Ask the Esthy: Vivant’s In-House Esthetician Answers Your Questions

 

We recently opened up our Instagram Stories to your questions and were pleasantly overwhelmed by the response. We got so many good questions, we thought we’d share some of them here so everyone can benefit from the answers. Is your question among them?

 

Q. Do Vivant’s mandelic acid serums help with acne? What’s the sole purpose of mandelic acid?

A. Mandelic acid is a unique alpha-hydroxy acid that exfoliates, brightens, and kills bacteria and fungus, which makes it a great choice for treating acne. Its larger molecular structure means it’s absorbed more slowly by the skin and won’t create the irritation that can trigger hyperpigmentation making a safe for skin of color. As an exfoliator and brightener, it also treats fine lines and discoloration. We consider our mandelic acid serums the trifecta of skin care because they effectively treat acne, aging, and hyperpigmentation all in one.

 

Q. Can you get away with not doing facials as long as you have a good skin care routine?

A. A good daily skin care routine is essential for maintaining healthy skin. You can certainly get away with that alone; however, regular facials will accelerate results and act as preventive care. In the case of acne, for instance, extractions should always be done by a professional to reduce the risk of scarring. For aging skin, regular facials concentrate beneficial ingredients in the skin, increase circulation, and rid the skin of toxins to intensify repair and rejuvenation. Your daily skin care routine is your foundation and facials are your rocket boosters.

 

Q. Which products are best for cystic acne?

A. For cystic acne, we recommend a regimen to aggressively peel out impactions. Use BP 3% Exfoliating Cleanser, 3% Mandelic Acid 3-In-1 Toner, Exfol-A serum twice daily, plus Day Treatment Lotion SPF 15 in the mornings. At night, BP 10% Gel Medication should be applied after washing. Leave on for half an hour then rinse off and follow with toner and serum. Start the BP 10% Gel Medication every other night and work up to every night. Expect your skin to feel dry and flaky initially as impactions open up and clear.

 

Q. I have relentless pityrosporum folliculitis on my forehead. Nothing is working! Help!!

A. This is the result of an overproduction of yeast, which blocks the follicle. To kill the yeast, you’ll need to open the follicle by exfoliating and introduce an anti-fungal. Use anti-fungal Mandelic Acid 3-In-1 Exfoliating Cleanser twice daily. Clear Body Therapy should be applied every other night for an hour and then rinsed. We also recommend you also use Mandelic Acid 3-In-1 Wash as a shampoo to kill the yeast on the scalp. And stay out of the sun.

 

Q. How often should acne-prone skin get facials and chemical-peels?

A. The only peel we recommend is Vivant’s ProPeel, which you can have every four to six weeks with the proper preconditioning. Someone with acne-prone skin could get a facial as often as once a week, however, for most people, that’s not realistic. We recommend a facial every four to six weeks minimally.

 

Q. Can I use mandelic acid and vitamin A after a chemical peel?

A. If you’ve had a Vivant ProPeel for acne, you can resume use of mandelic acid and vitamin A serums one week after the peel. If you are prone to hyperpigmentation, resume the use of the mandelic and vitamin A products five days after the peel to keep otherwise melanin will not continue to be suppressed.

 

Q. How do I deal with the beginning stages of dark and thinning under-eye skin?

A. The area around the eyes is one of the first places to show signs of aging because the skin here is thinner and contains less collagen than other areas. Dark circles can have a number of causes including aging, genetics, lack of sleep, stress, poor circulation or weakened blood vessels. Peptides and vitamin A will plump and rejuvenate skin and protect from further damage. Use Rejuv Rx Peptide Concentrate and Wink Eye Rejuvenation Cream twice daily. In addition to peptides and vitamin A, Wink contains caffeine, which is a potent antioxidant that constricts blood vessels and increases circulation to reduce the appearance of dark circles.

 

Q. I have acne-prone skin. Is using the Clarisonic daily with Mandelic Acid Wash and Green Tea Antioxidant Cleanser a good choice?

A. Mandelic Acid 3-In-1 Wash (antibiotic, exfoliating, naturally brightening) and Green Tea Antioxidant Cleanser (nourishing, sebum-reducing, photoprotective) are excellent choices for acneic skin. The Clarisonic brush can be used every day as long as you’re not prone to hyperpigmentation. For HP-prone skin, it could create triggering irritation. Since your skin is acne-prone skin, you should also be using a toner, plus a mandelic acid or vitamin A serum, and Day Treatment Lotion SPF 15 daily.

 

Q. What’s a great everyday makeup foundation?

A. We hope that after using Vivant products, you won’t need to apply foundation to your skin. However, if you feel more comfortable with makeup, we recommend a mineral powder like Jane Iredale. If you prefer a cream foundation, you can mix the mineral powder with Day Treatment Lotion SPF 15 to get the creamy texture with the bonus of sun protection.