Expert Knowledge

This personalized facial is totally customized from start to finish! You will experience a custom blended deep pore cleansing, exfoliation and massage of the face, neck and shoulders followed by a custom blended serum designed to correct specific problems and therapeutic Bioelements mask. You will emerge an hour later with immaculately clean, smooth and glowing skin.

Your skin will learn to adjust more quickly to life's stressors — and as you keep regular treatment appointments with your esthetician, she'll learn the cyclical changes that occur with your skin and will adjust your products – from facial masks to anti-aging cremes – to maximize results.

Ready to start seeing the benefits? Book a treatment today at a Bioelements Spa near you.

Is there more than one type of facial massage? How does my esthetician know which one is right for me?

For example: You may be concerned about loss of firmness, sagging, or dull complexion. If this is the case, your esthetician will perform a more stimulating massage with firmer movements.

If, on the other hand, your skin is more delicate, red and prone to oil or breakouts, your esthetician will perform movements that are slow, gentle with less pressure.

The professional products used also play a part. If you have a dry skin type, the product used may be a cream base or rich oil. If your skin is oily, your esthetician may choose a gel based massage product.

How soon will I see results?

Immediately. By the end of the facial, your skin will feel firmer, brighter, smoother and have a more even overall tone. Although relaxation is the benefit that we most often clamor for, it's just the tip of the iceberg as to why Facial Massage is such an important step to achieve healthy skin.

The bottom line is you need to let the professionals take charge in a professional setting. This will help keep your breakouts under control, and you'll have the advice of a licensed professional that will make sure your skin looks its best.

How does SkinReading work?

SkinReading allows your esthetician to accurately "read" your skin and determine the correct professional treatment and products you need, based on her conclusions. This modernized system also helps the esthetician learn to identify your concerns (are you worried about dark circles under your eyes? or how to get rid of age spots?) and further maximize the results you'll see from your professional skin care treatment.

How important is SkinReading?

Bioelements skin care professionals take their education seriously. And SkinReading is the most important step in any professional treatment. It's a visual 'snapshot' of your skin, providing your skin care pro with the tools they need to get your pertinent information. Your esthetician will use her eyes, hands, and her SkinReading Form to make the right recommendation every time – so you always see the results you want.

Find a Bioelements Spa near you today.

Professional-use-only products are designed solely for use by trained Bioelements skin care professionals in the treatment room. These formulas are extremely effective yet safe-on-the-skin, and are not for resale. They are a part of Bioelements targeted facial and body treatments, and your skin care professional receives thorough education on how to use them to deliver results.

Bioelements 8 Custom Blend Additives are highly concentrated formulas that zero in on every concern – from signs of aging to irritation, and everything in between. With a few drops of these laboratory-strength botanicals, aromatherapist oils and cosmeceuticals, your pro can custom blend a treatment or product right there in the treatment room to clear blemishes, improve hydration... above all, to precisely target what your skin needs.

Book a treatment that can be Custom Blended at a Bioelements spa today.

Step 1: Cleanse your skin with an oil-dissolving cleanser (try Decongestant Cleanser)

Step 2: Apply a lightweight sunscreen (try Sun Diffusing Protector SPF 15)

Step 3: Gently blot with a tissue

Step 4: Do not apply any other products. If your entire face gets oily in just a few hours, you have Oily skin. If only your t-zone shows oil, you are a Combination skin type.

Want to learn even more about oily and combination skin? Check out the SkinReading Blog here.

As you gently work in your cleanser, it immediately goes to work to get rid of dirt, oils and pore-clogging dead cells.Your blood supply to your skin increases, which oxygenates your skin cells and helps remove toxins. Washing your face even exfoliates your skin, so it increases cell-turnover and leaves it clean and soft.The cleansing process 'preps' the skin to better absorb every product you apply to your skin afterwards.In short, cleansers are designed to exercise your skin, helping it to stay in shape, which will lead to younger-looking (and feeling) skin.

Okay, so how often do you need to wash your face? Every night and every morning. The last thing you want to do is go to sleep without first removing the dirt, debris and makeup that has been on your face all day. This will help keep your pores from clogging, and also help your skin regenerate and repair the day's damage. Cleansing twice a day will make a big difference in the appearance and overall health of your skin.

AM: Your skin cells are on the defense, protecting against damaging environmental aggressors and free radicals, as well as those harmful UV rays. Oil production peaks during the daytime hours, so make sure you use a moisturizer that's designed for your skin's own production level.

PM: You may be at rest overnight, but your skin stays hard at work. It uses this time to repair itself from the day's damage, and prepare for the damage it will face the next day. Make sure you end the day with a deep cleansing, and replenish hydration – as your skin naturally loses more water at night.

