Common Industry Skin Care Terms You Need to Know
Getting familiar with common skin care terms is helpful when choosing skin care products! Understanding the following words will help you to understand your own skin and it's needs.
Alpha-Hydroxy Acids AHAs include lactic acid, malic acid, citric acid, glycolic acid, and pyruvic acid. Found in sugar cane and citrus fruit, AHAs loosen and remove cells from the stratum corneum (skin surface). In doing so they reduce the visibility of wrinkles and cause the skin to look and feel smoother. They also assist your skin in retaining moisture. Glycolic acid has the smallest molecular structure of the AHAs and can thus most easily penetrate into the stratum corneum.
Amino Acids Amino Acids are the building blocks of proteins. They are mild on the skin and strengthen connective tissue and stimulate collagen to keep the skin smooth and elastic. They have also been noted to improve skin tone and increase hydration.
Antimicrobial An element that slows and restricts the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Antioxidants Antioxidants are nutrients (vitamins and minerals) and enzymes (proteins) that repair cellular damage. They do so by counteracting Free Radicals damage, binding to the Free Radicals and transforming them into non-damaging compounds. They also stimulate new collagen growth for smooth, firm, youthful skin.
Astringent Astringents constrict cellular tissues, reducing pore size and minimizing oil production. They remove dirt and oil from the skin and are often used after a cleansing product to remove residue. Astringents help to keep the skin clean, clear, and properly functioning.
Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Broad spectrum sunscreens protect against both UVA and UVB radiation. UVA radiation causes aging while UVB radiation causes burning. It is important to protect against both forms of sun radiation to prevent premature aging of the skin.
Cell Renewal The process by which skin produces new cells that travel from the lowest level of your skin to the topmost layer. After some time they shed and allow new cells beneath them to emerge. These cells form a paper thin barrier on the surface of the skin to guard against moisture loss and environmental damage.
Cellular Regeneration The process of cell renewal, cell restoration, and cell growth.
Collagen A natural protein found in the dermis (middle layer of the skin). Collagen makes up 75% of the skin. It provides strength to the skin and gives it its form, shape, and firmness.
Comedogenic A product applied to the skin that contains an ingredient which increases the accumulation of dead cells within skin follicles. Comedogenic products lead to acne and blackhead formation, it is important to look for “Non-Comedogenic” skin care products.
Dermatologically Tested Clinical tests performed under the supervision of an independent third party dermatologist.
Dermis The middle layer of the skin comprised of blood vessels, hair follicles, and oil glands. Here is where collagen and elastin live, two proteins that offer the skin support and elasticity.
Elastin A natural protein found in the dermis. Elastin gives the skin strength, giving it its form, shape, and elasticity.
Emollient A mixture of agents designed to make the external layers of the skin (epidermis) softer and more elastic. They help the skin retain moisture by reducing evaporation.
Emulsifiers A substance that allows oils and liquids to mix (creating an Emulsion). Emulsifiers help to keep products in tact and help to remove oils from the skin.
Epidermis The Epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin and is in charge of Cell Renewal. It is composed of 5 layers; the topmost layer is made up of flat, dead skin cells (the stratum corneum) that shed about every two weeks. The bottom layer is made up of column-shaped cells that push already made cells from the Dermis to the surface. Although the Epidermis the thinnest layer of the skin it is responsible for producing pigment and protecting the skin from the environment.
Exfoliants Substances that break down and remove dead, dull skin cells that naturally build up on the skin’s surface. Exfoliants smooth and brighten as they help the skin achieve and maintain optimal performance. Suggested use is usually 2-3 times a week to keep the skin looking fresh and young.
Flavonoids Flavonoids are natural substances found in fruits, vegetables, pine bark and green tea. They are loaded with antioxidants and work actively to strengthen blood vessels and stabilize elastin and collagen to keep the skin young and vibrant.
Free Radicals Free Radicals are atoms or molecules with an odd number of electrons. Normally, when a chemical bond splits it doesn’t leave an odd, unpaired electron. However, when weak bonds splits a Free Radical is formed. The subsequent lone electron will steal a proton from another molecule to complete itself, causing a chain reaction of damage that can eventually disrupt a cell.
