What If Better Skin Requires Fewer Products

Filters have trained us to expect overnight results, but real skincare does not work like that and that gap is where most frustration starts. We sit down with Keziah, a longtime esthetician now in nursing school, to get honest about what actually changes skin and what just drains your wallet. If you have ever bought a trending serum, tried a 10-step routine, or booked a facial hoping it would “fix everything,” this conversation resets the expectations in the best way. 

We dig into the basics that matter most: building a simple routine around a good cleanser, a solid moisturiser, and daily SPF. Kaziah explains why dryness is often a sign of dead skin buildup, why exfoliation can be the missing step, and how to think about physical exfoliants versus gentle chemical exfoliants. We also unpack mandelic acid in plain language, how it supports acne clearing and brightening, and why consistency at home can make professional treatments like peels and extractions far more effective. 

From there, we move into anti-aging skincare, including how glycolic acid and retinol fit into a routine, the common retinol mistakes that lead to irritation and hyperpigmentation, and why sunscreen is non-negotiable even when it feels annoying. We also connect skin health to lifestyle factors like smoking, alcohol, diet, hydration, and caffeine, plus a practical side convo on makeup, pore-clogging ingredients, and why washing your face at night is the habit that unlocks everything else. 

If this helped, subscribe, share with a friend who is stuck in skincare overwhelm, and leave a review with the one product or step you want to get right next.

Transcript

Meet The Esthetician Guest

SPEAKER_01 0:19

So we're here at the Help About Hype podcast, and we have Kassaia here, and I will let you introduce yourself. For those who don't know you, tell us a little bit about what you do. Uh my name's Kazaya.

SPEAKER_02 0:33

I'm an esthetician. I've been an esthetician for actually going on seven years this month. Um I became an esthetician because I loved skincare, and then I kind of more dived into like the side of lashes and stuff like that when it became the hype. But now I'm in nursing school, so I'm kind of diving back into like more of the skincare related side and getting more into like um more like deeper treatments and stuff. But I've been around for a while.

SPEAKER_01 1:03

Yeah, awesome. Yes, and you've been um kind of evolving with your whole journey as an aesthetician.

Why Skincare Takes Time

SPEAKER_01 1:11

What do you think is um people's biggest misconception about what estheticians do and skincare?

SPEAKER_02 1:18

I think the biggest misconception is that like we're gonna be like the biggest like fix-all. Like, we're literally gonna be like a magic like fixer. Just like we're just gonna make your skin like amazing in one treatment. And I think people don't realize that they actually have to like invest into their skin, just like you would invest into your health. Like, you know, you go to the gym, you're not gonna see results in one session. Like, I'm not gonna go to the gym and have abs tomorrow, like it's not gonna happen. So I think people like have that misconception that, like, oh, I'm gonna get this facial and my skin is gonna look like the girls on Instagram. And I'm like, it's a filter, yeah. First off, half the time it's a filter.

SPEAKER_01 1:55

Yes, absolutely. People don't realize that. Absolutely, and there's been a lot of like I feel like trending right now is like certain um products and you see it on social media, so you want to try it. And so, what do you tell people like that ask you about you know products that they see online and um things like that?

Stop Chasing Trending Products

SPEAKER_02 2:14

I tell people a lot of the time to try not to like use so many different products, like people tend to be like, Oh, I want to try this and I want to try this and I want to try this, and they're freaking their skin out. Yeah, like your skin loves consistency, just like our diets. Like, you know, I love to like compare things to like simpler things that people more understand, but like you know, your diet, like your your your body likes to have a certain amount of sort, like everything, like proteins, carbs, all that stuff. Your skin is the same way. Your skin likes consistency. It kind of freaks out when you like if you were to like binge eat, you know, like things like that. Your skin doesn't like when you're like changing things around and like just clogging it up. Like your skin's not it's not happy about that. And people tend to think that like, oh, this food that I ate broke me out. More than likely, the new product that you used last night is what broke you out.

SPEAKER_01 3:05

Okay, yeah, that makes sense. I mean, I feel like there's just so much stuff out there about like new products and do this and do that, yeah. Um, and I feel like it does, it kind of like makes you feel like you have to do more and it but it's not necessarily needed, like no, not at all. Um but so what do you tell people that are coming in for a facial, you know, and how do you help them like kind of pick what products they

The Simple Routine Foundation

SPEAKER_01 3:28

should use?

SPEAKER_02 3:28

And I kind of see like where their baseline is, like, what do you use on a regular basis? If I have a client that's like I like to wash my face and put moisturizer on, okay, we're gonna start simple. Like, you know, I'm not gonna give you a 10-step routine. Yeah. But like if you're someone who's like, I really like skincare, but like, you know, I know that I'm not using good products, but like I'm willing to like have a routine, then like, you know, we can talk more in depth. But usually I would just tell someone to like, you know, get a good face wash, a good moisturizer, and a good SPF. And if you can go further than that, like we can go further, but um, you know, add a retinol, add an acid, different things like that.

Dry Skin Needs Exfoliation

SPEAKER_02 4:09

Because people tend to be like, oh my gosh, my skin's so dry. And I'm like, your skin hasn't seen exfoliation in six years, obviously.

SPEAKER_01 4:16

Definitely, yeah. And I'm definitely one of the people that's on the drier side, and I think that's something I had to learn is like I just wanted to put more moisturizer on my face, and I thought, like, oh, I just need a better moisturizer, and it's like, well, it can't get to your skin because you're not like you know, you're not getting those dead skin layers off. Yeah, so I think that's another thing is like finding out like where's the real problem. And I feel like people just again, like for me almost like a top of it, they like want to like just put more stuff on top. They want to put stuff on and they don't realize like you gotta take some stuff off actually to get in there. I think that's a super important part because like for me, that was like the hardest thing for me to like understand. It's like I've always had dry skin my whole life, and like I never really liked exfoliating. It was just something like even like my like body, I was just always like trying to put more lotion on it, yeah. And I just feel like you have to like understand that like it the lotion can't go in if you have a lot of dry skin cell built up, like especially like I'll see people that are like flaking and they're like, Yeah, I don't understand why my moisturizer is not working.

