True or false: If you have oily or acne-prone skin, you should avoid moisturizer.

False. The truth is that oily skin needs hydration just as much as any other skin type.

Dry Air Strips Moisture: In a low-humidity environment like Pahrump, the air acts like a sponge, actively pulling moisture from the skin through a process called transepidermal water loss (TEWL). This happens to all skin types, regardless of how oily they feel.

The skin’s natural defense against this moisture loss is to produce more oil (sebum) to create a protective barrier. When someone with already oily skin skips moisturizer, the dry climate rapidly dehydrates their skin’s water content. This triggers the skin’s oil glands to go into overdrive, producing even more oil in an attempt to protect itself from drying out.

This creates a frustrating and counterintuitive cycle:

• The skin feels oily on the surface due to excess sebum.
• At the same time, it is dehydrated underneath because it lacks sufficient water.
• This combination can make pores more congested and lead to more breakouts, as the oily surface traps dead skin cells more easily.

The Correct Solution: The solution is to break this cycle by giving the skin the hydration it’s desperate for. A lightweight, water-based moisturizer delivers that hydration without adding heavy oils. It signals to the skin that it doesn’t need to overproduce sebum for protection, helping to restore balance and prevent both dehydration and excessive oiliness.

I recommend:

• Circadia Moisture on Demand: A great lightweight hydrator.
• Hale & Hush Hush Hydrate Gel: Another excellent gel-based option.
• Circadia Daytime Control Lotion or Nighttime Control Lotion: Specifically designed for oily and acne-prone skin.

For the very best of all worlds, a professional Signature facial or Hydrafacial from Aesthetics By Kat can help balance and re-hydrate oily skin, and a consultation can help them select the perfect routine.

Stay beautiful!

Is it true that hot water opens your pores and cold water closes them? 🤔

NOT TRUE. Pores do not have muscles to open and close. They are tiny openings for hair follicles and sebaceous glands. So what does happen:

• Hot Water: Can strip your skin’s natural oils (the skin barrier), leading to dryness, irritation, and potentially increased oil production as your skin tries to compensate. It can also cause capillaries to dilate, leading to redness.
• Cold Water: Can temporarily make pores appear tighter by constricting blood vessels and firming the skin due to the immediate shock, but it doesn’t actually “close” them.
• Steam: While used in facials, steam doesn’t “open” pores. It softens the hardened sebum and dead skin cells within the pore, making them easier to extract professionally.

The Reality: The reality is lukewarm water is best for gentle, effective cleansing and maintaining a healthy skin barrier.

• Lukewarm water effectively removes dirt and oil without stripping.
• Follow with targeted treatments and moisturizer.
• Professional extraction in a facial or hydrafacial is the safest way to clear congested pores.

Stay beautiful!

Ready to visibly reverse the signs of aging and reveal a luminous complexion? Meet our dynamic duo: Circadia Vitamin C Reversal Serum & Circadia Myo-Cyte Plus Anti-Wrinkle Serum!

Here’s why this pairing is a game-changer for your skin:

• Circadia Vitamin C Reversal Serum: A daily dose of antioxidant power to brighten, protect against environmental damage, and stimulate collagen for a youthful glow.
• Circadia Myo-Cyte Plus Anti-Wrinkle Serum: This advanced formula targets deep lines and wrinkles, promoting a smoother, firmer appearance for a truly age-defying effect.

The Synergy: Vitamin C lays the foundation for brightness and protection, while Myo-Cyte Plus works specifically on wrinkle reduction and firmness, amplifying each other’s benefits for comprehensive rejuvenation. They are formulated to complement each other beautifully.

How to Layer for Max Results in Your Routine:

1. After cleansing and toning, apply a few drops of Circadia Vitamin C Reversal Serum to your face and neck.
2. Once absorbed, follow with 1-2 pumps of Circadia Myo-Cyte Plus Anti-Wrinkle Serum, gently massaging until absorbed.
3. Finish with your favorite moisturizer and SPF (in your morning routine!).

Unlock your skin’s full potential! Both products are available in my office and my online shop. Stay beautiful!

Is it possible to permanently shrink your pores? Let’s bust a common skincare myth and talk REALITY!

You’ve seen them, you’ve probably worried about them – those little dots on your nose, like the ones in our graphic. But what’s the truth about making them disappear?

MYTH: You can permanently shrink your pores.

FACT: Pores are a natural, essential part of your skin, allowing oil and hair to reach the surface. Their size is largely determined by genetics and cannot be physically or permanently shrunk. Those tiny openings are here to stay!

REALITY: While you can’t shrink pores, you ABSOLUTELY can minimize their appearance! The darker dots you might see are often blackheads (clogged, oxidized pores), while the lighter, skin-toned ones are usually sebaceous filaments (normal, oil-filled pathways). Both can make pores look more prominent.

The reality is pore management is necessary for clearer, smoother-looking skin.

This means focusing on: Keeping them clear: Regular, gentle cleansing and targeted exfoliation (like with salicylic acid) to remove buildup. Firming the skin: Boosting collagen with ingredients like retinoids to provide better support around the pore, making it appear tighter. Consistent care: Protecting your skin daily with SPF to prevent damage that can make pores look larger.

Don’t chase impossible shrinkage! Focus on healthy, consistent care for a beautifully clear and refined complexion. Your skin will thank you. Stay beautiful!

July 12th! Happy National Simplicity Day! As an aesthetician, I’m always looking for ways to help you achieve your healthiest, most radiant skin. While I offer amazing treatments and products, sometimes the most profound changes come from embracing simplicity in daily life.

It’s easy to get caught up in advanced methods and the latest product, but let’s take a moment today to appreciate how small, consistent habits can make a huge difference in your skin health routine. Think of it as nurturing your skin from the inside out, paving the way for the visible results we all crave.

The Power of a Good Night’s Sleep

This is perhaps the most underrated beauty secret! When you sleep, your skin goes into repair and recovery mode. Adequate rest allows your skin cells to heal, produce collagen, and combat daily damage. Schedule 7-9 hours of quality sleep every night, and you’ll likely notice a calmer, more vibrant complexion. It’s truly a simple habit with a huge impact.

Hydration: Your Skin’s Best Friend

You’ve heard it before, and I’ll say it again: while it’s true we all have unique requirements, just in general, drink water! Staying hydrated from within is the simplest and most fundamental way to support your overall skin health. Water helps maintain skin elasticity, flushes out toxins, and keeps your cells plump and happy. Carry a reusable water bottle and sip throughout the day – your skin will thank you.

Nourish Your Skin from Your Plate

What you eat profoundly influences your skin. Emphasizing whole, unprocessed foods can do wonders. Think fresh fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Simplifying your diet by cutting down on sugar and processed items can directly reflect positively on your skin, leading to fewer breakouts and a more even tone.

Unwind and De-Stress

I know the very idea of downtime can make people stress, but carve out time each day to destress. Stress is a major culprit when it comes to skin issues. It can trigger breakouts, exacerbate conditions like eczema, and lead to a dull complexion. Incorporating simple practices like mindfulness, short walks, or deep breathing into your day can significantly impact your stress levels. Even just a few minutes of calm can make a difference, benefiting your skin as a direct result.