Humectant A Humectant is a substance that promotes the preservation and retention of the skins natural moisture.
Hygroscopic Hygroscopic is the ability of a substance to readily take up and retain moisture from its surrounding environment.
Hypodermis The Hypodermis is the deepest layer of the skin. It is composed of fatty tissue and is attached to the dermis via collagen and elastin fibres. The Hypodermis is responsible for conserving the body’s heat and protecting vital inner organs.
Keratin Keratin is a key structural protein that makes up hair, nails, and the surface layer of the skin. Keratin determines the skins rigidity.
Lipids Naturally occurring compounds that protect the skins natural barrier. Topically applied, Lipids help the skin to retain its natural moisture to keep it soft, supple, and protected.
Melanin Melanin is pigment that gives the skin its color. The more melanin you have the darker your skin will be. The amount of melanin you naturally have is based on your genetic makeup, sun exposure, and your hormone levels. Melanin is produced at the base of the epidermis.
Moisture Barrier A function of the epidermis that protects the skin from excessive moisture loss.
Non-acnegenic Non-acnegenic products are products that do not cause acne, versus non-comedogenic products that do not cause clogged skin pores.
Peptides Amino acid chains that create a protein that maintains the health of hair, nails, and skin.
pH The measure of acidity in a substance. Neutral pH is 7.0 (the pH of pure water). Substance with a pH of less than 7.0 are acids and with a pH of above 7.0 a base. The lower the pH the stronger the acid, and higher the pH the stronger the base. Very high or low pHs are irritating to the skin.
Salicylic Acid Salicylic acid works as an exfoliant and fights acne. It penetrates the follicle and encourages the shedding of dead skin cells to keep the pores clear of buildup.
Sebum The skins natural oil produced in the dermis.
Surfactant An active agent that promotes the foaming, dispersing, and spreading properties of a product. Surfactants may act as detergents, wetting agents, emulsifiers, foaming agents, and dispersants. They help products get their job done.
T-zone The area of the face that produces the most sebum. Located on the forehead, nose, and chin.
Toner Skin care products used after a cleanser and before a moisturizer. Toners remove any traces of cleansing product, dirt, and makeup.
Toxins Irritating substances that cause the skin to break out.
Love is in the Hair! Sexy & Smooth Valentine's Day Keratin Special!
Our Valentines Day Keratin Special restores and strengthens hair leaving it shiny, smooth, and best of all, it works with all hair types and textures.
Our healthy hair experts are here to help bridge the gap of that "middle of winter hair blues!"
To show our love, we are offering the fastest, simplest and most affordable way to have smoother, shinier and healthier hair. The treatment works great on over processed hair, as it will improve the hair’s overall look and integrity.
Love is in the hair....... seal in your color creating a more vibrant color and shine like never before. When you layer this treatment, results improve and you add more of the protective protein layer around your hair.
Contact our healthy hair experts today! kassie@kasiaorganicsalon.com * Call 612.824.7611
Read all about the benefits of our NEW Keratin Services HERE!
Expires February 20th Pricing may alter pending on the length of hair, and/or density.
The Anti-Aging Hair Diet
Hair not only loses color as you age it can also lose thickness and become dry and brittle. Eating a diet full of antioxidant vitamins, minerals, healthy proteins and oils can help slow the aging process by repairing damage and helping you grow stronger strands.
We’ve compiled a list of healthy foods with vitamins and nutrients your hair needs. Consume them regularly to keep your hair vibrant.
Dark Green Vegetables – Choose dark green leafy veggies like spinach and kale. Greens are packed with antioxidants including A, C, and E, folate and calcium. They also contain iron, key for healthy blood, and circulation. Good circulation in the scalp is one of the keys to keeping precious hairs. Try them raw in a salad or blended into a green smoothie.
