Let’s talk Gylcolic, Salicylic, Hyaluronic, L-ascorbic ACID!
Some of the most beneficial skincare ingredients and are used to treat acne, ageing, scarring, uneven skin tone.
The Beauty Insider
We don't keep our beauty secrets...
Expert tips for helping dry skin
Get your glow back with Hyaluronic acid that provides an intensive moisture infusion. Exfoliation is key to keep your skin plump and glowing.
Tips for Acne and Problematic Skin
Use makeup, skincare, SPF and hair-care that do not block your pores, and clean your makeup brushes, pillowcases and devices regularly.
Skin Secrets with Dermal Therapist Bernice Olderwagen
We chat to our Dermal Therapist Bernice Olderwagen about her skin secrets… Dermapen gives results like no other and is truly next level.
What is retinol? Your guide to the must have anti-ageing ingredient.
Retinol helps to keep skin firm and smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles. From breakouts to sun damage, retinol can help a variety of skin concerns.
Prevent and Cure Pigmentation
Hyperpigmentation treatment: how to handle dark spots and pigmentation Even if we’re careful and avoid getting that dreaded sunburn on our skin on hot days, cumulative exposure to the sun’s UVA and UVB rays (even in mornings, evenings and on cloudy days) can lead to the formation of pigmentation on our skin. This will often pop up within a few weeks on our face, arms, neck and chest area in the form of freckles, spots, moles and dark patches. While some people don’t mind a few freckles, the accumulation of darker pigmentation can make our skin look aged, and many of us prefer an even skin tone. So what are the best ways to prevent and cure pigmentation? We run through our top tips below. How can I prevent freckles, moles, dark spots and pigmentation patches? 1. Apply a quality mineral SPF daily While it’s an obvious one to throw some sunscreen in our beach bag and apply it when we’re in the direct sun around the middle of the day, those UVA and UVB rays are out every day from AM to PM, so prevention is key. Apply it generously (a smidge of SPF in your foundation won’t cut it for long summer days!). The easiest way? Use it like a primer under your makeup. We love a tinted, non-greasy mineral SPF formula like Suntegrity 5 in 1 Tinted Moisturiser Sunscreen, or O Cosmedics Mineral Pro, which both use SPF30+ protection from natural 20% zinc oxide, as well
Everything You Need to Know About Niacinamide
Keeping up with the latest must-have skin-care ingredients can be tough — but it’s worth taking the time to learn more about niacinamide. While this ingredient doesn’t get as much attention as fellow skin-ageing fighters like retinoids or glycolic acid, you may have spotted it while scrolling through your Instagram feed or Beauty Blogs. Curious if this ingredient has a place in your skin-care regimen? Read on to find out what you need to know about this beauty booster. What is Niacinamide and how does it work? Niacinamide, also known as nicotinamide, is the name for the topical version of Vitamin B3. Because our bodies don’t produce or store this vitamin naturally, we need to apply it topically to our skin to see the benefits. Niacinamide is incredibly restorative, nourishing the skin while calming redness (including rosacea), acne and inflammation, without sensitivity or irritation. By strengthening the skin barrier and boosting hydration, it can help improve the actions of your other skincare products too. How will Niacinamide improve my skin? Where do we start! One of the most-loved benefits of adding niacinamide to your skincare routine is its brightening actions for sun-damaged skin, as it really helps to lessen the appearance of brown spots, hyperpigmentation and redness. It’s also ideal for calming irritated and acne-prone skins, as niacinamide is a natural anti-inflammatory (a game-changer for mask-ne, acne from wearing masks!). It also combats environmental damage to the skin from pollution and free radical attacks by fortifying the skin’s natural barrier, making it great protection
How to combat Maskne
Face masks are now a ubiquitous part of our daily lives, worn to prevent the spread of Covid-19. But as we near summer and the humidity rises, the design that protects us from airborne threats also stops skin from getting the breathing room it needs. Enter a whole new skin concern: mask acne, aka maskne. With the same air being breathed in and out with no opportunity to escape, masks create a humid environment that causes the skin to produce more oils, which in turn causes breakouts, irritations and redness. What causes maskne? In most cases, maskne is the result of clogged pores. You already have oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells on your skin. But when you wear a mask, these substances can build up more and block your pores. A mask also traps humidity due to your breathing and sweating, which may increase the risk of acne. Who is prone to maskne? You may think that only those with acne-prone skin or sensitive skin would be prone to maskne. Unfortunately, anyone can experience skin irritations from wearing a mask. So, even if you’ve never suffered from acne but are now noticing pimples appearing, don’t despair. This condition will eventually be a thing of the past. But, until it’s safe to go out without a face covering, we’re here to help you prevent and treat! How do we prevent maskne? 1. Cleanse your face regularly During the pandemic, continue following your regular skin care routine to keep your skin
