Hollywood Beauty Academy

en_US
en_US es_MX pt_BR

You Ask, We Answer: Why Is My Skin Stinging?

by

🎵 This girl is on fire 🎵 – but her skin should not be.  

Stinging, burning, inflamed. 

These are uncomfortable sensations we might have experienced more than once, especially when we have sensitive skin. 

While a little tingle that lasts a few seconds is nothing to worry about, when it becomes a sharp sting that’s almost unbearable, it’s a sign something’s wrong.  

Skincare should not be painful, and no, the stinging should not be embraced as a sign the product is working. 

So, why is your skin stinging when applying a product? Here are some possible reasons: 

#1 You Are Exfoliating Way Too Much.

While exfoliation can be a great addition to your skincare routine, helping reveal brighter skin and reduce clogged pores, too much of it can lead to a damaged skin barrier. 

Your skin barrier is the outermost layer of your skin, and plays the very important role of defending you from environmental threats such as bacteria and UV rays. When this protective barrier is compromised, your skin can become raw and sensitive, giving you that stinging sensation you wouldn’t otherwise feel. 

How to Fix It: Stop exfoliating with harsh scrubs that can cause micro-tears in your skin and avoid exfoliating too frequently, especially if you’re new to skincare and your skin hasn’t yet acclimated to it. Instead, opt for a gentle chemical peel, such as with the Balancing Cleanser, once a week. Every morning and night, apply the Protective Moisturizer, which has been specially formulated with peptides and antioxidants to repair and re-strengthen your skin barrier. 

#2 You Have Dry and Dehydrated Skin.

Dry and dehydrated skin is also a sign of a weakened skin barrier because the barrier is what keeps your skin from losing much-needed moisture. If your skin feels dry or is peeling, or even cracking, you might feel stinging when applying products.  

How to Fix It: The key is to return and retain the moisture in your skin. Use a gentle cleanser such as So Fresh, which won’t over-strip skin of its natural oils, and follow with the nourishing Protective Moisturizer. For extra hydration, layer on the Matte Hydrator before applying the Protective Moisturizer. 

#3 You’re Having a Reaction to an Allergen or Irritant. 

When your skin stings after applying a product, it most likely means your skin does not agree with one or some of the ingredients in it. Possible allergens and irritants include fragrances, dyes, and fruits such as lemon and grapefruit.  

Everyone’s skin is unique, so what is perfectly safe for others might not be for you. If you’re constantly experiencing irritation from different products, it’s best to check for any common ingredients that could be the culprits.  

How to Fix It: Immediately wash the product off your face and gently pat dry. Then, try and identify what it is that could be causing the negative reaction so you can remove it from your routine moving forward. Always check the ingredients list for potential offenders before purchasing new products and always do a patch test before applying them to your entire face – just to be extra safe! 

To patch test, apply the new product on the skin right behind your ear or on the inside of your wrist. These areas are best because they more closely mimic the skin on our face, which is thinner and more sensitive. If you do not see or feel any signs of a negative reaction after a day, you can try applying the product on your face.

#4 You’ve Just Started Using Clear Out. 

Our top acne-fighting lotion, Clear Out, uses medical-grade retinol to promote the shedding of dead skin cells and flush out clogged pores. 

How to Fix It: Slowly introduce skin to retinol by applying Clear Out on alternate evenings. The stinging sensation should not last more than a few seconds. Once skin has adjusted and the stinging is gone, you can safely apply Clear Out every evening. 

Not sure if the stinging you’re experiencing is normal?   

Send any questions you have our way via Messenger chat or Instagram DM (@clearlybasics). However, if stinging persists for more than a few minutes or becomes too much to handle, check in with your dermatologist as soon as you can! 

Disclaimer: This article should not be interpreted as personal medical advice. For medical-related matters, please consult your dermatologist.

Better Together: Choosing Products That Complement Your Clearly Routine

by

From our gentle cleansers to our nourishing moisturizers, all products by Clearly Basics have been designed to work well with each other to effectively fight acne while being kind to sensitive skin. 

As you can see, the Clearly routine is pretty simple, and on most days, you might find you don’t need much else.  

