The Difference Between Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids & Whats the right Peel for you?

The difference between alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acids are their  lipid solubility. Alpha hydroxy acids are water soluble and beta hydroxy acids are oil soluble. So I would treat a client with acne, whiteheads & blackheads with a beta hydroxy acid (salicylic) because it would penetrate the pore dissolving  the oil and exfoliating the dead skin cells that are built up in the pore. I would treat a client with  an alpha hydroxy acid (glycolic) that has thick, sun damaged,  hyper-pigmentation, superficial wrinkles and where breakouts are not a problem.

Alpha hydroxy acids

Glycolic acid - derived from sugar canes

Lactic acid - derived from milk

Malic acid - derived from apples and pears

Citric acid - derived oranges and lemons

Tartaric acid - derived from grapes

Kojic acid- derived from maltic rice

Beta hydroxy acid

Salicylic acid - willow tree

How clean are your make-up brushes? Are you spreading bacteria causing breakouts?

Did you know you could be causing more breakouts by not cleaning your make-up brushes? Make-up brushes harbor bacteria. Every time you use them they are potentially picking up toxins, dead skin cells, oils and bacteria that are sitting on your skin. If you are having active acne breakouts you are exposing other areas of the face with the bacteria from your brushes as well as cross contaminating your make-up palettes.  Please do not share your make-up brushes you do not know how well they have cleaned or if they have cleaned their brushes.  Anything that touches your face should be clean. Cleaning your brushes are not only getting rid of bacteria but also helping to extend the life of the brushes. We know that good make-up brushes are not cheap so for optimal skin health and good care practices I think you should clean your brushes at least once a week. 

 How to clean your brushes


1. Rinse your brushes with luke-warm water
2. Apply a dime size amount of gentle shampoo or antibacterial soap to your palm and gently wipe brushes back and forth until they are good and sudsy (may repeat if needed)
3. Rinse brushes until water runs clear from them
4. Press dry with a hand towel and reshape 
5. Lay flat to dry * Another method would be to hang them from handle to dry

You can also purchase brush cleanser but this is just as effective. 

What does a facial do to the skin?

Through exfoliation, deep-cleansing of the pores, stimulating circulation, & use of professional-strength products, I can make a lot of progress towards improving your skin in a single session. 


How ? Cleansing and exfoliating remove dead skin cells. This enables the skin to absorb important vitamins & nutrients through a combination of serums & masks that are critical for healthy glowing skin. When performing a facial I can increase the circulation of blood flow in the skin & improve lymph drainage which helps get rid of toxins  in the skin of the face, neck and decollete  just by manipulation with massage & my cleansing technique. 


Facials are extremely helpful to acne clients! We need to boost the circulation to help get the sebum flowing which leads to healthier skin. With that being said clients need to have a good at home care regime to get the best results. Its very important to cleanse, exfoliate, & have a good moisturizer (even if you have oily skin!) I have had clients who say my skins oily why do I need a moisturizer? You still need to feed the skin nutrients you just need an oil-free moisturizer.


 Its very important with all skin types to protect  your skin from the outside elements !  Always use your sunscreen. Tip: Mix sunscreen  with your moisturizer if you feel like its too much by layering two or more products .