The Skin We’re In

Today’s post is so exciting for me because I get to have a friend do a guest spot at Max Out Happy! Lindsey and I met in college through Whitney (they went to high school together). Lindsey is one of the most caring and kind people you will ever meet. She’s full of sass, don’t get me wrong – but her heart is golden, and seeing her love Davis so much has been so fun for me. She spoils him and has even come to visit us on her day off from work to go to a baseball game with us. Life is busy, but whenever we get together with each other, it’s like no time ever passed. I remember being young and my mom telling me that about some of her friends, and it kind of went over my head, but now I totally get it! Those are the true blue friends that you will always have. Lindsey is engaged to get married to her guy Zach, and she’s a wonderful mama to all of their pets! She absolutely loves animals, and they have several babies, including three doggies, Luna, Linus, and Daisy, a cat named Butters, a bunny named BunBun, and even an African Grey Parrot, Simba! I always love getting Snapchat videos of Simba because he is SASSY. Anyway, I can’t say enough wonderful things about Lindsey and I trust her opinion so much. She is beautiful, radiant, kind, and takes care of everyone she loves. I take all of my skin questions to her, and I try to go in to see her at the spa anytime I can! I love having my eyebrows waxed and tinted so I don’t have to mess with them. This is the skin we are in. Might as well love it and care for it along the way! Everything else in this post is written by Lindsey!

Hi!! My name is Lindsey Williamson and I’m a licensed esthetician in the state of NC. I LOVE what I do and am truly passionate about it. I work at Donna Lane Day Spa in Southern Pines. We are medically directed (meaning we have a doctor on staff) so we are able to offer more than just your “average” facial- through our physician and with thorough training, we are able to perform laser treatments, medium depth chemical peels, and more. There are three of us estheticians at DL and I’m so thankful to have ended up with two other like-minded ladies; we want to give our best to each client that walks through our door and give them treatments that will truly help and/or change their skin for the better. 

AM/PM routine

Here’s what I’d consider the basics! In the morning at least splash some water on your face if you can’t cleanse. This is also when you want to use an antioxidant serum! And of course apply sunscreen. At night, most definitely give yourself a good cleanse. Whatever works for your schedule – of course I suggest a cleanser and water but anything is better than nothing!! A makeup wipe, a good toner, whatever you can do. This is when I use the majority of my products- retinol, serums, moisturizers, etc. When it comes to applying products, a good rule of thumb is thinnest to thickest consistency to layer them. 

Favorite product recommendations

My current obsessions are Get Glowing pads from our private label line at DL, Game Changer Skin Care. The ingredients help with overall brightening of the skin and the pads have a little grit to them that I love. They give your skin the best glow! Also from that line that I’m loving are the Moisture Surge Toner pads. They give your skin such a great dose of hydration and feel so so good on your skin. Another favorite is All Night Elixir from Sorella Apothecary- it contains 1% retinol along with other great ingredients to still give your skin the great effects of using a retinol but not as powerful a punch (that can be too much for some people) as using straight retinol. 

Q&A

1. What’s the most common mistake you see? A: this would definitely be “picking”! We all get breakouts, and the urge is there for us to “pop” whatever has come up (myself included). But if done improperly or with too much force, you’re actually doing more harm than good and can end up leaving a scar. 
2. What expensive product is worth the splurge? A: RETINOL. It’s not always crazy expensive and your insurance may cover it if you get it though a dermatologist or other MD! It is such a skincare powerhouse that increases cellular turnover (think of this as constantly pushing your healthy “new” skin to the top instead of letting dead, dry skin stay on the surface) and helps to stimulate things that slow down as we age, like collagen. It’s great for anti-aging benefits and also helps with acne!
3. What are the must-have skin products if I can’t have them all? A: I consider the basics to be a good cleanser and toner, an active product (something with a retinol or a more specific ingredient like something to help with dark spots), a moisturizer, eye cream and of course sunscreen! It can be hard to get all of these at once because some of them can be pricey, so I tell clients to just start with one or two, and gradually add as you go! That way it isn’t such a punch to the ol’ wallet. 
4. Why must I have acne as a GROWN WOMAN? A: I wish I had an answer for this!! But I can tell you that you are NOT alone! Our skin is so, so sensitive and so many things take a toll- hormones, stress, lack of sleep. The best we can do is use products to help prevent it, and ones that help kill the bacteria when those little bastards do appear. 
5. What’s the most important thing about skincare for those of us who skimp? A: For those that are minimalists with their skin, one of the best things you can do in my opinion  is cleanse. If it’s a morning or night choice I always advise to do it at night to wash the day away. Our skin is always changing so along with cleansing, if it’s dry, use a moisturizer. If it’s giving you a hard time with a breakout, use something with a salicylic acid to help fight it. And ALWAYS wear sunscreen- your older self will thank you! 
6. Best drugstore face wash? A: I can’t speak from experience on this but I have always heard that out of the options CeraVe and Cetaphil are great! 
7. How often should I be exfoliating? Doing masks? A: I recommend exfoliating once to three times a week, depending on skin type. Same with masks! Skin differs so much person to person that it’s hard to give a straight answer, but for the most part everyone could benefit from exfoliating at least once a week and same with masks if it’s a basic enzyme or hydrating base. 
8. What are the benefits of having a facial? A: Along with being just great “you” time (treat yo’ self!) it’s great to have proper extractions and if you go somewhere capable of doing more in-depth treatments, getting things like chemical peels or laser treatments give a variety of benefits like anti-aging, helping with discoloration, compacted pores, thorough exfoliation and sooooo much more. 
9. What are the most common services you do? A: My most common one is what we call an “anti-aging facial” which consists of a thorough cleanse, exfoliation, extractions, facial massage, and a chemical component suited to what the client’s skin needs. 
10. What are your thoughts on extractions, popping pimples, etc.? A: I’m a weirdo that loves extractions, and as someone that picks at my own skin it’s not fair for me to preach to others not to do it ?? the best thing I can tell you is to look up proper extraction methods (like the one I’ll link below) to make sure when you do start going to it, you aren’t doing more damage than good. Here’s the site about extraction!
11. What are the best products for my now “AGING” skin? A: Retinol, retinol, retinol. If you were to get any one anti-aging product, that one is tried and true. 
12. Facial sunscreen recommendations? A: I’m a fan of physical sunscreens (meaning it stays on the top of your skin to reflect the sun’s rays as opposed to being absorbed into the skin) and definitely at least an spf 30. And if you’re going to be outside for an extended period of time – reapply, reapply, reapply.

That’s all from Lindsey for this post – happy skin care-ing! Go check out Donna Lane Day Spa for a great relaxation getaway or a pampering day with your girlfriends and check out downtown Southern Pines while you’re there! The space is so cute and inviting. Lindsey will take great care of you!