And do I need to be following it?
Not long after the new year, I had a client come in and declare that 2020 was going to be “The Year of Skin!” Let me tell you, she was definitely speaking my love language that day. There is nothing like hearing that someone is ready to commit- to regular professional treatments and professional products in their at-home regimen. Both of these are essential components to making positive changes in your skin.
During her treatment she mentioned that a friend of hers had come across an acronym related to skincare called G.R.A.S.S…I have to admit, I wasn’t familiar with it at all. But, I could deduce from my own Skincare Essential Trilogy what most of the letters stood for.
Turns out the G.R.A.S.S. acronym was coined by Skin Medica, a medical-grade skincare line made by Allergan.
G.R.A.S.S. stands for Growth Factors, Retinols/Retinoids, Antioxidants, Specialty Products and Sunscreen. Basically, I would call this an expanded version of my own Skincare Essential Trilogy.
Do you need to be following the GRASS acronym? The short answer- yes. However, in my opinion following the GRASS acronym is something geared toward your well-seasoned skincare junkie. That’s most likely licensed professionals, beauty bloggers and of course- our best clients and followers. If you’re new to skincare and just diving into this world- the GRASS acronym might seem a bit overwhelming. Not to mention- expensive!
Most of the time when I meet someone new to skincare I’m just trying to convince them to wash their face at night before bed. So I’m definitely not trying to introduce them to a 10-step K-beauty routine!
Allow me to introduce you to my very own, very simple- Skincare Essential Trilogy! I’ll add that washing your face morning and night is not listed in this trilogy because that’s just something we should already be doing. With an appropriate facial cleanser. No bar soap, please!
Skincare Essential Trilogy
1) Daily SPF– Wearing a moisturizer with SPF in it everyday is non-negotiable. Yes, you need to wear one even if your makeup has SPF in it. If you’re not wearing a daily SPF, you are fighting a losing battle in the anti-aging skincare game. Without daily SPF you’re constantly undoing any progress you might be making with skincare treatments and products. If you don’t like SPF, or swear that you can’t wear them, I encourage you to keep trying until you find one you like. Sunscreens have come a long way since we were young and most of the time we can find one that fits your needs. You just need to pay attention to specifics so you know what to try next and what works/doesn’t work for your skin. Pay attention to physical vs. chemical sunscreens, hydrating or oil-free formulas and whether or not any artificial fragrances or dyes are included.
Check out some of our most popular SPF products below:
Image Skincare PREVENTION+ daily hydrating moisturizer SPF 30: $44.00
Elta MD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46: $33.00
Coola Tinted Mineral LipLux SPF30 – Summer Crush: $18.00
Coola Sun Silk Drops Sunscreen SPF 30: $46.00
2) Vitamin C– Vitamin C is probably the most popular topical anti-oxidant used in skincare. That’s because it’s been around longer than most and has a ton of science to back it up! We know that our skin can absorb Vitamin C and put it to use. In our skin, Vitamin C plays an essential role in collagen synthesis and inhibiting melanin production. That makes it useful for both fine lines & wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. Because it’s such a powerful anti-oxidant it also helps negate the oxidative stress (which causes premature aging) from free radicals caused by the sun and environmental pollutants like smoke, smog, etc.
Much like SPF, I encourage my clients to find a vitamin c product that works for them. There are many different forms of vitamin c used in skincare. Some work better than others, but some are better tolerated by people with sensitive skin. For example, I can’t used ascorbic acid- which is the most potent form because it causes a reaction on my skin. I typically prefer Vitamin C to be used as a serum during the day (because of the environmental protection I mentioned earlier), but a night creme with Vitamin C would work too.
“But what if I eat a healthy diet and consume a lot of Vitamin C through fruits and vegetables?”
I would still recommend a topical vitamin c and here’s why. Vitamin C is an essential nutrient used for a myriad of functions in our body. When it comes to how those nutrients we consume are dispersed- they’re going to our most essential organs and systems first. Your brain, heart, lungs and liver are getting those things long before any of it reaches your skin. So why not apply this nutrient topically, where we know it’s absorbed and your skin gets first dibs?!?
Check out our some of our top-selling Vitamin C products below:
Image Skincare VITAL C hydrating anti-aging serum: $72.00
Image Skincare VITAL C hydrating repair creme: $72.00
Image Skincare VITAL C hydrating water burst: $48.00
3) Retinol- When it comes to retinol there are so many choices these days! How lucky are we to live in this modern era of skincare? I’m sure many of us have had a rough experience with prescription strength retinoic acid or know someone who has. These days there are professional products (ie Spa and Medspa lines) with OTC retinol that can deliver results without the nasty side effects. The key to successfully starting a retinol regimen is introducing it slowly. I start my clients off using a retinol two times per week before upping it to every other night. In general, that’s as often as I like to use retinol products because I want to fit in other anti-aging treatments on the nights you’re not using one. As clients use through their “introductory” retinol, I gradually start bumping them up to products that contain a higher percentage. That way we avoid those common side effects like red, irritated skin that might flake and peel and have a burning sensation.
Check out some of our most popular products with Retinol below:
Image Skincare AGELESS total repair creme: $72.00
Image Skincare MD restoring youth repair creme: $80.00
Image Skincare MD restoring overnight retinol masque: $92.00
Are you utilizing the Skincare Essential Trilogy yet? Or have you been on that model for a while and are ready to start following the GRASS method? Need help determining what the ideal product regimen is for you? Send me an email at trisha@theaustinestypost.com. I’m happy to offer virtual consultations to help you determine what products are right for you! You can also book an appointment with me at Mint and Thyme for a more hands-on approach.
Resources:
“Topical Vitamin C in Skin Care” Sheldon R. Pinnell, MD & Doren L. Madey, PhD
https://academic.oup.com/asj/article/18/6/468/277337#
“The Truth About Over-the-Counter Topical Anti-Aging Products: A Comperhensive Review” Catherine K. Huang, MD & Timothy A. Miller, MD
https://academic.oup.com/asj/article/27/4/402/257852?searchresult=1
“Sunscreen Could Slow Skin Aging, Study Finds” Cari Nierenberg, LiveScience Contributor
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/sunscreen-skin-aging-_n_3380828