Still, there are days when we’d like to dress up and go wild with our makeup. Or days when we’d like to add a little luxury to our routine with a face mask (and a relaxing scented candle). To choose products that safely complement your Clearly routine – and that are nice to acne-prone skin, here’s what to look out for:   

For Any and All Products 
Be it your sunscreen, makeup, or even your hair products, keep an eye out for the “non-comedogenic” label. This means they won’t clog pores – which can lead to acne. If the label is nowhere to be seen, take a look at the list of ingredients for red flags such as cocoa butter and lanolin. If you’re still not sure if a product is comedogenic, don’t be afraid to ask the sales assistant or customer service line. Or, ask us! We’re always ready to help. 

For Sunscreen  
At the risk of sounding like a nagging parent, we have to say this again: sunscreen is a MUST. Yes, even when it’s cloudy outside and even when you’re indoors. This is especially important when you have acne. You know those red marks you get after acne has cleared? They can quickly collect melanin and turn into stubborn brown marks when exposed to sunlight.  

When choosing a sunscreen, go for a lightweight, broad-spectrum one with at least SPF 35+ and a PA+++ rating. Ingredients to avoid include heavy oils, such as coconut, and fragrance. If you’re concerned about skin looking ‘shiny’, look for products with a matte finish.  

For Face Masks 
While face masks don’t often stay long enough on the skin for them to make a huge difference, they can be a great addition to your routine – especially when you need a little pampering.  

Look for face masks targeted at your skin concerns. For acne, consider ones with exfoliating and anti-inflammatory ingredients such as tea tree oil, bisabolol, and niacinamide. That said, you’d want to be careful and make sure the actives won’t clash with the retinol. For hydration, look for face masks with hyaluronic acid, and to tackle fine lines, masks with antioxidants such as vitamin C and resveratrol are good choices.  

If you have oily or acne-prone skin, you might want to try clay masks instead of sheet masks or any thick, creamy ones. Ingredients such as kaolin and bentonite can help with clogged pores, drawing out impurities, absorbing excess oils, and speeding up the healing of active acne. 

It’s also best to avoid DIY masks if you’re unsure how your skin might react to them. For example, ingredients such as lemon, baking soda, and garlic can dry and irritate skin.   

For Exfoliants 
Regular exfoliation can brighten and soften skin, as well as help with breakouts by removing the build-up of dead skin cells. While physical exfoliants such as sugar scrubs feel good, they can irritate and inflame skin. 

Chemical exfoliants, such as the AHA and BHAs based cleansers, could be a better alternative for you as they can break down dead skin cells without the harsh friction. 

For Makeup Remover  
On days when you’re wearing heavy makeup, we recommend a double cleanse. Start removing makeup with an oil-based cleanser and follow with a gentle cleanser. An oil-based cleanser helps dissolve the oils from your makeup and your pores while keeping skin moisturized, making it a great choice for those with oily skin. Look for a formula that is free of possibly irritating ingredients such as fragrance and alcohol.   

If your makeup is light, however, a thorough wash with your preferred cleanser is enough. 

For Makeup  
Be it your foundation or your blush, look for hypoallergenic, water-based makeup. This means the first ingredient on the list should be water. You can also consider mineral-based cosmetics, with ingredients such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, which don’t clog pores.  

Also, while sharing is caring, it’s best to keep your makeup products to yourself to prevent any transfer of bacteria, oil, and dead skin cells from person to person. 

Want to safely introduce new products to your routine but are unsure how?  

Send any questions you have our way via Messenger chat or Instagram DM (@clearlybasics)! 

Disclaimer: This article should not be interpreted as personal medical advice. For medical-related matters, please consult your dermatologist.    

The Easy Guide to Determining Your Skin Type (and the Best Routine for Your Skin)

by

Caring for your skin begins with knowing your skin.  

Just as a medical check-up reveals what you should eat more of and what you should cut from your diet to maintain a healthy body, identifying your skin type will help you craft a skincare routine that works best for you. 

We’ve all seen products labeled “for dry skin” or “suitable for sensitive skin” but what do these phrases really mean?  

How do you know – for sure – which skin type you have? 

How to Figure Out Your Skin Type 

Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and pat dry. Leave skin bare – no serums, moisturizers, nothing. After 30 minutes, check for oil with a blotting sheet. Gently press the sheet all over your face and hold it up to the light to see how much oil is absorbed. You can also look in the mirror and give yourself a big smile to see how your skin feels. 

If your skin feels tight and the sheet picked up little to no oil, you most likely have dry skin. 

If there is shine on your skin and the sheet picked up lots of oil, you most likely have oily skin. 

If there is oil on your T-zone (nose, forehead, and chin) but not on other areas, you mostly likely have combination skin. 