Get your skin care working around the clock

Not sure what products to choose? No problem. We've taken the guesswork out with Bioelements Great Skin in a Box. These kits contain products designed to work together, day and night, to get your skin in shape. So, how do you know which box is right for you?

If Your Skin:

• Rarely experience t-zone oil
• Sometimes (or always) feels "tight"
• Shows fine lines and wrinkles
• Has few (if any) visible pores

Then Use: Great Skin in a Box for DRY SKIN

If Your Skin:

• Gets moderately oily a few hours after you cleanse
• Feels dehydrated at times
• Has visible pores on your t-zone
• Experiences occasional breakouts

Then Use: Great Skin in a Box for COMBINATION SKIN

If Your Skin:

• Gets oily shortly after cleansing, and appears shiny
• Has large, visible pores
• Never feels dry or tight
• Experiences frequent breakouts

Then Use: Great Skin in a Box for OILY SKIN

DID YOU KNOW?
Skin responds best to cosmeceutical treatments when it's prepped with the right daily products (cleanser, toner, moisturizer). By using Great Skin in a Box, you'll get your skin in optimum condition – so it can respond to high-powered night cremes, serums and exfoliants.

Dry skin is a skin type. Dehydrated skin is a skin concern caused by a lack of moisture – which can be remedied quite easily. Dry skin will always be dry, but can be kept in balance with the right skin care.

The Problem: Dry Skin

The Culprit: Lack of Lipids

The Signs: Tight feeling, flakiness

Trivia: Skin can be both dry and dehydrated at the same time

The Dream: Recovery Serum

The Problem: Dehydrated Skin

The Culprit: Lack of water

The Signs: Premature aging lines, thin texture

Trivia: Even oily skin can be dehydrated

The Remedy: H20-based serum to infuse skin with hydration

The Dream: Moisture x10

Mask: A mask is designed to deliver a quick shot of hydration with a higher concentration of active ingredients –to surge moisture into the skin, plump up cells and fill in fine lines.

Moisturizer: A moisturizer is designed with active ingredients that deliver hydration throughout the day, to keep skin fresh and smooth.

Our suggestion: Use your moisturizer daily, and give your skin extra doses with a hydrating mask once a week. There's no better way to keep thirsty skin completely quenched.

What's the difference between a toner and a tonic?
The purpose of toner is to restore the skin to its natural pH level [between 4.5 and 6], and to remove any traces of cleanser left behind. The skin will accept moisturizer more readily and easily if it's prepared with a toner first. All skin types can benefit from the use of a good alcohol-free toner, like Equalizer.

Some products make the claim, but the truth is, you can't shrink the actual size of your pores. The good news? You can minimize their appearance. All it takes is three easy steps:

1. Cleanse: A good, deep cleansing will rid your skin of the makeup, dirt and debris that can clog pores and make them appear larger. Try: Flash Foam Cleanser

2. Exfoliate: Although your skin naturally sheds the dead cells that clog pores, this process can slow with age. A good exfoliator will encourage this natural process to uncover a more radiant, clearer complexion. Try: Quick Refiner, 2-3 times a week

3. Treat: A targeted mask treatment will deliver needed ingredients and draw out impurities to unclog pores, tone and revitalize your skin. Try: Restorative Clay, once a week

Each moisturizer was designed to meet the particular needs of every skin type.

If you have Oily to Very Oily skin, you need Beyond Hydration - an oil-free moisture gel that acts like a 'second skin' to prevent moisture loss.

If you have Combination skin, you need Absolute Moisture - which is a lightweight hydrating creme that absorbs quickly, leaving no oily feel or shine.

If you have Dry skin, you need Crucial Moisture - a nutrient-rich emollient creme designed to instantly relieve chronically dry skin.

If you have Very Dry skin, you need Really Rich Moisture - an ultra-rich creme that is extremely rich, yet non-greasy formula that helps replenish rundown moisture reserves and repairs surface micro-cracks that cause flakiness and drynyess.

If you have Sensitive skin, you need Calmitude Sensitive Skin Moisturizer - created for intolerant complexions and helps strengthen the skin's protective barrier, while addressing the root cause of visible redness and irritation.

And if you spend most your time indoors, Lutein Indoor Protective Day Creme is for you. This anti-oxidant moisturizer contains golden-yellow lutein to filter out the potentially skin-aging effects of blue rays emitted from artificial lighting.

Using the right moisturizer is not only a part of your essential twice daily skin care - doing so will keep your skin breeze through the day feeling smooth, hydrated and lubricated. And, it helps to protect the skin damaging environmental stress that can accelerate the aging process.

