Author Archives: Lauren Maddison

How To Handle Your Skin

While washing your face, you’re probably focusing on achieving a fresh, clean complexion created by the physical cleansing of the skin. But have you ever focused on exactly how you’re cleansing the skin? How you go about washing your face, applying skincare products, and the way you ultimately choose to handle your skin will make a difference in your complexion and overall skin health- including how your skin ages. Remember that the goal of skincare is to achieve a glowing face while also promoting longevity, treating current skin issues, and preventing future damage.

What To Use- With such a large array of skincare products to choose from it can be difficult to find the right everyday facial cleanser. It is critical to use a gentle, non-irritating face wash that will effectively cleanse your face with every use. I personally use Face Reality’s Ultra Gentle Cleanser for everyday use. I follow up with Face Reality’s Calming Facial Toner, 8% Mandelic Serum,
Hydra Balance Gel and Clearderma moisturizer- in that order. Using both a hydrating gel and a moisturizer may seem a bit over the top, but it is an incredibly overlooked yet powerful step in the skincare regime. This is because the gel and moisturizer work as a dynamic duo to 1) first hydrate the skin and then 2) lock in that hydration with the moisturizer. To finalize my routine and lock in all the products I applied, I quickly spray my face with our Hydrating Skin Spritz, which provides an antioxidant boost and immediate moisture drench to the skin for up to 72 hours!

How To Use- It may seem silly to explain how to properly touch your face while applying skincare products, but in reality, many people are unaware of the answer. First, approach your face with clean hands: make sure that there is no dirt, oil, or debris on your hands or under your nails. Then you should gently wet your face using lukewarm water followed with the use of your cleanser. It is important to use the tips of your fingers while gently massaging in an upwards fashion. Being diligent about this step will get circulation going and encourage your skin to always stay tight and naturally lifted. Finally, be sure to dry your face by patting it with a gentle microfiber face towel, as opposed to rubbing it against any regular bath towel (as this can cause irritation).

When To Use- Though it is important to keep a clean face, it is equally as important to avoid provoking skin irritation. Only wash your face once in the morning and once at night, or if you have experienced heavy perspiration such as after working out, then cleanse your face immediately afterwards. Follow up each cleanse with the application of your other skincare products, such as the toner, serum, gel, and moisturizer I listed above. To purchase Face Reality products or find a Face Reality Certified Acne Specialist in your area, go here: www.FaceRealityAcneClinic.com

REF: https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/care/face-washing-101

The Sad Cycle of Skin Picking

At some point in your life you’ve heard or been told first hand “Don’t pop pimples” or “Don’t pick at that!” but did you really listen? The act of skin picking is not unknown, however, the truly disastrous effects which it creates are. While skin picking can range from occasionally popping a pimple to an actual disorder (Excoriation disorder) its effects are always negative. Skin picking can be brought on by stress, anxiety, boredom, disorders such as BDD (Body Dysmorphic Disorder) or just out of habit. Regardless of the cause of it, it is counterproductive and damages the skin.

I decided to write this article because I personally have dealt with compulsive skin picking for years and I have finally put an end to the vicious cycle that it is. For me, skin picking meant spending hours of unintended time in front of a mirror scrutinizing what was on my face and attempting to pick it away. By this I mean extracting every possible blemish that met my eyes, even if it was extremely unnecessary. I referred to skin picking as “counterproductive” because while the goal is to ‘perfect’ imperfections, you only exacerbate the problem. This is because a pimple is basically a little ‘sack’ under the skin that contains oil, bacteria and inflammation. Squeezing or touching it can result in the ‘sack’ rupturing and these contents being spilled out and pushed into surrounding skin, ultimately multiplying the problem. *Apart from the cosmetic impact of recurrent skin lesions and scarring, skin picking can lead to serious infections, anxiety, shame, and depression (Lisa Zakhary MD,PhD). These results are what makes it so vicious; you start by trying to eliminate an issue and find yourself creating so many more- on your face no less!

Once I realized I was the cause of my clearly worsening skin state, I developed some skills that would help to manage the urge to pick, pop, or squeeze. I began to make it harder for myself to be in an environment that allowed me to act on my impulses, meaning staying away from mirrors as much as possible. Standing in front of a mirror with the intention of quickly washing my hands or brushing my hair turned into a face examination analysis every time, without fail. This inevitably would lead to a session of skin picking that would last from minutes to hours and leave me feeling worse than I initially did. By forcing myself to look away from the mirror and focus on/think of anything else I created a different environment for myself, one where my skin picking urges could not thrive off of my trigger(s).

Aside from mental fortitude, some physical skills to use as an alternative to picking include handling your blemishes in the proper and safe way such as using ice. You can use an ice cube or a sanitized ice pack (I personally use a Soothie Q) and ice the blemish for about a minute or so. This helps to alleviate inflammation and sometimes can even stop a pimple in its tracks. After this, I apply a spot treatment such as Face Reality’s Sulfur Spot Treatment followed by an application of PRIIA’s Calm Down Anti- Blemish powder.

