Hydration and protection goes further then the face!!

Our skin is the body's largest organ. Stretched out, it measures about 2 square meters with only a small percentage dedicated to our face.

So, it is equally important to keep the skin on our bodies healthy and hydrated. One of my favorite treatments is the combination of Environ's Alpha Hydroxy Derma-Lac Lotion and A, C, E Body Oil.

Alpha Hydroxy Derma-Lac lotion is a light, easy to apply lotion that contains several excellent moisturizers including Lactic acid, Urea, and Ammonium Lactate.
Regular use helps improve the appearance of both skin texture and tone.

A.C.E Body Oil is a light, conditioning oil containing prominent levels of vitamins A, C and E, as well as rosemary extracts to assist in providing nourishment
and relieving dry and sun damaged skin.

Vitamin A balances the skin
and imnroves the natural moisturizing factors of the skin. It also stimulates collagen and elastin production. Vitamin C influences skin tone and melanin production. Vitamin E is an important fat-soluble antioxidant that protects your cells, tissues, and organs from damage caused by free radicals.

After showering mix the two together and massage into skin. The results is moisturized, glowing, even toned skin!

Can be used Daily!

Get yours here at Cathia’ Haus of Skin

In a skincare market saturated with products that claim to eliminate wrinkles, plump skin, erase sun damage and so much more, it can be hard to separate scientifically based claims from marketing shams.

​But if there’s one thing that medical professionals seem to agree on, it’s that retinol is effective in reducing the signs of aging.

A brief history of retinol
In the late 1960s, American dermatologist Dr. Albert Klingman discovered that tretinoin – which is part of a class of vitamin A derivatives known as retinoids – was a highly effective treatment for acne. It was marketed as Retin-A and it’s still available to treat problem skin today.
But when some of Dr. Klingman’s patients started to notice that their skin was becoming smoother, less wrinkled and less blotchy, he realized that retinoids were also potent anti-aging compounds. This landmark finding led him to develop another tretinoin cream called Renova to fight what he called “photoaging” due to sun exposure.
Today, tretinoin (also known as retinoic acid) is available in prescription strength from a dermatologist or in its much gentler form, retinol, in over-the-counter products. Retinol converts into retinoic acid once it’s applied to the skin, and while it’s not as potent as its prescription cousin, there’s plenty of scientific evidence to prove that it works.
One major review published in the journal Dermato-Endocrinology in 2012 concluded that retinol has positive effects not only on extrinsic aging (photoaging), but also on intrinsic skin aging (chronological aging), and it has a strong positive effect on collagen metabolism.

What are the different forms of vitamin A?
Confused about the difference between retinoids, retinol, retinoic acid and tretinoin? Here’s a quick guide to the various forms of vitamin A.

Retinoids: Retinoids are derivatives of vitamin A. They include retinoic acid (also called tretinoin) and retinol.

Retinoic acid (tretinoin): This is a potent retinoid found in prescription creams. While it’s very effective, it can cause redness and irritation during the first couple of weeks of use until the skin adapts to it.

Retinol: Chemically an alcohol, retinol is a gentler version of retinoic acid found in over-the-counter products. It may still cause some skin irritation.

​Retinyl palmitate: A combination of the ester of retinol and palmitic acid (a saturated fatty acid), retinyl palmitate converts to retinol and then to retinoic acid once it’s applied to the skin. Because it’s even gentler than retinol, it can be used by people with sensitive skin.

Retinyl acetate: This is another ester of retinol which is also less irritating than retinol and retinoic acid.

How does retinol work?
Retinoids – including retinol – speed up the turnover of skin cells, eliminating sun spots and improving the texture of the skin. They also reduce the breakdown of collagen, which helps the skin maintain its firmness and elasticity, and minimize the appearance of wrinkles. Because of the important body of scientific evidence to support the efficacy of retinoids, they’re highly recommended by dermatologists to fight the signs of aging.

How should retinol be used?
Start by applying a pea-sized amount of an over-the-counter retinol product to your face every second night. It’s best to start slowly because retinol can cause irritation for the first two weeks until your skin gets used to it. You can use moisturizer to combat dryness during this initial period.
Apply retinol at night because sunlight can reduce its effectiveness, and always use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher while using retinoids because they can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.

What should I look for on the label and when can I expect results?
Over-the-counter products generally don’t state how much retinol they contain, but they range between 0.5 per cent and 1 per cent retinol. You should start to see noticeable results within three to six months of daily use. Prescription retinoids can start to work in six to eight weeks.




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Skincare ampoules are super-charged serums divided into individual doses. They contain a high concentration of active ingredients and are meant to target and treat specific concerns.