SPEAKER_02 5:20

And I'm like, Oh, I understand.

SPEAKER_01 5:23

I think like people just don't that's not something that's like one of those common things that you think. I feel like a lot of like marketing is around moisturizers, so everybody thinks that they need more moisturizing.

SPEAKER_02 5:35

Like all the ads you see, it's always like all these like serums and moisturizers, and I'm like, add some exfoliation, please. Yeah, your skin's begging you, yeah. And it doesn't have to be the scrubs. I know some people don't like the scrubs, but you know, a good acid. Anything with a good acid is gonna be a chemical exfoliant, and it's gonna work so well and it penetrates even deeper into those like dead skin cells, so it's gonna get it's gonna slough it off, but you're not even

Physical Vs Chemical Exfoliants

SPEAKER_02 6:03

gonna notice it because it is a chemical, like it's just kind of gonna do it on its own. You're not like manually exfoliating it. So I feel like that's where some people like they don't like the feeling of the exfoliation, or maybe they don't like that their skin gets a little red. I know that's a big thing. Like people are like, Oh, my but my skin turned red. I'm like, you're manually doing something, you're yeah, that's normal, it's skin, you know.

SPEAKER_01 6:24

And I think just knowing that it's no it's normal, like it's not bad, it's not like this is too strong, it's just kind of like part of it. Like for me, my skin always gets red, like you've worked on me many times. Like, I just get red right away. And for me, that was always like one of the reasons I didn't like exfoliating because my face would get really red, but like now I realize that it's like necessary or else like I'm just putting all these serums on and it's not even going.

SPEAKER_02 6:47

And it just shows that your skin's alive, yeah. Like, I think that's just something that people don't realize. Like, I know I'm darker skin, and like people would never think, like, oh, your skin gets red. Like, my skin gets red too. Like, you know, maybe not as noticeable, but completely totally normal. Like, if I don't see my skin get red, I'd probably be like, What's going on?

SPEAKER_01 7:05

Yeah, I need uh yeah, it's like a just a normal reaction.

SPEAKER_02 7:08

So I think that's something not like red with where it's lasting red. Like I don't want people to think like, oh my god, your skin's gonna be red. It's like bleeding. Like just like a normal, like flush, like that's that's a normal, like, ex like experience, you know, especially if you have sensitive skin. Like, you know, just a little flush is perfectly normal.

SPEAKER_01 7:25

Yeah, good to know. So I do, I think a lot of people have confusion around the stuff with beads in it. We've heard that they're not good, they're good, like are like sometimes I I've heard like the bead ones are okay, but the ones that are like not smooth beads are bad. Like, tell us more about those. Like, how do you find the right exfoliates?

SPEAKER_02 7:45

That one really does trip me up too because like I know your generation, and I think like the beginning of my generation, like we all use that apricot scrub. Yes, yes, and that one is like the biggest one, and I think it's more so because it's not smooth, is the reason why they're bad. Okay. But I still like get a little thrown off with the beads thing, honestly, and I just trust the brand that I purchase because like I've listened to so many of their like you know, scientists talk about it, and I think that I know that their stuff works, but I would be a little skeptical on like other brands. Like drugstore stuff, yeah. Like you just don't know the quality. Yeah, the quality of it. Like, I trust face reality, I trust the products that they have. I've never had an issue, but at the same time, like if you're buying the apricot scrub, your skin's probably a little a little stressed. Yeah, because it's like scratching it, it's a little early. It's gonna cause like um micro-tears on your skin, is more so what happens. Um, you do want to find those ones with the smooth beads, but it's so hard to find that in drugstore because drugstore doesn't always like disclose everything with their products. I feel like they're more like they tell you what you what you want to know. So that you buy it. Yeah, yeah. They're like, they're like, we're gonna use these keywords that are like you know, the fancy words, and we're not gonna tell you actually like everything. Everything,

Drugstore Vs Pro Guidance

SPEAKER_02 9:08

yeah.

SPEAKER_01 9:08

So what do you um we talked a little bit about this, like kind of building that foundation. So for people who are using like, you know, drugstore, face wash or whatever, um, you know, having them pivot, you know, sometimes it's an expense type of the other brands are a little bit more pricey. I will say, like, face reality um is very, very affordable. And like you get a pretty big size bottle. Yeah. Um, so I think it is, it's like investing into it, like anything in your health. Like, you know, if you're gonna spend a little bit more money, but you're gonna be able to, you know, know that the product's working well and it's safe for your skin and it's like specific to your skin type.

SPEAKER_02 9:45

Um, I think it's the values there instead of you know, and I think also having someone like you know guide you in your products, like instead of like, you know, you go into a uh drugstore and you're like, which one do I buy?

SPEAKER_01 9:57

Yeah, you're literally just looking at the packages. And I mean, even some higher-end retailers, not just drugstores, but like Sephora feel the same way. And like again, those people in there, they're not, you know, it's not that they're bad, it's just they just really don't know your skin that well. They're just going based off of kind of like what you're telling them. And again, sometimes what you're telling them isn't actually even like the issue. Well, like you said, if you go in there and tell them your face is dry, they're gonna probably sell you a moisturizer. Yeah, in reality, you need a someone to go dive a little deeper, like what's going on.