There are many benefits to monthly facials:

• clearer skin is a result of professional extraction
• smoother skin is a result of professional exfoliation
• glowing skin is a result of professional massage

And that's just for starters.
Regularly scheduled treatments also help your skin adjust to environmental stressors, keep it functioning properly and strengthen its important barrier layer. Plus your esthetician will learn the cyclical changes that occur with your skin and adjust your at-home agenda accordingly. So get one now so we can say 'I told you so.'

Depending on your skin and what it needs, whether it be hydration, help with fighting acne bacteria or softening rough texture, you may find it necessary to mask 2 - 3 times a week. It's a special delivery of advanced ingredients, and will make a major difference in your skin. Find out which mask is best for you.

DID YOU KNOW?
Clay-based masks draw impurities from pores, creme-based masks soften skin and gel-based masks hydrate and soothe.

Your skin: Very Oily to Combination, clogged pores, sluggish skin, excess oil
Your mask: Restorative Clay

Your skin: Dry to Very Dry, surface wrinkles, flakiness
Your mask: Ultra-Rich CremeTherapy

Your skin: Any skin type, dehydrated skin, flakiness
Your mask: Gel Therapy

Your skin: Any skin type, clogged pores, flakiness, dull tone
Your mask: Kerafole

Serums are usually lightweight formulations and are intended to deliver a high dosage of skin-repairing ingredients or antioxidants. They’re really not intended to provide adequate hydration so you should layer a serum underneath your moisturizer for an anti-aging boost.

Try: Oxygen Cocktail

Although the more water you drink, the healthier your body will be in general, the benefits your body receives from drinking water will be more internal than external. Adequate water-intake does help with digestion, flushing your body of toxins and improve your overall health, it's not enough to prevent dehydration on the surface of your skin.

For example, our Toners and Tonics contain products designed to rebalance and rehydrate skin. Also, Moisture x10 is a super-hydrating serum that binds moisture to surface skin layers, counteracting the effects of dry indoor heat, low humidity or chronically dry skin

In addition to water, keep your skin cells healthy and hydrated with the energizing and moisturizing properties of vitamins. Foods with vitamin B (oats, barley, wheat bran, avocado, salmon) will keep your skin smooth and hydrated. Vitamin E (found in olive oil, eggs, almonds, and apples) will help skin retain major moisture, and vitamin C (red bell pepper, papaya, oranges, or broccoli) will fight the damaging, drying effects of the world around you.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, only about 20% of a person's lifetime sun exposure is acquired before age 18 (http://www.skincancer.org/Skin-Cancer-Facts/).

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology states that, with an estimated lifespan of 80 years, people would get only about 25% of their UV dose if annual sun exposure is independent of age (http://bit.ly/maaPxw). So why do so many people get this fact incorrect?

Back in the late 1980's, a UV reduction campaign based its findings on an estimation that the average child gets 3x more the annual UV dose than the ave adult, which resulted in an assumption that individuals get 80% of their lifetime UV dose by the time they are 18. That assumption has spread for years - and has spread even further now through the internet. Recent studies in the early 2000's has shown that UV doses are actually very stable thoughout life. So it's not your age that determines how much UV exposure you receive, it's your lifestyle: do you work outdoors? do you garden? are you a golfer? So here's the lesson - every year is a chance to protect yourself from the sun's harmful and aging rays. Double-up on your SPF and your "CSF" - your Common Sense Factor. The more time you spend outdoors, no matter whether you're 15, 35, or 55 years old - practice common sun sense - wear an SPF, reapply as needed and wear protective hats, sunglasses or clothing as much as you can.

Nothing you will ever encounter, and nothing you will ever do in your lifetime will age you as much as the sun. The sun is a 4.5 billion year-old star, so it's had some practice, and it knows what it's doing. Day in, day out sun exposure will take it toll — so get the facts, and take action with the best sunscreen and anti-aging skin care products.

4. There are two types of UV rays: UVB (the chief culprit behind sunburn), and UVA (which cause fine lines and wrinkles, leathering, and sagging). The best sunscreens provide "broad-spectrum" protection, so they protect against both UVA and UVB rays.

3. Your skin's epidermis is literally paper-thin, so UV rays can pierce through it easily. UVA rays penetrate the deepest, all the way to your dermis, where blood vessels and nerves are found.

2. Thinking of getting a "base" tan before your beach vacation? Think again. There's no safe way to prep the skin for UV rays. Any time the skin tans, it's a sign of injury. The only safe way to spend a day at the beach is to use sunscreen and stay protected from the sun.

