Beauty & Wellness Blog

Learn how to protect your skin barrier and maintain a healthy glow before and after exercise. Discover expert tips and a step-by-step post-workout skincare routine to cleanse, soothe flushed skin, and prevent breakout-causing sweat buildup.

Hello everyone, and welcome. I am so happy you’re here in this virtual sanctuary. As someone who has spent over 40 years at the treatment table, I often get asked one pressing question during our consultations: is natural skincare better for my skin than the alternatives? It’s a beautiful question because it shows you are thinking deeply about what you’re feeding your body’s largest organ.

Cold, dry air outdoors and indoor heating indoors strip your skin of its natural moisture. Hot showers and harsh cleansers can make it worse — removing essential oils and leaving your skin feeling tight, dull, or flaky. This seasonal dehydration is a sign that your skincare routine needs extra nourishment.

Exfoliation is one of those skincare steps that can completely transform your complexion — when done right. But with so many exfoliating products and methods out there, it’s easy to wonder: how often should you exfoliate your face? As skincare experts at Dubois Beauty know, the secret to radiant, healthy skin isn’t just exfoliating — it’s finding your skin’s ideal rhythm. In this guide, we’ll break down how often to exfoliate, how to recognize the signs of over- or under-exfoliation, and which products can help your skin stay balanced, hydrated, and glowing. Why Exfoliation Matters Your skin naturally sheds dead cells every 28–40 days, but that process can slow with age, stress, or environmental damage. When dead skin cells build up, your complexion can appear dull, rough, and uneven. That’s where exfoliation comes in — it helps sweep away that buildup, unclog pores, and allow your skincare products to absorb more effectively. Whether you use a physical exfoliant (like a gentle scrub) or a chemical one (like alpha or beta hydroxy acids), exfoliation supports cell renewal and improves skin texture. For those who prefer a physical exfoliant, the Renew Buffing Cream is a luxurious, creamy facial scrub that gently removes impurities and dead skin cells without over-drying. It leaves the complexion feeling smooth, polished, and refreshed — the perfect prep for serums and moisturizers. How Often Should You Exfoliate? The ideal frequency depends on your skin type and the type of exfoliant you’re using. 1. Normal to Combination Skin If your skin isn’t overly oily or sensitive, exfoliating 2–3 times per week is usually ideal. This helps maintain a clear, smooth surface without stripping your skin’s natural oils. 2. Dry or Sensitive Skin Those with delicate skin should exfoliate once a week or even every ten days. Over-exfoliating can cause redness and irritation. Focus on nourishing and repairing the skin barrier with hydrating products after exfoliation. 3. Oily or Acne-Prone Skin Exfoliating 3 times per week can help manage excess oil and prevent clogged pores. Look for formulas that combine gentle exfoliation with soothing ingredients to avoid inflammation. Expert tip: Listen to your skin. If you notice tightness, peeling, or increased sensitivity, scale back. Healthy skin should feel soft and hydrated — not raw or irritated. The Right Way to Exfoliate Your Face Step 1: Start with a Clean Slate Always begin with a gentle cleanser to remove makeup, SPF, and impurities before exfoliating. The Marula Bloom Cleansing Oil from Dubois Beauty is perfect for this step. It effortlessly dissolves makeup and sunscreen while nourishing the skin with omega-rich marula and chia seed oils. Its “blooming” texture transforms from oil to milk when mixed with water — leaving your skin clean, soft, and ready to exfoliate. Step 2: Choose the Right Exfoliant Use a mild exfoliator suited for your skin type. The Renew Buffing Cream is an excellent choice for those looking for a gentle yet effective physical exfoliation. Its rich, creamy texture smooths the skin’s surface, enhancing radiance without irritation. Step 3: Hydrate and Protect After exfoliating, replenish moisture and reinforce your skin barrier. During the day, apply the Defend Antioxidant Serum, which helps protect your skin from environmental stressors while maintaining hydration. For deeper moisture, layer with the Dew Drops Hydrating Serum — a lightweight formula that restores suppleness and radiance. In the evening, finish with the Restorative Night Cream to soothe and rehydrate with antioxidants and essential fatty acids. If you’re exfoliating in the morning, always finish with SPF protection — your freshly exfoliated skin will be more sensitive to UV rays. Common Exfoliation Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them) Over-exfoliating:Exfoliating daily can damage your barrier and lead to irritation or breakouts. Stick to your routine and give your skin time to recover. Skipping hydration:After exfoliation, your skin needs moisture. Use products rich in omegas and botanical extracts, such as Marula Bloom Cleansing Oil, Dew Drops Hydrating Serum, or Restorative Night Cream to lock in hydration. Ignoring your skin’s signals:If your skin feels tight, looks flaky, or burns when applying moisturizer, it’s time to ease up. How Seasonal Changes Affect Exfoliation Your exfoliation routine might need tweaking as the seasons shift. In winter, reduce frequency and lean into nourishing products to protect against dryness. During summer, increase gentle exfoliation to manage oil buildup and sunscreen residue. A lightweight, hydrating mist like CALM Saratoga Minerals Mist from Dubois Beauty can refresh and rebalance your skin between exfoliation days, delivering instant comfort, soothing benefits, and lasting hydration. Signs You’re Exfoliating the Right Way Your skin feels smooth, not tight Your moisturizer absorbs easily Makeup applies more evenly You have a natural, radiant glow When you strike the right balance, exfoliation becomes a powerful tool for long-term skin health — not just an instant glow-up. Balance Is the Secret to Beautiful Skin So, how often should you exfoliate your face? The answer depends on your skin’s unique needs — but consistency and gentleness are key. Start slow, pay attention to how your skin responds, and always pair exfoliation with nourishment and protection. Reveal your healthiest, most radiant skin yet with Marula Bloom Cleansing Oil, Renew Buffing Cream, Dew Drops Hydrating Serum, Defend Antioxidant Serum, and the Restorative Night Cream from Dubois Beauty. Together, they create the perfect balance of renewal, hydration, and protection after exfoliation. Elevate your skincare ritual — shop the collection and experience the glow of truly nourished skin.

