Your Questions Answered

I have a client that is very concerned about the ingredient Propylene Glycol and how it is produced.  Specifically this product concerns her because this product is a major ingredient in automotive antifreeze.  With so many of our products containing this ingredient, how is this ingredient produced? 

We use a pharmaceutical grade of Propylene Glycol that is specifically formulated for foods, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products through a rigorous purification process.  The purpose of propylene glycol in skin care products is to act as a humectant to draw moisture to the skin and help keep the skin hydrated.  This is not the same industrial grade of propylene glycol that is used for purposes other than food/cosmetic/pharmaceutical use.

I have a new client with very deep wrinkles around her mouth, chin, cheeks and forehead. She also has droopiness and deep wrinkles around her eyes. I got her started on the 50+ maintenance set and Microdermabrasion. I need help on what other repair and prevention products to get her started on. I had her use the TFF at the spa and really didn't see the dramatic results that I expected to see and have seen with others. What would be the best regimen for her? She lives in Southern California and I suspect much of her damage is caused by years in the sun. She was going to go to a consultation for dermal fillers, but cancelled her appointment. I don't want to disappoint her. Thanks for your help.

I might recommend that you have your client log onto BeautiControl.com and take the Skin Care E Profile.  This will give her recommendations of what would be most effective.

I have several broken capillaries on my face and seem to be getting more as I get older. Does Beauticontrol have a product that will help with this condition? I am afraid that as time goes by my entire face will be purple. Will vitamins also help?
Broken capillaries, especially on the face are a cosmetic problem.  They occur when tiny capillaries have been stretched so often by the pressure from larger veins that they have become permanently dilated. The abnormal dilation weakens the capillary walls causing them to rupture easily. When the wall ruptures, blood seeps out and flows down along the pathway made by surrounding capillaries. When the blood dries the result is a web like bruise we know as broken capillaries.
Although we do not have any products that are formulated to treat this condition, you may find that using products containing Vitamin K and Arnica may help alleviate the discoloration.  The Luxuries of the Sea Instant Comfort Gel contains arnica and the Platinum Regeneration Advanced Eye Repair Cream contains Vitamin K.  If you have experienced this condition, you might wish to try either of these products to see if they help.
The best way to treat this condition is by exercising caution to prevent the damage.  If you are prone to broken capillaries due to thinning skin conditions, you should avoid products containing SD alcohol or retinol and  Chemical Peel or Microdermabrasion Facial Buffing Crème products on the affected areas.  Since the sun can also aggravate this condition, a daily use of sun protection is highly recommended.
I have a customer who does not wear make-up and has oily skin. She wanted to know if the Hide the Shine product would help with the oily shine without her having foundation on.

Yes, Hide the Shine or the Secret Agent Natural Makeup primer would both be suitable for this. Another product that you might also consider using the Skinlogics Clear Oil Control Moisturizer.  This will work to help absorb oil and prevent oil breakthrough throughout the day.

I met a lady at a spa this week that has issues with fragrance.  She has not gone to a dermatologist to see what exactly she is allergic to.  She used the Gold Maintenance on the back of her hand and didn't have any reaction.  Her main issue is her face with fragrance.  She says the only line she can use is Clinique.  How would our skincare match up with Clinique in the fragrance arena? 

Like Clinique, we use natural fragrance compounds in our skin care products to mask the base odor of the formulas.  Unlike Clinique, if we add ingredients into our formulas for the sole purpose of scenting the products (even though they are natural ingredients), we list them as “fragrance”.  The question is not whether or not “fragrance” is on the label, but whether the product has been sensitivity and allergy tested to prove that they are free of sensitizers.  This is something that both BeautiControl and Clinique have in common.

I have some concerns about a couple of our products.  First of all, the liquid eyeliners don't seem to last very long.  After using them just a couple of times it's like they dry out.  When I called BeautiControl about them they said to bend the tip, but when you do that I feel that you are wasting it.  I've used other liquid eyeliners in the past & they work much better. 

With the eyeliner, it does need to be primed by bending the tip when the tip becomes dry, which it sounds like you are doing.  Also, the lid MUST be closed completely after each use.  I have found that many people do not completely close the container after each use.  This product will dry out quickly if it is not closed tightly.  We have checked our retains from 2 years ago and they are all still very much as they were initially and exhibit no signs of drying out. 

