Gary's Blog

Let BeautiControl Go To Work While You Go To Sleep!

As we continue to celebrate the success of our new BC Spa Facial line, with over 3 million products being sold in just 6 months, and over 500,000 clients who have been become users of this line, we can tell you that this line is a home-run when it comes to offering you the basic MRP products to help maintain the youth of your skin, repair age and environmental damage and protect your skin from UV radiation and free radical mutations, helping you to protect your investment and stave off the aging process.  Remember, everyone uses skin care because they want to delay and reverse the signs of aging, and we have all the tools to do that, at a price that is a fraction of what you would find from the competition. 

I hope you all had the opportunity to read my blog called, “Do You Have What it Takes to Look Young?  I Do”.  In this blog I outlined the top rated and top performing anti-aging ingredients and their functions.  Even though BC Spa Facial contains all the necessary components to take care of your basic MRP needs, our special solutions products are still an active part of their necessary skin care regimen.  Each of our amazing products contains cosmeceutical strength ingredients that serve the skin’s unique needs.  Because we sometimes forget about the key features and benefits of some of our more active product lines, I thought it would be good to take the opportunity to re-introduce some of these key specialty products and outline their unique benefits, starting with one of my MUST HAVE, CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT, favorite products…Regeneration Overnight Retinol Recovery Serum. 

Your skin is most active at night.  That’s when it goes to work repairing the damage that has occurred throughout the day.  Every day your skin is exposed to environmental aggressors – like UV rays, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and pollution.  These assaults on your skin do extreme damage on a cellular level, which can lead to DNA mutations.  It’s important to wear sunscreen every day, but even then, you cannot protect your skin 100%.  UV (sun) damage alone accounts for only half of the damage that occurs to the skin. 

Free radicals trigger an aging process, called glycation, in the skin.  Glycation is a reaction where sugars attack proteins (like collagen and elastin) making skin more rigid and less elastic – ultimately causing aging.  Glycation also decreases enzymatic activity, which skin needs to function properly.  Free radical damage (glycation, DNA mutation, etc.) combined with UV damage can result in devastating skin abnormalities.  That’s why it’s so important for skin to recover overnight, when it’s not exposed to the environment.

Beauticontrol has the answer to nighttime repair and recovery with Regeneration Overnight.  Regeneration Overnight Retinol Recovery Serum contains encapsulated retinol, a multi-functional vitamin that is known for reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improving skin clarity, increasing skin cell turnover and boosting skin’s natural production of collagen.  This form of vitamin A is a potent antioxidant, which means that it protects skin from oxidative damage caused by ROS.  The retinol used in this formula is encapsulated, protecting the stability and effectiveness of the molecule.  Encapsulation also allows for sustained release, so skin receives a continuous delivery of retinol throughout the night.

In addition to retinol, this formula contains a combination of eleven key ingredients to protect skin from free radicals, glycation and protein breakdown – in turn preventing further aging.  We searched from the depths of the ocean to the Kalahari Desert to find the best ingredients to protect your skin…

• Purified watermelon extract from the Kalahari Desert that utilizes an evolved defense system to protect the melon’s DNA structure so it can survive in extreme desert conditions. 
• Biotechnological silicon derivative combined with a brown algae extract – silicon is a natural component of the skin, and when combined with the brown algae extract it possesses anti-glycation properties.  It also has a cyto-stimulating effect to enhance cellular regeneration and boost skin’s natural collagen-building mechanism.
• Multi-mineral skin energizer (comprised of zinc, copper and magnesium) that boosts cell metabolism so it can better produce structural proteins (like collagen and elastin) and enhances normal functions like cell turnover for increased skin vitality.
• Yeast mononucleotides combined with caffeine to protect skin cells from the effects of UVB radiation, like the formation of thymidine dimers, which cause genetic mutations and cell death (a.k.a. apoptosis).
• Biotechnologically produced micro-algae that visibly firms the skin, protects skin cells from oxidative damage and stimulates skin’s natural production of collagen-I.
• Pro-Vitamin B5 – a substance naturally found in healthy cells, this pro-vitamin enhances barrier function to protect, moisturize and soothe skin.
• Thermophilic microorganism from extreme conditions in the deep sea off the Gulf of California – has a multi-enzymatic activity that inhibits ROS damage and protects skin cells from the harmful effects of UVA radiation.  It also stimulates skin cell differentiation and strengthens epidermal resistance against aggression.
• Coenzyme Q10 (a.k.a. Ubiquinone) - a potent antioxidant and a critical component in the production of cell energy.  It is naturally found in abundance in youthful skin; however, levels of CoQ10 reduce with age.
• Rice extract that contains sirtuin-activating compounds.  Sirtuins boost skin’s natural repair and maintenance functions, thus increasing cell longevity and decreasing cellular aging.  Sirtuins also protect cells from oxidative stress.
• Vitamin E Acetate – a potent lipophilic antioxidant that can penetrate the epidermis and protect cells from oxidative damage.
• Organically-cultivated green tea extract – rich in polyphenols, this extract has stimulating, soothing, antioxidant properties and is an effective free radical scavenger.

Together, all of these ingredients provide your skin with the best defense system so it can function properly.  What does that mean?  Skin cells at the basal layer of the epidermis will not mutate – a process that can lead to the appearance of wrinkles, age spots and sagging skin.  Collagen and elastin are protected from glycation and will continue being produced normally and will not crosslink and cause rigidity.  Overall, your skin will look and act younger and healthier.

Basic Explanation:

• As the skin ages, cellular regeneration slows dramatically, leading to a sluggish cellular metabolism = skin cells turn over more slowly, thus the rate of new cell generation is compromised.  to act as it did when you were younger.
• At the lower layers of the epidermis, where new skin cells are developed, the skin is “programmed” to produce an exact clone of the last skin cell that was produced.  When we are 20, the skin cells (grapes) that are produced are perfect, undamaged and have no genetic mutations or environmentally related “fractures”. 
• As we continue to age, and more and mare damage occurs to the genetic programming of our skin cells, the skin loses the ability to produce new, perfect and undamaged skin cells.  As a result, every new layer of skin cells that are produced are increasingly more “fractured” as the damage is compounded.
• Regeneration Overnight Retinol Recovery Complex works two ways:

◦       #1 – speed the rate that new skin cells are developed, helping your skin act as it did when you were younger.

