Skin Priming - Spring Cleaning of the Face

I'm trying to keep up with all the new terms for the weather patterns the world is experiencing - bomb cyclone, atmospheric river, polar vortex... and am being asked about the same trend in skin: slugging, priming, fasting, glass skin, double cleansing...the list goes on. Some of them really are important and even new concepts. In this newsletter, it being springtime and all, I'm covering Skin Priming. It's not what you think. Skin priming is essentially exfoliation, but often exists in a product that combines washing with mechanical exfoliation. Exfoliation is like a magic wand for your skin - it helps to remove the dead skin cells from the stratum corneum to reveal a fresher, brighter complexion. When we're young without a care in the world and don't realize what's to come, those cute little energetic skin cells practically jump off our face, turning over every 28 days. By the time we discover the jig is up, those same dead cells exhibit a sluggish 80 day turnover (ouch!). Sadly, it shows in the skin and in despair we turn to the latest product in the frantic hope of returning to the old days of youthful vibrancy, when we didn't even appreciate it. Enter exfoliation - a delicate dance requiring the right rhythm and the right moves. Physical exfoliation involves using a scrub or a tool to physically remove dead skin cells, while chemical exfoliation involves using an acid or an enzyme to dissolve dead skin cells. Both methods have their benefits and like a dance, we need to be in tune with our skin, listen to its needs, and especially as we age, avoid over-exfoliating. I myself am not a fan of frequent washing. My contention is that if you are going to strip the skin's protective acid mantle, it better be for good reason, like shedding those pesky dead cells that not only make skin dull, but also can contribute to premature aging by not facilitating swift cell turnover. My advice: If you are going to use one exfoliant, let it be chemical, and let it be Lactic Acid, which is more humectant and more gentle than Glycolic Acid, with the same beneficial effects. There's more information and how-to videos about products and regimens under "Skin 101" at VenusandVetiver.com for those of you who geek out on skin care (know that I love you for that!). In other news, magically, my new site allows for reviews! If you would be so kind as to rate the products you use, it would mean so much to me as a small business owner. When I shop online I rely heavily on reviews so I am beyond thrilled that my new website lets clients give feedback. Thank you, again and again and happy Spring - now get on priming. My very best, Judy