As the year winds down and the excitement of New Year’s Eve builds, glowing skin becomes the ultimate accessory. Whether you’re heading to a candlelit dinner or dancing your way into midnight, your makeup will only look as good as the skin beneath it. Instead of masking your complexion, this season is all about enhancing your natural beauty — starting with high-performing, clean skincare.

When it comes to layering skincare, one question always comes up: should you apply moisturizer or serum first? Getting this order right can make a big difference in how effectively your products work—and how your skin looks and feels afterward. In this guide, we’ll clarify the difference between moisturizers and serums, explain why order matters, and show you exactly how to build your routine using Dubois Beauty’s clean, high-performance formulas for maximum results. Understanding the Difference: Serum vs. Moisturizer Before deciding which comes first, it’s important to understand what each product does. What a Serum Does A serum is a lightweight, concentrated formula designed to deliver active ingredients deep into the skin. Serums often target specific concerns—like hydration, dullness, or fine lines—with smaller molecules that penetrate beyond the surface. For example, the Dew Drops Hydrating Serum from Dubois Beauty combines hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and hibiscus fruit extract to deeply hydrate, plump, and brighten the skin. Its gel-like texture absorbs quickly, preparing your skin for the next steps in your routine. Other serums, such as the Defend Antioxidant Serum, focus on protection and repair. Packed with Kakadu Plum (one of the richest natural sources of Vitamin C), this serum shields your skin from environmental stressors while improving tone and radiance. What a Moisturizer Does A moisturizer locks in hydration and creates a barrier to prevent water loss. While serums treat and repair, moisturizers seal and protect. They contain emollients and occlusives that smooth the surface of the skin and help maintain a soft, supple texture. The Clarity Hydrogel Moisturizer from Dubois Beauty is a perfect example—it balances lightweight hydration with soothing botanicals, making it ideal for layering after a serum. So, Which Comes First: Moisturizer or Serum? The golden rule of skincare layering is “thinnest to thickest.” Products with the lightest consistency should go on first to ensure proper absorption. That means:👉 Serum first, moisturizer second. When you apply a moisturizer before your serum, you create a barrier that can prevent active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Applying the serum first allows those ingredients to sink in fully, and then your moisturizer can lock them in place. How to Layer Serum and Moisturizer Correctly Here’s the ideal application sequence for glowing, healthy skin: Step 1: Cleanse Gently Start with a nourishing cleanser to remove impurities without stripping moisture. Try Marula Bloom Cleansing Oil, which melts away makeup and sunscreen while infusing the skin with omega-rich marula and chia seed oils. If you prefer an exfoliating option, the AHA Cleansing Milk gently smooths and refines with lactic acid and lupine protein—perfect for dull or dry skin. Step 2: Balance with Toner After cleansing, use Clarity AHA Toner to gently refine your skin’s texture and prepare it to better absorb the next steps in your routine. Formulated with lactic acid and niacinamide, this clarifying toner helps smooth and brighten the complexion while balancing the skin’s natural pH—an essential bridge between cleansing and treatment. Step 3: Apply Your Serum While your skin is still slightly damp, apply 1–2 pumps of your chosen serum. Use Dew Drops Hydrating Serum in the morning for a burst of hydration and a plump, dewy glow. At night, opt for Defend Antioxidant Serum to protect against oxidative stress, or Vital A Serum (with 1% retinol