PCA Skin and home routine
PCASkin
First off, Happy New Year! Hope everyone had an amazing Holiday season!
So, here to review professionally used treatments by PCA Skin as used and recommended by esthetician, Mindy Kim. Grab your favorite cup of coffee or tea, and enjoy the read.
After my review on Ms. Kim’s practice and my experience with her. I decided to add more detail into the products she provided me, PCA Skin and how I’m currently maintaining my skin at home.
Since first meeting with Mindy, she has given me product recommendations, and I’ve taken it all in and added to my collection of skincare. She herself uses PCA Skin to really treat the skin in the utmost effective way.. although it may not be a Korean based company *which I’m more inclined to use these days as I’ve found them to work better with my skin. Even so PCA does wonders and gives great results. Not only professionally, but also in its domestic use.
Here I’ll start with my at my home care. As you already know, I use PURITO, but PCA plays a very large part in my daily routine, as it is a large sum of my cosmetic drawer currently.
So, to start this off...
PCA Skin BPO 5% Cleanser
This products ingredients really give your skin deep cleaning *Much like the BB cleanser, but this (BPO 5% cleanser) is much stronger as it’s formulated to handle acne breakouts as well as preventing future ones.
It also has deep cleansing for pores and helps remove dead skin cells, soothe irritated and inflamed blemishes, allowing the skin to properly heal.
Main Ingredients
Benzoyl peroxide: penetrates pores to eliminate existing acne lesions and prevent future breakouts.
Phytic acid – a gentle exfoliating agent.
Gluconolactone – a calming, moisturizing ingredient that promotes a clear complexion.
(1) Squeezing out about a dime-sized amount on to hand, create a lather (2) Then while washing, massaging in gentle circular motions. (3) Followed by rinsing with lukewarm water, then pat drying with a clean hand towel.
I use this cleanser on a daily bases, it works wonders and is great with my pH balancer. And after a heavy workout, I like to wash my face with the BPO cleanser, followed by the pH balancer. *Safely killing two birds with one stone, whilst taking a cool shower.
The consistency is similar to most of my cleansers.. it is somewhere between gel and watery. But add some water and you’ve got a great way to make the surface of you skin sleek and safe to massage. Personally I massage for a good 2-3minutes. *Fun fact about me! I like to make playlists of my favorite songs to wash my face to and also use it as some what of a timer for myself.. Its a nice wind down at the end of the day. And let me tell you, washing my face is seriously my favorite part of everyday.
On to the next part of the routine:
PCA Skin Hydration Serum
This serum contains a specialized blend of antioxidants and moisture-binding ingredients to help plump, soften and hydrate the skin. It also helps create moisture while relieving inflammation. Its really great for dry skin, but also beneficial to for all skin types.. and it’s really handy to have during the colder and dryer months of the year.
I’ve personally found this Hydration Serum really amazing with how exceptional it is. Containing Glycerin, Sodium hyaluronate, and Sodium PCA, this serum is really one to keep on hand. Being slightly more stable then water in consistence, once it’s absorbed, it leaves the skin feeling soft, hydrated and healthy. I’ve found it to really aid in moisture retaining, in both evenings and during the day.
Main Ingredients
Glycerin – an ingredient that holds moisture in the skin for hydration.
Sodium hyaluronate – holds 1,000 times its weight in water, playing an important role in skin hydration.
Sodium PCA –it is considered an important humectant, this is due to the fact that it is extremely water absorbent and can hold several times its weight in water, thus helping to reduce loss of moisture, through evaporation.
I use this in the correction step of my routine. Applying a little more then a pea-size amount evenly over the entire face and neck, patting the serum in for absorption.
Total Strength Serum
This serum is specifically made to help minimize fine lines, wrinkles and pores while firming, tightening and strengthening aging skin... it really is a product of its word. With Palmitoyl tripeptide-38, Epidermal growth factor (EGF), Silybum marianum extract and Sodium hyaluronate its a product that really packs a bit of a punch my friend.
Main Ingredients
Palmitoyl tripeptide-38 – stimulates collagen, and helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Epidermal growth factor (EGF) – improves the appearance of aging skin.
Silybum marianum extract – a potent antioxidant from milk thistle.
Sodium hyaluronate – a naturally occurring ingredient with exceptional moisturizing qualities; it has the ability to hold 1,000 times its weight in water and plays an important role in skin hydration.
I also use this as part of the correction part of the routine. *Again applying about a pea-sized amount to entire face and neck.
*The consistency is about the same as the hydration serum..
Next up is..
Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum
As it states, this smoothing blend of ingredients provides deep, long-lasting hydration on three levels: on the surface, deeper in the skin and by increasing the skin’s own hyaluronic acid production.
Personally speaking, I loved adding this to my daily. It really boosts hydration. With hyaluronic acid and sodium hyaluronate, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, HA-Pro Complex, ceramides, niacinamide this is definitely one to have in the skincare enthusiasts plethora of products. *sadly I'm in need of a new bottle, cause I'm all out.
Main Ingredients
Hyaluronic acid and sodium hyaluronate – attract and hold 1,000 times their weight in water on the surface of the skin for instant smoothing and hydration.
Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid – penetrates deeper into the skin, attracting and holding moisture that’s already in the skin, and plumps fine lines from below the skin surface.
HA-Pro Complex™ – a proprietary blend that stimulates the production of the skin’s own hyaluronic acid and delivers 24-hour hydration. It leads to long-term hydration and anti-aging.