This is Skin Confidence
Our lovely client Georgia has agreed to share her “skin health” journey. She has been visiting Nicola Quinn for the past 12 months, having regular Dermapen treatments and following an active skincare home routine. Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing all the ins and outs of her treatments, and her incredible results. We are over the moon to share her final outcomes and announce that these amazing results have landed Bernice with NZ Dermapen High Performance Practitioner of the Year – meaning Nicola Quinn Beauty & Day Spa is officially the #1 Dermapen Skin Clinic in New Zealand! We chat with Georgia and Bernice… So, Georgia, you’ve completed six Dermapen treatments now – the results are pretty amazing! You must be over the moon? I’ve never been the girl with amazing skin or that radiant glow, and since a young age, I’ve always been very self-conscious of my freckles. Dermapen has dramatically improved my skin texture, acne, scarring, hydration, pore size, fine lines (the list goes on!), and I’ve finally achieved that healthy glow I’ve always wanted. So much so that I’ve actually stopped wearing foundation, without even making a conscious decision to do so! I’m no longer hiding my skin, and I think the biggest result for me is that I now have the confidence to let my natural complexion be on display. I am definitely “over the moon” with my results, my only regret is not finding out about and starting Dermapen sooner! 2021 NZ Dermapen High-Performance
Why Consistency is Everything
Today we chat to Skin Therapist Bernice about Georgia’s treatment plan, Dermapen, and why consistency is everything! Our lovely client Georgia has agreed to share her “skin health” journey. She has been having regular Dermapen treatments and following an active skincare home routine. Why should you commit to a membership rather than a one-off treatment? Because results won’t happen instantly! In the same way you wouldn’t visit one fitness class and do one day of healthy eating and expect a transformation, great results take dedication and commitment. When you commit to a skin membership, we can adjust your treatment plan by analysing the skin as we progress. It’s important to tailor your treatments if you want to achieve the ultimate skin outcomes. The second reason is that a membership will give you the best results within the shortest time frame. This is because you’re spaced with optimum time between treatments to encourage skin rejuvenation. If you’re just popping in for occasional treatments, the results won’t quite measure up. In this way it works out more cost effective, PLUS you get a discount on home-care products too. It amazes me how so many women have designer handbags or shoes, the most expensive makeup and the latest phones, but they buy their skincare from the supermarket! Girl, we need to talk. Your skin is on show all the time, and it’s going to be with you for your entire life – treat it well! Can you be consistent with any skincare product
How to achieve immortal skin
How to achieve immortal skin We all know results happen with consistency. Immortal, glowing skin is no exception. Taking good care of your skin daily will also save you money in the long run. Skin concerns like deep wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and acne scarring can be prevented with a daily skin care routine. But when it comes to skincare and what to use, it can be incredibly overwhelming. Luckily for you our favourite skincare brand O Cosmedics has put together their must-have daily products into the Immortal kit. We love that this kit goes back to basics, and includes the four products essential for skin health and that immortal glow. 1. CLEANSER First off, you need the right cleanser to wash off all the oil, dirt and makeup that has been sitting on your face all day. Please do your skin a favour and don’t use a bar of soap or body wash as these products will be way too harsh for the delicate skin on your face. A tight squeaky clean feeling right after cleansing is a red flag and this means that you have stripped away your skin’s natural protective barrier and have left your skin dry and vulnerable to the environment. Instead, look for a gentle cleanser like the Gentle Antioxidant Cleanser to leave your skin clean without stripping your skin of its natural moisture. This cleanser can be used morning and night. 2. EXFOLIANT To help get rid of skin buildup and improve the skin’s texture and appearance, we recommend using an exfoliant once or twice a week.