and bakuchiol) to smooth fine lines and enhance renewal while you sleep. Pat gently into the skin and let the serum absorb fully before moving on. Step 4: Lock It In with Moisturizer Once your serum has absorbed, follow up with a moisturizer to seal in hydration. For oily or combination skin, Clarity Hydrogel Moisturizer offers weightless hydration with balancing botanicals. For drier skin types, reach for the Protective Day Cream in the morning and Restorative Night Cream before bed to nourish, protect, and replenish. Step 5: Don’t Forget SPF (Daytime Only) After your moisturizer, always finish with a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect your skin from UV damage and maintain the benefits of your routine. Can You Mix Serum and Moisturizer? Yes—but it depends on your skin’s needs. You can layer multiple serums (as long as they’re compatible) before moisturizing, or even mix a drop of serum into your moisturizer for a lighter effect. For example, blending a bit of Dew Drops Hydrating Serum into your Protective Day Cream creates a customized hydration boost for dry or travel-stressed skin. How to Choose the Right Serum and Moisturizer for Your Skin Type For Dry or Dehydrated Skin Focus on hydration and nourishment. Pair Dew Drops Hydrating Serum with the Restorative Night Cream for deep moisture and barrier repair. For Oily or Acne-Prone Skin Use the Defend Antioxidant Serum to balance and protect, followed by Clarity Hydrogel Moisturizer for lightweight hydration that won’t clog pores. For Mature or Dull Skin Incorporate Vital A Serum at night for gentle retinol renewal, and Protective Day Cream during the day to keep your skin smooth, supple, and radiant. Expert Tip: Let Each Layer Absorb A common mistake is applying moisturizer immediately after serum without giving it time to absorb. Wait about 30–60 seconds between layers. This ensures that your serum’s active ingredients fully penetrate before sealing everything in with your moisturizer. Building a Consistent Routine Consistency is the secret to visible results. Stick to a simple yet effective routine: Cleanse (morning and night) Serum (targeted to your concern) Moisturizer SPF (daytime) In the evening, switch to treatment serums like Vital A Serum or restorative creams for overnight repair. The Bottom Line: Serum First, Moisturizer Second Applying serum before moisturizer allows active ingredients to penetrate deeply and work effectively, while your moisturizer seals in hydration and reinforces your skin barrier. With Dubois Beauty’s clean, performance-driven formulas, you can elevate this everyday ritual into a luxurious, results-focused experience—no confusion required. Ready to Upgrade Your Routine? Elevate your daily ritual with the essentials your skin craves—start with Dew Drops Hydrating Serum for lasting moisture, layer on Clarity Hydrogel Moisturizer to lock it in, and finish your evenings with Vital A Serum for overnight renewal. Discover how these clean, high-performance formulas transform your skin’s texture and radiance. Visit Dubois Beauty today to experience skincare that feels as luxurious as it is effective.

Are you on the hunt for the best black friday beauty deals? With the season for savings officially upon us, now’s the perfect time to shop smart—especially if you’re drawn to clean, effective skincare that aligns with a premium wellness ethos. In this post, we’ll walk you through how to make the most of sales, highlight key skincare must-haves, and showcase how you can integrate standout products from Dubois Beauty into your regimen for long-term skin health.

As the Thanksgiving season arrives, it’s a time for reflection, connection, and celebration. Whether you’re hosting family, travelling, or simply taking a quiet long weekend, your skin deserves a moment of gratitude, too. Between cooler air, holiday stress, and richer foods, our skin can easily lose its balance this time of year.