SPEAKER_02 10:28

Exactly. And I've seen people that are actually really oily and they're slapping moisturizer on their skin too, because they're also drying their skin out at the same time. So, like, they're they're so oily that now their skin's tight. And they're like, Why is my skin so tight? And then they're slapping moisturizer, and they're like, they're kind of just like in a like a kind of like circle, yeah. Yeah, like a circle kind of thing. It's like, okay, your skin was oily, so you dried it out, but now your skin's tight, so now you're adding more oil. Like, you have to kind of be. I think people got really crazy on that like matte skin trend, and now we're going back towards the glowy skin trend. And I think some people are still stuck in that matte skin trend where they're like, I don't want to look sweaty. And I'm like, oily. Yeah, I'm like, but like you have to understand like oily skin, like I would die to have oily skin because they don't wrinkle as bad. Like, people don't even under you don't even like know that. Like, yeah, oily skin is less likely to have wrinkles because it has that oil. People with dry skin, we're just cracking all the time, you know. So, like, we're more likely to see wrinkles, yeah. Exactly. So, I definitely am like, if you have oily skin, embrace it. Like, accept it, keep it moisturized, don't dry it out. Like, I definitely see that's a thing. But I think that people go to like all those stores and everything, and they kind of just like pick and choose what they want when they could just go to an esthetician and like you know get products that are actually tailored examples and are like you may spend a little bit more, but like you're actually sometimes snotty thing. Yeah, I mean, I'm sure because I know Sephora and Yeah, I was just gonna say Sephora, like I've seen products that are like $50, $60, and I'm like, that's that's a toner.

SPEAKER_01 12:09

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 12:10

And honestly, you don't if if someone really asked me, like, do I need a toner in my routine? Like, unless you really want one.

SPEAKER_01 12:16

Yeah, it's not like one of those ones where you're like, they're like, if we built this foundation, you probably wouldn't need to.

SPEAKER_02 12:25

Yeah, like let's get something better. Yeah. Because you know, people think that that's a step. Yeah, you know, people want to cut down their steps, they want a three-step route, four-step routine. You know, I'm not gonna add the toner if that's gonna be like a make it or break it in the steps, you know? Yeah, so I think just like you know, having a good routine, but like done by an aesthetician is more so.

SPEAKER_01 12:46

So, um, what do you tell people that like come in for a really expensive facial and then you know they're you know getting something at a do a drugstore or Sephora? How do you help them kind of navigate finding

What Makes A Facial Worth It

SPEAKER_01 13:00

that balance?

SPEAKER_02 13:00

I try to tell them like more so what is your end goal with your skin? Like, are you doing this to treat yourself? Are you doing this because you want to relax? Or are you doing this because you want to see a change in your skin? I feel like that's a big difference in like certain people. I thankfully have a lot of like acne clients, so they want to see a difference, you know, they want to see a change in their skin, but I feel like sometimes I'll get the clients that like they're more just here to treat themselves, like you know, they get one facial a year and they don't really necessarily care about their skin's health or like what they're using on their skin. So I think that that's um the difference. But I usually will tell them, like, you know, I think you should try to switch a few of your products if you can. Like, you know, if you don't want to spend money on a face wash, like, okay, let's figure out a face wash that works for your skin, let's find something that actually like works for you, but also like let's try to add some other products in. You know, some people are diehard about their products, they're like, No, this product is the best product ever. And then you look at their skin and you're like, It's not, but okay, you know, I'll let I'll let you be. Like, you know, I just think you have to like give and take where somebody, where a client is you have to meet them where they're at, yeah. Yeah, meet them where they're at, and like, you know, if you are diehard about this product, like, okay, well, let me add this to your routine and you tell me how it like works with true, yeah. And I think a lot of the time that's what's worked for me is like I'll order someone like a Mendelic serum and they'll try it and they'll be like, oh my gosh, after I use that Mendelic serum, my skin feels amazing. Like, I actually think I want to buy another product from that line, so I think it's more like just finding what finding that one product that could probably like turn their whole routine that they'll be more willing to spend a little bit on those other products, and still, like face reality is such a more affordable brand that I'm usually able to kind of like convince people in that sense. It's not, I mean, the face washes, I think 35, like or starts around 35. Most drugstores are about like 25. Yeah, they're I'm like, drugstore is getting expensive now, so I'm like, it's ten dollars extra. Like, I have some people that that's that has been their reasoning. They're like, you know what? Yeah, like my drugstore is almost the same price. They're like, I might as well buy something a little bit better, and they see the results.

SPEAKER_01 15:16

Yeah, so talk we talked a little bit about like exfoliating type washes and stuff.

Mandelic Acid Explained

SPEAKER_01 15:21

Talk a little bit about you mentioned Mandelic, and so people might not know what that is. Yeah, I don't know what I didn't know what that was, and like when you first told me about it, I didn't really think I needed it, but I I did. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 15:32

So Mandelic is a chemical exfoliant, it's derived from bitter almonds. So unfortunately, if you are allergic to almonds, you cannot use it. Um, but a good option if you are allergic to almonds is salicylic, or you can use glycolic. Um, there's so many good acids, and they're all derived from natural things. So, like, you know, they're all derived from different plants, uh, fruits, vegetables, like different stuff like that. But I love Mendelic, it works so well and it doesn't uh it doesn't irritate the skin, is probably the best explanation of it. Like it doesn't irritate the skin in the sense that like people feel like they notice it, I guess. Um it's kind of just like a serum that they put on and it works, it works great, it helps clear acne, it helps cle clear the pores, it helps get that dead skin off, and it's just so gentle that people don't like freak out about it, I guess you could say.

SPEAKER_01 16:28

We do get a little bit of a tingle.

SPEAKER_02 16:30

Some people I think that's like if you have sensitive skin. I was gonna say sensitive skin or like really dry skin because I noticed the little tingle, but like I've asked my oily clients and they're like, no, they don't know. I don't feel a thing. Okay. So I think that's definitely the difference. Like, even with the chemical peels, I've noticed that like my oily skin clients, they hardly notice it.

SPEAKER_01 16:49

So is it like basically like a less strong chemical peel? Yes. So it's like a maintenance chemical peel, you would say. Like at home, it's like what you're doing at home to kind of get that same, like it's yeah, getting all that buildup off of there.

