We Are Offering a Training here at the Cottage On how to do your OWN at home facial. We teach you how to do the facial on yourself Plus you will get tips on what to look for. You will go home with a facial Package for you to continue using the product.

Alex Hernandez Adobe Stock Photo As temperatures cool and clients spend less time in direct sun, chemical peels become one of the most requested treatments. They can improve acne, pigmentation, texture, dullness and early signs of aging, making them one of the most versatile tools we have in the treatment room. But peels aren't just for fall. With the right superficial peel, consistent sunscreen use and thoughtful planning, many clients can benefit from professional exfoliation year-round. The idea that every peel has to stop when summer arrives is outdated, but reduced UV exposure may allow us to increase frequency and use more corrective approaches. In reality, fall isn’t the beginning of “peel season,” it’s when we can build on progress created all year. Start With the Right Candidate, Not the Right Peel One of the biggest mistakes I see when reviewing cases with skincare professionals is focusing on the peel before fully evaluating the person receiving it. It’s easy to jump straight into treatment planning. Before choosing an acid, strength, layer count, or contact time, ask a different question: Is this skin ready for a peel right now? A client may have hyperpigmentation, congestion, dullness, or uneven tone that would benefit from a peel but that doesn’t automatically make them treatment-ready. Don’t forget to look beyond the presenting concern. Is the skin barrier healthy enough to receive a mild peel? How reactive is the skin? Is there inflammation or dehydration? Is the client using retinoids, exfoliating acids, prescriptions, or other corrective treatments? One trend I consistently see is clients normalizing irritation because they assume it means their products are working. Constant redness, burning, stinging, or excessive peeling may indicate a barrier already under stress. If the skin is struggling before a peel, it’s unlikely to respond optimally afterward. Some of the best decisions happen when we choose not to treat that day. A few weeks restoring balance and supporting barrier function can create a better foundation. Clients may not love hearing “not yet,” but they often appreciate that you have their best interests in mind. Why Barrier Health Matters More Than Ever We've all had the client who tells us they have a "simple" routine, only to discover they're rotating between three exfoliating serums, a retinoid, a scrub and whatever product is trending on social media that week. It's no surprise that barrier impairment has become one of the most common challenges skincare professionals are navigating today. The skin barrier is doing far more than most clients realize. It's helping maintain hydration, regulating inflammation and protecting the skin from the constant stress of everyday life. When that barrier is compromised, the skin becomes more reactive. Redness, burning, stinging, dryness, flaking and prolonged recovery all become more likely, and those responses affect treatment outcomes. Chemical peels work because they create a controlled injury within the skin that stimulates renewal. That's exactly what makes them effective. But, that renewal depends on the skin having enough resilience to repair itself afterward. Correction can only move as fast as the barrier can recover because healthier barriers almost always lead to better peel tolerance and more predictable results. Fall Is the Time to Elevate, Not Start Over One of the biggest misconceptions about peel season is that fall is when corrective treatments begin. In reality, some of the best transformations start long before the weather changes. Clients who have spent the year protecting their barrier and following a consistent home-care routine often arrive in fall ready to build on that progress, not start over. Superficial peels performed throughout the year can help maintain clarity, encourage healthy cell turnover, and gradually improve concerns over time. As UV exposure decreases, treatment plans may become more corrective through increased frequency, advanced peel options, strategic layering, or a stronger focus on pigmentation, texture and acne scarring. Rather than thinking of fall as the beginning of correction, think of it as the season to build momentum. The work you've already done throughout the year allows you to move forward with greater confidence and often achieve even better results. Customization Is Everything Stop asking what the strongest peel is you can perform. Start asking what this skin needs today. That shift in thinking changes everything. Two clients may walk in with the same concern, but that doesn't mean they need the same treatment. Barrier health, lifestyle, sensitivities, home care, treatment history and even how their skin responded to previous treatments should all influence your approach. I like to think of peels the same way I think about exercise. Two people can have the exact same goal, but they don't start with the same workout. Their starting point, intensity and recovery all look different, and skin is no different. The goal isn't to perform the most aggressive peel possible, but to deliver the right amount of stimulation while preserving the skin's ability to recover. For Hyperpigmentation When treating pigmentation, more isn't always better. Overly aggressive treatments can create additional inflammation, which may worsen discoloration, especially in clients prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. A well-designed series almost always outperforms one aggressive peel. Slow, consistent