In this new series, we feature the women in our Dubois Beauty community who are wellness leaders. From local practitioners to national influencers, each woman reflects on their personal journey to wellness. Dubois Beauty: Tell us who you are!Lindsay: I'm Lindsay Ferrara, the founder of Pinnacle Nutrition. Pinnacle Nutrition is about helping clients achieve their nutrition goals in a way that is specific to their own body’s needs. Without being overly restrictive, and by cutting through all of the diet and nutrition misinformation that is out there. Just like knowing cholesterol numbers or blood pressure, I give clients real numbers to work with so they can get off the yo-yo dieting hamster wheel. I focus on optimizing metabolism and typically start by testing a client’s metabolic rate with an FDA approved machine called an Indirect Calorimeter. Metabolic testing gives us accurate numbers to work with so we aren’t just guessing at calorie needs. I am now offering body composition testing as well, using a Bioelectrical Impedance machine which allows the tracking of muscle mass and body fat percentage over time. I love applying data and facts to my work and I think that knowing your numbers is crucial to guiding your health journey. I feel strongly that restrictive diets cause more harm than good and want to help people find their healthy balance. Dubois Beauty:  How did you become so passionate about your work?Lindsay: I’ve been a Registered Dietitian for over 20 years with the first 10 being in the hospital setting. My dream of starting my own practice along with being fed up with diet culture plus a love for helping others has led me to where I am today. I want to teach people that gaining strength is better than losing weight, improving nutrition is better than going on another diet, and knowing what our bodies actually need is better than guessing or overly restricting. Dubois Beauty: What one wellness practice have you found has most changed your wellbeing?Lindsay: I’d have to say practicing mindfulness. I completed some mindfulness training in hopes of helping my clients but found it life changing for myself as well. Mindfulness has really helped me tune in to my body….with eating, with exercising, with confidence, with setting boundaries, with finding gratitude in my day to day life. It’s the best form of self care! Dubois Beauty: What would you say is your daily mantra right now?Lindsay: To grow you need to push your limits and break out of your comfort zone.Dubois Beauty: Tell us one fun fact that may surprise people about you.Lindsay: I don’t like fruit very much. 🤷🏼♀️ I will have a banana with peanut butter ever now and again and I’ll eat cut up fruit if it’s being served but I don’t ever go seeking fruit out. Unfortunately, my children got this gene from me 🤦🏼♀️. Dubois Beauty: What are your favorite Dubois Beauty products?Lindsay: I love every Dubois Beauty product I’ve tried; the natural ingredients, how silky smooth they are, and they all smell wonderful (without the use of any fragrance). But my 3 faves that I don’t think I can live without are the Vital A Serum for nighttime, the Defend Antioxidant Serum for daytime and the Bright Eyes Eye Cream day and night! VITAL A Serum $00.00 $110.00 Get this Product BRIGHT EYES Eye Cream $00.00 $78.00 Get this Product

