People ask me all the time what the differences between our body washes are. The short answer is; the fragrance imparted by the natural extracts in them.  So, it really comes down to personal preference. While this is true, we have chosen Bergamot, Eucalyptus and Geranium for reasons beyond their beautiful scent. All of these ingredients are not only mood-lifting in their scent, but have also been known to promote skin health.

For instance, eucalyptus is a good antiseptic because of its germicide properties, helping to heal wounds and skin infections. It also helps ease muscle and joint pain. On top of all that, it has also been used in aromatherapy to fight fatigue and mental exhaustion. A shower with our eucalyptus body wash is an invigorating way to start the day.

Bergamot has also been used in aromatherapy as an anti-depressant and to treat anxiety. It is also a disinfectant as well as a deodorant. Its relaxing properties make it the perfect preparation for a full night of sleep after a hectic day.

Meanwhile, geranium is naturally astringent, as well as anti-bacterial. Additionally, it has anti-viral qualities and promotes cellular turnover. Even if that means nothing to you, you’re still sure to fall in love with the crisp green scent with a hint of floral.

So you see, a product as seemingly simple as body wash can in actuality be so much more. You learn something new every day! Which one is your fave?

Brian Lynch, National Training Manager

by Brian Lynch, Training Manager

Something I have been hearing a lot lately is how our crazy weather has been wreaking havoc on everyone’s skin!  This is of specific concern for those of us who live in areas with distinct seasons (like New York!)  Fall is a common time of year for break outs – even for those not usually prone to them. Breakouts increase during Autumn as the skin’s oil production adjusts from summer humidity to the cooler October air.  This can create layers of dead skin cell build-up (note: flaky, dry skin). The result is trapped oil and bacteria underneath the surface of the dry, dead skin, resulting in an increase in breakouts.

Any Malin+Goetz less-is-more devotee can tell you: seasons may change but your skin care routine doesn’t have to – if you are using the right products.  When skin issues flare-up, this is the time for FEWER products, not more!  A simple, gentle regimen is really all you need to help calm your skin and bring it into balance.  (Using additional products and active, irritating ingredients can add to the problem and make it worse.)

Keep it simple.  The Malin+Goetz Grapefruit Face Cleanser and Vitamin E Face Moisturizer are our top two sellers – with good reason!  If you’re already using these products, you’re all set to face these volatile highs and lows in temperature.  If not, then it’s definitely time to try them out and keep your skin balanced and healthy as the weather changes.

Grapefruit Face Cleanser—botanical proteins hydrate while natural, anti-bacterial grapefruit helps cleanse and exfoliate.  This thorough foaming gel cleanser easily removes excess dirt, oil and make up and rinses residue-free without dryness or tightness for sensitive or irritated skin.

Vitamin E Face Moisturizer—super absorbent, plant-based fatty acids create an oil-free formula that quickly penetrates and intensely hydrates the skin without clogging pores or leaving a greasy residue.  Natural chamomile calms and soothes redness and irritation.  It is a great base for make-up.

Tip: If you are still suffering from flaky, dry skin, you can integrate our Jojoba Face Scrub once or twice per week in place of our Grapefruit Face Cleanser.  This will offer physical exfoliation and additional hydration.  If you still need more intense hydration, a layer of our Replenishing Face Serum before applying the Moisturizer can offer a helpful “boost”.  This is a good first step before reaching for a heavier winter cream (eg. our wonderful Replenishing Face Cream) that can prematurely be too much, too soon and increase your chance of break-outs.

Tip #2: if you do have a pimple, zap it with our over-night Acne Treatment.  Then follow our simple leads above.

Good luck.

“I am 30 and have occasional acne. Why?”

If you notice the acne that you had when you were 15 has returned, rest assured, you are not alone. One in five women and men between 25 and 45 suffer from adult acne. Unfortunately, women tend to be more prone to acne than men, and, many adults will get the occasional break out – we live in dirty cities!

There are several causes of adult acne: stress, hormones, cosmetics, and simply using too many products that strip your skin (forcing it to produce twice as much oil) and clog your pores. Acne usually begins with blackheads or oil and dead skin cells trapped in a pore with bacteria. Red pimples develop when blackheads become inflamed, spreading when touched with dirty hands.