If your skin feels comfy and the sheet picked up just a hint of oil, you most likely have normal skin. 

Dry Skin 

This is when your skin produces less oil than normal. 

You Might Experience:  

  • Tight, dull, and rough skin 
  • Noticeable flaking 
  • Irritation and itching 
  • Loss of elasticity – leading to more visible lines 

Your Nourishing Skincare Routine  

When you have dry skin, you want to make sure your skin is fed plenty of moisture with a heavier cream to seal everything in.  

In the AM 

Cleanse with So Fresh if needed  
If skin doesn’t feel oily when you wake up, simply rinse your face with water – no cleanser needed. 
 
Spot treat with Lighten Up (for red post-acne scars) and Dark Mark Defense (for brown post-acne scars) if needed

Moisturize with Matte Hydrator  
The hyaluronic acid in it holds onto water and keeps skin hydrated. 

Double moisturize with Protective Moisturizer  
This strengthens your skin barrier and seals in moisture. 

Protect with your favorite non-comedogenic sunscreen  
Choose a sunscreen with SPF 35+ and a PA+++ rating.  

In the PM  

Remove makeup with an oil-based cleanser 

Cleanse with So Fresh

Spot treat with Lighten Up (for red post-acne scars) and Dark Mark Defense (for brown post-acne scars) if needed   

Clear clogged pores with Clear Out if needed 

Moisturize with Matte Hydrator    
The hyaluronic acid in it holds onto water and keeps skin hydrated. 

Double moisturize with Protective Moisturizer 
This strengthens your skin barrier and seals in moisture.

Do you have dry or dehydrated skin?  
Yes, there’s a difference! Dry skin is when your skin has too little oil and dehydrated skin is when there’s a lack of water.  

This means you can have dehydrated skin even if you have oily skin. Quench thirsty skin by using a product with hyaluronic acid – such as the Matte Hydrator. 

Oily Skin   

This is when your skin produces more oil than you need, often leading to clogged pores and breakouts.

You Might Experience: 

  • Shiny, greasy skin – especially in the T-zone  
  • Enlarged pores 
  • Clogged pores – leading to acne 

Your Pore-purging Skincare Routine 

Excess oil on skin often causes clogged pores which lead to acne. You’ll want to be extra careful and choose non-comedogenic products that won’t block pores. You can also benefit from products that are tough on sebum – such as salicylic acid. 

In the AM 

Cleanse with Balancing Cleanser  
It’s formulated with both glycolic acid and salicylic acid to gently exfoliate skin. 

Spot treat with Lighten Up (for red post-acne scars) and Dark Mark Defense (for brown post-acne scars)   

Moisturize with Matte Hydrator  
This oil-free moisturizer nourishes skin without adding any shine. 

Protect with your favorite non-comedogenic sunscreen  
Choose a sunscreen with SPF 35+ and a PA+++ rating. 

In the PM  

Remove makeup with an oil-based cleanser 

Cleanse with Balancing Cleanser  
Once a week, leave the Balancing Cleanser on for 30 minutes for a gentle peel. 

If your skin feels extra oily, soak a soft cotton pad with an astringent Toner and swipe it gently across your face.

Spot treat with Lighten Up (for red post-acne scars) and Dark Mark Defense (for brown post-acne scars)   

Clear clogged pores with Clear Out 

Moisturize with Matte Hydrator  
This oil-free moisturizer nourishes skin without adding any shine. 

Combination Skin 

As the name suggests, this is when you have a combo of oily and dry skin. 

You Might Experience: 

  • Dryness on the cheeks 
  • Oily and shiny skin in the T-zone  

Your Balancing Skincare Routine 

Look for products formulated for all skin types and where possible, use different products for the different areas of your face. For example, you can cleanse oily areas with the Balancing Cleanser and wash the dryer areas with So Fresh. Dryer areas may also benefit from an extra layer of the Protective Moisturizer after you apply the Matte Hydrator. 

Normal Skin 

This is when your skin is well-balanced, being not too dry and not too oily.  
 
You Might Experience: 

  • Minimal skin concerns and sensitivity 
  • Smooth texture 
  • Few or no blemishes and breakouts 
  • Barely visible pores 

Your Healthy Skincare Routine 

When you have normal skin, you might find you have very little skin concerns. Still, it’s important to be diligent with your routine to keep skin healthy and happy for the many years to come.  