progress paired with diligent home care typically produces healthier skin and more predictable results. For Acne Acne clients require an especially thoughtful approach. Exfoliation absolutely has a place in acne management, but active inflammation should influence every treatment decision, from peel selection and strength to frequency and layering. The goal isn't to create more inflammation in hopes of getting faster results. It's to support healthy cell turnover, reduce congestion and move the skin toward balance. For Aging and Texture Concerns Clients looking to improve texture, brightness and fine lines often benefit from a progressive treatment plan rather than a single intensive peel. One of the most valuable conversations you can have is setting expectations early. Rejuvenation isn't one appointment, it's a series of thoughtful decisions over time. When clients understand that, they're much more likely to choose consistency over quick fixes. For Sensitive Skin A sensitive client isn't automatically a poor peel candidate. Often success comes down to lower strengths, shorter contact times, fewer layers and longer intervals between treatments to deliver meaningful results without overwhelming the skin. Sensitive skin doesn't always need to be excluded. It just needs to be understood. Do Not Skip the Prep Work One of the biggest predictors of a successful peel isn't what happens during the appointment, it's what happens in the weeks leading up to it. A client's home-care routine should support your treatment plan, not compete with it. Sometimes preparation means reducing exfoliation. Other times it means adjusting active ingredients, prioritizing hydration, strengthening the barrier, or reinforcing the importance of daily sunscreen. Those changes don't just prepare the skin, they also tell you how the skin behaves. If a client becomes highly reactive after a small adjustment in home care, that's valuable information when deciding whether they're truly ready for a peel. Sometimes the best peel you'll perform is the one you decide to postpone, not because the skin doesn't need correction but because it needs preparation first. Common Peel Season Mistakes Even the best peel protocols can fall short when we lose sight of the fundamentals. Over the years, I've noticed the same few patterns come up again and again. They're easy mistakes to make, but they're also some of the easiest to correct once you recognize them. Mistake #1: Equating More Peeling with Better Results One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding chemical peels is that visible peeling equals a successful treatment. Many clients still judge their results by how much skin sheds, and if we're not careful, our industry can unintentionally reinforce that belief. The reality is that visible peeling isn't a measure of effectiveness, it’s merely a side effect. I've seen clients make incredible progress with very little flaking, and I've seen aggressive treatments create a great deal of inflammation without producing better results. The goal isn't maximum peeling; it's healthy and controlled renewal. When clients understand that they begin focusing on healthier skin instead of dramatic downtime, and that's a much better measure of success. Mistake #2: Ignoring Inflammation Inflammation has a way of quietly changing the course of a treatment plan. When you see persistent redness, irritation, sensitivity, or signs of barrier disruption, resist the urge to push forward with more correction. Instead, pause and ask yourself a different question: Does this skin need more correction, or does it need more support? Mistake #3: Increasing Intensity Too Quickly Every peel should earn the next peel. It can be tempting to assume that each treatment needs to be stronger than the last, but progression isn't about increasing intensity, it's about responding to the skin in front of you. Look at how the client healed. Consider their sensitivity, their home-care compliance, and whether the previous treatment moved them closer to their goal. Those answers should guide your next decision far more than the calendar or the number of treatments they've completed. The skin will tell you what it's ready for. The Real Work Happens After the Peel The peel itself may only take 30 to 60 minutes, but that's only one part of the treatment. What happens over the next several days often has just as much influence on the final outcome. Before your client leaves, make sure they know exactly what to expect. Walk them through what they'll likely experience over the next several days, how to care for their skin at home, which products to avoid, and when they should reach out if something doesn't seem right. Clear expectations don't just improve compliance, they build trust. When clients understand what's happening and why, they're far more likely to follow your recommendations and feel confident throughout the healing process. A successful peel is measured by how well the skin recovers afterward. Final Thoughts If there's one idea I hope you take away from this article, it's this: Peel season isn't about performing the strongest peel you can. It's about making thoughtful clinical decisions that help your clients reach their goals safely, consistently and sustainably. The best outcomes come from evaluating the whole picture -- barrier health, lifestyle, home care, treatment history and the skin's ability to heal. After years behind the chair and now spending my days educating, troubleshooting and reviewing cases alongside estheticians, one lesson continues to stand out: The best results come from doing what's right for the skin in front of you. Sometimes that means challenging the skin, but sometimes it means supporting it instead. Knowing the difference is what separates a good peel provider from a great one. Great peel providers are remembered for making thoughtful clinical decisions, helping clients build healthier skin, and earning the trust that keeps clients coming back long after peel season is over. Check out our Exfoliation Products HERE