  In this new series, we want to feature the women in our Dubois Beauty community who are wellness leaders. From local practitioners to national influencers, each woman reflects on their personal journey to wellness. Dubois Beauty: Tell us who you are? Leah: Hi, I’m Leah! I teach Mindfulness and Movement, mostly to children and moms. Getting to this point in my career was a curious journey, but no matter what role I’ve had, I was one of the first people to volunteer to start a “Wellness Club” or some other initiative to create a culture of wellbeing. The fact that I now have my own business (Brave Lion) where I get to share wellness tools feels like hitting the lottery of life. When I’m not teaching, I love being in nature with my family. I do a version of yoga everyday and usually have about four books started at any given time. And I love music - most all music. Right now I’m on a Cat Stevens jag, but at any moment you check back, I could be rocking to Beastie Boys or Beethoven — who knows! (Here is an eclectic collections of songs, any of which I would love to cruise to, window down on a sweet spring day. My partner and I just celebrated our tenth marriage anniversary. I’m so grateful for the grounding and loving force he is in my life. We have two children, a son who is 7 and a daughter who is 3. They give us an opportunity to see the world through the wonder and awe of childhood, and we dive right in. I grew up right here in Saratoga Springs, the eldest of five kids - - some of you might remember “ Lanci’s” the Italian restaurant my parents owned! Dubois Beauty: How did you become so passionate about your work? Leah: I feel so lucky to have grown up in a mindful home, with parents who encouraged and modeled many of the attributes of mindfulness such as; curiosity, flexibility, patience and acceptance. I’m immensely grateful for that foundation, and the radical presence and unconditional love both my parents offered each of us. But one of the most defining moments in my life was during my freshman year of college, after having to take a year off because I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. Being sick was hard, but being home when all my friends were in college was harder. That’s when my mom introduced me to a meditation school and I started exploring my own mindfulness practice. I was able to better manage my thoughts and feelings from a place of cooperation, trust and non judgment. It was so transformative during that time in my life, and every. single. day. after. Over the last 25 years these tools have been my faithful companion in life, and now as I navigate motherhood, I don’t know how I could live without them! When I share these teachings with adults, I feel like I am offering them a true shift in their lives and wellness, like grabbing their hand and guiding them to the surface after being under the waves for a really long time. And with kids, being able to help them nurture a loving self-awareness and offer them tools and strategies to navigate this big, big world, well, that’s the most fun and joyful place to be in the whole world. Dubois Beauty: What’s one wellness practice have you found most changed your wellbeing? Leah: No surprise here, my mindfulness practice! Throughout all the seasons of my life, that practice has looked different and I love that your practice can meet you right where you are. At this stage in my life, mindfulness looks like gently managing my mind and nurturing my brain with so much loving self-awareness and compassion. It’s finding as many moments of stillness I can in my day; whether I’m waiting in line somewhere, or actually doing a formal meditation. Yoga is also a foundational piece of my practice. And within all that, cultivating a playful, curious and child-like approach to life brings me so much wonder and joy - - which radiates into everything I am and do. It’s like the fountain of youth, literally. But of course I must mention, I’m not this twenty-four seven blissed out person, there are days when I can be reactive and my mindfulness tools don’t feel within reach. But on those tough days, any moment I can slow down and pause is still a win. Dubois Beauty: What would you say is your daily mantra right now? Leah: Breathe, smile and go slowly. Dubois Beauty: Tell us one fun fact that may surprise people about you. Leah: I love Star Wars! I was born the summer A New Hope came out. Growing up, kids thought they were teasing me by calling me Princess Leia - but it was hardly a burn to me. What’s cooler than being the leader of the rebellion! Dubois Beauty: What are your favorite skincare products these days? Leah: Dubois is the beautiful intersection of nature and science with a holistic approach! My favorite thing about these products is how much they enhance the skin care routine. There isn’t a detail missed with these products, from packaging, aroma as well as the feel of each products when applied and then throughout the day. I can feel myself truly relaxing into my skincare rhythm more with these products — a truly holistic experience. And a little goes a long way! The serums are so smooth and luxurious, and they smell so great. I love taking a little extra time to massage them into my skin. After using them for just a week, my husband told my makeup looked great….but I wasn’t wearing any! VITAL A Serum $00.00 $110.00 Get this Product I’m completely in love with the Calm Mist; I have one in my bathroom and one in my everyday bag. Throughout my day, I use the mists as an opportunity to have a moment of stillness and relaxation. It’s like a mini meditation in a bottle!

Work can be a great source of accomplishment, connection, and reward. Whether it is paid work for a company, running your own business, or unpaid caretaking, finding the work that brings you satisfaction is incredibly valuable to your health and wellbeing. On the flip side, stressful work can cause great harm. Short-term stress or overworking can lead to skipping meals and exercise and losing sleep. Longer-term job stress has also been linked to hypertension, obesity, and poor mental health. For most of us, we must work. Finding a vocation that you love and enjoy on a day-to-day basis is an important task. Having a generally positive experience can help you ride through the difficulties and challenges that are also, unfortunately, a part of work life. Finding Your Work Passion If I could tell you the job that would make you happiest, well, I would probably stop writing this book and move in a new professional direction. There is no perfect recipe I’ve found for finding work that you are passionate about, but I do believe that the right job has a combination of the following: People you enjoy and trust An overall goal that aligns with your values Fair compensation Some control over the work you do Day-to-day tasks that you generally like doing (with the minority of your time spent doing tasks you don’t enjoy) Your Best Job Determining your best job is a personal endeavor. Your best job may be as an accountant, where your best friend’s worst nightmare could be to work as an accountant. Looking at the criteria above, you can start thinking about the type of organization and day-to-day tasks that will make a job satisfying, rewarding, and healthy. “Remember that work and life coexist. Wellness at work follows you home and vice-versa. The same goes for when you’re not well fueled or fulfilled. Work and life aren’t opposing forces to balance; they go hand-in-hand and are intertwined as different elements of the same person: you.” ― Melissa Steginus Your best job may mean different things for you at different points of life. If you are risk-averse and ambitious, your best job may be one where you can move up the ladder at a well-established company. If you are entrepreneurial and driven, your best job may be one where you can run your own business. If you are focused on gaining material wealth, your best job may be the highest paid one you can achieve, with the opportunity to earn more over time. If you are balancing caretaking, education, hobbies, or other activities, your best job may be one that offers flexibility. If you enjoy traveling or have a partner who must travel, your best job may be one that allows remote work.  