Ampoules often feature one main active ingredient, and the form is designed to preserve the purity and potency of the product. The single-use applications are also great for travel.
Because ampoules are so highly concentrated, they are best used as a special treatment that addresses a concern for a specific period of time, however, some may be used daily.
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Use them after cleansing and toner application and before or in place of serum application. To seal in the benefits, you can follow with a sheet mask and once that is done, finish with your favorite moisturizer.

The back has the same sebaceous glands that secrete sebum as the face. Sebum, along with dead skin cells, sweat, and bacteria, can build up in the hair follicles on your back (which are bigger than the ones on the face), clogging them and causing bacne.

Many fabrics including dirty bed sheets, towels, wool clothing, and workout clothes, can also be the cause for your bacne. Bacteria builds up on these materials and subsequently causes bacne breakouts when skin contact is recurrent.

Make sure everyday items that touch your body and face on a daily basis are washed regularly, as this will help prevent breakouts. I recommend changing your washcloths daily and washing your sheets at least once a week.

If you’re an athlete or have a crazy schedule where you can’t shower after a workout and wash the sweat, sunscreen or pollution off immediately, carry some cleansing wipes with you and wipe down your chest and back after your activities. This will help to clean out your pores and tide you over until you can get to a shower.

​Also, try to wear more loose-fitting workout shirts or breathable fabric, so your skin can air out more easily. Tighter clothing will trap sweat and oil closer to your pores and hair follicles, clogging them in the process.
Bacne takes a bit more maintenance and time to treat than the face. For an at home treatment, use Environ’s Sebu-Wash as a cleanser, then apply PCA Blemish Bar for exfoliation and Environ’s Body Derma-Lac Lotion to hydrate and lift hyperpigmentation and smooth out texture over the affected area. For professional treatments, back facials with Red and Blue LED lights will kill bacteria. Environ’s chemical peels will also help kill bacteria and improve the appearance of the back skin. Be patient, and soon enough, your bacne will be a thing of the past!

​Down below are some reasons on how each step benefits your skin!

1. Cleanse: cleansing is important because it balances your PH levels. Gently removes dirt/oil without stripping the skin of its natural protective barrier. Prevents bacterial invasion also prevents dehydration and sensitivity

2. Exfoliation: Aside from clearing away dry and dead skin, a regular exfoliation habit increases the skin's radiance, clarity, and youthfulness, and that's just the start. It Unclogs Pores, Prevents Acne, Helps Other Skincare Products Penetrate Deeper, Evens Skin Tone, & It Boosts Circulation and Lymphatic Drainage.

3. Tone: Toning after cleansing restores skin to a state where moisturizers and serums can be absorbed efficiently and effectively. They can be repairing, hydrating, balancing and smoothing on the skin’s surface, and can be used for every skin condition.

4. Serums: Serums are thin-viscosity topical products that contain concentrated amounts of active ingredients. The concept with a serum is that larger amounts of active molecules will potentially penetrate the skin’s surface for optimum effectiveness. Also, due to the higher concentration, it typically takes a shorter amount of time to see visible results. But you also need to seal the serum to maximize the benefits, which is why a moisturizer or face cream is the next step.

5. Moisturizer: Moisturizing is an important step to maintain your skin's healthy cells and to protect it from irritation. When your skin is dry and irritated, it actually causes breakouts and acne. By moisturizing your skin, you can reduce your chances of any skin problems arising.

Sunscreen is an essential part of anyone’s skincare regime, it’s essential for keeping the skin healthy and protected from the rays of the sun. Sunscreen is one of the most important products that you can purchase as part of a 4 step or last step of a healthy skin regimen. It’s going to not only protect your skin from the onslaught of the environment but also helps to protect the products you’ve applied that are going to make a change to your skin.

Why Wear Sunscreen?

Besides protecting you from sunburn (if your skin type does burn), why should you wear sunscreen? Here are my top five reasons why sunscreen is vital to your skin regime:

1. Sunscreen helps prevent skin cancers. The three most common types of skin cancer are basal cell skin cancer, squamous cell skin cancer and melanoma. UV radiation is the top risk factor causing these skin cancers. Consistent, adequate protection from the sun’s UV rays helps lower your risk, which is why it’s critical to apply sunscreen every day.

1. Sunscreen prevents premature aging. The culprits of the aging process are divided into two categories: intrinsic aging (influenced by genetics) and extrinsic aging (induced by chronic exposure to the sun’s radiation, pollution, chemicals and other environmental factors). UV radiation causes the premature breakdown of collagen and elastin in skin, resulting in fine lines and wrinkles. It also damages pigment-producing cells called melanocytes, resulting in the overproduction of melanin causing hyperpigmentation. The sun’s ultraviolet radiation is responsible for an estimated 90 percent of visible signs of aging. Regular use of sunscreen allows you to enjoy smooth, youthful-looking skin for years longer.

