The NYCEFACE Principles
A deliciously overwhelming, albeit potentially triggering topic to address, yet a fundamental component to skin’s function, appearance, and #longevity (aging).
Within the ‘Nyce Feeds’ (indulge us) realm, we prioritize macro- and micronutrient essentials, explain how certain vices accelerate A.G.E.* The dose makes the poison, and why the gut microbiome should be paid more attention than your moisturizer. We will highlight the importance of applying flexibility and personal preference to a chosen ‘diet, ’ plus share seasonal, nutrient-forward recipes that literally feed your face.
1
Nutrition
Genetics! Ancestry! Puberty! Oh My!
What created the chromosomal blueprint resulting in YOU, and why this matters when it comes to building a customized approach to caring for your skin. By taking into consideration familial lineage of hereditary conditions, injury, and potentially outdated familial bias, we address each face as unique & can accept there is no “one-size-fits-all,” finally shelving the temptation to compare & despair.
2
You
No prizes for stating the obvious; it’s termed ‘Beauty Sleep’ for good reason. As diurnal creatures, getting consistent, quality shut-eye is likely the most underrated and affordable cosmetic enhancement available. Aside from maintaining basic motor function and sanity, sleep is responsible for cell repair and wound healing. As with any habit, your sleep hygiene can be adjusted gradually to better support demanding lifestyles.
Simple practices, or a ‘Rise & Fall’ routine, if you will, can be easily implemented to assist this process: early outdoor exposure, minimizing use of sunglasses, caffeine timing, controlling indoor lighting, and meditative / NSDR techniques to offset fatigue. The significance of correct nasal breathing and why this may be causing chapped lips, dental disease, and potential augmentation to facial bone structure (!) And a necessary reminder on the *complexional consequences of social jet lag.
3
Circadian
If you won’t do it for your health, hell, do it for vanity! Besides muscle mass and mental stability, consistent exercise has invaluable benefits to our organs, skin being no exception. Daily exercise does not need to be a 90-minute commitment nor a monthly membership; it is endlessly adaptable to suit each person’s specific needs, restrictions, schedules, and desires. Even our sweat (long considered an offender rather than contributor) plays a major role in maintaining a happy, healthy skin barrier. That post-workout ‘glow’ is achieved through physical movement that promotes effective circulation and stimulation of our lymphatics, the body’s inherent detoxifying network.
Equally important to balanced exercise is *Active Recovery (progress through peace) when we allow ourselves to rest and recover. By becoming aware of how the body interprets “stress,” whether through choice or consequence, we’re able to navigate what habits are most suitable for our body’s current needs, which inevitably change over time.
Cue the Endocrine system, responsible for the balance and regulation of hormones, adrenals, and thyroid function. Hormonal harmony is crucial for maintaining sound mind & body, for everybody, but especially so for females.
Aesthetically, there are drastic changes to skin’s appearance as a result of biological shifts over one’s lifespan, be it puberty, pregnancy, or perimenopause/menopause. Despite at least two of the aforementioned events being guaranteed to occur in anyone with ovaries, this discussion is still frequently undermined, clouded by stigma and misinformation.
Though I am not a qualified medical practitioner, there are incredible resources available to share that can have an invaluable impact to clients. Whether it be suggesting an informative podcast or encouraging an appointment with an Endocrinologist to obtain updated bloodwork.
4
Exercise
Tailored to each client, with consideration of desired goals, I’ll lay out the essential steps of a structured skincare ‘routine’ to be applied daily, weekly, monthly, and annually.
Most everyone requires some degree of cleansing, treatment, hydration and considered protection methods. In addition to building a simple yet smart strategy, I’ll assess commonly ignored lifestyle factors such as water quality or cosmetic use that may be contributing to barrier damage, rosacea, and acne flare-ups. By eliminating excessive habits and products, skin finally has an opportunity to repair and regenerate effectively.
5
Facial
For those wanting to dive deeper into the world of aesthetic potential, allow me to introduce the A team. Active topicals, better defined as potent singular ingredients that change the physiology of our skin on a cellular level, what they can and can’t achieve, when best to introduce them to your skincare routine, and, more importantly, when not to. Accessories is a broad term that could cover anything from a cold teaspoon to the $400 device you forgot was collecting dust under the sink. Some are well worth considering for weekly maintenance or special occasions; others are better posted to Facebook Marketplace.