SPEAKER_02 17:02

They're gonna be like, it's kind of just keeping up with like what you're doing in like if you are gonna be a facial. Yeah, if you're getting treatments, like you're basically keeping up with it so that you're not back at square one every single week. Like, you know, every single time you go back to get your facial, your skin's not like, oh, you're you're still the same spot, you know. Yeah, so that way, like you're actually able to target different things. Um, a lot of people will want to target pigment. It does help with pigment, also. It helps with brightening, it helps with those different things. Some people may think, like, oh, she's talking about just acne products, but these products, you don't have acne and you use them. So, and I don't have, I mean, I get some like little spots here and there, but I don't have like full-fledged, you know, severe acne, and I can still use the products and they work great. They work great for anti-aging. My mom uses them, and my mom's in her 60s. So, and you know, it works. It works. Those products will still work for anybody.

SPEAKER_01 17:54

Yeah. I think a lot of um skincare is like very like the same essentials work for a lot of different skin types because it's like it's just about keeping your skin more clean and keeping exfoliating it and then moisturizing it. And it's like once you find the right like products, yeah, you know, and you're balanced out, then it's easier to maintain good skin as well.

SPEAKER_02 18:15

Like you do get even if you're not like an acne person, you still probably are getting occasional breakouts, and you see everybody usually has some blackheads, like people will say it all the time, like, I don't have any blackheads, and I'm like, Oh girl, wait, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 18:28

You're like, no, is it I'm sure you feel like that too. Like when you see people's skin now, you're kind of like analyzing it, yeah, stuff like that.

SPEAKER_02 18:36

I definitely do that more than I'd like to admit. Like, I'm looking at my friends and I'm like, oh, that's new. Like, where did that come from? But I'm not gonna say it. Yes, but yeah, no, you definitely analyze everything.

unknown 18:47

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 18:47

So talk a little bit about like being an acne specialist and kind of what you do for um clients that have have

Acne Boot Camp And Extractions

SPEAKER_01 18:54

acne.

SPEAKER_02 18:54

So for my acne clients, they all are on acne bootcamp. So they come every two weeks, three weeks, and then some of them are now on like four or five weeks. Uh, it just depends on like how your skin's reacting to the treatments. You do have to purchase all your face reality products. I don't let people be on acne boot camp without purchasing products because at that point you're just throwing money at skin that's not gonna do anything. You know, that is a lot of it. I feel like acne is more 50-50 than like traditional skincare. Like you are dependent on the treatments that we're doing. You know, a lot of people that have it's called uh non-inflamed acne, it actually doesn't respond as well to products as inflamed acne. Inflamed acne is just what it is, it's inflamed, it's stressed, it's like you know, it's red, but non-inflamed is deep in the skin, it's deep in the pore, it needs that exfoliation. So those clients I feel like are the ones that you take a little bit longer, but we're doing a lot of like extractions, we're doing chemical peels, we're doing that every two weeks until we get them clear. And I've seen a lot of success with like just doing those extractions. I know they're painful. I hate doing them to myself too, but I love doing them to other people. Yeah, they're my favorite part of any treatment.

SPEAKER_01 20:11

And the before and afters, I mean, speak for themselves. I mean, like very severe acne, you have cleared up pretty much completely. And then once that's kind of cleared, you know, they have less than that's kind of when I move them into like I'll look at their skin and be like, okay, let's move to three weeks.

SPEAKER_02 20:27

Like, you know, let's see how your skin reacts at three weeks also. Then they'll come in. If they're doing really well at three weeks, all right, let's move you to four weeks, you know. You don't have to come as often, you know. I know that committing to every two weeks is, you know, that is a commitment.

SPEAKER_01 20:40

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 20:40

And so once I see that that like your skin is responding well, I'm gonna boost you out. You know, I'm not gonna force you to come every two weeks still. And then, you know, some people I've had clients that go away to college and they come back once, twice a year, you know, when they can for like when they're visiting their during their breaks, and I'll see their skin, it still looks great, but they're keeping on top of their products, they're still getting the products, they're still getting their products, and when they do come into town, you know, they'll get their acne clearing, you know, we'll do an acne boot camp treatment, we'll do a pay appeal real quick and everything, and do those extractions, but it's so much less than when they started, and it it just becomes that. So, like, you know, when they start, yeah, the extractions might take like a good 20-30 minutes, but then by the end, we're doing a five-minute extra like extractions, you know, we're doing them real quick, you know, they're gonna come out a lot faster too. Because when you're exfoliating, it's kind of gonna slip out, like when I'm doing the extractions, but when you're not exfoliating, there's just that dead skin. I'm like almost almost forcing it out, trying to get that stuff out through all the skin layers. So sometimes I try to get my acne boot camp, my acne boot campers to start with products first before they even do the treatment. I found that that works a little bit better, but some people are so like, I decided to get a treatment, I want the treatment today. Yes, and You know, I will work with you, of course. Like, you know, I'm not gonna say no, but I have found that like if you do start the products like two weeks ahead of getting that first treatment, your skin just like it accepts it a lot more, it accepts the extractions a lot better. Yeah, because there's not that dead skin layer on top. You know, the the peel helps a little bit, it does help with the extraction, it kind of softens them up a little bit, but it's not as much as if you had already started products and like you know you're kind of already exfoliating, getting that dead skin off because that is the biggest part is getting that dead skin off. And that's what acne is it's dead skin in the cells, like it's in there in your pores, dead skin in your pores, and people don't realize that either. And an acne like pore just sheds dead skin faster, it's really what it is. So everything really ties into exfoliation and dead skin. It sounds like it, it sounds like it's like it just circles all around, but like aging, it's usually you know, when your skin starts to get look a little crepey, dead skin, exfoliate. You need to exfoliate acne, exfoliate. Like, I feel like everything like I will preach to everybody, and everybody probably hates hearing me, but like exfoliate, yeah. Like that's the biggest part in my at least in for me, like that's what you've seen.