◦       #2 – put a coating of advanced reprogramming active ingredients to help disguise the “fractures” in the skin’s cells, helping to encourage  the skin to produce newer, more perfected skin cells with every production of new cells.  This formula is designed to help “ reprogram” the genetic mutations and encourage the ability for the skin to regain youthful activity and a greatly perfected appearance.  The skin will improve with each new layer of skin cells that are developed to reveal skin that is more perfected with continued use. 

Clinical Results: Dermatologist, sensitivity and allergy tested.  Non-comedogenic. 

100% of Subjects showed statistically significant improvements in skin density after 8 weeks. In this case, density is probably a reflection of the degree of collagen and elastin in the dermis which is a direct indicator of improvements in structure, firmness and elasticity.

Testimonials:

“I went back to my home town after not being there for 2 months. One of my friends kept telling me, ‘I just can’t believe how good you look!’  I had been using the product for about 6 weeks by then.”

“I could see after one week that my fine lines were significantly less noticeable.”

“My skin is very dry and I immediately noticed a more supple, moist feeling after just a few applications of the product … and I noticed my skin tone started to even out and I definitely noticed an improvement in my wrinkles.”

“I love the Overnight Retinol Recovery Serum!  My skin feels firmer than ever and I feel like I have shaved 5 to 10 years off of my face by using it nightly. Thanks BeautiControl!”

Frequently Asked Questions:

Who should use this product?  This product is great for all ages, both men and women, who want advanced repair and protection from fine lines and wrinkles, sagging skin, collagen breakdown and cellular damage resulting in loss of firmness and skin discolorations.

Is there anyone who should not use this product? Since this product contains retinol, those who are pregnant should consult with a physician before using.  Refer to product packaging for full warning.  If you have a known sensitivity to retinol or have unusually sensitive skin conditions, you should use this product with caution.

Sometimes when I use a product with retinol my skin will peel and/or become irritated, is that normal? Peeling is not abnormal and is actually a sign that the product is working.  The function of a repair product is to speed the rate of skin exfoliation and renewal.  You may not notice any peeling until after a few days of consecutive use as the skin gets a build-up of the retinol.  If the peeling becomes excessive, and is irritating or troublesome, you can back down to every other day until your skin adjusts.  Typically, the skin will adjust and you will be able to increase your application to nightly.  If you do experience some slight irritation, it will take a few days for the skin to return to normal as retinol is stored in the skin for a longer period of time than other ingredients.  If your skin becomes irritated, simply stop using the product for a few nights and use the Skinlogics Sensitive Protective Services to help calm any redness or irritation.

Does this replace the use of TFF? No, if anything, you will see greater benefits if used together. 

TFF is a specialty repair product, not a basic recommended repair product like Regeneration Overnight and Regeneration daytime products.  TFF is used primarily to tighten and firm loose skin while immediately plumping the lines and wrinkles. 

Regeneration Overnight and Regeneration Daytime products are recommended to help restructure the skin to help reverse the appearance of aging, helping the skin to act younger.

Where does this product fit into my regimen? This product should be used at night after cleansing and toning, and before moisturizing.  Because this product contains retinol, it is recommended that you wear sunscreen during the day to protect the new, healthy skin cells.  To determine the precise order of application, log onto Beautinet and download the BC Spa Facial skin care regimen chart located in the “forms on file” section.

How do I use this product with Regeneration Overnight Retinol Recovery Eye Capsules? At night, apply Retinol Recovery Eye Capsules after Retinol Recovery Face Serum.

Do I still need to use and eye cream with Regeneration Overnight Eye Capsules? Absolutely.  Regeneration Overnight eye capsules contain no moisture.  Your eye cream is a basic necessity and should always be used in addition to this or any other specialty eye repair product.

What is the difference in the TFF Eye Firming Serum and the Overnight Eye Capsules? These are not at all the same type of products.  First, I think it is important to note that both the Regeneration Overnight Retinol Eye Capsules and the TFF Eye Firming Serum are repair products.  The TFF Eye Firming Serum is recommended as part of the AM regimen and the Regeneration Overnight is part of the PM regimen.  While you can use them both at night, it is really only necessary to have one eye repair product in your AM and PM regimen.  Also, neither of these products replace your eye cream.  YOU SHOULD ALWAYS use and eye cream in addition to either of these repair products.

Regeneration Overnight Eye Capsules contains time released Retinol.  The key benefit is wrinkle reduction and reduction of dark circles under the eyes and around the crow’s feet areas.

TFF Eye Firming Serum contains our patented peptide blend along with hyaluronic sponges to increase skin firmness and help lift the skin around the eyes, including the eyelids.

Can men use this product? Men have the same skin care concerns as women and the same skin care treatments apply for men and women.  I would highly recommend this product to any man who is looking to reverse the more significant signs of aging and sun exposure.

If your clients are looking for maximum results, then this is not a product that they should miss out on.  Regeneration Overnight, TFF and Microdermabrasion continue to be products that will remain in your skin care regimen, even when using the new BC Spa Facial products.  Once you get your clients hooked on the benefits that they will experience with the BC Spa Facial line, make sure that you follow-up with them and introduce them to the additional products that you offer in your anti-aging arsenal.

Remember, if you have any product questions, comments or concerns, please be sure to email us at product@beauticontrol.com.

Have a great week.