I'm having trouble with is the Regeneration Platinum Plus Face Serum.  When I apply the serum it doesn't massage into my face.  It just flakes off.  I end up wiping it off my face, so I can put my other products on.  I know it's not just me because I've had customers that have had the same problems with both products.  Please tell me if there is anything I need to do to make both of these products work better.

The issue with the Platinum Plus has been addressed a few times in my blog.   This product MUST be the first product that is applied to clean, toned skin.  If it is applied on top of any other product, or with your hands after applying another product, it will not absorb into the skin.  If ever in doubt, please look at the order of application on the skin care regimen charts located on Forms on File in Beautinet.

I was wondering if you know much a about how our line works with Lupus patients?  My sister has lupus, and her face gets really red and bumpy, wondering if you think our sensitive line would work for her? 

Lupus is an immune disorder.  It can manifest itself in thousands of different ways as it attacks different parts of the body in different ways.  Sometimes the skin is affected, sometimes the organs, joints, blood, etc.  The trick is treating the symptoms associated with the individual skin needs...this will vary from client to client.

Sometimes, a client will have no immunity to skin related bacteria, resulting in acne.  Sometimes lupus will affect the oil glands, resulting in dry skin, dry eyes, etc.  Sometimes lupus will affect the joints, making a person display symptoms similar to arthritis, etc.

There are no products that can't be used by a client with Lupus, although there will be some that are better suited to address the client's needs. You might want to check out the regimen charts by age and by skin condition. These can be located on BeautiNet under the “forms” section.

Could you please let me know what is happening with Margarita Foot Scrub?  The availability date continues to get pushed back, month after month.  This is such a popular product, its hard to do without!

The ingredient that creates the “warming” sensation is only manufactured by one company.  Unfortunately, there has been a world-wide shortage of this ingredient which has caused us an unavoidable delay in producing the product.  We realize your concern and are doing everything possible to expedite this to get it back into the line as quickly as possible.  Our current information shows that we should have this product back into the line by the 2nd week of December.

I ordered the acne line but it is for a male, will it work for him or should only females use it? I know there is a men’s line but I think the acne line is what he needs.

I would suggest that you use the Skinlogics Clear line for those with acne.  As I have discussed quite frequently in my blog, the best products for men and women alike would include the recommended MRP regimen for a person’s age and skin condition.  The men’s line is suitable for those men who insist on a “men’s only” line of products.
 
Are you able to mix product and if so which ones?  IE:   To save a step I often mix my Regeneration Platinum with my Retinol Time to Go Night Repair/or Cellblock C PM.  Is this appropriate?  I definitely know you can not do this with the 50 Plus products as they peel off.

I would not recommend mixing products together.  You want to apply them separately so they can be fully effective.

The TFF face cream was explained to me by my director as a spot treatment only around crowsfeet for example, I have since heard others use it as an actual face cream.  What is the correct use.

TFF is used for line prone areas of the face.  While some can use it all over, it will be too rich for others.  This is left to your best judgment.

What is the property in the Green Tea masque that makes it heat up when in contact with water? Is this the same ingredient in all our warming products?

This is addressed in the FAQ section of Beautnet and in my blog. The ingredient is potassium silicoaluminate.  Yes, it is the same ingredient in all of our warming products.

Are we going to be able to get the Skinlogics Clear Spot Treatment Duo in Canada?

As soon as the Canadian government approves the application, we will make it available in Canada.

I have a potential customer who is in her early 40's and has very oily skin. What would be the appropriate skin care products for her to use?

I would suggest that you have her log onto Beauticontrol.com and take the Skin Care E-Profile.  This will give her a complete regimen that will help address oily skin concerns.

I read the blogs you posted but it still doesn’t say what products have the parabens in them or if any.  This lady is really serious in buying stuff from our company and having a spa but she doesn’t want to do it if we don’t know or can’t tell her what ones have it in.  She has had breast cancer recently and pretty bad and she is just playing it safe.  She doesn’t have anything with parabens n them.
We do not have a list of products that do not contain parabens, but you can use the ingredient search function on Beautinet if you are ever in question about ingredients.  You can log onto Beautinet, click on the Product Information Center and type “paraben” in the ingredient search function.  This will pull a list of all products that contain parabens.
I think it is important that she also check other products that she uses such as hair care, soaps and particularly foods and medication that can actually get into the blood to ensure that she is using products that are free of parabens.  Few companies are moving away from parabens entirely, so I think this will be crucial for her if she is concerned about these ingredients.