SPEAKER_01 23:13

I will always tell everybody like exfoliate, please. You've seen a lot of people's skin, and um, I know you have you're the acne specialist, but you do have a lot of clients that are also looking for anti-aging and things like that. So let's dive into that

Anti-Aging Basics And Retinol

SPEAKER_01 23:27

a little bit more. I uh you did mention like exfoliating is also important there, but what do you recommend to those clients that are seeing like fine lines or deep lines? And where what what do you do differently for them versus the acne clients? I feel like I kind of do it very similarly.

SPEAKER_02 23:43

Um I feel like it's worked in in the sense that like it's your skin's not that very like that much different in the sense of acne and wrinkles, like we're all trying to treat a target problem. And I feel like a big thing for wrinkles is exfoliating and moisturizing. It is those two things, but like you have to get that dead skin off to moisturize because that's wrinkles are just like you know, there it's it is aging, it's a sign of aging. We can't get rid of wrinkles unless we do Botox, you know, stuff like that, and not everybody wants that, but we can improve them by doing chemical peels and stuff like that and exfoliating, and it's just gonna help with getting that dead skin off. That's really what is gonna help with wrinkles, and I think a lot of people don't realize that is like you just need to slough off that dead skin to like reveal that skin that's underneath, you know. You everybody has that like more glowy skin, that more smooth skin underneath. You just need to work at it. I mean, uh retinol is gonna be a really good product to use if you are more anti-aging, but you can also still use any of those other chemicals that I mentioned earlier: the glycolic, the salicylic. Glycolic actually works really well for anti-aging. Um, and so does Mendelic. Salicylic, I feel like, is one that I don't I don't really touch with salicylic a whole lot. Um, it's not my favorite. I tend to use it only for my clients who are allergic to other nuts. Yeah. It's usually like, okay, if you're allergic to nuts, I guess we can use salicylic, you know? Makes sense. So that's usually one that I don't lean towards, but glycolic is really great for anti-aging, mandelicus, and retinol is a big one too. And that one, I feel like a lot of people are getting more into retinol recently.

SPEAKER_01 25:26

Yeah, I feel like um people, you're either like, uh, love it. Like, I feel like a lot of people got prescribed it from their dermatologist, like, you know, 10-15 years ago. And then some people are like, I don't want to use it at all, they're scared of it, they think they're gonna get a lot of like redness. So talk a little bit about that. How do you avoid that? Or how do you use it?

SPEAKER_02 25:44

You have to like kind of and the way to explain is more like um gradually. You have to like gradually get your skin acclimated to it. So it's not one of those products that you're gonna be like, I just got this new product, I'm gonna use it morning and night. That's the big thing. Don't use it in the morning, please. Okay, please do not use it in the morning. It is photosensitive, so like it is sensitive to the sun. You can't like you're gonna burn your skin, you're gonna cause yourself more hyperpigmentation. You have to wash it off in the morning, you have to use it at nighttime, and you need to wash your face in the morning because leaving that product on your skin is actually going to cause more damage. So I think a lot of people aren't really looking at like the instructions, more so they're just going blindly into it and they're like, Well, I'm just gonna use this every day. And their skin, they they've never exfoliated a day in their life. Their skin is gonna freak out, you know. They might peel really bad. I feel like that's one that I've seen that people have peeled because they've never exfoliated before. Of course, your skin is gonna be fine. Yeah, so it starts sloughing off. Yeah, so it starts sloughing off. So I think just using it like in a in a routine, but like make sure that you're leaving days in between.

SPEAKER_01 26:56

So, like, start when you start out, start out gradually, maybe do it like a couple days a week and do it at night and then wash it off. And like these are things that like if you go buy a product, you know, at a drugstore or a uh cosmetic store, you might not get that all those instructions. So you may be using something and like causing more harm. I remember um like probably 10 years ago, I bought some scrub or something, you know, I was just trying to just fix. I had a dark spot, yeah. And um, but when I used it, I felt like when I was driving, like it was like it was almost and so it was actually making it worse. So because it had the retin A in it to lighten the dark patches, but I wore it out in my on my face during the daytime. And so I my um dark spot actually ended up getting worse because they caused that. So, and I think that's like so many things out there. Like, if you don't use it correctly, you're actually gonna damage your skin more. And like I feel like you know, if you're using the the different stuff like Mendelic or certain moisturizers or serums or Retin A, and you don't know what you're doing, you actually could cause more harm to your skin and not get the results. And then that might be why people, a lot of people don't like Retin A because they're like, I had this bad experience. Like for me, I don't, I don't, I was like, I'm not using it again, I'm not gonna try it because I think the big thing is maybe not even using one that is prescription strength.

SPEAKER_02 28:17

If you're nervous, buy one from you know, if you buy one from an esthetician, your esthetician can tell you get a low percentage which one is a lower percentage. Like I love my face reality one, but it is a lower percentage. It is Redding has different like levels to it. Yeah, for sure. So, you know, there's different ones that like they cause cell, they need to turn over a certain amount of times before they kind of like pass through the cell. And you know, obviously the prescription one is going to be the strongest one. Use one that's not as strong, yeah. Especially when you're getting started. Yeah, start at one that's not as strong and work your way up if you even feel like you need it. Yeah. Because some people don't. I mean, I've used the face reality one, I've used the GlyMed one, another great one is the Skin Better one. Skin Better has an amazing um retin. There's is Alpha Ret. That one's amazing, but I will say that one is stronger. So that's I feel like that's more for like your diehard like skincare people. Like, and it is a little that one is definitely on the higher end of the price point. Yeah, like it is definitely on the higher end. But I mean, if you're wanting to see those results, you'll see those results with that one. Yeah. But if you're looking more for like, you know, a starter basic routine, start with a face reality one, start with GlyMeds. GlyMed is still a little bit, it's a little bit like a step up from face reality. But you know, just see where you are financially, like where your budget is and how you respond to how much you want to spend, honestly. Like some people see how your skin responds to it and then work your way up. But I think that retinol is a great option to have, especially with anti-aging, because I know that's that was where we started with anti-aging. Um, retinol is a great one to have, but I think that a lot of people get a little nervous about it. So I think