 

M.R.P. - The BeautiControl Formula for Success

Here we are, already in June.  WOW…how did that happen?  Annually, June is the time that we do our mid-year reviews at BeautiControl.  I review myself, my staff and the product line to get a snap-shot of how our year is looking and how our strategies and plans have played out thus-far to determine what is working, what is not working and where there needs to be course corrections.  I thought it would be interesting to share with you some of the results, especially in light of the introduction of BC Spa Facial.  In June we announced that Skinlogics was going away, and of course, while that should have not been a surprise to anyone since we said that was going to happen since January, I still receive a number of emails, and worse, Facebook postings telling me….and I quote…”If it aint broke, don’t fix it”.   Well, the fact is…it was broke and it needed fixing! 

You see, the formula for BeautiControl’s success in skin care has always been very simple…M.R.P.  Maintenance, Repair and Prevention is the formula that made BeautiControl’s products one of a kind and made us a force to be reckoned with in this highly competitive skin care and cosmetic market.  After the introduction of Regeneration in 1993, BeautiControl quickly became known for our prowess in the anti-aging arena and became a market and trend leader when it came to skin repair.  The introduction of Microdermabrasion sealed the deal and the competition knew that we had the corner on skin repairing treatments at the most affordable price on the market.  Each year, when I would analyze sales, I could judge the health of the line  by measuring our Skinlogics and our Regeneration/Microderm sales.  I knew that if together they equated to 50% of our total product sales, then the business was in good shape...we were changing people’s skin and building a loyal clientele.

A very strange phenomenon occurred in 2008.  We introduced Regeneration Tight Firm and Fill, which quickly became a fan favorite and one of our best selling products in the history of BeautiControl.  TFF was intended to be an ‘add-on” product to be used in addition to your Skinlogics, Regeneration and Cell Block C regimen.  What we quickly found is that our consumers and our Consultants chose to replace their daily Regeneration products with TFF rather than using it as an addition to their regimen.  Don’t get me wrong…TFF is an AMAZING product that offers immediate skin plumping, line reducing benefits.  What it didn’t do, however, is offer those long term skin repairing benefits that our daily Regeneration products provide.  The key to healthy, younger acting and younger looking skin is a process of exfoliation.  The AHAs and PHAs found in our daily regeneration products were the magical ingredients that actually repaired and restructured the skin, diminishing the signs of aging and giving you results that could not be met by any of our competitors.  When a person used a complete MRP regimen, we knew that they would be clients for life.

Initially, upon the introduction of TFF, sales of our MRP products remained fairly stable.  Within the first year, however, sales of our Regeneration products quickly began to diminish as sales of TFF actually grew.  Shortly afterwards, we noticed that sales of Skinlogics and Cell Block C began to diminish at an alarming rate, year over year.  Why?  Well, when client’s traded their long-term skin repair benefits for a quick fix with TFF, they stopped seeing the dramatic changes in their skin that they had previously experienced (from 1993 – 2008) when they used a complete MRP regimen.  When your client’s loyalty to your brand is diminished, then it is time to step in and make a course correction. 

In 2009, we began working on our new BC Spa Facial line and after analyzing our consumer’s changing skin care habits and demand for  a more simplistic skin care regimen, we knew that we had to step up our technology and provide a basic skin care regimen that offered the MRP results that build loyal clients, while minimizing the steps that a person had to use in their skin care regimen.  If a client was only willing to use a set number of products in their daily regimen, then it was up to us to create a daily regimen that offered them maximum results with fewer steps.  This was quite a challenge for my team to create a line of products that offered all the ingredients that used to exist in your Skinlogics, Regeneration and Cell Block C products at their maximum levels of efficacy…but we did it, and our BC Spa Facial products were born.  With the introduction of BC Spa Facial, we were once again able to step in front of the competition with one of, if not the most effective basic skin care line that I have ever seen or used.  No longer did you need to combine multiple products to get the results that you now get with the use of your basic skin care line.  Combine the use of these products with your Microdermabrasion and TFF for an added bonus and you see immediate changes to your skin, while knowing that you are getting the long-term, age reversing results that BeautiControl is known for.  Since the introduction of BC Spa Facial, we have already seen a huge growth in our skin care category and continue to be flooded with positive feedback from our clients about the changes in their skin.  The icing on the cake is the fact that with our new Skin S.P.A. and Skin Sensors, our Consultants are more confident in recommending an exact skin care prescription for each of their clients.  There is no other tool available on the market ANYWHERE that has the intelligence that our Skin S.P.A. tool has.  Not only does it analyze the level of oil in the skin, it takes into consideration a person’s age, ethnicity, geographic location and level of skin damage to create a personalized prescription that consists of their daily basic regimen as well as targeted solutions to help address their individual skin care needs.  If I were to start a company tomorrow, I would use these very same tools for success.  You have what every cosmetic company in this country dreams of…a diagnostic tool that creates customized solutions and a product line that delivers unparalleled results.

Is change hard?  You bet it is.  Is change necessary?  You bet it is.  Companies that don’t change die!  Without advancements in technology BeautiControl would not be BeautiControl.  Our niche in this market has and will always be offering the most advanced solutions for skin care and anti-aging products.  There is not another company that offers what we offer.  You can’t touch our technology and you certainly can’t touch our price-points!

BC Spa Facial is the future of BeautiControl.  While we will keep a few of the Skinlogics products around as part of a heritage line, we will continue to support and advertise the BC Spa Facial products as our core skin care line.  The good news is that the Skinlogics products are on sale this month and I would encourage those of you who have clients that are resistant to change to let them know that they should stock up now.  I would, however, recommend that you start to try to convert these clients over to the new BC Spa Facial so they can begin to enjoy a regimen that offers them maximum results, with fewer steps.  Unless your clients were using a daily regimen that consisted of Skinlogics, Regeneration AM, Cell Block C AM and PM, they have no idea of the changes that can occur in their skin…and the good news is that BC Spa Facial offers all of the results of those products, in just 6 steps.  Who could ask for more?  Now you can offer your clients their basic regimen, TFF and Microdermabrasion and give them skin changing results without having to break into their savings account!

