Navigating the realm of acne skincare can pose a challenge. Deciding on the approach, for your skin amidst the myriad of options can be quite daunting. It's not a one size fits all scenario. The innovative Face Reality program, with its blend of expert guidance and personalized skincare regimens like acne facials aims to tackle outbreaks and enhance skin wellness. In this guide we delve into what Face Reality entails, how it operates and what clients can expect throughout each phase of the process.
What Causes Acne?
Understanding the root causes of acne is crucial. Acne crops up when skin pores get clogged with debris while an excess production of oil occurs on the skin. Additionally improper shedding of skin cells leads to their accumulation providing a breeding ground for bacteria, in these pores resulting in formation. The substances emitted by these bacteria further aggravate the skin condition. By grasping why pimples emerge, one can effectively prevent flare ups.
1. Excess Oil Production:
Sebum Overproduction: The oil glands in hair follicles can produce too much sebum, an oily substance that lubricates the skin and hair. This excess oil can clog pores.
2. Dead Skin Cells:
Build-up: Some people have pores that don't shed dead skin well. This condition is called "retention hyperkeratosis." Acne-prone skin can hang onto 5 layers a day when healthy pores only keep 1. All that extra dead skin clogs up pores. This congestion lets stuff like whiteheads and blackheads appear. If bacteria eat the gunk too, it causes zits and painful pimples. By understanding this process, people can take steps to help pores deep clean better and prevent blocked skin that leads to breakouts.
3. Bacteria:
Bacteria Love Blockages: When pores get stuffed, it's the perfect home for zits-causing bacteria. They grow like crazy in the damp blocked tubes.
Bacteria Wreak Havoc: As the pimple parties multiply, they make toxic trash that damages skin. This unleashes a storm of redness and irritation.
Serious Trouble: If the bacteria spread isn't stopped, it can spiral into worse inflamed blemishes like cysts. Understanding their part in the process empowers people to fight the root causes.
Understanding these causes can help in managing and treating acne effectively, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a good skincare routine and seeking appropriate treatments, like Face Reality’s acne skincare regimen.
What is Face Reality Skincare?
Face Reality is a skincare program designed to help people with acne get clear skin by combining expert acne facials, treatments, customized skincare products, and lifestyle modifications. In contrast to numerous traditional methods that frequently include harsh drugs, Face Reality prioritizes a delicate yet efficient method of treating acne from the inside out.
Face Reality provides customized home care alternatives adapted to each individual's specific needs, taking into account varied ages, genders, acne kinds, and skin types, even those with Fitzpatrick 4+. Many acne skincare treatments adopt a "one size fits all" approach. Perhaps most significantly, Face Reality develops a comprehensive skincare regimen based on a person's food and lifestyle choices.
Face Reality Skincare Process
1. Initial Consultation
The journey begins with an initial consultation from a certified acne expert trained in the Face Reality skincare method. Clients will talk about their skincare history, current regimen, and any prior acne facials or treatments they've tried during this session. This thorough assessment prepares the patient for a customized acne treatment plan and aids in determining the underlying causes of acne.
2. Skin Analysis
An in-depth skin analysis will be done by an esthetician to assess skin type, acne severity and possible triggers. This is crucial to create a skincare routine that works for each individual.
3. Customized Acne Treatment Plan
A personalized acne treatment plan will be given to clients based on the initial consultation and skin analysis.
Recommended Products: Clients will receive recommendations for a Face Reality cleanser and additional Face Reality products that address their skin concerns. A complete acne skincare routine usually consists of SPF, treatment mask, moisturizer, toner and serum. Homecare is key to treating your skin concerns and minimizing acne breakouts while improving skin health.
Professional Treatments: To improve outcomes, clients are recommended to have professional acne facials with treatments like moisturizing enzyme treatments, chemical peels, high-frequency extractions, LED therapy, and manual lymphatic drainage in addition to at-home care.
4. Regular Follow-ups
In the Face Reality program, consistency is essential. Clients will receive email follow-ups every two weeks to assess progress, make any necessary modifications to the treatment plan, and offer continuous support.
5. Lifestyle Recommendations
Beyond skincare products and treatments, Face Reality also emphasizes the importance of lifestyle changes. Clients will receive guidance on diet, hydration, and stress management, as these factors can significantly impact skin health.
My personal struggle with acne started when I transitioned from high school to college. My skin condition and products I was using did not change, but with the help of an acne expert, we were able to pinpoint that my change in diet was the biggest factor contributing to my acne. As I transitioned from home cooked meals to consuming more processed foods in the dining hall, my gut and skin health declined. I was experiencing brain fog, stomach cramping, and acne throughout my cheeks.