SPF Objections Texture And Scent

SPEAKER_02 30:04

that just like using it properly, not overusing it, and making sure that you're wearing your SPF. SPF is also a huge product to have in your routine. Like, that is probably one of my other like you need to have this. Like, no matter what else you buy, like you need an SPF for sure. Why do you think so many people skip that one? I think that people like I know the whole like oh, there's like cancer-causing ingredients, but I've worn SPF for years, and I mean I'm none of I've never had any skin cares or skin cancer scares, and I think that I think it's the the type of SPF that people are buying. A lot of people don't like the smell. The smells. I think the smell is a huge one because I carry an SPF that actually does not smell like SPF. It actually smells like cucumbers. I have found that people are more willing to purchase it because they like I'll put it on their face and they're like, oh my god, this smells so good. They're like, what is this? And I'm like, well, actually, it's not meant to smell like cucumbers, it just happens to smell like cucumbers. Like, it wasn't created to smell like that.

SPEAKER_01 31:07

It has like a refreshing smell.

SPEAKER_02 31:08

It's similar, it's not like scented. Yeah, it's not purposely scented. I actually even talked to the people like at the brand, like at one of the beauty shows. I was like, why does it smell like cucumbers? And they're like, it was literally just the way that everything kits together. Like it just happened to smell like that. They're like, there's no added fragrance though. But people like it, they like the feeling of it, it's more of a smooth.

SPEAKER_01 31:29

Yeah, I feel like a lot of sunscreens are very cakey and have that white cast. Yeah, and so you put it on, like, say you're gonna wear it under your makeup, and then if you take a picture, you feel like you look washed out or weird.

SPEAKER_02 31:40

Yeah, so SPF does cause that flashback, but I feel like protecting your skin is a little bit more important.

SPEAKER_01 31:46

Well, and I feel like if you use the one um that you carry or like a similar one that's more moisturizing, it doesn't do it as much.

SPEAKER_02 31:54

So no, it definitely I don't feel like I see that flashback like crazily, but I think a lot of people really like it because of the scent, honestly.

SPEAKER_01 32:02

I feel like that is the biggest thing that I've heard from people is like for love, it's definitely helpful, but for me it's more the texture because my skin's already dry. Yeah, so I feel like when I use other sunscreens, it just it kind of makes it feel more dry, or like because it has like that mattifying effect. It does. And I so that's why I always like don't like wearing SBS because they just give my skin that like that filmy feel and that dry feel. And like a lot of times I don't wear makeup like day to day, so like I'm just not gonna put sunscreen on and then have that like that film on my face, you know. So I like that it doesn't do that and it actually gives you like a dewy act. Like a glow, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 32:40

Definitely you're you look more glowy with this one. Yeah, um, but we're talking about the Clear Choice Sports Shield. I realize I never decided which one I'm talking about, but they also have one for acne that is mattifying, and I've used it. I always joke that it smells like my grandma, um, it smells like bingay, like it smells like that. Like that you put for pain.

SPEAKER_01 33:00

So it might not be the best one for people who don't like scent.

SPEAKER_02 33:04

Yeah, so it smells like that. I have no idea why. I also asked them that. They just said that whatever's feel like it's just the way that everything's compounded. It's not purposely like scented that way, but I think it's so funny because the moment I smelled it, I was like, oh, this is interesting. But it actually works for acne, it has um properties in it that help with acne. So that one is good for my acne vacant clients.

SPEAKER_01 33:28

And if you already are prone to acne, not to use something that's gonna make it.

SPEAKER_02 33:31

There are sunscreens that will clog your pores. That is something that people also don't see, is a lot of like the pore cloggers. That's a huge one that a lot of people don't pay attention to, is like looking at their makeup. Why am I getting a breakout on my

Makeup That Triggers Breakouts

SPEAKER_02 33:44

where I put my bronzer?

SPEAKER_01 33:45

And it's like your bronzer has a bunch of stuff in it that's just clogging your pores. Exactly.

SPEAKER_02 33:50

I'm like, I am a I I fall victim to that. That I I know why I have breakouts on my bronzer line, and it's because my bronzer is probably not good for my that spot, you know, that is my trigger spot, and I like to put my bronzer there, and I'm still gonna do it. And that's okay. At least you know why. I'm like, I think if you know why and you're okay with it, then that's fine. But you know, I think people have to like look into the different things that they're using.

SPEAKER_01 34:16

Yeah. Do you feel like there's a lot of good makeup brands out there that are not that don't have those uh ingredients? Or I feel like it's like some of the ones that are like more safe or natural, they're just not as pigmented.

SPEAKER_02 34:29

I was just gonna say, I feel like sometimes you're sacrificing that like payoff with the makeup, like the longevity of it. I know a lot of people will use color science, which I really like. Color science, they actually have tinted stuff, so like they have a tinted SPF, it works great. Um, it isn't super moisturizing feeling, it does feel more like a foundation. Okay, but it also kind of it has like a uh color technology, so it goes on white. Like when you're rubbing it in, it's when it starts changing colors and it matches your skin.

SPEAKER_01 34:58

Oh, yeah, I think you totally.

SPEAKER_02 34:59

I really like that one, but like that, I feel like that one's good for people that maybe like you who don't wear a lot of makeup. Like you could probably feel like, oh, I put a lot of makeup on today. And it's like all you did was put your SPF on. Yeah, and they have SPF blush, they have SPF bronzer, but like their products are really good for acne. So they have you know a whole line that is better for the that type of skin. I'll although at the same time, I do feel like the color, it's it's just the longevity of it for me. I love to do makeup. Makeup is also one of my passions, so I feel like I would rather sacrifice yeah.