Credit: Getty Images Eating Well Design Honey and garlic can support your immune system separately—but that doesn’t mean you should combine them. By Lauren Manaker M.S., RDN, LD, CLEC Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD Mixing garlic and honey at room temperature can create conditions for botulism, a serious illness. Enjoy garlic and honey separately to reap their benefits without the risk. Support your immune system with vitamin C–rich foods, exercise and balanced nutrition. Cold and flu season is upon us, which means that if you scroll through social media, you’ll likely stumble across jars of garlic cloves soaking in honey. Many wellness influencers call it a natural antibiotic and an immune-supporting pantry staple, with some of these videos racking up hundreds of thousands of likes. And on the surface, the pitch sounds harmless—you just need a jar, some local honey and several cloves of garlic to keep seasonal sniffles at bay. The problem is that this homemade remedy can create the right conditions for Clostridium botulinum to grow and thrive—and that particular bacterium can cause botulism, a rare illness that can be fatal.1 Before you start making a batch of this honey-garlic concoction, it helps to understand what is actually happening inside that jar. Let’s break down the science—and a few more ways you can support your immune system this season. Is Honey-Fermented Garlic Good for You? It is true that honey and garlic both carry some antimicrobial properties on their own.23 But combining them and leaving the mixture at room temperature changes the picture significantly. The concern is Clostridium botulinum, which produces a toxin that thrives in low-oxygen environments and needs specific acidity levels to grow.4 A sealed jar of garlic honey can check both boxes. Honey by itself is a poor home for bacteria because it contains very little available water, which is why it resists spoiling and mold. Garlic, though, holds plenty of moisture. When you submerge garlic in honey, the honey begins to pull water out of the cloves. That added water, combined with a low-oxygen setting, can give dormant C. botulinum spores the opening they need to multiply and produce toxin, especially if the fermentation does not lower the mixture’s pH quickly enough, per an article published in Scientific American.5 Related Stories 5 Unexpected Foods That Are Especially Dangerous When Left Out Too Long The FDA Expands Recall on Frozen Berries Due to E. Coli—Sold at Walmart, Trader Joe’s and More What Is Botulism? Botulism is not a stomachache that passes in a day. The toxin attacks the nervous system, and symptoms can include muscle weakness, slurred speech, difficulty breathing, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. In serious cases, it causes paralysis.6 One of the most dangerous effects is on the diaphragm, the muscle responsible for breathing.1 If it becomes paralyzed, a person can stop breathing entirely. The illness is treatable with an antitoxin when caught early, but it can be lethal without prompt medical care.7 The good news is that botulism is genuinely rare. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021 saw just 243 confirmed cases and 30 additional probable cases, the most recent year with full data.8 Babies are especially vulnerable because their gut microbiome has not yet developed the defenses that typically help adults fend off the bacteria. Adults have a more mature immune system and gut flora that generally inhibit C. botulinum from taking hold, though adult cases do occur on rare occasions. For that reason, health authorities advise never giving raw honey to children under a year old.1 How to Support Your Immune System The good news is that you don’t need a risky jar on your counter to help your body through flu season. Several well-studied habits offer real support with much less risk of foodborne illness. Get your vitamin C. Regular vitamin C intake will not stop a cold in its tracks, but the evidence is steadier than the hype suggests. Vitamin C plays a role in immune modulation, which means it helps the immune system function properly and respond the way it should.9 Bisht S, Sina RE, Patel P. Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid). 2026. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2026 Jan–. Citrus fruit, bell peppers, strawberries and broccoli are easy everyday sources.10 Keep moving. Regular, moderate exercise is linked to better immune function and fewer respiratory infections. One study found that regular, moderate exercise is associated with stronger immune surveillance, better antibody responses and a lower risk of some infections.11 Eat the garlic and honey separately. If you like both ingredients, you can still enjoy them. Just skip the fermentation. Raw garlic and raw honey each offer antioxidant potential when consumed on their own.23 Combining and fermenting them adds risk without adding meaningful benefit. Our Expert Take Homemade remedies can feel empowering, but they aren’t a replacement for medical care—and this honey-garlic mixture could put you at a greater risk for botulism. If you think you need treatment for an infection, the right move is to talk to a health care provider or pharmacist. We recommend keeping your honey and garlic separate, or consider enjoying them in a comforting recipe that will keep you warm and cozy all season long.