Carrots - Take a cue from Bugs Bunny and eat LOTS of carrots as they are brilliant for building healthy skin and hair. Packed with carotene which turns into vitamin A for cell repair. They are also a good source of potassium, vitamins C & B6, copper, folic acid, thiamine, magnesium, and fiber. That means they heal, act as a diuretic (aka get rid of bloating), and remineralize the body. The perfect food for hair, eyes, and skin.
Lentils - These little protein, biotin, and iron-filled superstars help build long and strong strands. They are also loaded with cholesterol-lowering fiber, and make a delicious soup during these cold winter months.
Coconut Oil - If you need an oil or fat for any dish, we recommend coconut oil. It’s good for your insides and outsides! You can use it as a skin moisturizer or a hair mask as well. Rich in
Vitamin E and other critical antioxidants this multipurpose oil is all about repair.
Avocados - Do you need anot
her reason to eat avocados besides they’redelicious? New studies show that avocado oil seems to assist with the absorption of carotenoid antioxidants like beta-carotene (see carrots).
Greek Yogurt - It’s high in hair-building protein, vitamin B5 and vitamin D. Emerging research links vitamin D and hair follicle health.
Make sure to consume 6 to 7 servings a day of these hair nutrient superstars and you can help slow the aging process from the inside out.
Contact the Kasia for your custom plan on how to Age-Less from the inside - out!
Guest Post: HairColor4Women
Your Top 10 Detox Foods
Help flush toxins from your liver, cleanse your bloodstream and clear up your complexion with these healthy foods and cleansing herbs.
Regular cellular detoxification causes the most amazing chemical reactions that can boost your energy level sky high. Detox food plans and modern-day juice cleanses are grounded on the premise that eliminating “toxins” and particular foods (usually meat or processed products)—even for a while—will rid your system of substances that slow your metabolism and cause acne breakouts, inflammation and bloating.
“The way we eat influences how we sleep, how we think and process, as well as how we manage our stress,” says neurologist David Perlmutter, MD, FACN, President of the Perlmutter Health Center in Naples, FL, and author of Grain Brain (Little Brown and Company, 2013). In fact, according to Dr. Perlmutter, what we eat—or sometimes, more importantly, what we don’t eat—impacts every aspect of our health and digestion.
Here are our top 10 suggestions for cleaning up your act:
1. Eat healthy fruits and vegetables
If it doesn’t grow on a tree or if it’s not available at a local farmers market, don’t include it in any detox plans. Your body and mind require calories to sustain optimal functioning and focus, says expert Kris Carr, author of Crazy Sexy Kitchen (Morris Publishing, 2012). “Humans are at the top of the food chain and more likely to be exposed to an accumulation of toxic substances in the food supply,” says Carr. Pesticides and herbicides, for example, are sprayed on grains that are then fed to farm animals. Toxins are stored in fatty tissue of animals, and then we devour those proteins. The detox message? Eat fewer (if any) animal products but nibble, nonetheless, on organic fruits and unlimited vegetables as you cleanse.
2. Quash alcohol calories
Beat bloating by avoiding alcohol calories if you can. Since the body cannot store or remove alcohol efficiently, it is synthesized, then stored, in your liver. During a thorough detox, teetotalers provide their detox organs a big break, especially the hard-working liver and kidneys. “Humans are exposed to heavy metals, herbicides and insecticides and 80,000 other nefarious industrial chemicals and preservatives every day,” says Carr. The last thing to do is clog your system with excessive alcohol.
3. Drink quarts of water
Nothing helps flush your skin, blood and organs better than pure water, say our experts. Aim for a minimum of eight to 10 glasses per day, to stay hydrated and aid digestion. “The detoxification process is intricate and when circulating antioxidants latch onto toxins in your bloodstream, they neutralize their oxidizing capacity and escort them to the liver,” explains Dr. Perlmutter. Liver cells then perform a detoxification process, whereby chemical reactions in the liver neutralize and eliminate toxins via urine, feces and perspiration.