SPEAKER_01 35:32

And I mean it does, you know, if you're doing it for like a big event or you know you're gonna be taking a lot of pictures, then you know that's the payoff, and you know, that's fine. Yeah, I just I do find that like a lot of the makeups that are more natural, they don't have that color payoff. It's just because they can't without without chemicals, you just can't get that pigment or whatever.

SPEAKER_02 35:51

No, I feel like when you're going natural, like there's certain colors that you can get really good color payoff, like you know, like obviously reds, purples, blues, like, but like when you get into more like the skin tone shades, I feel like they almost look just like you dusted color on, and it's not like as intense. It's not that like if you want to cover something, you can't cover something with those products, at least in my experience.

unknown 36:11

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 36:12

So um, talking about makeup, um, what is your recommendation for people that maybe aren't doing like a full skincare routine after you

Wash Your Face At Night

SPEAKER_01 36:21

know big makeup day, or like what do you recommend?

SPEAKER_02 36:24

So if you are not washing your makeup off, I have heard people literally say, like, oh, that makeup lasted me all weekend, and I'm like, What? How did you sleep first off? Did you sleep like the dead? Yeah, or like what did you do? And then at the same time, I'm like, please wash your face. Yeah, please wash your face. You are clogging your pores up so bad.

SPEAKER_01 36:44

Like so it's not only clogging your pores because you're just leaving the makeup in there to settle. Like, what happens at night when you're to your skin, you know? And that's when your cells are turning over. Yeah, so you're literally like stopping your skin from like looking better, breathing breathing, like your skin's not breathing, your skin's not turning over.

SPEAKER_02 37:03

Yeah, it's just kind of that's it.

SPEAKER_01 37:06

Your skin is just gonna look like but yeah, no, it's no other word explain. Yeah, it's like the one rule I feel like luckily I got like ingrained in me pretty early is like you have to take your makeup off, but like I feel like some people did it, and it's definitely like it's one of those things, it's like if you're not doing that, you shouldn't do anything else except like just step one and step one is please wash your face at night at night and even if you can't wash it in the morning yet, like you're not at that, you're not at that level yet.

SPEAKER_02 37:31

Yeah, just do just wash it at night, yeah. And I always tell people that like wash off the day, and I even tell my lash clients that because my lash clients are like, Oh, I wash my lashes in the morning. Yeah, and I'm like, but you slept with all of that day's dirt oils. You know, if you're walking outside, you're getting dirt on your lashes. No matter if you don't think you're walking through, you know, dirt, the wind is blowing. There is dirt that's gonna be on your lashes, and I tell people all the time, I'm like, you just slept with that on your lashes. Like you washed your face, but you didn't wash your lashes.

SPEAKER_04 38:01

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 38:01

So I always tell people, I'm like, at least wash your lashes at nighttime. Yeah. Wash your face at nighttime. Like, you need to get those things off. You need to get the day off.

SPEAKER_01 38:09

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 38:09

Like you don't need to go to bed and then wake up and like you just rolled around in your sheets with that. I don't know. I think that's more like a meme.

SPEAKER_01 38:15

Like, I'm like, germs. Oh no, and I think it's a good point. It's like even if you're like not wearing makeup, you know, you're still getting, and all those things that we encounter throughout the day, different dirt, pollution, it's all getting in your pores. People don't realize that those invisible things are still like, you know, especially on your skin. Yeah, they're getting in your skin, they're setting on your skin. And if you go to sleep, it's going into your pores. And if you don't wash your face before bedtime, even if you're not wearing makeup, there's stuff there on your face. Yes.

SPEAKER_02 38:45

That's a big, like, those are we call them extrinsic aging fast aging factors, and that is outside, outside pollution. And people don't realize that that is an aging factor. Just like you know, there are internal aging factors, there's also outside pollutants are a huge one too. And I think people don't realize that a good one to target for the extrinsic is vitamin C, putting that on in the morning. I'm not a huge vitamin C person, so I'm not the best to always ask about that. Yeah, but that is one that people tend to like for that type of anti-aging.

SPEAKER_01 39:20

Okay, and that's like a cream you put on, it's a serum.

SPEAKER_02 39:24

But some companies carry um like moisturizers that have it. I have it in there. So like I do have a line that carries, like I carry hydrinity, and they have a moisturizer that has vitamin C. So I feel like that's more like that's the only time I'm gonna use vitamin C. I'm not I try to keep my routine simple too. Like, I'm also not trying to have a 10-step step routine. I'm like, if I don't really feel like I die hard need that, I'm not gonna, yeah, I'm not gonna add it. Just like I don't force that on my clients. I'm like, I don't think that you need that product. Like, if it's came down to like these are the products, like this is how many products I want, I'm not gonna add that one. There's certain things that I'll I'll throw out for the cause of getting other products.

SPEAKER_01 40:02

Yeah, makes sense. So let's talk a bit a little bit about the extrinsic, intrinsic thing that

Diet Smoking Alcohol And Hydration

SPEAKER_01 40:08

you mentioned. So, what are some things that maybe aren't like what people normally think? Like, oh, let me get a new cream, let me get a new wash for my face. Like, what are the other things that people are doing internally that are affecting their skin? Smoking, drinking, okay, your diet.

SPEAKER_02 40:24

Yeah, I feel like those are the three big ones, honestly. Those are three big ones that are gonna affect your skin's health. I mean, especially if you're smoking, you're gonna get those smokers' lines. It's very common. A lot of people don't realize it, but smoking causes so many issues. I know you know that.

SPEAKER_01 40:39

Yeah, absolutely.

SPEAKER_02 40:40

Like medically, it causes so many issues, but it also affects your skin. Your skin starts to get a little bit more crepey, it loses that, you know, like the elasticity, it loses that bounce because smoking causes constriction. And so it's not causing, you know, it's not helping your blood flow back to your skin. Alcohol, I mean it's a dehydrating, yeah. I feel like these are all things that kind of kind of cause dehydration basically. And then, you know, your diet. Your diet is a huge thing. If you're out here eating McDonald's every single day of the week, your skin's gonna show it. Like, you know, you might have really greasy skin, you might notice, you know, that your face is more on the pudgy side, you know, like you're gonna see that like inflammation. Swelling, yeah. Yeah, swelling. There we go.