There is a wide spectrum of relationships — from close partners and siblings to clerks and colleagues. Each can have a positive impact on your life, as we build positive and rewarding engagements. Close, personal relationships have shown to have a broad range of positive benefits. Studies have also shown that people in constructive relationships: Live longer, due to reduced stress and healthier habits Heal more quickly, with social support for recovery Feel happier: positive relationships produce more oxytocin — a hormone that promotes feelings of love, bonding, and wellbeing Make healthier choices, with a partner for support and accountability Friendships Friendships also play a key role in health and happiness. Unfortunately, studies have found that women often drop time with friends as their lives get busier. A recent survey on stress found that of the respondents: 51% of the women say that they don’t see friends at all in an average week 35% of men say they don’t see friends at all in an average week Women actually get a bigger hit of oxytocin than men when around friends, so there are counterintuitive benefits to making time for seeing friends. In a culture where women often prioritize others first, they often don’t see friends as much as would be beneficial and healthy. Of course, relationships for men also have great value — providing support, trust, connection, and quality time. “We don’t need proximity and face-to-face interactions all the time, but we do need a daily dose.” ― Dr. Stephen W. Porges   Toxic Relationships But what about relationships that don’t serve our health and wellbeing? Likely you have had to manage, or cut ties with, a relationship that caused you stress, anxiety, or unhappiness. This can be difficult to navigate in the workplace, where you may have little choice in your interactions. This can be doubly difficult with a close friend or family member. While very complex or entangled relationships may require professional help, you can also look to the following steps to address difficult relationships on your own: Define your own truth. Try to separate facts from emotional opinions and make clear decisions. Express your truth after thoughtful consideration. Your words should pass through three gates: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? Create boundaries for the behaviors you will not accept. Take great care of yourself. Foster and strengthen relationships with positive friends and family members who support you. “You can love them, forgive them, want good things for them…but still move on without them.” ― Mandy Hale