End the skin picking cycle and treat your skin like the fragile, beautiful, organ that it is.

*REF: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/author/lzakhary

All About PRIIA’s Fabulous Foundations!

Here at PRIIA® we have multiple versions of our acne-safe foundation to cater to the different skin types we provide for. These varying foundations truly allow our brand to effectively accommodate any type of skin a customer may be shopping for. These versions include our best-selling loose mineral foundation, liquid mineral foundation, and creme mineral foundation.

Loose Mineral Foundation-Packaged in a jar featuring a locking rotating sifter to easily tap out product and then close the sifter to reduce product spillage. Available in 22 shades. Works for normal, oily, or combination skin. This soft & skin-conditioning loose powder foundation is perfect for use after facials, chemical peels, microdermabrasion and laser procedures. Offers exceptional, buildable silky matte (but never flat) coverage without ever feeling dry, heavy or looking pasty and chalky.  Can be used as a liquid foundation using our Boosted Coverage Technique.

Liquid Mineral Foundation- Packaged in an airless pump bottle.Available in 10 shades. Works perfectly for any skin type (normal/oily/dry/combination). Provides a beautiful satin matte medium to full coverage finish that lasts all day.

Creme Mineral Foundation-Packaged in a convenient no mess roll up stick. Available in 16 shades.Works for normal, dry, or combination skin. Glides on your skin like silk while providing a dewy medium to full coverage.

Foundation Matching- Please see our ultimate guide for finding your perfect match here: https://www.priia.com/foundation-matching.html

We believe in our customers trying sample sizes before committing to a full-sized product in order to accurately invest in the perfect foundation for them!

Maskne and What To Do About It

Masks have evidently become a part of everyone’s new lifestyle, and some are forced to wear them daily for hours on end. In turn, this can cause what is known as “maskne”: a skin condition brought on by the prolonged wear of facial personal protective equipment.

Due to the fact that the wearing of masks is mandatory, the effects of maskne may feel extremely frustrating and ultimately endless. However, there are a multitude of reasons as to why wearing a mask is causing you acne and likewise solutions to make maskne completely preventable.

Prep: Before even putting on a mask it is crucial that you cleanse your face to make sure you aren’t trapping any dirt or oil on your skin. After you’ve washed your face, you should apply toner following with exfoliation such as L-mandelic Acid or Salicylic Acid and lastly, you must apply a moisturizer (preferably one with SPF) all over your face. After your moisturizer has fully absorbed, use either a thin layer of Aquaphor or PRIIA’s acne-safe primer. This will not only keep hydration locked in throughout the day but will simultaneously act as a barrier between your skin and the mask which will greatly reduce acne caused by friction (acne mechanica). If you have active breakouts or just want to be preventative, we recommend using our Calm Down Anti- Blemish Powder. Apply a thin coating of Calm Down Powder over the Aquaphor or PRIIA acne-safe primer from your nose down. This powder will not only soothe any current inflammation you have but it will also act as an extra barrier between your skin and the mask. In addition to these prep steps, it is important to not to wear makeup under your mask unless it’s an acne-safe makeup, like PRIIA minerale-derm. And if you are going to wear PRIIA, we recommend sticking with our LOOSE MINERAL FOUNDATION. Heavy makeup applications and comedogenic (pore clogging) makeup worn under a mask do not allow your skin to breathe properly and may even damage the mask fabric which creates a less effective barrier, according to Cassandra M. Pierre, an infectious disease physician at Boston Medical Center.

Proper Mask Use: Everyone is focused on making certain they have a mask on but they aren’t aware of the type of mask they put on or how it will affect them. When it comes to disposable masks simply throw it away after each use. If you must wear one for a prolonged amount of time it’s best to use a new disposable every few hours throughout the day. If you’re wearing a cotton/fabric mask, wash it after each use because its surface contains dirt and oil and will become a breeding ground for bacteria in the area which your mask touches. However, when washing the mask make sure to choose a fragrance-free laundry soap such as ALL Free & Clear because fragrances may irritate your skin. It’s also important not to use fabric softener or dryer sheets as they leave a waxy chemical residue on the mask which is not only bad for your skin but harmful to breathe in while wearing it. If you have a silk mask, be sure to use a fragrance-free AND enzyme-free laundry detergent. If your job or activity requires you to wear a mask for prolonged periods of time, we recommend that you cleanse your face again during that period. Carry travel sizes of your skin care products with you and take 5 to 10 minutes when you have a break to re-do the previously mentioned prep routine. If you’re wearing a fabric mask (not silk), you can spritz it with alcohol and let it dry while you’re re-doing your skin care routine. This may all seem like a hassle, but your skin will thank you for it!

Incorporate these tips into your daily routine and watch your maskne become no more! For acne-safe skin care products, we recommend the following brands: Face Reality and ClearStem.