Ceramides – supports the renewal of the skin’s natural protective layer and forms an effective barrier against moisture loss.
Niacinamide – a potent, yet calming antioxidant that reduces moisture loss in the skin and improves barrier function. It also reduces redness and promotes an even skin tone.
On to the next product…
C&E Strength Max
Providing maximum strength 20% pure vitamin C and 5% pure vitamin E to aid in protecting skin from damage, strengthening and smoothing the skin, whilst also helping to fight against signs of aging.
Main Ingredients
Vitamin C – an antioxidant that minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while promoting an even skin tone.
Pure vitamin E – a powerful antioxidant.
Vitamin A – promotes an even skin tone while minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
(1) Applying a pea-sized amount to the face and neck. (2) If applying in the morning be sure to use the appropriate SPF and moisturizer in the evenings.
This C&E is one of my favorites *next to COSRX Triple C Lightening Liquid.. packed with vitamin C, pure vitamin E, as well as vitamin A, this is one of the good gal pals for the skin. Using this in my daily, I’ve really seen a difference in my fine lines around my eyes and some pigmentation caused by old acne scars.
Intensive Clarity Treatment: 0.5% pure retinol night
This intensive retinol treatment is probably one of the most amazing things ever. I’ve been using it every other night as suggested by the wonderful and beautiful Mindy Kim, and its great for those of us prone to acne breakouts for a dramatically clearer complexion.
Main Ingredients
Retinol (vitamin A) – vitamin A helps promote a clear complexion and an even skin tone.
Salicylic Acid (2%) – clears existing acne blemishes and prevents future breakouts.
Lilac leaf cell culture extract – a potent antioxidant.
Bakuchiol –an effective complement to retinol for fighting breakouts.
(1) Applying a pea-sized amount in the evening only, and just gently patting that into the skin.
Regardless of wether you’re using this during the day or not, retinol is sun sensitive, so be sure to use broad spectrum SPF during the day.
Containing retinol (vitamin A), salicylic acid (2%), lilac leaf cell culture extract and bakuchiol.. the ingredients in this treatment are there to diminish acne blemishes, preventing breakouts, promoting clearer and a more even skin complexion. Honestly another product to add to the drawer or shelf.
Sheer Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 45
This light, silky broad spectrum sunscreen is formulated with a universal tint, to match most skin tones. It adds a really beautiful glow to the skin.
I personally really love this sunscreen. Even though its only a tint, it provides a nice amount of coverage to the skin and any slight discoloration your skin may have. I love having this in my routine.
Main Ingredients
Titanium dioxide – provides broad spectrum UV protection by reflecting, scattering and absorbing UV rays.
Zinc oxide – provides broad spectrum UV protection by reflecting, scattering and absorbing UV rays.
Ubiquinone (CoEnzyme Q10) – a potent antioxidant that fights free-radical damage.
(1) After finishing up your routine, smooth onto the skin, allowing it to absorb for 15 mintues before sun exposure. (2) And if you’re not wearing makeup feel free to reapply every so often.
BODY CARE
Okay, so, this next product is amazing….
Blemish Control Bar
This bar saved my acne ridden chest, shoulders and upper back *all areas my hair touches often. Upon a visit to Mindy’ she noticed my shoulders and chest had some unwanted friends… after taking a little look she pointed me to this beauty and I’m hooked. I use it regularly especially during my quick showers after a workout.
(1)Moisten the enclosed sponge and create a foaming lather. (2)Cleanse affected area, leaving on for about 2 minutes. (3)Rinse with warm water and pat dry.
Salicylic acid – clears existing blemishes and prevents future acne breakouts.
Azelaic acid – promotes a clear complexion and an even skin tone.
Eucalyptus leaf oil – purifies the skin, helping to remove impurities for a clear complexion.
This has salicylic acid, azelaic acid and eucalyptus leaf oil, all of which are great in the treatment of acne. Clearing existing blemishes as well as the prevention of future breakouts.. penetrating deep to purify and cleanse oily clogged pores, while also helping promote a clearer and much more even skin tone.
FINAL THOUGHTS
All of these products I've used have played a major role in the final process of clearing up my scars and helping to keep my acne at bay. I have so many things to be grateful for, but I’ll name two things, (1) The help I received from Mindy over the last couple months. (2) And all the amazing products that have assisted in the up keep of my skin.
So, I‘ll give you a quick idea of the scent of these. Most, if not all have really decent smells to them. I’d say the only one that, at least to me, is a little strange, but not horrible... that’s the Intensive Clarity Treatment: 0.5% pure retinol.. its not a really bad scent, but it does take some getting used to my friend. *My friend said it smelt sort of like hair chemical, and I have to kind of agree with her on that.
NOTES:
You really should be aware of the pricing of this brand, as it’s not cheap. In fact it is quite the investment. With product ranging from as low as $28 to $158… now its not bad at all, if investing in your skins health is a priority for you. Which it has become for me. It’s not crazy prices, considering these products all work great.
All in all, PCA is great if you want to really treat and maintain your hard work and efforts. I love PCA Skin, and Mindy for introducing me to the brand. Highly and happily recommend this product to everyone honestly.
*If you’re interested in visiting a PCA certified professional in your area, visit the official PCA skin website and type in your zip and find one near you.
Also if you're in the Miami area, I'll leave the link to Mindy’s site here if you're interested.. if so, let her know I sent you~
And that about wraps up this little review and routine here
Much love to you all and huge hugs.. Love yourself always
사라