In the AM 

Cleanse with So Fresh 

Moisturize with Protective Moisturizer  

Protect with your favorite non-comedogenic sunscreen  
Choose a sunscreen with SPF 35+ and a PA+++ rating.  

In the PM  

Remove makeup with an oil-based cleanser 

Cleanse with So Fresh 

Moisturize with Protective Moisturizer 

Sensitive Skin 

Unlike the previous skin types, sensitive skin cannot be determined by the wash and blot test. But you probably are aware of whether you have sensitive skin from how it reacts to certain products. While normal skin types might have no reaction, sensitive skin types often show a negative reaction to irritants. 

You Might Experience: 

  • Visible redness 
  • Dry and flaky skin 
  • Irritation and itching 
  • Stinging and burning 
  • Feelings of tightness and discomfort 

Your Gentle and Kind Skincare Routine  

With sensitive skin, you want to be careful when using any new product. Introduce one new formula at a time to identify which ingredients irritate your skin and always do a patch test (such as on your inner forearm and behind your ear) before applying anything on your face. You’ll also want to choose gentle products that are formulated without fragrance and harsh chemicals. Try this: 

In the AM 

Cleanse with So Fresh 

Spot treat with Lighten Up (for red post-acne scars) and Dark Mark Defense (for brown post-acne scars) if needed 

Moisturize with Protective Moisturizer  

Protect with your favorite non-comedogenic sunscreen  
Choose a sunscreen with SPF 35+ and a PA+++ rating. 

In the PM  

Remove makeup with an oil-based cleanser 

Cleanse with So Fresh 

Spot treat with Lighten Up (for red post-acne scars) and Dark Mark Defense (for brown post-acne scars) if needed 

Clear clogged pores with Clear Out if needed  
Slowly introduce your skin to Clear Out by applying it on alternate evenings. When skin feels ready and no irritation occurs, you can start applying it every evening. 

Moisturize with Protective Moisturizer 

Keep in mind that your skin type can change over time depending on the seasons, your hormones, your age, and more. Check in with your skin once in a while – just as you would with your body.  

Still unsure what your skin type is? We can help you figure it out and build a personalized skincare routine to help you reach your skin goals! 

Get in touch with us on Messenger chat or Instagram DM (@clearlybasics). 

Disclaimer: This article should not be interpreted as personal medical advice. For medical-related matters, please consult your dermatologist. 

Why Do Breakouts Occur on Dry Skin?

by

If you have combination skin, it is common for you to get more breakouts on the dry parts of your face rather than the oily parts of your face.

This is due to two factors: a weak lipid barrier and dead skin buildup.

Your lipid barrier serves an important function to shield out pollutants and environmental stressors. If this barrier is weak, your skin is easily irritated and breakouts occur more frequently.

Over 50% of the Clearly Basics’ user base has sensitive or combination acne-prone skin. You have a good shot at getting to clear skin if you follow our recommendations:

Invest in a Good Moisturizer

Clearly’s Protective Moisturizer is loaded with peptides (amino acid building blocks) that help to repair your skin. This formulation does not clog your pores and has helped many with sensitive acne-prone skin.

You can use this formulation both day and night. The Protective Moisturizer is designed to be light so that it can sit well under makeup.

Most users with sensitive skin do well with just the Protective Moisturizer at night and then a high-quality sunblock which doubles as a moisturizer during the day.

However, if you need a heavier moisturizer at night, look for a product that contains ceramides. Cetaphil and Cerave both make good ceramide-based moisturizers

For very dry skin, use Protective Moisturizer during the day for a peptide boost. Finish off the evening with the heavy moisturizer that contains ceramides.

Spot Test

If you worry that a new moisturizer will cause breakouts, test the product in an inconspicuous area for two weeks to see if it causes breakouts.

The skin on your neck and chest are most similar to the skin on your face. The skin in these areas are thin and they have a high density of sebaceous glands (to test if a product causes breakouts).

Other parts of your body has skin that is as thin as the skin on your face (like the wrist) but there are very few sebaceous glands so this is not a good area to test whether a product will cause breakouts.

Introduce Products Gradually

The Protective Moisturizer on its own will not stop breakouts but pimples don’t stand a chance if you pair the Protective Moisturizer with Clear Out,

The Protective Moisturizer will repair and strengthen your lipid barrier while Clear Out will flush out the dead skin and clogs. The two formulations were designed to work together on sensitive acne-prone skin.