Remember, my job here at BeautiControl is to keep us ahead of the competition and ensure that you have the best, most effective products to sell to your clients.  Today’s consumer is looking for results, value and service.  We have what every client in America is looking for…and everything you need to make money and build an incredible team.

Make it a great week and be sure to check back on Friday!  Remember, if you have product questions, comments or concerns, be sure to email us at product@beauticontrol.com .

 

Do You Have What it Takes to Look Young? I Do!

I am always being asked, “Gary, what are your favorite products and why?”.  Well, the answer is not really that easy.  I love all of our products, so that would be a difficult call.  Each product has a very specific purpose.  I don’t really think of it in terms of which is my favorite…I think of it in terms of what does my skin need to stay young!  So…let me tell you what I consider to be the top anti-aging must haves that no one should be without.

 Sunscreen

It is estimated that 85 – 90% of the signs of aging are caused by sun damage, so it makes sense that sunscreen would be at the top of the list of things you need to stave off the aging process.  While we all love the glow of a summer tan, the sun can cause some pretty extreme damage to our skin’s DNA that can result in both reversible and irreversible damage.  There are 2 types of UV rays that are emitted by the sun:

• UVB rays – these are the ones that cause the skin to burn
• UVA rays – these are the ones that cause the skin to age

 The UVB rays cause our skin to burn or tan.  They penetrate just under the skin’s surface and the damage can be seen pretty easily.  UVA rays, on the other hand, penetrate all the way through the skin and their damage is not obvious to the naked eye.  UVA rays are the ones that are responsible for the long-term damage that will manifest itself down the road in the form of sagging skin, lines and wrinkles and age spots. 

 It is crucial that your sunscreen contain both UVA and UVB protection.  Simply keeping the skin from burning does not ensure healthy skin.

 Antioxidants

Damage to the skin that is not the result of the sun is caused by oxidation.  To put it in very simple terms, think of it like this.  Each skin cell is like an apple.  The outer coating of the skin cell is pretty durable and will help maintain cellular moisturization and normal cell growth.  UV rays act like a knife, jabbing into the apple’s skin.  What happens to an apple when the skin is broken?  It turns brown!  This is the result of oxidation.  The same thing happens to your skin.  When the UV rays break the outer protection of each skin cell, it causes the skin cell to oxidize and become defective.  Antioxidants prevent the process of oxidation and allow the skin cells to “heal” as well as ensure that the damage caused by the sun does not affect the skin’s DNA, resulting in long-term skin damage.

 While vitamin C is the most recognizable antioxidant ingredient, it is far from the most effective.  It is crucial that your products contain a comprehensive blend of anti-oxidants to ensure that your skin is protected…preventing oxidation AND helping the skin recover from UV exposure.

 Chemical AND Physical Exfoliation

The process of repair requires exfoliation…both chemical and physical exfoliation! One, without the other is not as effective.

The skin’s turnover slows as we age. The ONLY way to help make the skin act as it did when we were younger is through the process of exfoliation…both chemical and physical exfoliation.  Only when we get rid of surface cells will the body force the production of new skin cells.

Think of it this way…have you ever removed wallpaper from a wall? If you have, you know that it is no easy chore, but, if you are going to do anything to the wall underneath, you have to remove that paper first. You could use sandpaper, but it really just smoothes the surface, it really doesn’t get below the surface of the wallpaper. You could use a scraper, but you will only get the loose, flakey bits and pieces of the wallpaper removed and it takes FOREVER! Luckily, they have this really great stuff that you can spray on top of the wallpaper that kind of melts the paper and causes it to bubble up. After it has done its work, then you can take your scraper and quickly and easily remove that layer of wallpaper to reveal a pristine surface underneath. Are you with me?

Ok, think of your skin the same way. Think of your surface skin cells as a layer of wallpaper. You can use a scraper (Microdermabrasion), but you are only removing what is loose and flaky. Now when you use your chemical exfoliant (either AHAs or PHAs), they loosen the skin’s dead surface and allow you to exfoliate more deeply that you could have without it. Your daily skin care scrub (polyethylene beads) is like the “sandpaper” we talked about above. It smoothes the surface and makes it feel baby smooth, but to really get in there and remove the surface, you need to use something more aggressive such as Microdermabrasion which is designed to shave the skin’s surface for maximum benefits.

Retinol

Retinol is the whole vitamin A molecule, which can be broken down into thousands of smaller components, including “retinoic acid” (also called tretinoin, the active ingredient in Renova and Retin-A). Essentially retinol is just a fancy name for vitamin A; however, it is perhaps the most important vitamin for the appearance of the skin. It is one of the few substances with a small enough molecular structure to penetrate the outer layers of the skin and work to repair the lower layers where collagen and elastin reside. Retinol is vitamin A in its purest and most active form. It penetrates deep into the skin, where it becomes fully operative. Wrinkles and lines are gradually smoothed, moisture and elasticity increase, the complexion glows and the appearance of damage is diminished.

The skin cells have a receptor site that is very accepting of retinoic acid. This relationship between retinoic acid and skin cells allows a type of communication in which the cell is encouraged to function normally and continue regular cell renewal— as opposed to the often misshapen and altered cells associated with the natural aging process.
It now seems clears that retinol is a beneficial cell-communicating ingredient, as well as an antioxidant. In other words, it assists in creating stronger, healthier skin cells and increases the amount of skin-support substances. Retinol has also been shown to help stimulate new collagen production, which is critical in the battle against aging. Thus it has become clear that retinol is a vital component of high quality skincare products, providing visible, long-lasting results.

Peptides

Peptides are bioengineered molecules formed by linking chains of amino acids, the body’s building blocks.  These ingredients are readily recognized by the skin and have the ability to be manipulated to penetrate to multiple layers of the skin, and be designed to serve a variety of purposes.  Some peptides are engineered to reduce the depth of wrinkles on the face caused by the contraction of muscles of facial expression, especially in the forehead and around the eyes (muscle relaxing).  Some are designed to help expedite the production of collagen and elastin in the skin.  Some peptides are engineered to help repair the cohesion of the dermis to the epidermis, helping with sagging skin by increasing skin firmness.

