the right way)? Join us at @beautyhac for tips and tutorials.
So, what does this really all mean? And, is it even possible? We’ll break it down for you.
Holistic
We take a 360-degree approach to beauty. We use natural, skin-loving ingredients in our clean bases to compliment and assist the penetration of the clinical ingredients. Meaning? Your skin will naturally recognize and absorb all of these ingredients. And, believe it or not, this isn’t always the case with your skincare products. If you take a hard look at the ingredients in an average cosmetic product, there will be a ton of water, along with fillers, perfumes, harmful preservatives – and then only a small amount of active ingredients. Crazy, right?
We also considered the entire experience with our products as a whole, which is why we added the stainless steel roller applicator. By applying our serums with a roller, our products deliver holistic therapy through the stimulation of microcirculation and lymphatic cleansing. We like to think of it as skincare meets self-care.
Clinical
As women, we spend a lot of money on products with false promises. The quick fix. The miracle cure. The newest fad. As a beauty industry veteran, that’s just one thing our founder, Hillary, won’t stand for. Our products use natural and cosmeceutical ingredients. For many of our ingredients, we use clinical testing to ensure real results. Take our Vitamin C Ester for example. We found that at 3%, the ingredient is more stable and has shown remarkable clinical results to brighten dark spots, soften surface skin, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Contrary to popular belief, ingredients don’t have to be born in a lab to be clinically proven. In fact, many of our natural ingredients – like caffeine, astaxanthin, green tea, and adaptogen mushrooms – come right from nature (holistic), but are clinically proven to really work. Even the technique of lymphatic cleansing with rollers has clinically measured results. No hype. No spin. No beauty buzz.
So combine Holistic and Clinical and what do you get? You get luxurious, featherweight serums and innovative flat rollers that have the muscle to heal, nourish, and protect. Every single time.
Questions? Reach out to us on Instagram @beautyhac.
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Hillary Clark is a beauty industry veteran, professional makeup artist, and the founder of Beauty H-A-C. (Yes, H-A-C does stand for Hillary Ann Clark, but it also stands for Holistic And Clinical). She’s spent more than two decades dedicated to helping women make great beauty choices.
The Early Days
Hillary likes to say she had the good fortune of growing up in a “Beauty Family” of female entrepreneurs. Her Grandmother was the first female lingerie buyer for a major department store in the Bay Area (hello, grandma girl boss). And, Hillary’s mother and aunt started working in beauty boutiques in early school and continued throughout early adulthood. Her aunt is still in the beauty business and has owned her beauty boutique for over 30 years. Major role models.
It’s no surprise Hillary caught the beauty bug early, stealing her mother’s Chanel lipstick and experimenting with just about any product she could get her hands on.
From Beauty Counter to the Skincare Brand
Hillary began her career working in the cosmetic department at Nordstrom, where she soon was promoted as Beauty Director. Not long after, Sephora.com recruited Hillary to assist in launching one of the first retail beauty websites. It was 1999 and it was the Wild West of online beauty. And, she thrived.
Working bi-coastally as the West Coast Beauty Editor, she partnered with NYC editorial staff and contributed to Beauty Stories for Sephora Magazine. As a seasoned makeup artist, she was able to work backstage for NYFW on the artistry team for Betsey Johnson, Zang Toi, Richard Tyler, and more.
It was a dream come true... until it wasn’t. The corporate structure of Sephora.com changed and became less artistic as the company grew. So in 2002, Hillary left to open her boutique, Blush Beauty, on Union Street in San Francisco. It had a Glam-Squad service model as a by-appointment atelier — the precursor to the personalized services we now know and expect today.
Her boutique took off. It was featured in Allure Magazine, Allure Brides Magazine, and in the New York Times Sunday Magazine feature ‘Beauty 911.’ She was working bi-continental, living between Switzerland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, seeing private clients while studying the European aesthetic for skincare. (Yes, it was as awesome as it sounds.)
When she finally returned to the US, Hillary became more involved with brands like Stila, Lorac, and Perricone MD. And here begins her venture into product development.
Hillary’s Brainchild: Beauty H-A-C
As Hillary began aging (gracefully, we may add), she found there were still some much-needed products missing in the beauty world. And, after being in the beauty business for more than two decades, she knew what exists and what doesn’t. She set out to create her own “I Wish I Had This” products.
Enter Beauty H-A-C. Hillary was determined to start with products that shared the powerful lymphatic cleansing and collagen-building power of rollers. She decided to create a product that simplified the steps and maximized the benefits: a more delicate roller for the eyes, and a larger roller for the face and neck, attached to a skin-loving serum. And, voila. Beauty H-A-C is not just her business, it is all of her beauty experience and passion wrapped into proven Holistic And Clinical products. And, she can’t wait to share them with you all.
For beauty tips right from the source, follow Hillary on Instagram @hillaryclarkbeauty.
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