Prep Your Skin for Winter With the Help of Facial Lounge in Orange County
There are so many things to look forward to in the winter months, including breaking out those cozy sweaters, enjoying warm food and drinks and getting ready to spend the holidays with friends and family. However, there’s one aspect of winter that we’re certainly not a fan of—and that’s dry, irritated skin and unexpected acne flare-ups. Fortunately, celebrity skin whisperer Amber Johnson and her skin-care clinic, Facial Lounge, are here to help.
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Known for taking a customized, holistic approach to skin-care, Facial Lounge has two beautiful locations: the original in Corona del Mar and the newest in Costa Mesa. The spa was founded in 2000 and was one of the first vegan and non-toxic spas in Orange County. Facial Lounge only uses non-toxic, healthy ingredients in its products and spa services, making them perfect for anyone, including those who may be vegan and/or pregnant.
The treatments at Facial Lounge are for men and women alike, with services built to suit all skin types, ethnicities, and age groups. Their custom vegan facial is designed specifically for your skin’s needs, which includes deep cleansing, ozone steam and extractions followed by a customized mask or peel, then a relaxing lymphatic drainage facial, neck, shoulder, arm and hand massage. The grand finale of their facial is the beloved cryo-globe massage to close the pores and calm the skin.
Ready to put your best face forward? Here are Johnson’s top five tips for keeping your skin happy and healthy this winter season.
1 | Wash Up
Try This: Gentle Facial Cleanser
Give your skincare routine a clean start by washing your hands before you begin touching and washing your face. “Not only will your wash lather easier, but you’ll also avoid any bacteria on your hands from getting in your face or eyes,” says Johnson. She also recommends double cleansing to prepare for bed. “Washing your face twice will remove oil, makeup, and sweat from your busy day. It also preps the skin for your nighttime routine.” Facial Lounge Hydrating Cleanser is a three-in-one cleanser; not only does it cleanse your skin, but it properly balances your skin’s pH, so you don’t need a toner. An added bonus is that you can use the cleanser as a makeup brush cleaner. It will deep clean the brushes without drying them out.
2 | Ice Ice Baby
Try This: Cryo Globes
Icing the skin hosts a number of benefits, including the elimination of puffiness, oil reduction and, according to Johnson, easing acne breakouts. “It’s good to rinse your cleanser off with cold water, but icing your skin—especially for acne—is amazing,” Johnson shares. “I worked for Dr. Fulton (co-inventor of Retin-A) in the ‘90s. He did a lot of acne studies, and one of the best things they found was ice—not only does it help with inflammation, but it helps heal and calm the skin.”
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3 | SPF Is Not Enough
Try This: Barrier Repair Antioxidant Booster
One of the biggest struggles that winter skin presents is UV damage- and the best way to combat UV damage is by using antioxidants. Although the sun isn’t beaming as it does during the hot summer months, it is still ever-present. While sunscreen is an absolute must for skincare, UV protection starts from within. “Believe it or not, a lot of sun damage is not due to the sun, but what you eat,” explains Johnson. “People who eat a lot of dark berries and dark leafy greens have less sun damage, [and] drinking alcohol while in the sun increases the risk of sunburn.” Make sure to take antioxidants both internally and as part of your skincare routine. The topical Barrier Repair Antioxidant Booster can be mixed in with any moisturizer to add 18 antioxidants to your daily routine.
4 | Gut Health
Try This: L-Lysine Dietary Supplement
Anyone who’s taken a closer look at their health—whether it be for medical or aesthetic reasons—can attest to the importance of a healthy gut biome. It’s central to your overall health, inside and out! “If you have an unhealthy gut, it will show in your skin. A healthy gut means healthy skin and a healthy mind,” Johnson says. “Avoid foods that disturb a healthy gut biome like soda, alcohol, gluten, sugar and dairy, and add in antioxidants and natural probiotics like dark leafy greens and dark berries.”
5 | Clean Ingredients
Try This: Feather-Light Miracle Moisturizer
“There are so many toxic ingredients in skin-care, cleaning supplies and body-care products,” Johnson shares, bringing light to an issue that’s close to the heart of Facial Lounge’s mission for only using pure, clean ingredients. “It’s important to avoid ingredients like toluene, benzoyl peroxide, parabens, propylene glycol and triclosan. Not only are these ingredients toxic to your health, but they also hurt the health of your skin.” Using healthy, natural ingredients helps your skin now as well as in the future.
Facial Lounge
Locations: Corona del Mar and Costa Mesa
@faciallounge
Born and raised near the Pacific Coast, Jordan Nishkian is a California girl through and through. She graduated from Cal State Long Beach with a BA in Creative Writing and a BA in Anthropology, and her favorite place to be is curled up in a comfy chair with a book in her hand and a pen in her hair.