 Hyaluronic Acid

This ingredient has been called the key to the “fountain of youth”.  Hyaluronic acid is a natural component of young, healthy skin, but dramatically diminishes with age and skin damage.  The loss of hylauronic acid in the skin can result in skin sagging and loss of elasticity.  Because hyaluronic acid is a natural component of the skin, it is easily absorbed and readily accepted into the skin when used as a topical treatment.  There are various ways that hyaluronic acid can be used in skin care treatments:

• As a stand-alone ingredient to help increase moisturization and skin firmness
• Hyaluronic Filling Spheres:  Hyaluronic Filling Spheres are made of pure hyaluronic acid, the leading product used by dermatologists, plastic surgeons and practitioners of aesthetic medicine to penetrate and fill deep wrinkles that usually appear on foreheads, between eyebrows, on the corners of the mouth and on the cheeks of people who have spent considerable time in the sun.

 This anti-wrinkle delivery system is a truly breakthrough alternative to painful injections. Our exclusive filling spheres harness the industry's most natural active ingredient, hyaluronic acid, for high-intensity and rapid action skin smoothing and softening results.

 Unlike widely used injection treatments, Hyaluronic Filling Spheres are applied topically to the skin in either emulsion or gel form to smooth away heavy wrinkles. The spheres are initially dehydrated, then fill with water present in the skin itself. This hydration process causes an increase in volume proportional to the microspheres' moisture-retaining capacity, which results in reduced wrinkles.

• Hyala-sponge:  Hyala-sponge technology is one of the newest and most effective ways to deliver highly effective key ingredients into the skin in a sustained release delivery.  The process of sustained delivery keeps the key ingredients active on the skin for a longer period of time, maximizing their effectiveness.  Hyala-sponges are created through a highly technical new process:  The hyaluronic acid molecule, a key component of youthful skin, is cross-linked to create “pockets”, much like a sponge, to hold key ingredients.  The process of cross-linking creates the hyala-sponge.  Each microscopic “sponge” is then filled with the key ingredients that are required to achieve the desired results.

So, with all of that being said…it is pretty obvious what my skin care regimen looks like.  These are the products that I absolutely cannot live without:

• BC Spa Facial Defend and Restore daytime moisturizer:  This amazing product prevents damage to the skin by offering complete UVA and UVB protection, skin firming peptides and a comprehensive blend of antioxidants to help stop damage before it occurs and help speed skin recovery and immune response.
• Regeneration Overnight:  I love this product.  In addition to a potent concentration of retinol, this formula contains a combination of eleven key ingredients to protect skin from free radicals, glycation and protein breakdown – in turn preventing further aging.  Together, all of these ingredients provide your skin with the best defense system so it can function properly.
• BC Spa Facial Regenerating Tonics:  These products contain either Alpha or Poly Hydroxy Acids to help turn over the skin cells more quickly.
• BC Spa Facial Eye Cream:  I love a very rich eye cream.  This product contains heavy duty moisturizers in addition to a concentrated blend of skin firming peptides and bioactive ingredients to help supplement the skin with the components of youth that are lost as we age.
• Regeneration Tight Firm and Fill:  This product contains 3 peptides that relax the expression lines, firm the skin and increase the cohesion of the dermis and epidermis to immediately firm and tighten.  This product also contains hyaluronic filling spheres that instantly plump to reduce lines and wrinkles
• Regeneration Tight Firm and Fill Eye Firming Serum:  This product contains all the active ingredients of the Tight Firm and Fill face serum , using hyala-sponge technology to ensure that the ingredients are absorbed into the skin and time released for sustained delivery throughout the day.
• BC Spa Resurfacing Peel:  I use this product at least 3 times a week.  This product contains a 30% acid blend that helps to break down the bonds that hold dry, dead skin cells to the surface of the skin.  I have never used a more gentle, yet more effective chemical peel product…and I have tried them all.  I always follow my Resurfacing Peel treatment with…
• BC Spa Microdermabrasion:  This product utilized the same aluminum oxide crystals used by dermatologists to remove dead skin and resurface the skin’s texture without the high price tag!  I can’t imagine anyone being without this product.

You will always find these products in my bathroom or my travel bag…and I never leave home without them. 

Anti-Aging Must Haves!

I am always being asked, “Gary, what are your favorite products and why?”.  Well, the answer is not really that easy.  I love all of our products, so that would be a difficult call.  Each product has a very specific purpose.  I don’t really think of it in terms of which is my favorite…I think of it in terms of what does my skin need to stay young!  So…let me tell you what I consider to be the top anti-aging must haves that no one should be without.

Sunscreen

It is estimated that 85 – 90% of the signs of aging are caused by sun damage, so it makes sense that sunscreen would be at the top of the list of things you need to stave off the aging process.  While we all love the glow of a summer tan, the sun can cause some pretty extreme damage to our skin’s DNA that can result in both reversible and irreversible damage.  There are 2 types of UV rays that are emitted by the sun:

• UVB rays – these are the ones that cause the skin to burn
• UVA rays – these are the ones that cause the skin to age

The UVB rays cause our skin to burn or tan.  They penetrate just under the skin’s surface and the damage can be seen pretty easily.  UVA rays, on the other hand, penetrate all the way through the skin and their damage is not obvious to the naked eye.  UVA rays are the ones that are responsible for the long-term damage that will manifest itself down the road in the form of sagging skin, lines and wrinkles and age spots. 

It is crucial that your sunscreen contain both UVA and UVB protection.  Simply keeping the skin from burning does not ensure healthy skin.