1. 70% of people know that the sun causes premature aging, but only 18% wear a SPF moisturizer as part of their daily skin care... are you one of them?

Here's a simple math equation to remember:

So, using an SPF 15 sunscreen theoretically prevents your skin from burning for about 5 hours. To maintain that protection, you would need to reapply after that.

Note: According to the American Cancer Society, an SPF 15 sunscreen (like Sun Diffusing Protector) filters out 93% of UVB rays, while a sunscreen with an SPF 50 (like SPF50 FaceScreen), filters about 98% of damaging UV rays. So, it's proven science that a higher SPF does indeed offer more protective. However, it's still important to re-apply your sunscreen often if you are planning to spend the day in the sun.

A SUNBURN: Eventually, the extra melanin that developed with your tan can no longer protect against continuing UV rays. Without further protection, your skin goes from a tan to a burn — bringing pain, redness and swelling. Depending on the severity of the burn, any dead, damaged skin may peel away to make room for new, more vulnerable skin cells.

Though the symptoms of a sunburn may fade after several days, the damage to your skin remains. Sun exposure that is intense enough to cause a burn can also damage the DNA of your skin cells (that's the genetic material inside each cell that controls cell function). This can start less than 5 minutes after UV exposure begins, resulting in long-term damage.

Always keep an eye on the Index – but no matter what it reads, always keep applying a broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen everyday.

UVA rays are long, penetrating rays that reach the skins dermis. Damaged caused includes premature aging – wrinkles, lines, age spots, etc.

UVB rays are short, really energetic 'burning' rays that reach just below the skin's surface. Damage caused includes sunburn and certain skin cancers.

What does all of this mean? It means you need the right anti-aging skin care – starting with a sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays.

USE: Bioelements LightPlex twice a day for 8-12 weeks.

AND PLEASE: The sun's a likely culprit here, so don't forget the sunscreen! Apply it every day to help prevent new spots from appearing.

Day in and day out, they're exposed to environmental aggressors like UV rays, and can show many of the same signs of age as your face, especially those annoying dark age spots – or what we pros call HYPERPIGMENTATION. It's what occurs when the skin overproduces a substance called melanin, discoloring the skin.

Two factors come into play in hyperpigmentation:

1. Your genes: Our genetic blueprint determines everything about us, including skin color. Everyone's skin produces melanin — however, we all produce different levels of it.
2. UV exposure: As a defense mechanism when exposed to UV light (or anything that irritates the skin), your immune system will signal the skin to produce melanin as a means of stopping the free radical damage to skin cells. This causes the skin to darken (or "tan" – bad, bad, bad).

Gasp! What to do? Well, you could buy gloves to match every outfit you own, or you can learn how to prevent dark spots now with...

THE BIOELEMENTS 'SPOTLIGHT YOUR HANDS' PLAN:

STEP 1: Apply Bioelements LightPlex every day.

STEP 2: Apply a Bioelements Sunscreen to hands every day over LightPlex. This is a MUST. It will help LightPlex perform even better, and will protect skin from the damaging rays that are responsible for discoloration.

TIP: Re-apply LightPlex and your Sunscreen after every hand washing!

First, let's introduce the main characters that are present in your skin when a spot forms:

• Melanin – it gives your skin its color. The more you have, the darker your skin.
• Melanocyte – it's what produces melanin. You can't have melanin without melanocyte cells.
• Tyrosinase - An enzyme that signals your body to create melanin.

STEP 1: Message is sent.
The enzyme tryosinase is activated. Copper and other factors help it go to work.

STEP 2: Message received.
The melanocyte cell starts to produce melanin.

STEP 3: Send it up!
The pigment gets pushed up in clumps to the surface of the skin, appearing as spots.

AND STEP 4: Depends on you.
Without taking action, hyperpigmentation can remain on your skin indefinitely. Use Bioelements LightPlex twice a day for 8-12 weeks, and see spot go.

Ultraviolet Light Exposure

Sun exposure and tanning beds (which, c'mon – you should NOT be going to, but that's for a different article) cause dark spots called lentigines. Lentigines have an increased number of melanocytes (melanin cells) and can be both genetic and/or caused by sun damage. Always protect yourself with a UVA/UVB sunscreen.

Hormones

Melasma/Chloasma (pregnancy mask) could be a result of sun exposure during a hormonal imbalance. There is no definitive cause, but most women develop melasma while pregnant or taking the birth control pill. Hormone replacement therapy during menopause has not shown to produce melasma conditions.

Injury

Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmenation (P.I.H.) is a result of trauma to an area. An inflamed pustule can cause P.I.H., especially on highly pigmented or darker skin.