4. Consume kombucha
Drink six to 12 ounces of tangy, tasty kombucha tea daily to depollute the liver and blood, and settle your belly with helpful gut bacteria that delivers medicinal spirits, says Jessica Childs, author of Kombucha (Penguin Group, 2013). Childs, who holds a degree in molecular biology, says, “Cells are constantly forming toxins as normal byproducts of your metabolism, which boosts the immune system and help restore healthy bacteria into your gastrointestinal tract.” Keeping that tract clean daily with a tangy detox tea does the job.
5. Try powerful turmeric and curcumin
The medicinal potency of the antioxidant turmeric lies in the active ingredient curcumin, the anti-inflammatory compound that may minimize cellular inflammation and promote wound healing. In “Anticancer Potentials of Curcumin: Preclinical and Clinical Studies,” a study published in Anticancer Research, turmeric was found to help soothe symptoms of cystic fibrosis, hemorrhoids, gastric ulcer, colon cancer, breast cancer, liver diseases and arthritis.
6. Detox with dandelion root
Native Americans boiled dandelion leaves in water and drank it to treat kidney disease, skin problems and heartburn. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, roasted dandelion is tapped to treat stomach problems, appendicitis and inflammation. The root helps to break down dietary fats during digestion, and carry away waste to promote optimal liver function. Preliminary studies at the University of Maryland Medical Center suggest that dandelion may also normalize blood sugar levels, lower total cholesterol and triglycerides, and raise the “good” HDL cholesterol in diabetic mice.
7. Make mine a multi
Take a daily multi-vitamin with fiber to compensate for the lack of potential calories on any detox plan, and to make sure your digestive system is breaking down calories efficiently while you limit the alcohol, caffeine and excessive calories. “Multi packs [vitamins] should contain vital B vitamins or you may supplement with niacin, riboflavin and thiamine,” says Childs. Vitamin B is essential to a healthy metabolism, cell maintenance and the efficient breakdown of fats, proteins and carbohydrates, says Childs.
8. Consume common herbs and spices
Herbs are the leafy, green part of plants (think mint and parsley), and spices come from the dried seeds, fruit, root and bark. While you may add either to foods or brew them into healthful teas, cumin and cinnamon are increasingly revered not only for their culinary properties, but also for their detox benefits and a biological ability to induce cellular changes and immune function, according to research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Potentially purifying herbs and spices include burdock root, chicory and stinging nettle.
9. Chew on chia
Chia is a highly nutritious seed from the desert plant, Salvia Hispanica. A vital dietary supplement to ancient Aztecs and Mayans, the chia seed is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and easy to incorporate into a detox. Chock-full of soluble fiber to streamline digestion, according to Dr. Andrew Weil, chia seeds are overflowing with antioxidants, calcium, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc. Dr. Weil touts the benefits: “Sprinkle the detoxing seeds whole or ground on cereal, in yogurt or on salads. Seek out organic versions and experiment,” he says.
10. Gobble up Brassica groups
Broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts all contain glucosinolates, common sulphur-containing compounds that protect the liver from damage and improve its detoxing abilities. How? The humble, stinky Brassicaceae family—including cabbage and kohlrabi—contains isothiocyanates and indoles, nutrients that help your digestive organs equalize carcinogenic substances, according to the NIH.
All in all, feed your body the foods and nutrients it craves during a detox, and help self-cleanse your organs and blood circulation. It will do your body good.
Guest Post: Organic Spa Magazine
Photography by Robin Jolin.
New Year's Resolution ~ Tame Acne
As if an ugly blemish isn't bad enough, it can often leave it's reminder hanging around for weeks or months. Luckily, you can speed up the healing process and get your acne under control.
TO AVOID: ANYTHING THAT INFLAMES OR DEHYDRATES THE SKIN
Many products function as drying agents designed to strip away oil. Skincare products that dehydrate in order to reduce oil succeed only temporarily. As soon as the body senses the imbalance, the skin produces MORE oil in an attempt to protect the skin. Dehydration leads to fragile skin and a weaker barrier against dirt and debris, which can worsen acne in many cases.
