A French Touch Salon

The finest in Parisian skin care on the central coast.

Glycolic acid

Springtime Skincare: Add A Glycolic Boost to Your Skin!

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While Glycolic acid is often a misunderstood facial product, we want to show you how it can be beneficial for your skin’s health! That’s why throughout the month of March, we will highlight the benefits of glycolic acid in a series of 4 blog posts – this is the second.

March 20th marks the first day of Spring. A time for May flowers, sun, and some much-needed spring cleaning! It’s also the perfect time to add a boost to your skin! Here are 5 ways adding a Glycolic Peel to your regimen will bring a  Springtime boost to your skin:

1. Molecules Matter
Glycolic acid is the most beneficial of all the “alpha hydroxy acids” because it has the smallest molecular size. This small size enables it to penetrate the skin more effectively and ultimately bring about the most dramatic and beneficial changes.

2. Subtract the debris, add the hydration
A secondary benefit is glycolic acid’s ability to draw moisturizers into the newly-exfoliated skin surface. After your peel rids your skin of debris, hydrating products work more effectively because it allows your skin to fully absorb the product, creating fresh, radiant results.

3. Healthy skin from the inside out
It not only allows your products to absorb into your skin more efficiently, but also eliminates abnormal cells that can eventually lead to skin cancers!

4. Gentle and non-intrusive
You’ve probably heard rumors about glycolic peels burning or creating rashes. Sex and the City‘s Samantha had her own traumatizing glycolic peel experience! But that is not how glycolic peels work. Our glycolic peels are gentle and require no “down-time.” This is because of the acidity level. Below, watch a glycolic peel in action!

5. More Visible Results
By adding a Factor-A Resurfacing Treatment to the already results-oriented Glycolic Peel, you’ll enjoy even more intensified results (yes, it’s true ladies!). The additional ingredients, including retinol, azelaic, kojic and salicylic acids, work with the Glycolic Acid to further enhance skin clarity, texture, tone and brightness.

Retinol, a form of Vitamin A, is one of the most effective medically validated ingredients to address anti-aging concerns. It increases cellular turnover and the production of collagen for increased volume in the skin and improvement in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Retinol converts into retinoic acid in the skin, resulting in visible results without all of the sensitivity and irritation that come along with prescriptions containing retinoic acid. When combined with the powerful lightening benefits of azelaic and kojic acids, this treatment becomes a powerhouse, addressing many of the common visible signs of aging.

Are you a visual learner? Here is a great video debunking glycolic acid myths and showing the process of a peel!
[vimeo http://vimeo.com/7030024]

Having trouble viewing the video? Watch it here.

We want you to see for yourself how amazing these peels are for your skin. Through the end of April, we’re offering the glycolic peel series (2 peels/week for 3 weeks) for $200! That’s $100 off! Call the salon now to make your appointment 805.785.0340

Already love Jan Marini? Receive a free glycolic peel (worth $60) when you purchase the Jan Marini Skin Management System!

Celebrities’ Skincare Secret – Glycolic Acid

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While Glycolic acid is often a misunderstood facial product, we want to show you how it can be beneficial for your skin’s health! That’s why throughout the month of March, we will highlight the benefits of glycolic acid in a series of 4 blog posts – this is the first.


There are numerous celebrities who swear by the positive results they experience from both glycolic peels and Jan Marini products that include glycolic acid as an ingredient. A few of these celebrities include Cher, Alexia Shinas, and Natasha Henstridge.

Cher, singer and acress

Ever wonder where Cher gets her flawless skin? Watch this video to learn why Jan Marini is Cher’s go-to skin care system:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6GmChAoyF4&playnext=1&list=PL8336BF45A7745C41]

Not Just For Celebrities – Lucky You!

Luckily, the amazing results of glycolic acid is not reserved just for celebrities. You can benefit too, and we want you to see for yourself how amazing glycolic acid can be for your skin.That’s why throughout the month of March, we’re offering…

  1. The glycolic peel series (2 peels/week for 3 weeks) for $200! That’s $100 off! Call the salon now to make your appointment 805.785.0340
  2. A free glycolic peel (worth $60) when you purchase the Jan Marini Skin Management System! This is a little special treat for those of you who already love Jan Marini!

An Evening of French Beauty Secrets

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With champagne glasses filled and chocolates tasted, we began our exploration into an evening of French beauty secrets with Yvette Colombier, Patricia Kaspian’s mother and skincare expert last Thursday evening. For those of you who weren’t able to attend, we thought we’d share a few of the details:

A Bit About Yvette
Arriving in Santa Barbara from the French Riviera in 1964, Yvette Colombier brought with her the French women’s understanding of how to care for and keep skin youthful. A move to Northern California’s charming Los Gatos with her husband Pierre (a handsome Frenchman!) convinced her that American women were ready for the French philosophy of healthy skincare maintenance – no longer a rare privilege.

