17+ Unfiltered Skin Truths with Esthetician Joanna Czech

26:23Joanna Czech:And messengers of everything. What are they saying? What are they saying from cell to cell? And is the cell healthy or not? Exactly. So this is another thing. Great area. I don't know. Just remind me because I just don't like trends. Yeah, yeah. Trends in fashion are phenomenal. Yes. Trends in makeup. I can wash my face and it's great. My husband hates me in a drop crotch pants. You look like you are three feet tall. I'm like, I'm not much taller, but I can take those pants off if he's going to be satisfied, you know. Yes, yes. So fashion, love trends. Even haircuts. The hair will grow back. Yeah.

27:04Joanna Czech:Makeups. But be careful with experimenting with the skincare. I think it's just, I mean, I love that organ. That organ has so many responsibilities. And it's not because I'm an esthetician. I was first an athlete. I was in a pre-med. I love human's body. I feel that I understand it, you know. Yes.

27:35today's episode is brought to you in part by vivier okay so you've probably heard of this concept with skincare when you're using a really active ingredient that you want to start with a really low kind of dose of that active and then as your skin acclimatizes you work your way up to a stronger concentration we often hear this with retinol not so much about vitamin c but vitamin and see is just as data backed and just as important as an ingredient in your routine. So I have found the brand that allows me as a sensitive skin person to start out low and then build my way up. And it's Vivier. They're actually a Canadian company, which is awesome.

28:15Vivier is a pharmaceutical grade skincare brand known for its science backed, clinically proven formulations, and it's designed to deliver real visible results. So this is the formula that I'm using. It's called the Radiance Serum by Vivier. It's 8 % vitamin C, Arbutin, and it also has resorcinol in it. Now they have about six to eight different formulas. They have a 10 % vitamin C, a 15%, going all the way up to 30%. And this ingredient is such a staple in skincare because vitamin C is known to be the most powerful antioxidant that helps brighten the skin, support collagen production, and protect against environmental stressors like pollution and UV exposure.

29:00So as beauty editors, we've often learned that retinol is one of the most crucial ingredients and so is vitamin C. And what sets Vivier apart is the form of vitamin C that they use. It's L-ascorbic acid USP. It's known to be the purest and most potent form available. Also one of the hardest to stabilize. So Vivier has addressed this with their proprietary IDS delivery system, which helps maintain stability and allows for deeper and more effective absorption into the skin. I just love that I can start low and slow and work my way up without having that sensitivity that I have noticed with other brands.

29:40If you want to try it, visit VivierSkin.com and use code BEAUTY15 at checkout to receive 15 % off your purchase. That's V-I-V-I-E-R-S-K-I-N.com. Use code BEAUTY15 for 15 % off your purchase. VivierSkin.com. Pausing to shout out Quince, they're one of our show partners this week. Everybody is talking about Quince these days. Why? Because the products are so affordable and the quality is great. The fabrics feel elevated, the fits are flattering and everything just works without overthinking it. So that's why if you want to update your wardrobe for spring, check out Quince. They have premium materials like 100 % European linen, organic cotton and ultra soft denim.

30:26Plus they have lightweight linen pants, dresses and tops that start at just $30. All of the styles are effortless and they are easy to wear on repeat. I feel like you can build a very easy, timeless capsule wardrobe with Quince that you can wear time and again. I personally just bought the 100 % European linen duvet cover. It has these very smart stripes on it. I just love how it looks. It looks designer, honestly, and it's really soft. and everything at Quince is priced 50 to 80 % less than similar brands. So refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com slash breakingbeauty for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns.

31:10Now available in Canada too. That's Q-U-I-N-C-E.com slash breakingbeauty for free shipping and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada too. quince.com slash breakingbeauty. We'll link to this offer in our show notes and on our website. Now back to the show.

31:34If you read something and you're like, that seems like it's bullshit, where do you go and check the source? Do you read medical studies or what do you do?

31:44Joanna Czech:I do. I'm actually in touch with Edinburgh, with medical school in Scotland. So that's the letters that I read. They approached me a little bit with exosomes, but we were having discussions back and forth for three years. I said no, even though they were testing and I had that feeling and I feel like I was a little maybe right. Yeah. Knowing what they are. So that's what I do. I talk tons to Dr. Des Fernandez. I read all his books. To me, that's my kind of Bible. If you would see my nightstand, I do have my little Christian symbol that makes probably my dad in heaven happy and my mom in Poland.

