By Chantel, Esthetician

Chantel is a licensed esthetician who recently moved to Virginia. She attended University of Utah as a ballet major and earned her esthetics license while living in Washington. She is currently teaching dance and hopes to start a skincare business in her new area. Chantel is results-driven when it comes to the treatments and products she uses on clients and herself. She has worked as an esthetician in spas, salons, and medical spas. She hopes to share her experience and knowledge with others to help make skin care less overwhelming.

To most beauty and skincare aficionados, adding a product to their “must have” or “Holy Grail” list is a big deal! A product doesn’t earn that spot in my skincare routine without consistent performance and results. To narrow down a favorite, it usually has to meet a few certain points in my book:  1) I use it on a regular basis, if not daily; 2) it has not caused any adverse reactions in my time using it, 3) I have seen consistent, visible results, and 4) I can confidently recommend the product to clients and friends.  There are two tried and true products that have proven effective time and time again. As an added bonus, I have found them to be suitable for the majority of skin types and concerns!

I simply love PCA Hydrating Serum ($86.00).  It’s extremely efficacious!  It provides instant hydration without heaviness or leaving an oily residue. It is absorbed quickly and a little goes a long way. Since it is a serum, your specialized treatments or sun protection can be layered over it. I usually use another moisturizer over this at night, but during the day a slightly hydrating sunscreen is adequate. It’s magic in a bottle, especially for skin that may be a little sensitized and dry from over use of harsher products. It’s also ideal for those who stay away from moisturizers in fear of breaking out or looking too oily. PCA Hydrating Serum contains Sodium Hyaluronate, which is a form of Hyaluronic acid. It has exceptional hydrating qualities, holding up to a 1,000 times its weight in water.  According to PCA Skin, the key ingredients are:  Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin
Sodium Hyaluronate, Pro-Vitamin B-5, Sodium PCA, Niacinamide, and Urea.

Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel ($78.00) are daily wipes that are a no-hassle way to exfoliate and keep skin glowing. They are a must have for multiple reasons, if not for convenience alone. I see a noticeable brightness and smoothness in my skin after immediate use, and with consistent use, less blackheads, breakouts, and hyper-pigmentation (dark spots). A quick look at the ingredient list shows a combination of several acids proven to brighten, exfoliate, and hydrate. Glycolic acid loosens and removes dead skin cells, revealing brighter and smoother skin. Salicylic Acid penetrates oil-filled pores and exfoliates the dead skin cells that are clogging the pore, making it beneficial for those suffering from acne. Lactic acid is hydrating and also helps to reduce hyper-pigmentation. That being said, I can exfoliate, treat blackheads and breakouts, stave off fine lines, and brighten my skin in two easy steps! A product that covers that many bases and is still gentle enough for regular use, earns a definite place on my must-have list!