Sleekskin® Aesthetics of Scottsdale AZ offers facials, waxing, make-up applications, and skin care products.

Full-service personal custom skin care management and skin care treatments for women, men, and teens.

Eat This For Brighter & Tighter Skin

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We all want great skin because it’s one of the first things people see! And while we rely on skin care products and makeup to some degree, I’m a firm believer in building beauty from the inside out—skin, after all, is a living, breathing organ, and nothing substitutes real beauty built from superfoods and mindful nutrition. READ MORE

5 Foods That Boost Your Skin’s Natural Sun Protection

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As we edge toward summer, I get a lot of confused clients when it comes to dealing with sun exposure. I don’t blame them; there is a lot of contradicting information. My bottom line is this: Food is our first line of defense. What we eat can have a big impact on how our skin manages the sun. Eating certain fruits and veggies give us the raw materials to build our own sun protection, from the inside out. READ MORE HERE

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHT: Bearberry Brightening Cream

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Use for Acne-prone skin.
Bearberry Brightening Cream is formulated to visibly improve the appearance of aging, blemish prone or pigmented skin. A synergistic blend of natural source Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Azelaic Acid, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C) and Alpha Arbutin improves skin texture and the appearance of hyperpigmented spots, reducing red blotchiness and the severity of fine lines. Niacinamide stimulates collagen synthesis and the production of ceramide, a lipid compound that contributes to the functional and structural integrity of the skin barrier.

Recommendations:

  • Azelaic Acid – 10% – Is a pharmaceutical anti-acne agent that provides antibacterial and comedolytic effects. It is effective against a number of skin conditions, from mild to moderate acne. It helps to stop the growth of skin bacteria that causes acne and keep the skin pores clean. Azelaic acid is also a reversible inhibitor of tyrosinase, delivering whitening effects to the skin.
  • Niacinamide – 5% – Is an active form of Vitamin B3 that offers a number of benefits for aged and photodamaged skin and improved skin moisturization. Niacinamide is effective in improving skin texture and improving the appearance of hyperpigmented spots and red blotchiness, in addition to reducing the severity of fine lines. It stimulates collagen synthesis and production of ceramides, a lipid compound that contributes to the functional and structural integrity of the skin barrier.
  • Alpha Arbutin – Ten times more powerful than standardized arbutin. Derived from bearberry, it is an alternative to hydroquinone and Kojic acid for brightening and lightening skin color or to remove brown age spots. It inhibits the body’s production of tyrosinase and suppresses unwanted pigmentation rather than killing pigment-producing cells.

Ingredients: Aqua (Purified Water), Niacinamide, Azelaic Acid, Sorbitol, Vegetable Glycerine, Cetyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Palmitate, Aqueous Extract of Cyanidium Algae (Tego Stemlastin), Cistus Incanus Extract (and) Maltodextrin (Tego Cistus), Stearic Acid, Olus Oil, Polyacrylamide/C13-14 Isoparaffin/Laureth-7, Alpha Arbutin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate.