32:27Joanna Czech:And, you know, it's just it's a it makes me feel good. And then I have my lima lasers and and my other Bible. I mean, that's that's like that's I. It's a vitamin A book, everyone. That is by night that I could read. Just some light reading before bed. Yes, and a vagus nerve, you know. Okay, that's a whole other topic of conversation. Wow. Okay, so we now know there's a Lima laser on your bed stand. I want to start getting into the skincare routine and some of the truths about that. If someone only had the energy to do their skincare properly once in a day, morning or night, what's more important?

33:08Joanna Czech:My day starts at night. Okay. That's literally how I say my days, my 24 hours start at night. I always give an example or a baby. We bathe them at night. We put all the body oils. We feed them. We read half page of a book and we put them to sleep and they sleep like babies, right? I wish that would happen to me at 62. I don't sleep anymore. but but preparing your skin and your whole body your brain everything for a moment of relaxation and rejuvenation that's the most important moment and it does not take a long time it's rinsing your day off that's my don't bring the streets to the sheets yes you would not invite anybody, even your best girlfriend, sit with your jeans in my bed and then I'm going to go there.

34:05Joanna Czech:No, just no. So, I mean, this is it. We invest hundreds of thousands of dollars the way how we look and feel. And in the meantime, we concentrate on a morning shower. To me, it doesn't make much sense, but prepping for the nighttime. Rinsing your body off, you don't need to spend tons of time. If you need another shower in the morning, then you can do bubbles and whatever else you want, rinse. Then apply your body routine from the neck down and then your face routine from the nipples up. And that could be very quick routine. What I strongly believe in a proper cleanser, proper cleanser, not the names of the companies, just consistency of a cleanser.

34:49Joanna Czech:If you wear makeup, Maybe use my face wipes not to mess up your white towel and then use a cleanser. Or maybe oily or balmy cleanser to remove the makeup. And then rinse it off with nice foamy cleanser. So cleanser, I believe in proper pH of the skin. So there is a toner with pH 5.5, slightly acidic to keep it. I think your skin will be, efficacy of products applied after will be increased. if you have proper pH. My one and only and main form of ingredients is serum cream. It's Vimna A. So form of retinoid that you use and then moisturizer, what brings you comfort. For me, again, day or night is the balm.

35:39Joanna Czech:Happens to be my own balm, but the most important is proper pH and then right after that, Vimna A. And that's how I treat my body, also with Vimna A. Oh, wow. Head to toe. Head to toe. Head to toe. Yeah. What's the vitamin A on the body? There is Environ. Oh, yes. And I've been lately using this pomade, you know, pomade. And retinoid. And what is amazing about it, because for my skin condition and also for my skin that it's used to Vimna A, I did not have to have every other night or every so often or so on. I can use every night. And these are the moments that I actually can occasionally skip my own bum.

36:25Joanna Czech:Oh, my gosh. For everybody that's listening that's not picking up this convo, Joanna has been testing Carleen's product, her retinol. At the moment, it's not testing anymore. Oh, yes. This is using. Amazing. Including my team. Oh, my gosh. They are very, very pleased. Look at this. Oh, my gosh. I am. You might need these tissues. You might need these tissues to cry. No, no, no. The thing is that I would not talk about it if I would not feel this way. I just wouldn't mention, you know that. I'm so thrilled. So we're talking about Cassatt La Pomade Retinoid Skin Ointment, which I developed with a cosmetic chemist.

37:03And it's very different because it's a balm with retinoid in it. And that's very unique in the market.

37:09Joanna Czech:That's a little bit like you, Beauty, did the balm with SPF. This is exactly the same for someone who does not like 17 steps and I'm allergic to 17 steps, I would not do it. I just would never do it. I'm a three to four steps person. That's why I, when I hear, oh my God, I'm exhausted at night. Coming back from work, stand under the shower, put your sweats and then concentrate on your supper already when you're all done. You don't need to keep it to the last minute. Yes. Because then you might be exhausted by then. Yeah. Yeah. And by the way, so the La pomade has 200 ,000 international units. I know, I asked you that question.