If you have very sensitive skin, apply Clear Out every third night. As your skin adjusts to the product, you can gradually “step up” by applying more frequently.  Eventually, you will be able to use the Clear Out every evening without any issues.

To further dilute the strength of Clear Out, apply the Protective Moisturizer first before applying Clear Out.

Be conscious applying actives around your eyes, your nose and your mouth. It is very common for users to leave excess product on the base/crevice of the nose which will lead to irritation/itchiness.

Choose the Right Cleanser

It is a common misconception that acne is an issue of cleanliness so many people get a cleanser that is too strong for their skin.

A harsh cleanser will weaken your lipid barrier and overstrip oils from your skin. This forces your skin into overdrive to produce more oil (thereby leading to more acne).

Opt for a gentle cleanser and if you have days that you are particularly oily, spend more time working the cleanser.

The same goes true with makeup. If you spend double the amount of time working in your cleanser in the evenings, you will be surprised at how effective a gentle cleanser is at removing makeup.

Keep it Simple!

As the Protective Moisturizer and Clear Out each contain three active ingredients (six in total), you should keep your night time routine simple.  However, if you want to introduce other actives, make sure to ease into it slowly, giving your skin time to adapt to the changes.

Make sure that your new product does not contain fragrance or colorants … these  should be avoided in any leave-on product.

You know you’ve reached adulthood when the sweet smell of NOTHING in your skincare makes your heart glad.

For More Questions …

Please message us by clicking Send Message from our Facebook page or Instagram profile or by visiting this link: https://m.me/clearlybasics

Disclaimer:

Nothing on this article should be interpreted as personal medical advice. For medical related matters, please consult with your dermatologist.

Ways to Reduce Sensitivity

by

For those who have had sensitivity or irritation when using skincare in the past, here are five tips on how to reduce these issues going forward.

Invest in a Good Moisturizer

Weak lipid barriers and an accumulation of dead skin cells are one of the biggest triggers of acne. This is especially important if you have used a product that damaged your lipid barrier.

The Protective Moisturizer. It is loaded with peptides (amino acid building blocks) that help to repair your skin. This formulation does not clog your pores and has helped many with very sensitive acne-prone skin.

[wcps_product id=”192403″ ]

Spot Test

If you are worried or feel uncomfortable trying out a new active ingredient, you should test the product in an inconspicuous area of your skin to see if any problems arise.

The skin on your neck and chest are most similar to the skin on your face. The skin in these areas are thin and they have a high density of sebaceous glands (to test if a product causes breakouts).

Other parts of your body has skin that is as thin as the skin on your face (like the wrist) but there are very few sebaceous glands so this is not a good area to test whether a product will cause breakouts.

Introduce Products Gradually

The strongest product in the Clearly Basics lineup will be the Clear Out. If you have very sensitive skin, apply Clear Out every third night. As your skin adjusts to the product, you can gradually “step up” by applying more frequently.  Eventually, you will be able to use the Clear Out every evening without any issues.

To further dilute the strength of Clear Out, apply the Protective Moisturizer first before applying Clear Out.

Be conscious applying actives around your eyes, your nose and your mouth. It is very common for users to leave excess product on the base/crevice of the nose which will lead to irritation/itchiness.

[wcps_product id=”192382″ ]

Get the Right Cleanser

Although it seems basic, many people get a cleanser that is too strong for their skin and it weakens their lipid barrier. This forces your skin into overdrive to produce more oil (thereby leading to more acne).

Opt for a gentle cleanser and if you have areas that are particularly oily, spend more time working the cleanser in those areas. This will allow for the cleanser to work out additional oil in these areas.

Keep it Simple!

As the Clear Out contains three active ingredients, you should keep your night time routine simple.  However, if you want to introduce other actives, make sure to ease into it slowly, giving your skin time to adapt to the changes.

Make sure that your new product does not contain fragrance or colorants … these  should be avoided in any leave-on product.

You know you’ve reached adulthood when the sweet smell of NOTHING in your skincare makes your heart glad.

For More Questions …

Please message us by clicking Send Message from our Facebook page or Instagram profile or by visiting this link: https://m.me/clearlybasics

Disclaimer:

Nothing on this article should be interpreted as personal medical advice. For medical related matters, please consult with your dermatologist.

BOOK A TOUR

Full Specialist
Cosmetology
Nail Technician
Esthetics

ADDRESS

11348 S. Orange Blossom Trail,
Orlando, FL 32837
(888) 828 8212

FOLLOW US