My acne expert provided me with a list of foods that supported my gut and skin health. We also looked into my lifestyle habits, like fabric softener, vitamins I was taking, and how I could easily tweak my day to day lifestyle to support my clear skin journey.
What Clients Can Expect
1. Clear Skin Journey
Clients should understand that achieving clear skin is a process. Results may vary, and while some individuals may notice improvements within weeks, others may take several months to see significant changes. Patience and commitment are essential.
With persistent at-home care combined with expert acne facial treatments, Face Reality promises noticeable results in as little as ninety days. The Face Reality approach suggests an Acne Bootcamp, which consists of six professional acne facial treatments spaced two weeks apart, for the best outcomes (two acne facials a month for three consecutive months). Monthly acne facials are advised as maintenance after three months.
2. Supportive Environment
One of the standout features of the Face Reality program is the supportive community it fosters, going beyond just acne facials and products. Clients can expect to feel empowered and motivated throughout their journey, with access to an esthetician and community who genuinely care about their progress.
3. Education and Empowerment
Face Reality aims to educate clients about their skin and the factors that affect it. Clients will learn how to make informed decisions about their skincare and overall health so they can maintain their results long term
4. Potential Short-term Acne Breakouts
During the initial phases of the treatment, it’s common for clients to experience “purging.” This temporary increase in breakouts occurs as the skin adjusts to new products and begins to clear out impurities. It’s important to understand that this is a normal part of the process.
5. Customized Results
Since every skin type is different, clients can expect tailored results that cater specifically to their individual needs. This personalized approach ensures that clients receive the most effective care for their unique skin concerns.
Acne Skincare and Face Reality FAQs
Are Facials good for Acne?
In general, people with mild to moderate acne can benefit from regular acne facials performed by an esthetician. Facials help improve skin appearance by addressing existing acne, reducing inflammation, and promoting clearer skin. However, it is important to maintain a good skincare routine between facials to prevent acne from returning.
What is the best acne facial?
The best acne facials are the ones that take into consideration the current state of your skin. If your skin is red, irritated, dry, or painful, we will start by calming the skin and supporting the barrier and microbiome before using more active products. Many clients with acne are so frustrated that they use harsh products on their skin, in hopes of clearing their skin. If your skin is inflamed and the barrier is not in a healthy state, it cannot heal.
A hydrating enzyme treatment from Face Reality is the perfect first acne facial, and great if clients will be active or outside immediately after their service. It contains a blend of hydrating ingredients that promotes skin barrier health, while gently exfoliating the skin.
Mooi’s acne peels contain specialty ingredients that address discoloration, inflammation, active acne, and fine lines. Our hydrating enzyme treatment and our acne facial lactic peel are safe to use while pregnant and breastfeeding.
Does Face Reality address chest acne, back acne, etc - other areas than facial?
Yes! Acne facials can be done on the back or chest. Mooi also sells acne body washes and scrubs that are specifically designed to help clear body acne.
Do I need a consultation before my first Face Reality Acne facial?
Yes- this is imperative to review your health history, goals, expectations, and treatment plan. A consultation and your first acne facial may be scheduled together at your first appointment.
Does Face Reality offer the best facial for acne scars?
A Face Reality facial is a great facial for breakouts and also unwanted acne scarring and discoloration. The acne facials as well as Face Reality’s homecare are designed to increase cell turnover, which will help to diminish the appearance of acne scars.
How old do I have to be to have an Acne Facial?
If you are 18 or younger, you must have a parent or guardian sign a consent form, and accompany you during your appointment.
Are acne facials only for teenagers? I’m an adult struggling with acne.
Acne facials are designed for any age! Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States. Any given year, 50 million Americans across all ages experience acne. Adults who never had acne as a teen may find they are struggling with their skin into adulthood. Face reality has many benefits for aging skin as well. It accelerates cell renewal making skin appear lighter, brighter, firmer, and smoother. At the same time, they promote collagen production to increase skin’s elasticity and youthful appearance.
Are acne facials and Face Reality safe for pregnant clients, or moms who are breastfeeding?
Yes! Your acne facials and treatment plan will be adjusted to omit salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and retinoids. Face Reality’s hydrating enzyme treatment & lactic peel are safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Mandelic acid is a cornerstone ingredient in Face Reality’s protocol. It is a natural, non-toxic alpha-hydroxy acid derived from almonds. It’s unique among AHAs because of its larger molecular structure, which slows its absorption rate, making it the most-gentle of all the acids. The slow absorption rate means it won’t trigger an inflammatory pigment response even in darker skin tones prone to hyperpigmentation. That’s super important during pregnancy when hormones are already acting as a trigger for pigment issues like melasma.