I have a 70 year old woman who has been using the Regeneration Plat. + Face Serum and Eye Cream for a little over a month now. Yesterday she called me and told me that it has been burning her face when she applies it....however, she is beginning to see a difference. What do you suggest to help stop the burning...or does she need to completely stop using it all?

If the product is mildly stinging, this is not uncommon for a product of this nature.  If the product is “burning” her skin and it is accompanied by redness and irritation, I might suggest that she use the product less frequently than she is.   If it continues, you might consider switching her to the Platinum Regeneration instead.
What is the difference between Pro Active and the Acne prone skin MRP?
Pro Active is a line of products that was very similar to our old All Clear line of products, utilizing both benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid to help with acne.

Much has been learned in acne skincare technology and the use of benzoyl peroxide (which is very drying and irritating) is not always the best approach for treating acne since more and more people who are affected do not have oily skin.  The Skinlogics Clear products are free of benzoyl peroxide with the exception of the spot treatment since acne can be effectively treated without the use of skin drying and irritating ingredients.  You will find the Skinlogics Clear to be effective and much more gentle than Pro Active.

I have a friend who is trying the "All Clear" cleansing system for her teenage son.  Is it normal to get a burning sensation with the tonic?  And if so will the sensation eventually pass?  His face had a pink/red tone to it as well.  He suffers from acne and bad blackheads. 

Yes, this is not abnormal at all.  The skin will adjust to the product and it should not be a problem.  If the product is uncomfortable to use and causes unnecessary irritation, you might replace it with the Skinlogics 20s tonic, although I would recommend the Skinlogics Clear tonic for best results.

Would you please clarify the differences between the TFF and Plat Plus Face Serum and the TFF eye firming serum and the Plat Plus Eye Creme.

I have had several consultant ask about these and I just need some information so that I can clarify it for them.

Attached is the information from past blogs that addresses the differences between TFF and the face serums:

• Tight Firm and Fill – Immediately plumps lines and wrinkles,      immediately firms the skin’s tone, offers long term repair by re-enforcing      the dermal/epidermal junction to become tighter, increasing the skin resiliency, tone and firmness.  
• Regeneration face and neck serums – contains age specific anti-aging compounds, skin firming peptides and alpha hydroxy/polyhydroxy acids that expedite cellular turnover, increasing the skin’s metabolic rate, making the skin act as it did when you were younger. This increase in cellular turnover helps increase the skin’s collagen and elastin production to ensure younger acting skin.  
• Regeneration Time to Go –  contains retinol, an ingredient that is delivered deep into the epidermis to the layer where new skin cells are developed, expediting the rate in which the skin renews itself.  
• Sculptique face and neck contour lotion - Contains skin firming peptides and a decongesting complex that helps to reduce fluid deposits that can cause skin puffiness.  Improves facial contours by firming and reducing fluid congestion.
• There are similar differences between the new TFF Eye Firming Serum and the Platinum Eye Cream.  The TFF is strictly for firming the skin.  The Eye Creams help stimulate collagen, re-build the dermal matrix and offer maximum moisturization.  
• TFF is not a replacement for either of these, but designed to be used with these products for best results.

When applying the product I get little white "flakes" at random. A little while after application, I seem to have a gritty/residue that "rubs off of" my face and neck.  Am I using too much of the product?
Typically, when a product “rolls” on the skin, it is due to one of two things.  Either more product is being applied to the skin than it can absorb, or there is not enough dry time in between application of products.  To be effective, products must have a film forming agent that keep the products active on the skin.  If you think of it in terms similar to painting, when you paint a layer, then paint on top of that initial layer before the base coat is dry, you get “rolling” of the base layer.  The same applies to the application of cosmetics of this nature. 
You can eliminate this from happening by applying less product to the skin per application, allowing a few extra minutes for each layer to absorb into the skin and pat the product onto the skin rather than rubbing it.  Over rubbing of the product before it is completely absorbed will cause a break in the film forming agents and encourage the product to “roll” or “peel”.

Why don't we have sunscreen in our moisturizer? 