Antioxidants

Damage to the skin that is not the result of the sun is caused by oxidation.  To put it in very simple terms, think of it like this.  Each skin cell is like an apple.  The outer coating of the skin cell is pretty durable and will help maintain cellular moisturization and normal cell growth.  UV rays act like a knife, jabbing into the apple’s skin.  What happens to an apple when the skin is broken?  It turns brown!  This is the result of oxidation.  The same thing happens to your skin.  When the UV rays break the outer protection of each skin cell, it causes the skin cell to oxidize and become defective.  Antioxidants prevent the process of oxidation and allow the skin cells to “heal” as well as ensure that the damage caused by the sun does not affect the skin’s DNA, resulting in long-term skin damage.

While vitamin C is the most recognizable antioxidant ingredient, it is far from the most effective.  It is crucial that your products contain a comprehensive blend of anti-oxidants to ensure that your skin is protected…preventing oxidation AND helping the skin recover from UV exposure.

Chemical AND Physical Exfoliation

The process of repair requires exfoliation…both chemical and physical exfoliation! One, without the other is not as effective.

The skin’s turnover slows as we age. The ONLY way to help make the skin act as it did when we were younger is through the process of exfoliation…both chemical and physical exfoliation.  Only when we get rid of surface cells will the body force the production of new skin cells.

Think of it this way…have you ever removed wallpaper from a wall? If you have, you know that it is no easy chore, but, if you are going to do anything to the wall underneath, you have to remove that paper first. You could use sandpaper, but it really just smoothes the surface, it really doesn’t get below the surface of the wallpaper. You could use a scraper, but you will only get the loose, flakey bits and pieces of the wallpaper removed and it takes FOREVER! Luckily, they have this really great stuff that you can spray on top of the wallpaper that kind of melts the paper and causes it to bubble up. After it has done its work, then you can take your scraper and quickly and easily remove that layer of wallpaper to reveal a pristine surface underneath. Are you with me?

Ok, think of your skin the same way. Think of your surface skin cells as a layer of wallpaper. You can use a scraper (Microdermabrasion), but you are only removing what is loose and flaky. Now when you use your chemical exfoliant (either AHAs or PHAs), they loosen the skin’s dead surface and allow you to exfoliate more deeply that you could have without it. Your daily skin care scrub (polyethylene beads) is like the “sandpaper” we talked about above. It smoothes the surface and makes it feel baby smooth, but to really get in there and remove the surface, you need to use something more aggressive such as Microdermabrasion which is designed to shave the skin’s surface for maximum benefits.

Retinol

Retinol is the whole vitamin A molecule, which can be broken down into thousands of smaller components, including “retinoic acid” (also called tretinoin, the active ingredient in Renova and Retin-A). Essentially retinol is just a fancy name for vitamin A; however, it is perhaps the most important vitamin for the appearance of the skin. It is one of the few substances with a small enough molecular structure to penetrate the outer layers of the skin and work to repair the lower layers where collagen and elastin reside. Retinol is vitamin A in its purest and most active form. It penetrates deep into the skin, where it becomes fully operative. Wrinkles and lines are gradually smoothed, moisture and elasticity increase, the complexion glows and the appearance of damage is diminished.

The skin cells have a receptor site that is very accepting of retinoic acid. This relationship between retinoic acid and skin cells allows a type of communication in which the cell is encouraged to function normally and continue regular cell renewal— as opposed to the often misshapen and altered cells associated with the natural aging process.
It now seems clears that retinol is a beneficial cell-communicating ingredient, as well as an antioxidant. In other words, it assists in creating stronger, healthier skin cells and increases the amount of skin-support substances. Retinol has also been shown to help stimulate new collagen production, which is critical in the battle against aging. Thus it has become clear that retinol is a vital component of high quality skincare products, providing visible, long-lasting results.

Peptides

Peptides are bioengineered molecules formed by linking chains of amino acids, the body’s building blocks.  These ingredients are readily recognized by the skin and have the ability to be manipulated to penetrate to multiple layers of the skin, and be designed to serve a variety of purposes.  Some peptides are engineered to reduce the depth of wrinkles on the face caused by the contraction of muscles of facial expression, especially in the forehead and around the eyes (muscle relaxing).  Some are designed to help expedite the production of collagen and elastin in the skin.  Some peptides are engineered to help repair the cohesion of the dermis to the epidermis, helping with sagging skin by increasing skin firmness.

Hyaluronic Acid

This ingredient has been called the key to the “fountain of youth”.  Hyaluronic acid is a natural component of young, healthy skin, but dramatically diminishes with age and skin damage.  The loss of hylauronic acid in the skin can result in skin sagging and loss of elasticity.  Because hyaluronic acid is a natural component of the skin, it is easily absorbed and readily accepted into the skin when used as a topical treatment.  There are various ways that hyaluronic acid can be used in skin care treatments:

• As a stand-alone ingredient to help increase moisturization and skin firmness
• Hyaluronic Filling Spheres:  Hyaluronic Filling Spheres are made of pure hyaluronic acid, the leading product used by dermatologists, plastic surgeons and practitioners of aesthetic medicine to penetrate and fill deep wrinkles that usually appear on foreheads, between eyebrows, on the corners of the mouth and on the cheeks of people who have spent considerable time in the sun.

This anti-wrinkle delivery system is a truly breakthrough alternative to painful injections. Our exclusive filling spheres harness the industry's most natural active ingredient, hyaluronic acid, for high-intensity and rapid action skin smoothing and softening results.

Unlike widely used injection treatments, Hyaluronic Filling Spheres are applied topically to the skin in either emulsion or gel form to smooth away heavy wrinkles. The spheres are initially dehydrated, then fill with water present in the skin itself. This hydration process causes an increase in volume proportional to the microspheres' moisture-retaining capacity, which results in reduced wrinkles.

• Hyala-sponge:  Hyala-sponge technology is one of the newest and most effective ways to deliver highly effective key ingredients into the skin in a sustained release delivery.  The process of sustained delivery keeps the key ingredients active on the skin for a longer period of time, maximizing their effectiveness.  Hyala-sponges are created through a highly technical new process:

• The hyaluronic acid molecule, a key component of youthful skin, is cross-linked to create “pockets”, much like a sponge, to hold key ingredients.  The process of cross-linking creates the hyala-sponge.  Each microscopic “sponge” is then filled with the key ingredients that are required to achieve the desired results.