SPEAKER_01 41:26

Like, yeah, you're gonna see the swelling of your skin. Basically, your face and your skin, your skin's your biggest organ, it's a reflection of the things you're doing day to day.

SPEAKER_02 41:35

Um, and it's crazy that people don't want to take care of their biggest organ. Yes, like absolutely literally the one thing that people can see is the one that like people are like, no, I don't care. Yeah, but yeah, no, you're dry.

SPEAKER_01 41:46

Drinking water is a big one.

SPEAKER_02 41:47

Drinking water, yes, for sure. Getting your electrolytes and you know, making sure that you're keeping yourself balanced, not drinking soda all coffee. Yeah, I think that's also a huge one is caffeine. Caffeine, you know, it is a dehydrator, yeah. People don't think about that. They're like, oh my god, my skin's so dry. And I'm like, Have you had water?

SPEAKER_01 42:05

Yeah, like you've just been drinking coffee all day or energy drinks and things like that.

SPEAKER_02 42:10

And your skin's just too, it's gonna be dehydrated. Even if you have oily skin, your skin's gonna be, it's gonna have signs of dehydration.

SPEAKER_01 42:16

Yeah, I think some people don't realize like sometimes your skin gets oily because it's been so dry. Because it's dry. Yeah, so then it starts like um I've learned that uh initially because of like the scalp. So the scalp skin, of course, it's just the same skin, you know. Yeah, but it it a lot of different like properties to it, though. Like, but a lot of people always like would come to me for dandruff and like think that they had dry scalp, but in reality they had like such oily scalp and they just needed to like like exfoliate it. And then, but they would like start seeing like oil, like it would get oily after, but they would have flakes, so they were like confused. They're like, is it dand? I'm like, no, it's just it's so oily and there's buildup, it's not even it's not dandruff.

SPEAKER_02 43:01

It's not dandruff, it's literally just ball.

SPEAKER_01 43:02

And people will buy dandruff shampoos and then they just say it gets worse, and it's like, yeah, because you're just now you're just like adding to the fire, you know. So it's literally just getting irritated now. So yeah, I think a lot of people do that, you know, with skincare as well, like we talked about.

SPEAKER_02 43:18

But I think it's like people try to find a quick fix, yeah, and they don't think about like, let me ask somebody who like actually knows.

SPEAKER_01 43:26

Like what's well, why is my skin suddenly suddenly so oily when it used to be dry or was never this, you know, and it's like, did you dry it out so bad that now it like forced itself to make its own extra oils?

SPEAKER_02 43:37

Like your skin, I mean, we were made to kind of like adapt. Our bodies were made to adapt, our bodies were made to like help themselves. I mean, you know, our body can heal itself as much as it can, like, you know, it tries to. So I think our skin will notice like, oh hey, this

Makeup Setting Tips And Favorites

SPEAKER_02 43:53

homegirl's not moisturizing at all.

SPEAKER_01 43:55

Yeah, I think that before with certain makeups, do you feel like certain foundations like are more drying and you talked about the mattifying trend so it's like I noticed um previously I used some foundations and then I feel like I got really oily like halfway through the day.

SPEAKER_02 44:12

So like I mean when you look at the foundations a lot of them will say dewy or matte. So like if you get grab one that's dewy, oh it's gonna be dewy. Like I feel like but also the thing is people tend to not set their makeup so like you who's dry you'd be like no I don't want to set it I don't want to I don't want it to be dry. Yeah. But it's like you still have to you know you still have to set your makeup and okay so that the I mean if you're trying to combat the dew yeah you want to balance it. Because at that point you like if you wipe your face it's just gonna come off. You never set it you didn't lock it in place you know you have to have those steps of like you know making sure the makeup stays on there and I think that that's something that people people skip that people skip that step yeah I have clients all the time that they'll be like oh no I don't set my makeup and I'm like no wonder your makeup is all on my hand like because especially since I do lashes like girls will come in with foundation sometimes and I've literally had people where I lifted my hand off and I there was a whole mark of where my hands were yeah and I was like why did that happen? Like I've that's never happened to me and I've worn foundation to appointments but it's because they didn't set their they didn't set their makeup so I mean literally all it is is just liquid lifting off.

SPEAKER_01 45:18

Wow yeah so definitely some some misconceptions there.

SPEAKER_02 45:22

What's your favorite setting spray or thing to use for setting setting spray would have to be the one size setting spray it looks like a hairspray bottle and it feels like you're spraying hairspray on your face but it locks it in. It does not budge it does not move and I like there's a new powder that's kind of like more gotten some hype um after a TikToker like started posting a lot about it. She like posts a lot of like drugstore routines she's really great. Aims uh Shelby yeah Shelby and she posted the L'Oreal setting powder and I started using that one and I actually really like it. Okay and I'm like dang I've been spending $30 $40 on setting like setting powders and this one's like I think $12. Oh wow so it's like definitely a good like you know I just I do try to look for some of those like drugstores so that when people ask me I do try to have some sort of drugstore like recommendation on makeup it is hard for me to try like drugstore skincare I I can't bring myself to do it and I'm like I like my products but like makeup I'm always a little bit more willing to like try different products like that and I think that that one was a great like wow I've been spending all this money and this powder is so

Where To Find Kaziah

SPEAKER_02 46:27

much better. Yeah so that's definitely one of my favorite ones so where can um people find you follow you give us all your things actually all my social media is at KaziahXBea so I make it really easy for everyone um which I know my name's not the easiest so it's K-E-Z I A H and then X and then beauty and that's Instagram TikTok I think that's really all I have for my business is Instagram and TikTok and that is also my website too so awesome we'll definitely provide that in the in the notes and definitely see you soon.

SPEAKER_01 47:02

Awesome thank you for having me thank you