For darker skin tones: Hyperpigmentation will appear as brown or black spots or patches.

For lighter skin tones: Hyperpigmentation will appear as pink or red spots or patches, since there is less melanin in the skin.

What it looks like: Larger "patches" of hyperpigmentation with irregular borders that usually appear on the forehead, sides of the face, upper lip and chin.

Why it appears: The appearance of melasma usually occurs because of hormones or the sun (or a combination) – which in turn can cause excess melanocytes, and produce too much pigment in the skin. When estrogen levels are raised, you produce more melanin, which can settle in the skin as dark deposits.

Take action: Sunscreen is key – try SPF 50 FaceScreen for maximum UVA/UVB protection.

Sun spots (technical term: solar lentigines) is the hyperpigmentation that can appear during middle age as a result of sun damage. Unlike freckles, they can persist for long periods and do not disappear in the winter. Use a sunscreen everyday to protect skin against sun spots – rain or shine.

DID YOU KNOW?
Incidental sun exposure adds up to almost 19 hours every week – that's 80% of your lifetime sun exposure. — Source: Sun Safety Alliance.

Not sure if you're sensitive? Look for these signs.

• Ordinary skin care products may cause stinging, itching or a burning sensation
• Your skin easily flushes and reddens
• You experience flakiness and dryness
• Random red blotches on your neck and/or face sometimes appear

You don't need to be pale and blonde with freckles to experience sensitivity – everyone is susceptible.

Why? The causes include diet, environmental assaults (like pollution, and UV exposure), smoking, hormone fluctuations and a lack of humidity. These aggressors can weaken your skin, causing redness, irritation and dryness.

(Follow this plan twice a day, both AM and PM)

Step 1: CLEANSE – Sensitive Skin Cleanser

Step 2: HYDRATE – Calmitude Hydrating Solution

Step 3: DE-STRESS – Stress Solution

Step 4: MOISTURIZE – Calmitude Sensitive Skin Moisturizer

Step 5: FIRM, DE-PUFF & UNDARKEN CIRCLES – Calmitude Delicate Skin Eye Gel

Tips:

• Rinse with warm (not hot) water.
• Gently blot dry with a clean towel.
• No rubbing.

Its complexion-calming olive oil* is laced with jojoba, hazelnut oil, safflower and camellia kissi seed oils that float over the skin to lift and dislodge impurities. When mixed with water, a special emulsifier in the formula converts the oils into a gentle foam that can easily be rinsed off, leaving behind skin that's soft, comfortable and clean.

*Did you say olive oil? Yes we did.
Olive oil us loaded with polyphenols, which are natural antioxidants that can help heal and soothe skin.

When sensitive skin is irritated, invisible inflammation sets in, encouraging the production of free radical that cause wrinkles and skin-aging.

The answer? B - An eggshell. In fact, it's the thinnest on your body. As you age, it gets even thinner (and more dehydrated... and more irritated...). It also has few oil glands, so dryness and lines from repeated squinting is common. It's a lot to take for such a small area – no wonder you're prone to dark circles under the eyes, rough texture, fine lines and puffiness. That's why we've packed our eye products with scientifically advanced ingredients to target your biggest concerns:

TARGET: Crinkly texture, puffiness, irritated skin

USE: Calmitude Delicate Skin Eye Gel- Apply AM or PM

TARGET: Dark circles under the eyes, puffiness

USE: Multi-Task Eye Creme - Apply every AM

TARGET: Dry, fragile skin

USE: Multi-Task Eye Oil - Apply every PM

TARGET: Rough texture, wrinkles

USE: Eye Area - Apply 2x a week

TARGET: Loss of firmness, fine lines

USE: Sleepwear For Eyes - Apply every PM after Multi-Task Eye Oil

TARGET: Stubborn eye makeup

USE: Gentle Creme Eye Makeup Remover or Makeup Dissolver Perfected - Apply every PM

Sleepwear for Eyes targets problem areas while you sleep, so you wake up to younger-looking eyes:

1. Increases firmness around eyes while strengthening thin, fragile skin
2. Decreases wrinkle length and depth
3. Visibly reduces fine lines

THE PLAN:

• Multi-Task Eye Creme – Use every AM and PM
• Multi-Task Eye Oil – Use every PM (then follow with Multi-Task Eye Creme)
• Eye Area – Use twice a week, in place of Multi-Task Eye Oil in the PM.

How It Ages You: Harmful UV rays result in fine lines and uneven texture around the eyes – getting even worse when you're squinting all day.

Fight Back: Wear a UV sunscreen every day, 365 days a year (try Bioelements SPF 50 FaceScreen), and don't forget to wear sunglasses.