Physical activity is a movement that requires the use of your muscles and burns energy and calories. There are many types of exercise and finding a style of exercise that fits your body, lifestyle, and health goals is the key to success. Before beginning an exercise regimen or making significant changes to your exercise routine, consult a doctor to ensure that the exercise is safe and appropriate for you and your individual needs. Exercise has many benefits beyond improving health. Decades of scientific research support that burning 700 to 1,000 calories per week through physical activity can have a wide range of positive impacts. These include reduced risk of developing diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers— especially colon and breast cancers. Additionally, exercise has been shown to improve mental health, quality of sleep, quality of life, and mood. Exercise as a Keystone Habit Regular exercise is part of living a healthy lifestyle. In addition to its physical benefits such as increased bone density, weight loss, and the prevention of chronic disease, exercise has many benefits to overall health, including mental wellness, skincare, and pain management. Exercise can also be a “keystone” habit — a habit that has the effect of triggering other positive habits. Exercise can start a chain of good habits: better sleep, better eating, and better personal choices. “Typically, people who exercise start eating better and becoming more productive at work. They smoke less and show more patience with colleagues and family. They use their credit cards less frequently and say they feel less stressed. Exercise is a keystone habit that triggers widespread change.” ― Charles Duhigg Because there are so many kinds of exercise, there’s no need to suffer through something that’s just not right for you. You might like the adrenaline from running, the calm from yoga, the strength from weightlifting, or the challenge from CrossFit. Developing a regular exercise routine that suits your fitness style will increase your energy, improve your mindset, and help make physical activity both enjoyable and sustainable. If you love competition, competitive sports may be your perfect match. On the other hand, if you don’t like crowds, you may not feel comfortable in group classes. Like food, think creatively about exercise. Be curious to try the right combination of exercise that suits you physically, mentally, and emotionally. Find the time of day, duration, and intensity-level that fits your schedule and preferences. When adding exercise into your routine, remember that your body also needs rest and relaxation to maximize the benefits of exercise and to recover. So, give yourself a minimum one day a week for rest.  Listen to your body and learn how to challenge and protect yourself. Your goal is to create a habit of exercising, so find something that can work for you for the long term. Take a moment to reflect on the mental, emotional, and physical hurdles in your way, and see where they can be adjusted for an overall better experience. Exercise and Mental Health Regular exercise can improve your mental health, including the reduction of depression and anxiety symptoms in adults. Studies have shown that regular, low-intensity exercise, continued over long periods of time, can lead to increased release of neurotrophic proteins, which in turn can lead to better brain function and help relieve depression symptoms in some people. Exercise also improves your cardiovascular system, leading to more energy as your heart and lungs work more efficiently, making you feel more energized. While it may seem difficult to add exercise to an already busy schedule, keep in mind that any kind of exercise can provide stress relief. Exercise not only releases endorphins, which make you feel better but also can help release tensions that your body may have been holding throughout the day. Exercise can also provide an opportunity for the brain to “turn off,” resetting stresses and anxieties build up throughout the day. Exercise and Skin Health Exercise has many benefits for your skin. In addition to the short-term benefits of giving an “instant glow,” the increased blood flow and stress-relieving qualities of physical activity can also reduce acne and slow the skin-aging process. Because exercise increases blood flow and circulation, regular exercise can help mitigate skin problems. Exercise causes pores to dilate, which allows sweat to remove any oils or bacteria that could cause acne. To maximize the benefits of this process, those who suffer from acne should promptly wash acne-prone areas with a gentle cleanser to remove impurities after exercising to prevent breakouts. Additionally, with careful mitigation of body temperature, hydration, clothing, and oncoming outbreaks, people with skin conditions such as eczema or rosacea can find exercise activities that work for them. Some possibilities include swimming, exercising indoors, taking frequent breaks during workouts to cool down and wearing exercise gear that is light and breathable allowing sweat to easily evaporate off your skin.  Look for cotton fabrics that are soft on the skin and looser fitting so they don’t irritate skin.    As our skin matures, it replaces cells more slowly and loses elasticity. Studies have shown that participants who exercise more frequently have younger-looking skin. The benefits are not just cumulative — those who started an exercise routine later in adult life still had younger-looking skin after routine exercise.  Quick Tips for Skin Safety Protect your skin during exercise. Before exercise: use a mineral-based SPF for outdoor exercise year-round and use a hairband or elastic to keep hair out of your eyes and face, to reduce the irritation and create a barrier against sweat. During exercise: dress for the season and use layers to manage your body temperature and sweat. Try UV-blocking clothing year-round for easy sun protection. Find lightweight, wicking layers for cooler weather. After exercise: A cooling, hydrating mist can replenish the skin after strenuous workouts. This helps the skin return to its normal temperature and can help reduce redness.

Keeping your home free of harmful toxins can greatly impact your health. Many generic cleaning products contain harmful toxic chemicals. You can begin a healthy home detox by switching to natural alternatives. 