Hydrate Winter Skin with 5 Hero Products
The change of seasons is hard enough on its own without having to worry about the change in our skin condition. None of us like the feeling of adjusting to the colder conditions, so just imagine how your skin is feeling! The combination of cold weather, low humidity, and heating dries out the air, leaving your skin deprived of moisture and feeling a little lacklustre. This winter, we are all about hydrating winter skin to prevent it from feeling dry, flaky and rough. We sat down with our Spa Manager Kim Poumos and spoke about her top 5 hydrating winter skin products that she just couldn’t live without. THE ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS TO HYDRATE, RESTORE AND ENHANCE YOUR WINTER SKIN 1. O Cosmedics O-Biotics 3D Hyaluronic Serum. I truly love this amazing serum! It has transformed my skin from feeling tight, flaking and dry to feeling smooth, plump, and hydrated. Hyaluronic Acid is a naturally occurring substance in the skin that maintains moisture levels. It works in cells by binding to water to help retain hydration to the skin. It has the amazing ability to hold onto one thousand times its weight in moisture. It is a fine, water-like serum that is applied after cleansing over the face, neck and can be used around the eye area. A must-have for dry skin during the winter months. 2. O Cosmedics Retinoic Oil Another of my hero products! This along with Hyaluronic Serum are 2 products I can not be without! Retinoic oil is
LED Light Therapy to restore your radiance
You might have heard of LED Light Therapy before, but not entirely sure what it’s all about and if it is right for you? We are here to help! LED light treatments are a completely hand-free, convenient and rewarding treatment that can assist with acne symptoms, scarring, hyperpigmentation, reduce inflammation, signs of aging and even reduce inflammation caused by eczema and psoriasis. WHAT IS LED THERAPY? What is LED Light Therapy and how does it work? LED Light Therapy, otherwise known as Light Emitting Diode treatments, uses varying LED wavelengths of visible light to increase collagen and regenerate damaged skin cells. As a result of ageing, skin disorders or trauma, healthy skin cells are compromised and struggle to renew normally. The skin uses the energy produced from the light to repair and rejuvenate damaged cells, killing acne bacteria and stimulating the production of collagen and elastin for anti-ageing benefits. How does LED Therapy work to treat Acne? Blue light therapy is commonly used to treat acne symptoms, as it has an antimicrobial effect on the skin meaning that it can kill several types of bacteria that tends to collect in pores and oil glands, causing breakouts. Used in combination with red light, this will treat acne, decrease scarring and promote anti-inflammatory effects.In one study, people with acne who were treated for 5 weeks with a blue light therapy saw improvement in 77 percent of cases. How does LED Therapy work to treat Ageing? Red light therapy is most commonly used
Your Ultimate Hand Care Guide
When we think of anti-ageing skincare our first thoughts are usually for wrinkles and age spots around our face and neck, yet our hands are one of the first areas to reveal our age. Not to mention our hands are always on display (like our face!), and the skin on our hands is thinner than our faces, yet we don’t always give them the TLC they deserve (after all, they do so much work for us all day). Here are some of our top tips for keeping your hands smooth, gorgeous and youthful, especially during the drying winter months. You’ll thank us in a few years! Slough away dead skin cells In the same way you exfoliate your face, sloughing away the layers of dead skin cells on the hands is a great way to get them looking and feeling lush and smooth. We love the Ginger&Me Sugar Body Scrub, which is infused with luxurious botanical oils and natural essences. If you want something more delicate, try using your face exfoliator on your hands too. Our favourite is the delicious cranberry scented O Cosmedics Exfoliating Cleanser, which contains four natural exfoliating bead types, plus peptides for anti-aging benefits. Start treating your hands with care Frequently washing your hands with drying soaps or using detergents can dry out your hands, which leads to rough, peeling or itchy skin. Try using gloves if you are doing dishes, and swap your soaps from harsh sanitising ones to a natural and moisturising hand wash
Reducing Sun Spots Using IPL
It’s pretty difficult to avoid the sun entirely, and if you’re like us you’ve probably spent countless enjoyable summers on beaches and at parks without diligently re-applying your SPF every couple of hours. The harsh New Zealand sun means we’re even more susceptible to skin damage, whether it’s the dangerous kind or just benign and superficial damage such as freckles, sun spots and patches of pigmentation. Why do I have sun spots? Pigmentation from sun damage is often common on the face, neck, chest, arms and shoulders or other areas exposed to the sun, due to the skin producing extra melanin (dark pigment) to protect the skin. This could be in the form of sun spots, dark patches of skin, or areas of freckles – which will all likely darken and expand with more sun exposure. Another common form of pigmentation is melasma, which usually shows up as large patches of slightly darkened skin and is caused by hormonal changes such as pregnancy. How can I reduce sun spots using IPL? If you’re trying to clear your complexion and reduce pigmentation, IPL is likely the perfect treatment to help. The treatment works by using Intense Pulsed Light to target areas of pigment, breaking it down into particles, which then rise to the surface of the skin. This then flakes away with the skin’s natural healing process within a few days, meaning the downtime is minimal. As well as reducing age spots and pigmentation patches, IPL also works to improve