1. Sunscreen reduces the risk of hyperpigmentation. A common skin condition caused by sun exposure, hyperpigmentation is when your skin is darkened in patches due to changes in the production of melanin, which gives skin its color. People with darker skin are naturally more susceptible to hyperpigmentation.

1. Sunscreen prevents inflammation of the skin. UV radiation damages the DNA of immune-protecting cells, leading to inflammation and free radical damage to skin and within the body. Immune suppression decreases our body’s ability for these cells to protect us from skin cancers and other illnesses. The immune system plays a vital role in maintaining the health of all the tissues of the body, so healthy skin is vital to overall health.

1. Sunscreen prevents sun sensitivity. Sunscreens are particularly helpful in preventing solar irritation in people with sun-sensitive conditions, such as lupus and rosacea, where exposure to UV rays can lead to redness and burning in the skin and overall severity of these conditions

DON’T FORGET TO PROTECT & LOVE YOUR SKIN!

ENVIRON RAD SUNSCREEN

​A face and body sunscreen formulated with a combination of physical sunscreens as well as a unique phyto-complex to work synergistically in protecting the skin from harsh environmental influences and the damaging effects of the sun.

Benefits:

• Provides a broad-spectrum transparent barrier with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30.
• Supplies the skin with the essential nutrients necessary for enhanced skin protection.
• A light, creamy texture that is easily applied to the entire body for a non-greasy after-feel.

Environ’s Complete Anti-Pollution Spritz
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This spritz assists in effectively calming, rebalancing and strengthening the effects of the skin’s resistance against the harmful effects of pollution.

​This lightweight, fragrance-free spritz creates a powerful daily protective shield, assisting in protecting against the visible signs of pollution damaged skin, i.e. reducing the effects of oxidative stress and the effects of rebalancing the microbiome, leaving the skin looking less inflamed and healthy.

Environ’s Purifying Anti-Pollution Masque
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This masque assists in absorbing skin impurities, while soothing, moisturizing and protecting the appearance of a compromised barrier function.

​This multifunctional masque, scientifically formulated with charcoal and special botanicals, assists in purifying pores by absorbing pollutant impurities, while soothing, moisturizing and protecting the look of a compromised barrier function as a result of harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS).

This Eye Gel was scientifically formulated for use around the delicate eye area. Antioxidant & Peptide Eye Gel is rich in antioxidants, peptides and vitamins that assist in creating a more refreshed and youthful skin appearance. It works perfectly around the delicate eye area to help minimize the appearance of fine lines and intensely hydrate the look of the skin.

First off, you’re not alone! Cellulite occurs in about 80-90% of women and is the result of fat deposits pushing through the connective tissue (collagen fibers) beneath the skin.

These lumps and dimples in the skin usually appear near the buttocks, upper legs, abdominal area and upper arms.
Although the exact causes are unknown, women are more susceptible because of the structure of our fat cells and connective tissue. Our collagen fibers are arranged vertically and parallel, so our fat cells push through it easier, whereas in men, they are crisscrossed, making it harder for fat cells to get through. This why only about 10% of men have cellulite.

Cellulite does not discriminate. It is genetic and depends on your metabolism, hormones and lifestyle factors. I have seen cellulite on very slim women and girls as young as 10.
As women age, estrogen and blood flow decrease, which increases the size of fat cells, making fat deposits more prominent. In addition, a diet high in fat, carbs, and salt can exacerbate cellulite.

There is no natural way to completely get rid of cellulite. However, there are some things you can do to treat it and reduce its appearance. Regular body massage and exfoliation are very helpful, as these will increase blood flow and turn over the fat cells, diffusing them.

I personally massage my body with the silicone Massage Glove by Environ in the shower, to stimulate circulation. After the shower, I apply Environ’s Vitamin A, C, E Oil and Derma-Lac Lotion all over my body to create healthy, glowing skin, and Elemis Cellulite Cleansing Oil on the places that I have cellulite.

In Studio, I use micro currents and ultrasound, combined with LED therapy or radio frequency to keep the skin healthy, tighter, and lifted, which hides the appearance of cellulite.

If you find your cellulite is not improving, you may need to check your diet. It is important to make sure you are eating lots of proteins, as they will not stick to the fat deposits in your body like sugars or other fats will. You also may not be drinking enough water. To compensate, you can eat foods that have high concentrations of water like cucumbers, radishes, tomatoes, and bell peppers.

​Additionally, keep hitting the gym, as this will strengthen and tone problem areas, which will lift and tighten the skin, reducing the appearance of cellulite.