 So, with all of that being said…it is pretty obvious what my skin care regimen looks like.  These are the products that I absolutely cannot live without:

• Cell Block C:  This amazing product prevents damage to the skin by offering complete UVA and UVB protection, skin firming peptides and a comprehensive blend of antioxidants to help stop damage before it occurs and help speed skin recovery and immune response.
• Regeneration Overnight:  I love this product.  In addition to a potent concentration of  retinol, this formula contains a combination of eleven key ingredients to protect skin from free radicals, glycation and protein breakdown – in turn preventing further aging.  Together, all of these ingredients provide your skin with the best defense system so it can function properly.
• Platinum Regeneration:  This product contains Poly Hydroxy Acids to help turn over the skin cells more quickly, while adding skin firming peptides to help keep the skin tight and young.
• Regeneration Platinum Plus Eye Cream:  I love a very rich eye cream.  This product contains heavy duty moisturizers in addition to a concentrated blend of skin firming peptides and bioactive ingredients to help supplement the skin with the components of youth that are lost as we age.
• Regeneration Tight Firm and Fill:  This product contains 3 peptides that relax the expression lines, firm the skin and increase the cohesion of the dermis and epidermis to immediately firm and tighten.  This product also contains hyaluronic filling spheres that instantly plump to reduce lines and wrinkles
• Regeneration Tight Firm and Fill Eye Firming Serum:  This product contains all the active ingredients of the Tight Firm and Fill face serum , using hyala-sponge technology to ensure that the ingredients are absorbed into the skin and time released for sustained delivery throughout the day.
• BC Spa Resurfacing Peel:  I use this product at least 3 times a week.  This product contains a 30% acid blend that helps to break down the bonds that hold dry, dead skin cells to the surface of the skin.  I have never used a more gentle, yet more effective chemical peel product…and I have tried them all.  I always follow my Resurfacing Peel treatment with…
• BC Spa Microdermabrasion:  This product utilized the same aluminum oxide crystals used by dermatologists to remove dead skin and resurface the skin’s texture without the high price tag!  I can’t imagine anyone being without this product.

You will always find these products in my bathroom or my travel bag…and I never leave home without them.  

 

I hope you all have an amazing weekend.  Remember, if you have any product questions, please be sure to send them to product@beauticontrol.com.  Ciao.

 

Test Your Skin Care Knowledge – The Answers

Ok…So here are the answers to Monday’s quiz.  Be sure to let me know how you did!

1.      The key to repairing damage to the skin caused by the sun, age and oxidation is:

1. Sunscreen
2. Exfoliation
3. Antioxidants
4. Daily cleansing

While the skin does need sunscreen and antioxidant protection to help stave off damage, the only way to reverse damage that has already occurred is an effective regimen that included both physical and chemical exfoliation.  This process helps stimulate the rate that the skin renews itself and encourages the skin to act as it did when we were younger.

2. In our 20s, our skin cells turn over approximately:

1. Every week
2. Once a year
3. Once a day
4. Every 30 days

In the prime of our youth, natural skin cell turn-over occurs approximately once a month.  With continued exposure to damage and with continued aging, the skin’s rate of renewal is dramatically slowed.  The process of exfoliation helps to return the skin’s rapid rate of cellular renewal.  The older we get, the more important it is to incorporate both physical and chemical exfoliation into our daily regimen and weekly treatments.

3. The following is a form of “physical” exfoliant:

1. Sand
2. Salt
3. Aluminum oxide
4. All of the above

All of these are forms of physical exfoliants.  Aluminum Oxide crystals are the form of crystal that we use in our Microdermabrasion.  Each crystal is laser cut to shave the skin’s surface, rapidly removing dead skin cells.  This both encourages faster cellular renewal and allows for maximum penetration of your other repair products.

4. The name of the ingredient that causes the Skinlogics Thermal Facial Scrub and the Warming trend to “warm” is:

1. Propylene glycol
2. Glycerin
3. Sodium Potassium Aluminum Silicate
4. Polyethylene

Sodium Potassium Aluminum Silicate is a naturally occurring mineral compound that reacts when exposed to water and releases a flash of “heat”.

5. Which form of “chemical” exfoliant penetrates the deepest:

1. Polyhydroxy acids
2. Alpha hydroxy acids
3. Beta hydroxy acids
4. Retinol

Retinol, derived from Vitamin A, has the ability to pass more deeply into the epidermis to help repair damage at a cellular level by stimulating the rate that new skin cells are produced.  Where AHAs and PHAs work more on the surface by speeding the rate of cellular removal, Retinol dives down under to help kick start the rate of renewal.

6. The best products for treating skin discolorations are:

1. Regeneration Overnight
2. Cell Block C Brightening Elixir
3. Microdermabrasion
4. All of the above

All of these products, when used with Cell Block C AM, will help to repair the skin and alleviate skin discolorations. 

7. Which product containing SPF ingredients is not intended for outdoor, physical activites?

1. Cell Block C AM SPF 20
2. Skinlogics SPF 30+ Booster
3. Sunlogics SPF 30
4. Skinlogics Lip Balm SPF 20

While Cell Block C AM SPF 20 does contain sun protection, it is not formulated or designed to be an active wear sunscreen.  This product is a daily protection product that protects against oxidation and UV damage.  For outdoor, active wear or more intense sun exposure, the other SPF products would be more appropriate.

8. Which of the following ingredients are known to cause cancer:

1. Mineral oil
2. Propylene Glycol
3. Parabens
4. None of the above

All of our ingredients are subjected to stringent toxicological review and has a historical record that is proven to be safe.  All of our products are put through very strict clinical testing to confirm their safety and efficacy as well.  You can feel confident that the cosmetic industry is a carefully regulated industry and the products that you use are safe and free of cancer causing ingredients.