37:47Yes, I remember. But we

37:48Joanna Czech:can, we can, we can increase by layering it. Okay. Just simply by layering it. By layering it with 200 ,000? 200 international units. 200 international units. Yes. Got it. I think you had said 200 ,000. Yeah, it's a different way of measuring. Understood. Understood. Yeah. Got it. Okay. international units. But what are you putting on the body for the vitamin A? I put ACE body oil and thermal occlotion by Environ as well. Oh, that is also Environ. Understood. My Dr. Des Fernandes and Cape Town and I'm just... I am not into skincare brands. I'm into products. I love that. I think every brand has hero.

38:30Joanna Czech:Yeah, I agree with that. And the way how Dr. Des Fernandes and how long he's been studying vitamin A, the way how he introduced us to it, that open the pathway to all of us using it and not being worried about Vime Nae destroying skins. Right. Is he the founder of Environ? Yes. Okay. So putting that together now. I know that so many estheticians use Environ and really rely on it heavily. It's phenomenal. My very favorite part of it, it's the different forms of Vibna A that we can slowly introduce for 20 years old or for someone 50 years old, but with very reactive skin. And they are just mentally scared that A will do something wrong to them because there is this thing that, it depends.

39:22Joanna Czech:If you put retinoic acid, which is prescription by Nae, it does create reaction. It always creates reaction. Absolutely. And you get only the same percentage. Only retinoic acid, by the way, works on our cellular level. Retinol, retinol palmitate, retinol, and so on, they need to be converted into retinoic acid in order to really work. Yes. But retinoic acid does not necessarily belong on the surface of the skin. Yeah, because that's so you don't like retinoin. I don't love prescription Vimna A because I've seen a lot of irritation. But they are really, you get results without irritation, without being worried if it's sunny, if it's winter, if it's summer.

40:18Joanna Czech:The idea is to use Vimna A on a daily basis. That's the most important vitamin in our healthy body, in our healthy skin. Yeah. Really, this is something that keeps us, that could be a healing element, creating very supportive for our body and skin and having graceful aging. And whatever graceful aging means for people. I mean, you might have some lines, but your skin will be still glowing and looking healthy. Yeah. Yes. I think that's something that some people don't understand. And I've seen this on social media before. You've got this young girl who's like, why wouldn't you use tretinoin prescription retinoic acid?

41:01It's the strongest you can get. And then these other ones are weaker, weaker, weaker. Why would you use those? And I have this visual. I'm like, oh, I have this visual in my head that straight retinoic acid is like 100 proof vodka, you know and then retinol with an a is is maybe like a regular bottle of vodka and then retinol with an o is like a martini and then you have like a spritzer is a retinol ester but they all have alcohol they all convert to retinoic acid eventually at the end we start and only one form

41:38Joanna Czech:that we store in our skin is retinol palmitite we don't store vimea in any other form and we We need tons of it to protect us from the sun, to create skin very healthy. That retinopalmitate has ability to convert into retinol, retinal aldehyde, and into retinoic acid. And then also it's very important that we have tons of it because Vimna A exposed to the light. Even here in the room, right away it's being diminished. So let's say 10 minutes outdoors with Vimna A will remove 3 % of your Vimna A in your skin. And to rebuild it, you would need to remain for seven days in a very dark room to get 2 % back.

42:26Joanna Czech:So we keep losing that Vimna A. That's why we need tons of it. We consume it. We consume beta-carotene and so on. And there are fatty fish and meat that we get retinol from. But main storage of our Vimna A is skin. It's our liver. We store it in the cells because cells in order to exist need Vimna A. There are very small little paths for Vimna A to even penetrate. In our keratonocytes, we have little pathways that Vimna A only penetrates. It's not that you apply and it's going to go anywhere. If those little pathways get destroyed, PAMNA will not penetrate and will not do anything. And it does not matter if you apply retinoic acid or retinal palmitite.

