As an esthetician, the number one complaint that surfaces within the consultation is the “A” word. Yes, you got it…Aging! It is inevitable that we all will age; it is a part of the “Cycle of Life,” hence the term “Healthy Aging” as opposed to “Anti-Aging.” Aging does not occur abruptly once you hit a certain age, however it is true that as we get older our cells do not turn over as quickly as they do in our youth. With new technologies, treatments and education about aging, though, we have more tools than ever to slow down the signs of aging.

Want to get buff? Any fitness expert out there will tell you there are 3 undisputed keys to success: exercise, proper nutrition and recovery periods. Similarly, the skin needs a balance of stimulation, nourishment and rest in order to thrive! Essentially when you work out, you are breaking down muscle tissue. The idea is to break down the muscle and then rest and nourish the body so that the same muscle can repair itself, building back up stronger. The same goes for the largest organ of the body, the skin. When you use active products, which include chemically exfoliating agents such as Glycolic Acid (AHA), Salicylic Acid (BHA) or Retinol as well as physically exfoliating agents like scrubs, you are breaking down the skin, thus spurring it into action to repair and regenerate at a cellular level.

The shelf life of skin care products can vary anywhere from a few months to several years, depending on the amount and type of preservative used, the emulsion of the product and even the packaging it comes in. The expiration date on the packaging usually refers to how long the product is good for UNOPENED, so use these tips to determine whether or not it's safe to go ahead and slather on that night cream that's been hiding in the drawer.