GRAVITY
How It Ages You: Nature's pulling down on your skin 24/7 – resulting in all-around sagging.

Fight Back: Never tug or pull the delicate area around the eyes. Lightly pat skin when applying product.

HEREDITY
How It Ages You: Loss of sleep can bring on dark circles around the eyes, but heredity often plays a more significant role.

Fight Back: Use a lightweight, smoothing treatment to brighten the entire eye area — like Tinted Undereye & Lid Smoother.

Bioelements physical exfoliators:

• Measured Micrograins – Gentle physical exfoliation
• Pumice Peel – More intensive physical exfoliation

Bioelements chemical exfoliator:

• Quick Refiner – Gentle chemical exfoliation

WORD THAT SOUNDS SCARY, BUT ISN'T: chemical
Don't be put off by the word "chemical" – while it may sound negative, it's just a descriptive term for how the ingredients perform. For example, the orange and lemon enzymes in Quick Refiner are chemical exfoliators -- they chemically dissolve skin's dead cells.

THE 7-DAY RESCUE PEEL*

Alternate between Measured Micrograins and Pumice Peel followed by Quick Refiner for 7 days.

DAY 1: Use Measured Micrograins; Follow with Quick Refiner

DAY 2: Use Pumice Peel; Follow with Quick Refiner

DAY 3: Use Measured Micrograins; Follow with Quick Refiner

DAY 4: Use Pumice Peel; Follow with Quick Refiner

DAY 5: Use Measured Micrograins; Follow with Quick Refiner

DAY 6: Use Pumice Peel; Follow with Quick Refiner

DAY 7: Use Measured Micrograins; Follow with Quick Refiner

* Have sensitive skin? Then this plan is not for you. But your skin can still benefit from exfoliation. Just stick to using one product (like Measured Micrograins) once or twice a week.

Without proper exfoliation, dead skin cells can get trapped on the skin's surface. When they're trapped, they build up. Once they've built up, you'll see:

• A flat, dull complexion
• More noticeable fine lines and wrinkles
• Rough texture and blemishes
• Lessened effects of your skin products

DID YOU KNOW?
Mild daily exfoliation enables the skin to better absorb additional daily cosmeceutical ingredients. For example, the calcium in Bioelements Sleepwear Overnight Rejuvenation Creme or the probiotic actives in Probiotic Anti-Aging Serum can more effectively penetrate the skin!

Week 1
A cell is "born" – bright, new and healthy. This layer is regenerative (it is closest to blood flow in the dermis) and provides color to the skin.

Week 2
Here, the skin cell still maintains a healthy color. Its shape becomes more irregular as it begins to accumulate toughening proteins — preparing to become part of your body's most protective barrier.

Week 3
The mature cell has now broken down a bit with age. It is wider, flatter, and adheres strongly to other cells. This cell is tough and protective.

Week 4
It only takes a few weeks for this once healthy skin cell to become flaky, dehydrated and colorless. This final stage consists of about 10 to 30 sub-layers of dead cells. Two to three of these layers are shed daily. Exfoliation will help the process.

1. Excess oil
2. Pore-clogging skin cell
3. Acne bacteria
4. Inflammation

Did you know that 17,000,000 Americans have ‘active’ acne? It's estimated that one in four adults between the ages of 25 and 44 experiences acne.

Clear up your act with the Bioelements Acne Clearing System. This system treats the causes – not just the symptoms – of acne. They work together, 24 hours a day, to clear up existing acne blemishes, prevent future breakouts and heal the visible signs of past acne flare-ups.

The Acne Fighters:

• Spotless Cleanser
• Active Astringent
• Amino Mask

Myth: Acne is caused by dirt and poor hygiene
Fact: Dirt or surface skin oils do not cause acne. Vigorous washing and scrubbing will actually irritate the skin and make acne worse.

Myth: Acne is caused by certain foods you eat
Fact: Food doesn't cause acne. In fact, scientists have been unable to find a substantial connection between diet and acne. However, Bioelements believes that proper nutrition boosts the body's ability to deal with acne from the inside out.

Myth: Only teenagers get acne
Fact: Anyone can get acne. Bioelements Acne Clearing System will clear existing acne blemishes, prevent future breakouts and heal the visible signs of past acne flare-ups.

Prep work is key – Your skin must be adequately prepared prior to extractions, involving more than just washing your face. Your skin care professional knows how to do this.

Looks can be deceiving – Your skin care professional knows what is okay to extract and what is not okay. The possibility of spreading infection and making matters worse is HIGH when you try to do it yourself. A blackhead forced out of a pore that is not ready can leave a scar (repeat: a SCAR, a.k.a. a HOLE on your FACE)!