43:14Joanna Czech:So it really does not matter. That's why you need that healthy skin. So A, A, A, that's just... Your skin will be thicker. Your epidermis will get thicker. Your skin will be less reactive. Less reactive to the sun. Dr. Des Fernandes, he does say that if you have proper amounts of Vimna A in your system, in your skin, that equals almost SPF 20. That doesn't excuse you from using it, but that's how much less reactive you will be. But you need that Vimna A to even keep healthy pathways for A to penetrate. So it's like the whole vicious circle, but that's how important that Vimna A is. So versus retinoic acid or retinol.

44:01Joanna Czech:That's what we don't use during the day. Retinol, palmitite, you can use during the day. Okay. I remember the Olay scientist back in the day, Dr. Frohke, talking about this, that it was a myth that you couldn't use the version you just said during the day. You can actually use it during the day. You use day and night, absolutely. So this is why there's confusion out there about whether retinol as a category creates sun sensitivity or not? No, there is one particular form. I mean, retinoic acid is the most irritating. It's acid, retinol, alcohol form of IMA-A. But the rest are really esters. They are not as aggressive topically, but still only 3 % of it will become retinoic acid.

44:49Joanna Czech:That's all what we need. So it really is important to find the right retinol that your skin can tolerate. can tolerate. Yes, you really are like you and your specialist, you become your own doctor a little bit. And I definitely don't recommend using during the summer prescription Vimna-A. If you are a fan of it, great, because retinoic acid, that's only one form that really does that job. But we have ways of applying something not so aggressive topically that still becomes retinoic acid. So Vimna-A, it's a must in my opinion. Yeah, amazing. We've covered a lot there. It's amazing.

45:35Today's episode is brought to you in part by Jones Road Beauty. Now, a lot of you know Jones Road Beauty from the Miracle Balm. It's a product that quickly became iconic because it's multi-use. You can use it on your lips, on your cheeks. You can use it as a highlighter, a blush. It's really no fuss and you don't need any brushes either. And I just find that the more that I take care of my skin, the less makeup that I need. So Jones Road Beauty has really become one of those go-to brands for me. And I'm super excited because they are launching a foundation stick. I love foundation sticks when they are done right.

46:14I think this is going to be one of those multi-use, quick and easy products you can use in the back of a cab. And I trust Bobbi Brown is just going to nail this formula. it's said to be buildable with realistic looking coverage that feels weightless on your skin which is hard that is a challenge for a foundation stick it's also dermatologist tested and it's got those skincare loving ingredients like ceramides squalane and sodium holleranate and it's going to have that natural finish you know you're going to get that with any product that bobby brown has designed. It's also available in 30 shades.

46:53So if you want makeup that brings out your natural glow instead of hiding it, Jones Road Beauty is the way to go. For a limited time, our listeners are getting a free gift on their first purchase when they use code beauty at checkout. Just head to jonesroadbeauty.com and use code beauty at checkout. After your purchase, they're going to ask where you heard about them. Please support our show and tell them our show sent you. Momentous is one of our show partners this week. We know how important fiber is to our overall health. It aids in gut health. It aids in digestion. And I know when I have enough fiber in my diet, then I just feel better.

47:29I feel less sluggish overall. But the reality is sometimes I need a little boost to get my fiber intake for the day. And that's why I love taking Momentous Fiber Plus. So what I appreciate about this is that it's a triple action formula. It combines soluble and insoluble fiber with prebiotic resistant starch to support gut health and digestion. It helps your body absorb nutrients better, stabilize blood sugar, and improve recovery. And I choose Momentus because they're NSF certified for sport, which means it's been third-party tested for purity and label accuracy. Plus, it's so easy to work into my daily routine.

48:10There's just two little scoops that you take, either put them in a protein shake or stir it into water, drink it, and you're well on your way to get your fiber intake for the day. So support your gut health and overall performance with Momentous Fiber Plus and get up to 35 % off your entire first order at livemomentous.com using our promo code BEAUTY. That's livemomentous.com, promo code BEAUTY for up to 35 % off. That's livemomentous.com spelled L-I-V-E-M-O-M-E-N-T-O-U-S dot com promo code beauty. We'll link to this offer in our show notes and on our website. Now back to the show.

48:55Well, let's talk about other elements of people's routine, what they're getting right, what they're getting wrong. What are people getting wrong about cleansing that might be sabotaging the rest of their routine?