Many pregnant women experience melasma, or what’s also called the mask of pregnancy. These patches of excess pigment that appear mainly on the cheeks, forehead, and chin are a result of an overload of estrogen hormones stimulating melanin production.
Mandelic acid is a natural brightener. It inhibits tyrosinase, the enzyme responsible for melanin production to prevent pigment formation. It also helps to fade existing pigment by increasing cell turnover to disperse excess pigment from the skin’s surface.
*This is not intended to be taken as medical advice. Please check with your doctor for any recommendations, questions, or concerns about skincare ingredients*
What makeup do you recommend for acne prone skin?
Mooi recommends and carries the Ere Perez skincare line in the studio. It is based on science and the power of plants and botanicals that promotes ethical and healthy beauty. The formulations feature unique superfood ingredients selected for their performance and skin-revitalizing properties.
We also have an acne ingredient checker that screens any product in your beauty regimen for pore-clogging ingredients. Simply copy and paste the ingredients from your product into the checker.
It is important to check anything that comes into contact with your skin: body lotion, laundry detergent, lip balms, makeup, tissues and toothpaste should be checked to make sure it is not clogging your pores.
If I want to try some of the products before investing in acne facials and/or the Face Reality Bootcamp, what would you recommend and why?
1) Sulfur Spot Treatment: gentle yet potent combination of 6% sulfur and an innovative peptide that provides an instant fix for red and inflamed acne lesions. It helps to calm redness, inflammation, and is soothing to the skin. Everyone should have this in their skin care tool kit!
2) Ultra Gentle Gel Cleanser: This antioxidant cleanser is safe for all skin types, including skin that is prone to blemishes, breakouts, and pimples. This is a perfect cleanser to wash away the day (including makeup) and nourish the skin. It is fragrance free, and cleanses without drying or stripping the skin's natural barrier.
3) Ultimate Protection SPF 28: Sunscreen is a common product that may cause breakouts, but that shouldn’t be a reason not to protect your skin. Sun exposure can cause inflammation and damage the skin, which can exacerbate acne. It can damage the pore and cause discoloration. This physical zinc sunscreen protects against UVA & UVB rays, all while providing a mattifying finish. Appropriate for everyone, especially sensitive skin.
4) Hydracalm Mask: You may think many people with acne have excess oil, but that is far from the truth. Here in Colorado, many people’s skin is very dry while they are struggling with breakouts and acne. This intensely hydrating mask is infused with ultra-soothing ingredients that contain moisturizing and calming properties, while not clogging your skin's pores. This gentle formula is hydrating and leaves the skin feeling revitalized. It is appropriate for all skin types, especially dry and dehydrated.
Face Reality Near Me - How Do I Get Started?
Face Reality offers a refreshing and effective approach to achieving clear skin. By focusing on personalized acne facials, treatment plans, regular follow-ups, and lifestyle changes, clients can embark on a transformative journey toward healthier skin. If you’re struggling with acne or looking for a comprehensive acne skincare solution, consider exploring the Face Reality program with a Mooi Studio Face Reality pro (me :) and take the first step toward your clear skin goals!
The first step is to schedule a 30 min consultation where I will review your completed intake form, lifestyle considerations, nutrition, and current skin care concerns. Skin care is much more than simply the products you use on your face. The cost of a consultation is $50, and is credited towards your purchase of Face Reality products. We can't wait to help you on your path towards healthier, clear skin!
Face Reality before and after photos
I recently treated a college student struggling with dryness and acne. This client completed the Acne Bootcamp (acne facials every two weeks for 3 months) while she was home on summer break. She followed the home care exactly, communicated with me when she had questions or concerns, and felt prepared to care for her skin with her busy school schedule. We have built a plan to ship the Face Reality products directly to her while she is at school. Take a look at her Face Reality before and after photos throughout the progression of her treatments.
Author: Emily Schneiderbauer
Registered Nurse, Medical Esthetician
Facials, Face Reality Acne Specialist, Waxing, Brow & Lash Services, Spray Tans, & Sugaring
Emily became a licensed esthetician in 2021 and has been a registered nurse since 2013. She moved to Colorado in 2016 as a travel nurse from Ohio, and has worked in intensive care, pediatrics, and most recently, the operating room. Emily enjoys helping others feel confident, healthy, and happy in their skin. She enjoys educating her clients and explaining what each product and treatment does to maintain their natural beauty. She prioritizes long-term skin health and loves to share her knowledge on diet, lifestyle, and holistic health hacks to optimize her clients’ success