Location, location, location – Your bathroom may seem like a great place for extractions... bright lighting, a super-magnifying mirror, etc. But it's not. An unsterile environment can lead to infection (and that means MORE blemishes). Very strict sanitation measures are taken by your skin care professional to ensure a super-clean environment. A can of Scrubbing Bubbles® and some paper towels won't cut it.

The aftermath – After extractions, special precautions need to be taken. Your esthetician will apply professional-use only products to treated areas to prevent bacteria from re-invading the pores and causing more breakouts.

Fiction! Antiperspirant belongs in your armpits — not on your face. Stick to using products designed specifically for facial spot treatments. Try Breakout Control, which zaps existing blemishes, promotes fast healing and helps prevent future breakouts with 5% pharmaceutical grade benzoyl peroxide lotion. The bonus? No deodorant smell.

What are they: Extractions are performed during a facial to remove pore-clogging sebum.

Why you need them: Leaving these pores unattended can lead to blackheads, whiteheads and inflamed acne breakouts.

Why an esthetician should perform them (and not you): Extractions should be performed only after properly preparing the skin. In the treatment room, I will thoroughly cleanse and exfoliate your skin, usually under steam. Then, I'll apply a professional-use-only softening solution to ease the removal of impurities and cellular debris in the pore. I'll manipulate my fingers using a technique I've been trained in until the debris eases up and out. When done correctly, you'll feel little discomfort. Post-extraction, I'll treat the skin with an antibacterial toner to kill any surface bacteria. There's a big difference between you and me. I'm working in a sterile, clinical setting, and I've had years of training. When you are standing in front of the bathroom mirror, you are much more likely to make things worse –forcing the bacteria deeper into your skin, and causing redness, swelling, and scarring.

All these changes mean that the products you apply at night will penetrate better than they would during the day! So make the most of the PM with an intensive treatment product: Sleepwear. It smoothes out lines and helps rebuild firming collagen and elastin.

Did you know?

You can't "catch up" on your sleep. Once you've missed those precious ZZZs, they're gone forever. And, lack of sleep leads to blotchy skin, lusterless hair, dull tired eyes, illness, headaches, sluggish body functions and insomnia.

EYES:
The skin surrounding the eyes is the thinnest on the body, and it has few oil glands. Gravity brings on sagging and even everyday tugging and touching can result in loss of firmness. No wonder it's arguably the most complained- about area for aging on the face.

• Age Signs: Fine lines and crow's feet; dryness, dark circles, puffiness
• Take Action: Bioelements Multi-Task Eye Creme and Multi-Task Eye Oil will work to moisturize, soothe, de-puff and help reduce dark circles. Also try Eye Area 1-3 times a week.

COMPLEXION:
The skin's microcirculation is defined by a network of capillaries that irrigate and nourish the skin. As microcirculation begins to slow down, skin becomes dull and sluggish, and loses its radiant glow.

• Age Signs: Loss of radiance; tired/sluggish skin
• Take Action: A chemical exfoliant like Quick Refiner will keep dead skin cells turning and rev-up circulation. At night, try the anti-aging duo of Probiotic Anti-Aging Serum used together with Sleepwear.

LIPS:
Lips are the 'transition' between the non-moist skin of the face and the moist skin of the mouth. Because of this transition, lips are prone to rough texture and loss of color – some of the most common signs of early aging.

• Age Signs: Fading color, dryness, rough texture
• Take Action: Exfoliate your lips 1-3 times a week with Bioelements Lip Buff to stimulate collagen production, increase blood flow, and remove dead skin. Apply Instant Emollient every day to protect.

• Your number of skin cells decrease by 10% every decade. Meaning that they divide more slowly, making the skin less able to repair itself.
• Your sebaceous glands get bigger, but produce less sebum. And your number of sweat glands decrease. Both of these changes lead to increased dryness.
• Your skin gets thinner, less collagen is produced and the elastin fibers (that create elasticity and firmness) wear out. All of this equals wrinkles and sagging.
• The fat cells in your face get smaller. This leads to more noticeable wrinkles and sagging, as the fat cells cannot "fill in" everyday damage as well as it could before.

DID YOU KNOW?
Exposure to ultraviolet light, UVA or UVB, accounts for 90% of the symptoms of premature skin aging. So wear a UVA/UVB sunscreen every day!