49:06Joanna Czech:About cleansing, I mean, first of all not cleansing at night that's that's the first thing what means double cleanse sometimes you know for me uh double cleanse could be if you are makeup uh user then would be again wipes not to mess up your white towel and then cleanser or as i mentioned balm and then a gentle cleanser you don't need to use acidic cleanser whatsoever if i mean i'm if i'm not a user i don't need any other stripping off natural oils. People get sometimes to town with, you need to be rosy and pink and burning because otherwise it does not work. You can treat your skin with such a respect.

49:49Joanna Czech:Maybe it will take a few days longer, but you can do it gently. So double cleanse, I recommend twice a week, but it's a little different double cleanse. You cleanse your skin with your proper cleanser on a given day. I have 12 different cleansers, but only because of different consistency. That's my form of decongestion. After that, when my skin is already clean, twice a week, I put pre-cleanse oil. Oil works as a dozen crusted, so softens potential sebum. There is zero sebum my age, but or dehydrated patches. And then I put hydrating clay mask over it and kind of massage it together. Whatever oil dissolved or softened, clay mask with kaolin is going to detach it.

50:37Joanna Czech:And that's my form of double cleanse or rather almost exfoliation, that mild exfoliation that you don't need to scrub your skin. Do you let the clay mask harden? This is not the hardening one and I actually activate it with water, both factors with water. We very often use this combination for massages. By the time I'm done with 30 minutes massage, the skin is already clean. Oxidized part of comedone is gone. I don't need to torture the skin. Yes. I love those videos. I see them all the time. People, it's almost like there's sebum. It's like you're saying, it's like oil pulling almost for the pores.

51:14Joanna Czech:Oil dissolves. Yes. That's the fact, which some trends, I'm not going to say who and why. they put olive oil all over the body for three months because that was celebrated and the whole world does it that oil will dehydrate your skin and you will be breaking out the skin is such a smart organ that's going to be producing more oil to to to offer that lipidic layer because you completely destroyed it by putting olive oil on your skin we i use olive oil to remove shoes kits. It's a very powerful agent, but removes rubber from the floor. So it definitely is going to dehydrate your skin, not after one or two usages.

51:54Joanna Czech:So you are in a situation that you need to do it. But if you do for three months every single day, it's going to dehydrate your skin. I'm glad someone's done that experiment and I don't have to. Yeah. Yes. What is the clay mask that you use? Again, the clay mask that I use, it's Environ. Okay. Hydrating clay mask or exfoliating clay mask, the one that really does not harden. Yes. But you know, there are other masks. You could make the mask that becomes very cementy at the end, but if you are activating with water, there are just ways of working it in. And I just educate clients. If they say they have their own clay mask and they are not interested in purchasing it, I said, just make sure that you don't allow it to harden because I think your skin is already too thin or too dehydrated.

52:42Joanna Czech:that's not necessarily a mask for you. Yes. What about facial mists? Because there's a lot of them on the market. So what I understand, after washing your face, there is to me not applying anything before you applied balancing pH controlling toner. That's the way how I was taught. There is a technique of application that if you do twice a day or anytime you wash your face, you can create more hydration and the skin looks plumpier for 15 seconds. But if you do for 50 years, twice a day, it really changes condition of the skin. So it depends what is it just hydrator or does it have proper pH? The healthiest pH of human skin is 5 to 5.9, slightly acidic.

53:32Joanna Czech:If it gets too close to alkaline level, then we can start experiencing some inflammatory situations. If it gets very acidic, skin will be very dehydrated and burning and uncomfortable. First thing what's going to happen, lipidic layer will be affected if it's wrong pH. Then we start experiencing trans epidermal water loss. Then skin feels dehydrated, micro swelling, red patch. And then we have inflammation, fully blown, breakout and so on. Starts with proper pH. So mist could be hydrating and comforting. There are essences that they call them. Also toners and so on. I just love simple name toner with proper pH.