‘Additional Aesthetics’ is a category best described as the endless variety of ‘tweakments’ available via certified medical establishments that can significantly alter the appearance both short- and long-term (not necessarily for the better). Beneath this vast umbrella are lasers to target underlying imperfections, injectables to augment facial structure, or clinical-strength chemical treatments to effectively resurface the outermost layers of skin. With simultaneous advancements in technology and consumer appetite, it’s become overwhelming to navigate just where to begin. First and foremost is establishing honest communication with a skilled and licensed professional who can clearly outline what options are available, the process itself, and what to expect in regard to the desired outcome.
Revolving trends are best kept to the wardrobe; though we’re not discussing full-blown cosmetic surgery here, some of these seemingly harmless procedures can have permanent implications, as each of us has bespoke anatomy. Trust that a practitioner who cautions against proceeding with a certain treatment has your best interests in mind, as not everyone is a suitable candidate.
6
Aesthetic
The external environment in which we reside has, does, and will always impact your health, inside and out, for better or worse. Our skin is the first line of defense in protecting us from the constant atmospheric assault of airborne pollutants. Where you live, seasonal change, your job, how often you’re outdoors vs indoors, scented candles, fluorescent lighting… all of it dramatically contributes to dermal function, thus appearance. Just travel from Scottsdale, AZ to Miami, FL, and you’ll experience a near-instant change in skin texture.
In addition to air quality, the bigger component we’d like to shine a light on (ahem) is the crucial role that Sun, artificial light, and darkness play in regulating our skin’s ability to perform correctly. Allow us to consider light (in all its varying forms) as a messenger to your cells, a source of information similar to food … it is received by the body via eyes and skin, and interpreted as ‘nutrients,’ if you like, and, like food we consume, there is potential for an excessive imbalance of wavelengths.
Granted, the topic of Sun exposure is, understandably, a serious and convoluted discussion to be treated with respect; I’ve no interest in fear-mongering or conspiracy theories here. However, if that massive flaming star wasn’t above our heads today, we sure as shit wouldn’t be either. Sunlight benefits every system within our body: muscle tissue, vascular circulation, melanin production, bone density, insulin levels … not to mention notable improvement in mood and well-being. There is a world in which considerate, appropriately timed unprotected sun exposure can have a myriad of benefits to human health. And contrary to common belief, the increase in hyperpigmentation is not necessarily due to direct sun exposure but can be caused by several factors such as incorrect light wavelength and timing, hormonal imbalance, active topical use, or immune dysfunction. While sunlight provides a balanced broad spectrum, isolated light wavelengths, particularly red and near infrared, have been used in medical practices for decades as a method of cell recovery and wound healing. Continued research and development in aesthetic technology has produced an endless array of LED devices for at-home use, though the quality and efficacy of such gadgets vary greatly and consistency is key.
Moving forward, we’ll further discuss each of the “NyceFace 8” as it relates to skin health and appearance. With the undoubted explosion of accessible information, subsequent posts will cover each topic in-depth, including curated links to additional interviews between notable experts, for further education, reference & enjoyment.
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Content
It’s what’s inside that counts. So yes ingredients do matter, plain and simple. Ironically the label on the back of that overhyped/priced serum you’ve purchased couldn’t be more complicated. You’d never add the entire spice rack to one stew, so why on earth are you applying a solution of 73 botanically derived aminoexosomal extracts (you see my point) to your face?
In our experience, the majority of aggravated skin conditions are a direct result of using products that contain unnecessary ingredients no face should ever come into contact with. These offenders could be drying alcohols, irritating fragrances, overly potent actives… the list continues.
When it comes to product formulations, ask the following: is this product suitable for your skin type, your budget, and your daily/nightly routine? Once those boxes are checked, only then can we address the finer details of efficacy, texture, comedogenic potential and packaging preference. No jars, thank you.
Deciphering an INCI LIST [The International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients] with the assistance of a mobile app is, of course, an available option, should one wish to take the time. I say that with a cautionary note to the consumer: beware the black hole of ‘analysis paralysis’ and keep in mind that, at the end of the day, this is a trillion-dollar industry that, whether or not we want to admit it, profits heavily off of culturally designed insecurities. Aging is a privilege not all get to experience.