Sunscreen is the #1 cosmetic irritant.  If we put sunscreens in all of our moisturizers, it would limit their use by a good deal of the population.  Plus, only one SPF product is necessary in your regimen.  Putting more SPF on your skin does not give you better protection, it simply increases the risk for unnecessary irritation.

Is the sensitive line the best bet for someone with skin cancer on the face?  What regime would be suggested?  I would, of course, have my client check these products with her physician first ... but I can't seem to find info on this on the website .. I have a client in her 50's and 70's ... very interested in the skin care but leery due to the skin cancer issue ...
Since none of our products are used to “treat” cancer on the face, I can only suggest that you try to avoid the use of products that would aggravate any irritation that may result from her skin cancer.  The Skinlogics Sensitive is certainly the most “gentle” of all the skin care lines and what I would recommend for someone who has skin irritations.  Cell Block C is another product I would highly recommend as the crucial part of someone’s skin care regimen who is prone to skin cancer.

You can either print out the ingredients for her from Beautinet or print out the Consultant Guide Product Ingredient Index from Beautinet if she would like to take the ingredients to her physician for review.

When TFF came out at Leadership 2007, I thought we were instructed to use it once a day.  Now I'm hearing to use it twice a day.  How should I instruct my clients?

You can use it once or twice daily, although we only recommend that it be used once a day.  If in doubt, you can always log onto Beautinet and review the skin care regimen located in the “forms” section of Beautinet.

I have a new client who is 41, Platinum Set, who has very large pores.
She doesn’t have issues with excess oil or breakouts, just very self-conscious about her pores.
What would you recommend?

I have addressed the topic of large pores on my blog and in the FAQ section of Beautinet.  I will attach for your convenience:
What can I do to help with enlarged pores?

There is really no way to make the pores smaller. You can, however, keep the pores cleaned on a regular basis which will help the skin’s pores to become more refined with time. Pore size is typically part of the skin’s genetic makeup. Think of them as small pockets. When the pockets are empty, they appear less noticeable. The trick is to use products that both take the debris out of the pockets and those that keep the pocket openings cleared so the debris can be easily removed. The longer the pockets are empty, the less noticeable they will appear.
Here are some things that will help:
• Use a mud based mask to absorb the debris in the pores (Therma Del Sol Detoxifying Facial /  LOS Fango/Seaweed Mask)
• Daily use of Regeneration repair products will help refine the skin
• MicrodermAbrasion buffing cream and Regeneration repair products will help to keep dead surface cells cleared and increase the skin renewal process.
• Secret Agent natural makeup primer will help to fill in the pores to prevent makeup from making the pores more apparent.
Do you know if you can use the Extreme Repair hand cream with latex gloves.  I know some types of hand cream breaks down the latex, just need to know if it is something I can use when I work. 

Yes, since this is not an oil based product, you can use it with latex gloves.

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend.  Be sure to check back in on Monday.  Remember, if you have any questions, be sure to email them to product@beauticontrol.com.

Ciao!

Comments

[Sali Gibbons]

I read your blog about the pesky little veins and what to use, i have a client that had them and told me she used the Vit C serum and now they are gone!

[Saralyn Ostwinkle]

WOW! Each time I come to your blog I am so impressed! Gary, you are so important to the success of my business! thanks for your q and a! that is a lot of info but so good to hear it! I know you have to repeat but we need to hear it over and over! so thanks so much for helping to make us and BC what we are!

Spa-ingly yours,

Saralyn Ostwinkle

[Mary]

Gary,
LOVE your blog. I'm a devoted reader. I tried the organic enzyme masque. It's an outstanding product, glad I tried it. Sorry you have to repeat info so frequently, but it's greatly appreciated. Wishing you & yours a great Thanksgiving.

[Michelle]

CRUD! Typo. It is ethylene glycol in case you want to research it yourself.

[Michelle]

About Propylene Glycol. This is a scare tactic used by some companies. PG is the most abundant ingredient in cosmetics, shampoo, toiletries. ETHELENE GLYCHOL is anti freeze. And it is poisonous. PG is an ingredient in antifreeze but it is completely safe. These companies intentionally mislead people and scare them that every product on the market (but theirs) causes cancer. Shame on them! All the more reason that I am so proud of our company. We don't have to scare people into using our products! Spread the truth!