54:23Joanna Czech:Yeah. About 5 to 5.5, 4.5 to 5.5. After washing the face, we might dilute that acidity. So I want to bring it down again, like make a little lower. What we are exposed to, what we drink, what we eat, changes of the temperature, especially from heat to cold. So now it's going to be in the summer when you walk in from 40 degrees Celsius to freezing apartment or in the winter the other way around. That changes pH of the skin. You know, I love thermal water from Avene, healed so many burn victims. So mist as a mist, depending if it has probiotic, if it has proper pH, then also I think it could be used as a treatment.

55:10Joanna Czech:Otherwise, it's a comforting and hydrating thing to finish your makeup, to start your makeup. I don't love applying serums, and mine is Vimna A, right over evaporating water. It's like almost you prepare the wall for painting without the primer. You scraped it or buffed it and then did not put the primer and you want to put. So I consider my toner almost as a primer for the rest of the... Me too. That's how I use it every single day. What's the one that is pH balanced? Is it Environ? It's Joanna Check. It's Joanna Check. Another one is actually Exquisite. My friend has line Exquisite and love the toner very much.

55:56Joanna Czech:5.5 pH. And, you know, there is Balancing Water by Swiss Perfection. Beautiful iris scent. I don't love scented products, but that iris is like sexy Swiss men. So like I when I when I sell it to clients, it's just like sexy Swiss men on your face. OK, so this has been fantastic, Joanne. I'm going to ask you one last question before we let you go. Last one. I don't want to go. I know we don't want to go. That means we have to have you back. That's what that means. Do you take supplements and which ones really make a difference? Because I know that you're a very inside-out beauty person. So give us your supplement secrets.

56:38Joanna Czech:I'm that very inside-out beauty person because I think 70 % the way how we feel and look, it's really in our hands. And whatever we do as an esthetician or maybe an aesthetic dermatologist or so on, that's like 20-30%. Otherwise, that holistic approach that was always me, first as an athlete, then twice as a cancer patient, so, so important. what you put into your body. My very favorite supplement, I mean, I'm on Vimna D, but also maybe with the way how I approach San or maybe my diet and so on, I never was D deficient, where actually when I mentioned earlier those SPF 100s, 80 % of generation is Vimna D deficient.

57:22Joanna Czech:Right. So then we go from extreme to extreme. Yeah. And then Vimna D and nitric oxide and then heart attacks, right? Yes. So my very favorite is magnesium. Right. Okay. And we have all the, all different types of magnesiums. I'm not even going to break my tongue to try to name at least three or four forms, but I take all of them. They are amazing for your brain. They are amazing for your muscles. They prevent cramping or they help you with quicker recovery after workouts. They actually, again, strengthen your skin and beautifully work with vitamin D on your nitric oxide. So we are talking about proper quality of your veins and capillaries.

58:12Joanna Czech:Bring skin's hydration and strength again. So magnesium, if I would have to choose one, I would go for that. Okay. And then the very last thing, Joanna, little birdie told me that you're writing a book. What is this? I am, I am, uh, I'm being interviewed, so I don't know how to refer to it. I guess that's going to be in Poland. We call it, uh, I will say in Polish, or interview river, which is a question and my long, long answers. It's not going to be scientific book. It will be probably my life which you don't realize a memoir I think uh and and maybe my jokes a little bit because I can never never say anything with a straight face and uh the first one will be in Polish but I was very very honored to be approached by a agency that they thought that would be very interesting okay and majority of people don't know many things about you're the true story The true story.

59:16Joanna Czech:Wow. Okay. Well, I am intrigued. I will translate it to you. I will read it to you and translate. Maybe one day translation. Okay. Well, I love this idea and such a pleasure to have you on the show. Thank you so much. Thanks for having me again. Thanks for listening. You can find details on every product mentioned in today's episode, along with our exclusive promo codes on our blog at BreakingBeautyPodcast.com. While you're there, be sure to sign up for our newsletter. Every episode will be delivered directly to your inbox so you won't miss a single thing. And get social with us. Let us know what you think of the episode.

59:53You can follow us on Instagram at Breaking Beauty Podcast. And did you know we also have a private Facebook group? Just search Breaking Beauty Podcast chat room. You can even leave us a voicemail at any time with questions or feedback at 1-844-227-0302. And don't forget to subscribe to us wherever you get your podcast fix. Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, and Apple Podcasts, where you can show us some love by writing a review. See you next Wednesday.

1:00:36Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.