Peptides - The message carriers

Peptides are powerful protein fragments. There are many different types of peptides, and each one delivers a different message to your skin cells. Power Peptide is packed with palmitoyl tri-peptide 3. What's the message? Slow down aging and stimulate collagen! Collagen acts just like the coil springs in a mattress. When collagen is strong and stimulated, it helps support the structure of your skin, smoothing lines and wrinkles. Message delivered. Message received.

Ingredient found in: Power Peptide

Hyaluronic Acid - The Moisture Maker

What does hyaluronic acid do? Hyaluronic acid has a trick up its sleeve – it can bind 1000x its weight in moisture. That's quite a feat – and quite a powerful addition to any anti-aging lineup. Why is moisture so important? Imagine the surface of your skin as a grape – smooth, plump, and free of lines and wrinkles. Now, take the moisture out of the grape, and what do you get? A dry, wrinkly raisin. Dehydration is a major cause of lines and wrinkles on your skin, so it's important to hydrate. And no ingredient hydrates better than hyaluronic acid. Who knew one little ingredient could deliver such a dramatic dose of moisture?

Ingredient found in: Moisture x10

Topical Calcium - The Strengthener

Why 'strengthen' the skin? You've heard about the anti-aging benefits of lifting weights – you get stronger bones and muscles, and greater flexibility. The same can be said about your skin – the more you strengthen it, the better it will function. That's why topical calcium was such a discovery. What does it do? When added to skin care, it helps strengthen your skin from top to bottom: it helps connective tissues (like collagen and elastin, which support your skin's structure) to regenerate, lipids (essential fats that keep your skin supple and smooth) to strengthen, and encourages your skin's barrier layer to strengthen.

Ingredient found in: Sleepwear

Probiotics - The Defender

What are probiotics? Your skin hosts an environment of friendly bacteria – they're called probiotics. Their job is to fight free radical damage and irritation that can cause a number of aging signs. But as time goes on, this community of bacteria can diminish and weaken, leaving your skin susceptible to damage. How do they defend my skin? Probiotics work to protect this environment by replacing lost bacteria, and preventing further loss. With a fully functioning and thriving probiotic environment, your skin will become balanced, calmer, and more resistive to aging.

Ingredient found in: Probiotic Anti-Aging Serum

Hey, where is my v-area anyway? Your v-area is the part of your skin across your upper chest.

Wait...my skin isn’t the same everywhere?

It’s not –the stratum corneum (that’s the outermost layer of your skin) can vary in thickness from 15 to 55 layers –the thinnest is around your eyes; the thickest is on the soles of your feet. The skin on your neck and chest is not only thin, but it has very few oil glands, and a higher level of sensitivity than your face. Combine that with normal aging and the cumulative effects of day-in, day-out sun exposure, and you need a product formulated with ingredients that are scientifically designed to treat the neck and v-area.

Vitalization
Contains a huge concentration of next-generation anti-aging ingredients, including peptides and amino acids, to banish dryness.

The other brand
Only has a few drops of the good stuff.

Vitalization
Has an all-natural aroma from 10 pure. botanicals that each work to benefit the skin

The other brand
Contains fake fragrance, printed right on the label (look for it - it's listed as "fragrance") - which can irritate your skin.

Vitalization
Contains no artificial colors. The color you see comes purely from nature, and nowhere else.

The other brand
Is loaded with dyes (trust us, a product isn't going to work any better if it's pink).

Vitalization
Has no alcohol, which can rob skin of hydration.

The other brand
(You guessed it) - it has alcohol.

Vitalization
Works all day to keep skin smooth and soft.

The other brand
Works for a few minutes, then it feels like you forgot to put it on.

Vitalization
Has a non-greasy formula than sinks in quick.

The other brand
Leaves a greasy, filmy residue.

Vitalization
Regulates skin's moisture levels, smoothes away rough, brittle surface cells by triggering exfoliation, and encourages a firmer body by influencing the cohesiveness of newly formed levels of the stratum corneum.

The other brand

Well, doesn't.

You can fight the signs of premature aging and experience visible firmer skin with CreateFirm - Bioelements' needle-free, laser-less, skin tightening serum.

How does Aquamide-5 work? Aquamide-5 may sound like a super-high-tech, advanced ingredient from the future - and it is. It's our exclusive ingredient innovation that combines five skin-identical ceramides to activate lipid production, plus purified microalgae to help stimulate collagen formation and tighten tissues.

DID YOU KNOW?
Sure, skin begins to sag with normal aging, but everyday actions can make it sag even faster. Sun damage, smoking, environmental pollutants and a poor diet can bring on age signs as early as your 20s and 30s. But it's never too late to take action - keep your skin clean and protected with the right products, and don't forget to see your Bioelements skin care pro for powerful skin-firming treatments.