Theresa Phillips Founder Redeem And Renew Beauty #1 Use a Wash and thoroughly cleanse, including eye makeup remover Initiating your skincare routine requires a comprehensive cleansing process. Opt for a gentle yet effective cleanser that matches your skin type, such as a gel-based one for oily skin or a cream-based one for dry skin. Apply the cleanser to your face in circular motions, ensuring you cover all areas, including the forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin. Use lukewarm water to rinse away impurities, makeup, and excess oil. This step not only helps to unclog pores but also primes your skin to better absorb subsequent products. It is recommended to cleanse your face twice daily, in the morning and evening, to maintain a fresh and healthy complexion. NEW Makeup Remover 2 Toner After cleansing, the next step in your skincare regimen is to apply a toner. Toners serve multiple purposes: they help to balance the skin's pH levels after cleansing, remove any residual makeup or cleanser, and prepare the skin for better absorption of serums and moisturizers. Look for a toner that is alcohol-free to avoid over-drying the skin. Ingredients such as witch hazel, rose water, or aloe vera can provide soothing benefits. Apply the toner using a cotton pad or by patting it directly onto the skin with your hands. This step can enhance your skin's overall texture and provide a refreshing sensation. 3 Serum 1 The third step involves applying your first serum. Serums are concentrated formulas that target specific skin concerns, such as hydration, brightening, or anti-aging. Depending on your skin's needs, you might choose a hyaluronic acid serum for hydration, a vitamin C serum for brightening, or a peptide serum for anti-aging benefits. Dispense a few drops of the serum onto your fingertips and gently press it into your skin, focusing on areas that need extra attention. Allow the serum to absorb completely before moving on to the next step. This will ensure that your skin reaps the full benefits of the active ingredients. Steam face with Warm Washcloth After applying the first serum, you can enhance its effectiveness by steaming your face with a warm washcloth. This can be achieved by soaking a clean washcloth in hot water, wringing it out, and placing it over your face for a few minutes. The warmth opens up your pores, allowing the serum to penetrate deeper into the skin. This method not only promotes relaxation but also helps to improve circulation, giving your skin a radiant glow. Make sure the cloth is warm but not too hot to avoid burns. 4 Serum 2 Following the steaming process, it is time to apply your second serum. This serum can be chosen based on your evolving skin care needs or to target additional concerns that may not have been addressed by the first serum. For example, if you used a hydrating serum earlier, you might opt for a serum that focuses on anti-aging or skin repair. As with the first serum, dispense a few drops and gently massage it into your skin, ensuring even distribution. This layering technique can significantly amplify the benefits of both serums, leading to healthier skin over time. Steam face with Warm Washcloth Once again, repeat the steaming process with the warm washcloth after applying the second serum. This additional step can help to further enhance absorption and allows the active ingredients in the second serum to penetrate deeply into the skin. The warmth of the cloth can also provide a calming effect, making your skincare routine feel more like a spa treatment. Take a moment to enjoy this soothing experience, as it can contribute to both your skin's health and your overall well-being. 5 Moisturizer The final step in your daily skincare routine is the application of a moisturizer. Moisturizers are vital for locking in hydration and creating a protective barrier on the skin. Choose a moisturizer that fits your skin type—lightweight gel formulas for oily skin or richer creams for dry skin. Apply the moisturizer evenly across your face and neck, ensuring that it absorbs well. This step not only hydrates but also helps to seal in all the beneficial ingredients from the previous steps, leaving your skin feeling soft, smooth, and nourished. Incorporating a moisturizer into your routine is essential for maintaining skin elasticity and preventing dryness. Now sometimes you can add a 3rd serum like retinol but use on occasion not part of a daily ritual. Retinol is great for acne-prone skin and oily skin. On occasion, it can be used on dry skin to give a boost but not on a weekly basis. While the aforementioned steps form a solid daily skincare routine, incorporating a third serum, such as retinol, can provide additional benefits. Retinol is renowned for its ability to promote cell turnover, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and improve overall skin texture. However, it is important to use retinol sparingly, as it can be potent and may cause irritation if used too frequently. For those with oily or acne-prone skin, retinol can be a game-changer, helping to keep breakouts at bay while promoting a clearer complexion. For individuals with dry skin, retinol can be beneficial as a periodic treatment to rejuvenate the skin, but it is advisable to limit its use to avoid excessive dryness. A good practice is to apply retinol once or twice a week, allowing your skin to adjust to its effects. Always follow up with a moisturizer to mitigate any potential dryness and ensure your skin remains hydrated. Serums of most kinds should be used at night giving yoru skin a chance to rest in the facial. Hope all this helps Theresa RedeemAndRenew@Hotmail.com