Purchase your very own here: goo.gl/Yk3FaY

Skinsational Superfood Powders by Debbie Davis

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I know what you’re thinking, “what is all this hoopla about and what are superfood powders and why should I care”?? Hang in here with me as I give you a glimpse into this exciting nutritional subject!
Superfood powders are excellent health supplements to your diet because they contain so many different nutrients from high quality plants, fruits, and vegetables that we may not be able to ingest in our daily diets. They are convenient and can travel with you easily. The fiber is intact, they contain quality protein that is highly bioavailable, and they provide a quick and easy way to meet our many nutritional goals while keeping the caloric content in check. These powders are carefully processed and freeze-dried to make sure that the whole food nutrients are intact. They retain their nutritional “punch” longer than fresh produce. They have numerous health benefits that inhibit oxidative damage and cellular stress in the body! As an aesthetician and holistic nutritionist, I can attest that adding these superfood powders will boost the health and resilience of your skin as well! Many of us are living a” time-crunched” life and have a challenge getting all our required fresh fruits and vegetables into our diets. If low-carb is the goal, superfood powders allow us to get our essential nutrients without the carbs and calories.
As the title of the article suggests, my focus will be on powders that are skin-loving blends in powdered form, with targeted ingredients that may include collagen- boosting herbs and compounds, skin-clearing probiotics and vitamin-rich antioxidant fruits. I coined the phrase “radiant skin from within” to point up the fact that our internal health is reflected in our skin. Superfood powders can shorten the road to looking and feeling our best!  You can just mix these powders into your morning coffee, tea, juice, or post-workout smoothie and watch the improvements happen…
Various superfood powders contain many different whole food extracts from all over the world, so you are able to get a well balanced mix of nutrients from diverse soils and plants. They cost much less than capsules and are easier to incorporate into the diet.  Be sure to look for powders that combine greens with berries, and ones that are protein-rich. You want to look for ones that combine good price with quality.
Be aware of any of your known food sensitivities when looking at blends! Looking for 100% organic is best , as are ones that include natural and freeze-dried pure food extracts. Good blends will contain probiotics (healthy gut bacteria), fiber, enzymes,vitamins antioxidants, and detoxifying herbs like milk thistle. I make some brand suggestions from personal preference and receive no compensation from the companies 🙂 The following brands meet my criteria nicely;
1) Vibrance Energy Greens and Probiotics by Vibrant Health – in one small scoop this gives you a real aid to detoxifying and alkalizing your body with organic greens and antioxidants.
2) Jarrow Green Defense focuses on immune – boosting plant powders
3) Garden of Life Perfect Food Powder – Super Green formula
4) Barlean’s Greens – Nature’s Perfect Superfood.
5) Collagen powders are receiving a lot of attention in the aesthetics world and I believe they have merit!  My favorite one is called Derma Matrix by NeoCell. This is great for hydrating and plumping the skin cells from the inside as well as good for joint health!  I get this one at Sprouts.
6) PrebioThrive by GundryMD (available online) because this powder provides organic fiber to support digestive health and the growth of healthy bacteria for weight control and good intestinal integrity.
7) Cocoa Powder – this is produced from raw cocoa beans and is a superfood because it’s loaded with antioxidants, and is a great source of magnesium (a nutrient many of don’t get enough of!), and fiber. It can improve memory, boost immunity and shed fat!
8) Matcha Green Tea Powder – Terrific for boosting energy, and is one of the most powerful superfoods. It contains a specific antioxidant  called EGCg, known for its cancer fighting properties. It has the unique effect of relaxing the mind while letting you remain alert by promoting the production of alpha waves in the brain.  It also boosts memory and concentration, burns calories, and fortifies the immune system! Did I mention it is great for the skin, which now seems like a side-effect?!
9) Beet Powder – Reduces cholesterol and raises levels of the “good cholesterol” HDL. It contains the nutrient Betaine, which prevents the build up of a harmful amino acid called homocysteine, a key contributor to heart disease and stroke. The benefits of beet powder are too numerous to list, but include keeping the arterial walls flexible.  This is great for the complexion, lowering blood pressure,boosting immunity, and improving liver health. Sign me up for that!  As a side note, since it’s so good for circulation, it is also known to help male “virility”!
10) Mushroom Powders – As a superfood powder, they contain 20 different vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, potent fat-burning ingredients, and immune-enhancing and cancer preventative phytochemicals! Interestingly, specific mushroom powders aid in building lean muscle and increasing the body’s ability to burn fat, and enhancing the libido as well! Still reading?! The mushroom’s ability to block excess estrogen production also inhibits weight gain. Here is quick reference guide; Shiitake mushroom has excellent immune-boosting effects, particularly against cancer cells.  This is terrific for protection of our skin cells from the Arizona sun!  Research shows a link to protection from prostate, colon and breast cancer specifically. Shiitake contains a carbohydrate called glucan, which is anti-inflammatory and collagen -building for the skin, and protective against exercise stress, high cholesterol, radiation, toxins, and a compromised immune system.  The antioxidants in shiitake also protect our cell’s mitochondria-our energy storehouses! Reishi Mushroom powder is known as the “Queen Healer”, it is adaptogenic (helps the body fight stress and promotes longevity) and is hormone balancing.
Chaga Mushroom reduces inflammation, stress, and is great for the skin. It helps digestive discomfort. A word about Chaga’s flavor; it is smoky and rich, combining well with your morning coffee. It is very alkaline, so it can balance out the acidity of your coffee. If you are interested in blending this with coffee, check out Four Stigmatic’s Instant Coffee. Lion’s Mane powder is getting lots of attention for it’s cognitive and neuroprotective powers for brain health, reducing the harmful plaque linked to Alzheimer’s. It can help with focus and attention span. Lastly, there is Cordyceps, often referred to as “Cordysex”, as it stimulates drive, stamina, muscle recovery, and with its mild flavor, can easily be blended with coffee, tea,milk, or water, even cereal! You can find great blends of mushroom powders from Om (at Sprouts in packets and different blends). My favorite of course, is called Beauty for hair, skin, and nails from Om. Another good blend is  Moon Juice’s Vanilla Mushroom Protein Powder.
Please realize that this article reflects only a partial view into the world of superfood powders available! You can try different ones and see how you feel. Stick with the ones that you enjoy, but I do advocate rotating your choices once in awhile for nutritional variety and taste. I hope that this helped you get more excited about these health and beauty promoting additions to your diet!
About the author:  Debbie Davis is the owner of Sleekskin Aesthetics in Scottsdale Az.. She is a Licensed Aesthetician and has a certification in Holistic Nutrition. Debbie may be contacted at 480-315-1364 and at www.sleekskinaz.com

Please call 480-315-1364 (no texts to this number) to come in for your complimentary consultation about a customized recommendation for your at home regimen. —Deb

Sleekskin® Aesthetics
10900 North Scottsdale Road, Suite 207
Scottsdale, Arizona 85254