Picking the right products to treat adult acne is key. Keep in mind, the typical products you used as a teenager will not work on adult skin. Here are our MALIN+GOETZ suggestions:

Immediate Treatment

- Acne Treatment: Sometimes the occasional random pimple can’t be helped. To get rid of an existing or developing pimple quickly, try our Acne Treatment. The magic ingredient is 10% Sulfur (the highest amount allowed as an over the counter drug). Sulfer dries the spot and kills the bacteria that caused it. Zinc and organic camphour prevent drying, redness or scarring. Leave it on overnight and by morning it will be gone!

Maintenance and Prevention

- Grapefruit Face Cleanser: A gentle but thorough daily cleanser is an essential first step (for everything, FYI). Our Cleanser lifts pore-clogging oil, dirt and makeup from the skin while natural grapefruit extract kills the bacteria causing acne. Cleanse morning and night, but more often or over-washing can strip the skin’s natural oils (so can toners, astringents and harsh cleansers) and force it to produce more oil, clogging pores, etc. – very counterproductive! And remember, use warm water as hot water can be drying and irritating to sensitive skin.

- Vitamin E Face Moisturizer: Now that the face is clean, choose the right moisturizer to pH balance the skin. Our Vitamin E Face Moisturizer is intensely hydrating AND oil free choice, so it won’t clog your pores or leave any sort of greasy residue. Great for under make up and day and night use in general.

- Detox Face Mask: A deep cleansing once or twice a week can help reinforce the efforts to clear and prevent break outs. Unlike traditional clay masks that can be drying, our Detox Face Mask is a hydrating gentle gel. In 5 easy minutes, the gel oxygenates or foams, opening pores to pull impurities to the surface. Rinse off. Don’t wash before or after—it is also a cleanser. Skin is deeply cleansed and intensely hydrated for bright clarity! Instant results. (Guys, you can shave the foam off as well!)

Brian Lynch, Training Manager

“I am on-the-go and find myself in the “dark” about under-eye puffiness and circles. Please help.”

Both men and women encounter this problem, starting as young as late teens and early 20s.  It can get worse over time, so addressing this early-on is most helpful.  Causes include heredity as does one’s general lifestyle. Stress, sleep deprivation, lack of exercise, excessive alcohol consumption, and smoking are some of the common physical factors that contribute to under eye dark circles and puffiness.

MALIN+GOETZ Rice Bran Eye Moisturizer is a great treatment and offers general daily prevention and maintenance. It is free of residue, fragrance and oil, combining natural rice bran and soy amino acid proteins to promote capillary circulation.  This specifically addresses puffiness and dark circles.  Storing the moisturizer in the refrigerator not only feels refreshing when applied but the cold can help calm puffiness.

When applying any eye moisturizer, always remember to lightly dab it along the bone under the eye with your finger; don’t pull! The skin under the eye is extremely delicate and constant pulling can cause creases and nobody wants that!  It is not necessary to moisturize the lid.  It also does not produce oil on its own, so, keeping this area moisturized is of utmost concern.  Since our moisturizer is highly absorbent, it will not “bleed” into the eye creating irritation or tearing and make-up can be applied immediately.  And, yes, make-up can help conceal the dark circles when all else fails.

Brian Lynch, Training Manager

A recent customer question may seem basic to some, but it is often asked by both men and women.

“What can I do to prevent razor bumps and ingrown hairs?”

(FYI Stay tuned for our almost ready-to-launch Ingrown Hair Cream — fingers crossed for October!)

Ingrown hair is not only a blemish but often a painful one! As the name implies, an ingrown hair occurs when the hair shaft curls back into the same follicle it grows from, resulting in red inflammation and irritation. This condition can be exacerbated, especially with course, curly hair, after a hair shaft is cut from shaving.

For most of us, giving up shaving isn’t an option, so everyone is bound to face this issue at some point or another (and, yes, my curly haired friends, you’re more prone to it than the rest of us!). However, here are some tips to help prevent unsightly and painful ingrown hairs:

• Jojoba Face Scrub–gently and effectively exfoliating dead skin helps lift hair away from the follicle while softening the hair for an easier, cleaner shave.
• Vitamin E Shaving Cream–now it’s time to shave – with the grain! Our has natural menthol and amino acid proteins to protect from irritation while leaving the skin conditioned.
• Ingrown Hair Cream–For those of you that need to address an existing issue or prevent future ones.
• Vitamin E Face Moisturizer–you need to moisturize “after shav”-ing. With ours, natural chamomile is extremely calming and soothing, making it the perfect final step; plus it’s fragrance and oil free so it won’t clog your pores!
• Gentle cleansing and keeping the skin smooth and supple is key to keeping the hair follicles moisturized and growing in the right direction.

Brian Lynch, Training Manager