A French Touch Salon

The finest in Parisian skin care on the central coast.

Skin Care

4 Sunscreen Excuses You Should Never Use

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There are a hundred reasons why we should wear sunscreen, yet the few negatives often prevent us from embracing the positive and getting our SPF on the right way! The majority of us think that the little SPF we apply in the morning (within our lotion or makeup) is enough to keep us protected, but it’s important to know that’s not the case! Beyond the serious risk of melanoma, dermatologists remind us that 95% of aging is directly due to sun damage. For that reason, we’re bringing to light the 4 sunscreen excuses that tend to keep us from wearing SPF the right way, and how Colorescience’s Sunforgettable products eliminate those excuses.

Bad Excuse #1: Most are Sticky and Stinky
Sunscreen has a bad reputation for being sticky and stinky. Find a sunscreen with a lightweight formula and test it on your skin before purchasing. This will give you a good idea of the smell and feel of the sunscreen on your skin.

Colorescience Sunforgettable Solution: Odorless, lightweight, and “barely-there” feel

Bad Excuse #2: Reapplying Messes Up Makeup
We know that all sun blocks require reapplication, which can be determined by their SPF number. SPF is an acronym for Sun Protection Factor. The number represents the length of time you can stay out in the sun without burning, multiplied by the SPF number. However, this number can be deceiving. The general rule of thumb is to reapply ever 3-4 hours regardless of SPF level due to water, rubbing of clothes, and sweat. Doctor’s also recommend an SPF 30, anything under is too little.

Because creamy sunblocks are “organic,” not in the sense that they’re natural, but the fact that they interact with your own skin chemistry, they lose their effectiveness 3 to 4 hours after application.

Colorescience Sunforgettable Solution: Pure mineral powder sunscreens offer longer-lasting, water-resistant protection that won’t sweat off. You therefore get a literal “screen” effect on top of the skin while offering consistent SPF30 or SPF50 protection.

Bad Excuse #3: Sunscreens Contain Chemicals
Pure minerals are essentially the only sun protection recommended for young children, whose delicate skins will absorb chemicals from cream-based sunblocks that can be systemic (entering the bloodstream). Also, some adults are allergic to commonly used chemical blocks in over-the-counter sunscreen cream.

Colorescience Sunforgettable Solution: Pure mineral powders don’t release any irritating ingredients, because they’re the most natural block available in nature (zinc, and titanium dioxide).

Bad Excuse #4: Allergies and Acne
Most sunscreens are greasy and clog pores, especially from sweating in the sun! And it is widely recognized that acne-prone skins can’t handle the double-dose of chemicals and pore-clogging creams.

Colorescience Sunforgettable Solution: Since this SPF is a mineral powder it is extremely lightweight, yet powerful for a barely-there feel that provides the safest, non-irritating, instant UVA and UVB sun protection. This also means that you can “forget” about grease! Sunforgettable won’t cause breakouts or irritations.

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!

Your At-Home Facial

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Are you caring for your skin outside of the salon? Chances are there’s room for improvement. Your at-home efforts are equally important as your monthly appointments. We’ve put together this mini facial program for you to get the most out of your skincare.

Do this routine once a week for beautiful, glowing skin throughout the New Year:
Tip: It is best to do this after a shower, as the steam has opened your pores.

Step One: Glycolic Cleanser
You’ve already learned how important glycolic is to your skincare routine. For a deep cleanse, make sure your product has this active ingredient. Cleanse your face and rinse thoroughly before moving on to Step Two.
Try: Jan Marini Bioglycolic Cleanser

Step Two: Scrub
Cleanser doesn’t completely clear your skin of all the build-up and debris from dead skin, oil, and dirt. A scrub breaks up what clogs your pores and causes breakouts. Remember that your face isn’t the only part that deserves a good scrub! Clogged pores can happen anywhere dead skin builds up. Also, keep exfoliation to only once a week to avoid drying out your skin. It’s important that your scrub gently exfoliates your skin’s surface. Some scrubs can contain harsh beads that tear your skin.
Try: Sothys Desquacrem

Step Three: Mask
A mask is a deep cleanser to get the last bits of any debris in your skin, then tightens your pores for radiant skin. A mask will make your skin softer, lighter and cleaner instantaneously. Allow mask to dry, and rinse off thoroughly.
Try: Sothys’ Refining Peel-Off Mask

Step Four: Moisturize
Follow your mini-facial with your usual moisturizers and creams. Voila: radiant, beautiful skin with long lasting results.

Now that you have the tools for your at-home facial, make the commitment! You will be amazed with the results.

Make a resolution for your skin: Don’t Pick!

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For your New Year’s resolutions, we hope you saved some time for your skin. Skincare is equally important in bettering yourself, as say, a gym membership. The good news is that proper skincare takes a lot less work than attending spin class! Here are two resolutions to start now:

Don’t Pick
Instead, use an exfoliating scrub twice a week! Clogged pores are caused from dead skin cells mixing with oil and dirt, which then attract bacteria causing inflammation and breakouts. But instead of picking at your breakouts, use a scrub to slough away bacteria and dead skin, which will clear your skin fast.
Products we love: Sothys Desquacrem (deep-pore scrub, $31), or Spa Cells facial sponge, a honeycomb sponge used with your cleanser to gently scrub away dead skin. This is a great inexpensive tool ($12) to clear pores. You can now buy Spa Cells at the salon!

Wash your face at night
We have plenty of clients who through changing this one habit, cleared their skin instantly. Many women don’t realize the effects of not washing your skin at night. Make it your resolution to wash at night! You will be amazed with the results.

Need more skincare resolutions? Call the salon for a skin analysis!

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