9. Which eye cream is best for those who suffer from dark under-eye circles?

1. Eye X Cel
2. Regeneration Gold
3. Regeneration Platinum
4. Regeneration Platinum Plus

The very best eye cream to treat dark circles is the Regeneration Platinum Eye Repair Cream.  This product contains a very complex blend of ingredients that work directly to strengthen the vascular support system in the thin areas below the eyes to discourage dark circle formation.

10. What is the best product to use for someone who has sagging skin on the neck?

1. TFF
2. Sculptique Facial Contouring Lotion
3. Therma Del Sol Bust and Neck Serum
4. Regeneration Overnight

Sculptique Facial Contour Lotion is the BEST choice for firming and reducing “sagging” skin on the neck.  It is also a very effective product for reducing facial puffiness and improving the contours of the chin and neck area.

11. If I use Regeneration Overnight Eye Capsules or TFF Eye Firming Serum, I also need to use an eye cream?

1. True
2. False

Regeneration Overnight Eye Capsules and the TFF Eye Firming Serum are designed to be used WITH an eye cream.  Each of these products are aggressive repair products, but contain no moisturizers…thus the need for an additional eye cream.

12. TFF is the best repair product to use for long-term skin repair?

1. True
2. False

While TFF offers long term firming benefits, it is not designed to help expedite the rate of cellular renewal.  Remember, the trick to repairing skin damage is making the skin act the way it did when we were younger.  The only way to do this is through the process of exfoliation.  Your Regeneration AM and PM products are designed to be the “work horses” of your regimen.  TFF is an additional product that offers immediate dermal filling benefits.  Used as a complete regimen, you get quick results from TFF and long term repair from your Regeneration AM and PM products.

13. If I protect my skin from burning, I will prevent unnecessary damage commonly associated with aging?

1. True
2. False

The rays that cause the skin to burn are UVB rays.  While we do want to protect our skin from burning, we also need to protect our skin from the rays that penetrate more deeply into the skin that cause the breakdown of collagen and elastin deep in the skin…UVA rays.  The A stands for Aging.  UVA rays are the rays that cause the most significant signs of aging in the skin. 

14. A classification of ingredients that penetrate into the epidermis to help re-build the skin’s collagen and elastin fibers, restoring firmness to the skin are:

1. Alpha hydroxy acids
2. Peptides
3. Amino acids
4. Antioxidants

Peptides have many different functions in the skin.  These are bio-engineered molecules that have the ability to help increase firmness, relax the skin’s expression lines and provide long term skin cohesion.  These ingredients are found in our TFF products, as well as our Regeneration AM and PM formulations.

15. Which ingredient stimulates the rate that new skin cells are generated?

1. Salicylic acid
2. Vitamin C
3. Retinol
4. Collagen

Retinol, as we mentioned earlier is a key ingredient in the process of cellular renewal.  This ingredient penetrates very deeply to kick start the rate that new skin cells are developed.

16. Which ingredient is a form of vitamin C?

1. Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
2. Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
3. Ascorbic Acid Polypeptide
4. All of the above

All of these ingredient names, as well as a few others, are forms of Vitamin C.  Depending on the base of the formulation, the intent of the delivery or the desired result, various forms of Vitamin C are used.  Vitamin C is a very effective ingredient to use in skin care formulations, but the form that is chosen is CRUCIAL to the outcome of the formulation. 

17. The Instant Facelift Treatment can be used up to 3 times a week?

1. True
2. False

Depending on your skin’s tolerance of the treatment, the IFL can be used up to 3 times per week for maximum results.

18. All of BeautiControl’s products are Dermatologist, Sensitivity and Allergy tested?

1. True
2. False

This is true.  BeautiControl, in fact, has one of the most intensive testing protocols of anyone in the industry.  We spend as much money annually testing our products as we do developing them.  Our goal is to provide SAFE and EFFECTIVE products that offer maximum results.  We are only as good as the products we sell.  With that in mind, our goal is to ensure that you have the BEST products in the industry, giving you a definite competitive advantage.

19. If I use TFF, I don’t need to use other Regeneration products such as Regeneration Gold, Platinum Regeneration, etc.?

1. True
2. False

Sorry…I put this one in twice to grab your attention.  While TFF is a great product to offer immediate dermal filling and longer term firming benefits, it does not offer the REPAIR to the skin that your Regeneration AM and PM products do.  A complete regimen of products should always contain your Regeneration AM and PM products for maximum skin repair.  For added immediate results, TFF can be incorporated to firm and tighten the skin’s appearance while helping to relax the lines of expression.

20. Which of the following ingredients are considered “alpha hydroxy acids”?

1. Glycolic acid
2. Lactic acid
3. Citric acid
4. All of the above

Think of the term Alpha Hydroxy Acid like a family’s last name.  For instance, my last name is Jones…there were 4 kids in our family – Brinda, Bobby, Ronnie and Gary.  We are all very different, but we are all closely related. 

Alpha Hydroxy Acid is the family name.  There are lots of children in that family…Glycolic, Lactic, Citric, Malic and Tartaric.  This family has some relatives…the Polyhydroxy Acid family, which has 2 children – lactobionic and gluconolactone and their adopted cousins, the Beta Hydroxy Acid family – which as one child named salicylic.

Just like most relatives, they all have similarities, but they are each very different and have different jobs, talents and abilities, making each one unique and very special.

So…how did you do? 

I hope you had fun with this.  It is always good to check our knowledge and these kinds of exercises allow us to learn in a little different, and more interactive format.

Ok, don’t forget about our Regeneration sale this month.  This will be the BEST deal this year on these products, so be sure to take advantage this month to stock up on these products.  The repair products are the core of our skin care line. 

If you haven’t seen my videos on BeautiNet yet, please take a look.  We have our MRP overview and our Prevention workshop online now.  Next week, we will have our Repair workshop up and running.  Take a few minutes to watch these and refresh your skin care knowledge. 

I hope you all have an incredible weekend!!