Her Beauty Secrets Recap

  • Don’t ignore your neck and décolleté, they need product care just like your face.
  • The French use toner in place of water to remove cleanser, as water can be impure.
  • The best tool to work in products? Your fingers! Use gentle lifting movements as you work them in.
  • Eye cream: a little goes a long way! Rub your cream between your ring fingers to warm the product, minimizing the amount used.
  • Use glycolic acid on a daily basis and glycolic peels monthly.
  • Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen! 99% of aging is due to sun damage. A summer glow isn’t worth compromising your beautiful skin!
  • Try an anti-aging serum before moisturizer. It has a smaller molecular weight so it boosts the anti-aging actives sending them straight to the cells.
  • Are you cheating? Washing and moisturizing before you go to bed can’t be skimped!
  • It’s never too late to start taking care of your skin. Yvette basked in the rays of the French Riviera until she realized (in her 30s!) that she needed to care better for her skin. Now look at her!

    • Highlights of the Night

    Donna was the lucky model of the mini facial demonstration.


    Judy won the raffle prize: a glycolic peel!

    It’s important to match products to your skin. We provided our guests with goodies based on theirs! Want to know your skin grade? Come into the salon for your personal analysis.

    Want to see more highlights from the event? Check it out here at our Facebook fan page!
    Eager for the next event? Stay tuned for details on upcoming Dec. 2 and Dec. 16 events!
    Next week: Save your skin. Save your life. It’s as simple as sunscreen!

    Peeling an onion for your turkey stuffing? Think of your skin!

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    Your skin has many layers, and just like an onion, the fresher layers are revealed after peeling back the outer layers. This “peeling” process is exactly what glycolic acid does to the damaged upper layers of your skin when you apply as an exfoliating cream or gel. But the power of glycolic is already well-known in skincare routines of celebrities. With glycolic peels you, too, can reap it’s benefits.

    WHY GLYCOLIC ACID?

    Glycolic acid is the most beneficial of all the “alpha hydroxy acids” because it has the smallest molecule. This small molecular size enables it to penetrate the skin more effectively and ultimately bring about the most dramatic and beneficial changes. We know that glycolic acid peels sound intimidating, but they are the perfect exfoliators for your skin.

    GLYCOLIC ACID IN ACTION

    While the glycolic acid dissolves the dead skin layer (or cellular debris layer), the other ingredients in these peels carry the dead flakes away and a water rinse neutralizes the remaining acid. The result is a smoother skin surface and a more youthful appearance. A secondary benefit is glycolic acid’s ability to draw moisturizers into the newly-exfoliated skin surface. It’s important to use a hydrating product after your peel to fully reap this benefit.

    YOUR FRENCH TOUCH

    At A French Touch Salon, we offer you Jan Marini Glycolic Peels. Jan Marini specializes in neutralized peels, which means immediate results with no down time. You’re resurfacing your skin in a safe, effective method.

    Next week: 5 Reasons To Make Time for Toner

    Visible Beauty in Time for the Holidays. It’s Possible.

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    Now that fall is here, this is the ideal time to revitalize your skin from damage incurred during the harsh summer months. Sun damage causes 99.5% of aging due to UV rays and harmful chemicals that put your skin through wear and tear. Luckily, it doesn’t have to take long to reverse these damages and see visible results in areas you’d like to see it most – just in time for your holiday parties!

    GLYCOLIC PEELS are the most effective treatment for sun-damaged skin because they deeply exfoliate to create resurfaced, radiant skin and strip photo damage caused by the sun. Glycolic acid is derived from sugar cane, which loosens the cellular debris layer and exfoliates your skin. It not only allows your products to absorb into your skin more efficiently, but also eliminates abnormal cells that can eventually lead to skin cancers. It’s a great way to bring your skin back to life from those dry, summer months!

    Need A French Touch? We offer the Jan Marini Glycolic Acid Peel series. This series includes six peels over three weeks. Why is this treatment perfect for the holidays? This treatment creates softer, more refined skin without any downtime, redness, or flaking. No need to miss a good holiday party!

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    COLLAGEN HYALURONIC FACIALS are the perfect way to add life to your skin during the winter season. You’ve all heard about hyaluronic acid, but what is it exactly? It is one of the natural fillers of the skin, whose essential role is to retain water in the dermis (the water reservoir of the skin). Because of its low molecular weight (derived from wheat), it can increase hydration and skin firmness through a natural approach. When incorporated in a facial, the effects are immediate.

    I had one client call it the Class Reunion Facial. – Patricia

    Need A French Touch? We offer the Sothys’ Collagéne Hyaluronique Facial. Why is this treatment perfect for the holidays? Sothys’ new Anti-Aging line contains hyaluronic acid, a powerful peptide blend, and natural antioxidants for revitalized, healthy, protected skin. You will see instantaneous, long-lasting results.

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    AS A PART OF YOUR FACIAL ROUTINE, you can incorporate a glycolic acid product (to maintain exfoliation and radiance), a day and night moisturizer, and a weekly scrub. We know it’s easy to skimp on your facial routine, but it’s important to maintain day and night care to see long-lasting results.

    Need some assistance? Come into the salon for a skin analysis and tips to see visible beauty in time for the holidays!

    Next week: More on the benefits of glycolic acid!