We know in the past that the holiday season has this knack for always sneaking up on us, catching us all unprepared and scrambling for last-minute gifts. But not this year, glow getter. 2023 is the year you grab holiday shopping by the horns, and readers, have we curated the ultimate skincare wish list for you—courtesy of our very own Ann Marie MacDonald, of course.
Ann's top picks will have your complexion (and everyone you're gifting) glowing all the way into 2024. And with 2-weeks until our biggest sale of the year, you have plenty of time to get your shopping lists sorted before Black Friday.
You might want to jot these down...
Now's the Time to Go Platinum
There's no age requirement to treat yourself to our Platinum Collection. Our President highly advises it for those looking to invest in their skin health at any age, especially so if you have more time on your side.
"Our Platinum Collection is not only for mature skin. People in their 30s and 40s will greatly benefit from its peptide-rich formulations. Think of it as a preventative routine proven to improve skin quality over time."
As is the case with all of our Platinum products, our luxury collection contains our patented peptide complex EMC10, along with a considerable number of other advanced ingredients. Our proprietary peptide formulation is known to stimulate your skin's production of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. You can expect a healthier, thicker and more plump complexion with noticeably reduced signs of sun damage and even fine lines. That's why it's excellent for those who are just starting their skincare journey. Remember, the secret to a great complexion is consistency!
Ann's Retinol Trifecta
"If you've already completed 1 or more Retinol 30 bottles, now is the time to jump up a level to Retinol 60. We've infused its formulation with even more soothing ingredients to minimize as much irritation and shock when transitioning over."
You don't need us to rant and rave about our Retinol Treatments any more than we already have (If you do need more info, check out one of our blogs here), but there's no doubt that incorporating a Vitamin A treatment such as an over-the-counter retinoid or prescription strength treatment, is the gold-standard in our industry. From slowing down premature aging, battling acne, tackling texture and so much more—it's the tool we all should try to incorporate into our weekly routine to address several skin concerns.
When interviewing Ann Marie for her holiday wish list, she shared with us her current skincare combo that saves her complexion from retinization:
"Winter is a great time to focus on retinoid use. I like to get ahead of the inevitable flakiness by incorporating Soothe daily, before and after application, as well as Enzyme 2-3 times a week before I even notice any dry skin forming. This trick has really helped me to control the flakiness."
Now the technical. Retinization is what some experts refer to as the adjustment period your skin experiences when you:
- First begin incorporating a vitamin A treatment
- Up the dosage of the percentage of vitamin A (Retinol 30 to 60)
- Increase the frequency use of vitamin A (1x a week to 2-3x a week)
Symptoms of this period could last for a couple of weeks to a few months (depending on your tolerance levels) and may include irritation, redness, texture, breakouts and mild skin peeling. It's important to note that while there is some expected irritation that could occur, prolonged or severe inflammation is never a good sign. If so, you should stop use of any retinol products and always consult with your physician.
Understanding your skin's tendencies prior to experimentation or seasonal changes, will allow you to make smart skin choices now to help minimize the unavoidable. For our President, she knows that following a more aggressive retinol routine may cause her flakiness and irritation, especially during the colder months. So, Ann will adjust her routine to incorporate Enzyme, our physical exfoliant, before the flakes appear.
And although this next product is a new addition to her routine, it certainly packs a serious punch. Ann uses our hyaluronic-rich neurobalm, Soothe, every day to address inflammation before it appears. That's because Soothe is infused with superstar ingredient, Albatrellus Ovinus Extract, which is known to limit the neuro-sensor in the skin responsible for the development of inflammatory skin conditions. You can read more about our most innovative product here. Soothe really is a state-of-the-art skincare product and one you'll want to add to your wish list.
Sunscreen... Need We Say More?
It's nearly 2024, and at this point in our lives, we all know the importance of sun protection. Even Hello! Magazine featured our very own Dr. Ahmad talking all about its significant role in skin health. That's why Ann Marie always carries SPF 45 with her at all times. In her purse, on a plane, in the car...
"We don't truly realize the impact of sun damage until it's a little too late. It's when we enter our 50s and 60s when we begin to notice increasing amounts of hyperpigmentation. At that point, more advanced approaches are needed to address those concerns such as resurfacing treatments, facials and devices. Using sunscreen now will benefit you greatly in the long run."
Give the Gift of Choice
A gift card is always a solid option when gifting, that's why we offer e-gift cards through our website, as well as physical cards for our local shoppers visiting our boutique locations.
Shipping Cut-offs
Get your gift in time - order by these dates to receive it before the holidays:
Ontario-Wide
December 15
Nation-Wide
December 11
U.S.A
December 8
In-store Pick Up
Attention local glow getters: Consider visiting our boutique or selecting in-store pick-up at either one of our locations in Ontario.
For online orders, simply select, "Pick up" as the delivery method, along with your preferred boutique location. You will receive an additional email informing you when your order is ready for pick-up.