INFORMED BEAUTY SOLUTIONS:
Renew AHA + Vitamin C Exfoliating Cleanser
Resurface + Cleanse:
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Contains 5% Alpha-hydroxy Acid (AHA) to gently exfoliate
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Soap-free formula
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Citrus extracts and multi-fruit acids refine and brighten
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Willow Bark: (nature’s salicylic acid) has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial elements
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Also doubles as a pore-refining antioxidant mask
Glow:
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Algae Extract: a regenerative sea mineral that provides a radiant glow
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Red Tea: a high-powered antioxidant that combats free radical damage and accelerated aging
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Gotu Kola: reduces redness, inflammation and promotes healing
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Neem: anti-aging botanical that reduces inflammation and offers cellular protection
Moisturize:
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Aloe: soothes and hydrates delicate skin
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Green Tea: provides anti-oxidant protection
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Apricot Oil and Shea Butter moisturize and soften
SoPure Clarifying Mask Key Benefits
Brighter:
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Grape seed extract and Vitamins E and C help reduce pigmentation and discoloration and promote healing.
Clearer:
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Beyond the dual exfoliate system of jojoba beads and Larch extract, Linden and Calendula oil help calm inflammation and breakouts.
Hydrated:
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Algae extract, Shea butter, Oat extract and Squalane balance the skin’s moisture levels and adds suppleness while increasing surface hydration.
INCREASE SKIN HEALTH:
ASSESS YOUR DIET:
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Increase you fiber intake to encourage your body to eliminate toxins through the bowels.
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Buy organic foods if possible. Too many of the added growth hormones in our meat and dairy end up in our systems and the body responds with hormone shifts. As a result, candida (yeast) populations in the body get out of whack which in turn, can contribute to acne.
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Reduce your intake of sugar, hydrogenated oils, sodium and synthetic flavorings where possible. Inflammation, even internally, stimulates oil production and leads to acne.
Contact our Kasia Skin Expert Today!
Kiss n' Tell! Be Rewarded Instantly! ($15 OFF - details inside)
At Kasia Organic Salon, we all have a deep passion for what we do and we would like to thank you in a BIG way.
We appreciate your friendship, loyalty, and trust!
Be Rewarded!
For every new referral, you and your friend will receive $15 OFF of your appointment (of $40 or more).
*Please ask your referral to inform the service provider about their discount when making an appointment.
(Referral first time clients apply)
We're Hiring! Manager of Operations @ Kasia Organic Salon
Kasia Organic Salon * Manager of Operations
Kasia Organic Salon is a fast growing intimate salon/spa. We are revolutionizing the industry by integrating “Beautiful Health” into the salon/spa experience. We are searching for an experienced professional to join our team as our Salon Manager.
Do you love building teams and learning new things? Do you have a knack for business? Would you enjoy filling in the gaps for the most amazing group of women on this planet?
Applicant Essentials:
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At least 2 years of management in a spa or salon and/or retail
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Active cosmetology managers license is a big plus.
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Outstanding attention to detail and excellent communication skills.
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Proven ability to hire, train and develop a team.
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Starting part time: ability to work a minimum of 15-20 hours per week on a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends.
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Good time management skills.
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Ability to read and analyze various software reports for growing the team and individual goals.
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Familiarity with point-of-sale systems, Microsoft Excel and Word.
Day to Day at Kasia:
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You like marketing and would want to be apart of growing the business
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Can fill in the gaps day to day: answering telephones, client checkouts, stocking shelves, inventory, etc.
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Engage in social media on current promotions.
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Utilize business building tools. Our software reporting creates ease in developing ways to increase sales and retaining clients.
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Promote our exclusive natural and organic products and services.
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Identify the clients need(s) and recommend additional services and/or retail to enhance and improve our client’s satisfaction.
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Help create promotional displays with our company graphic artist!
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Network, develop and maintain local business relationships.
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Support the team’s goals through managing the appointment book for efficiency, help team members up-sell, pre-book, etc.
Leadership Skills:
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You love meeting with new people
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You’re empathetic.
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Can go with the flow
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You’re self motivated
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Can deal with conflicts
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Professional