In my experience, most people do not understand the importance of using sun protection to protect the body from the harmful effects of UV rays. Our body’s defense against these damaging rays results in thickened and darker skin.  A tan is not your friend, it is a reaction to these damaging rays and the source of free radical damage.  Although melanin becomes protective, it’s the process of producing the tan that causes the damage. Our melanocytes produce more granules of melanin to absorb and scatter the UV radiation. Melanin is most protective against UVB rays and unfortunately, UVA rays still penetrate deeper causing more damage and they also activate free radicals leading to skin aging and skin cancers. Sun Protection All Year Round UV light is just as strong in the winter months as it is during the summer months, and it penetrates glass when you are driving in the car or sitting next to a window. Eighty percent of the sun’s rays can still penetrate on a cloudy hazy day so do not be fooled by a cloudy sky.  We also receive UV damage from fluorescent light bulbs as well as the blue light of our computer screens, tablets, and smartphones.   Sun protection needs to be applied every day as part of a daily morning ritual. When headed out for extended periods of outdoor activity like going to the beach or a round of golf, it should be applied liberally approximately 20 minutes ahead of time. It is suggested to minimize excessive sun exposure during the mid-day peak hours of ten and three. Look for broad-spectrum sun protection that will protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Know the difference between types of ingredients that offer protection; physical protection and chemical protection.  The main difference lies in the way they protect the skin from UV rays.  What are physical sunscreens? Physical sunscreen ingredients literally block the UV rays by forming a physical shield that reflects rays away from the skin. Whereas a sunscreen that contains chemical ingredients absorbs the UV rays and do not allow them to pass through into the skin.  Keep in mind, no sunscreen ingredient is 100% effective at blocking the UV rays.  In fact, the Food and Drug Administration banned the term “sunblock” because it created a false sense of protection to consumers.    I personally prefer using a mineral sunblock which is also safe for our oceans and reefs. Some sunscreen ingredients, such as Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3) and octinoxate can stop the growth of green algae, accumulate in coral tissues, harm young animals, and disrupt the reproductive systems in mussels, sea urchins, fish, and dolphins.  Safe sunblock ingredients Safe mineral ingredients include (non-nano) titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.  A mineral sunblock sits on the surface of the skin and tends to be a safe option for even the most sensitive skin types. Whereas UV absorbing chemicals in sunscreens can be irritating and cause allergic reactions in some individuals. What does SPF mean? It is also important to understand what “SPF” means. SPF is a rating of the “Sun Protection Factor.” This number reflects how long a sun protection product protects the skin from burning, largely the UVB rays. For example, if your skin would normally burn after ten minutes in the sun, an SPF 30 sun protection product should allow you to stay in the sun without burning for approximately three hundred minutes. If you have fairer skin and would normally burn after five minutes, an SPF 30 sunscreen should allow you to stay in the sun for about one hundred fifty minutes.  It’s important to point out that swimming and perspiring break down the sun protection ingredients despite their SPF number and it should be reapplied more frequently due to that.  It’s a safe assumption to reapply approximately every two hours for most people. All sunscreens are required to have an SPF number.   Many scientists do not recommend the higher SPF numbers because there is a minimal advantage or greater protection but there is a much greater risk of sensitivity due to the higher chemical content. Additionally, some of those ingredients can themselves be converted to free radicals by exposure to UV rays.   Adding layers of sun protection I suggest looking for sun protection that contains antioxidants as part of the formula or adding it prior to your sunscreen application.  Antioxidants are free radical scavengers that help to neutralize the damaging effects of the UV rays.  They can also be applied after sun exposure, even sunburned skin, to help reduce redness and inflammation. Our clothing is also a good source of adequate protection, such as long sleeve, lightweight swim shirts, sunglasses, and of course hats.

In a busy, fast-paced world, taking a moment and making decisions with intention is a method for making sure your choices are based on your values and goals.

Dubois Beauty was born in a spa - created by Denise Dubois, founder and head of Complexions, two spas in upstate New York. Drawing from the natural surrounding and her expertise in esthetics, Denise created this line of nature-inspired, clean, and highly effective skincare products. With our roots in spas, we know that spa visits can play an important component in your health, wellbeing, and skincare. Regular spa facials can help address key skin concerns, and give your face a "reset." Massages can soothe, restore, and rebalance, helping your overall health and wellbeing.  Recreating the Spa at Home In between professional spa visits, you can recreate the spa experience by making your home a place of calm and relaxation. Even if you have a small space, simple choices can change the atmosphere in your home. Change into comfortable clothing: find soft, breathable and comfortable clothes that you can slip into after a day of being dressed for work (whether heels, scrubs, suits, or jeans). Find a quiet corner that can be a space for reading, journaling, or meditating. Clear it from clutter, and make it a place you can go to easily. Keep it separate from your phone, computer, or other technology. Selects scents that relax you, and find candles, essential oils, and diffusers that you can easily use in your home. Stay hydrated. Love the fruit water or herbal teas at your spa? Keep an infused water pitcher with fresh fruit, cucumber, and mint in your fridge. Make a large thermos full of herbal tea, and keep it on your counter for easy access. Create a playlist of music that calms and relaxes you. Many streaming music services have pre-programmed playlists that you can browse and customize. Aromatherapeutic Scents to Relax Scent plays an incredible role in creating a spa atmosphere and creating your own environment of relaxation. Try these scents in a diffuser, as a mist, in a candle, or dab essential oils on a washcloth or towel: Lavender Ylang ylang Lemon Bergamot Chamomile Jasmine Holy basil Sweet basil Rose Vetiver Geranium Spa Teas at Home  If you've sat in a relaxation area of a spa, sipping a cup of hot tea, you know the comfort and peace it can provide. Find your own corner to treat yourself to the same. Find herbal teas or mix your own loose teas with: Chamomile Peppermint Rose Lemon Balm Fennel Ginseng Dandelion

There are only 24 hours in the day, but more and more often, we find ourselves wishing we could squeeze in extra time, if just to get a head start on that next project or to catch up with a friend.

In our increasingly digital world, where texting has virtually eliminated the need for conversation, companies can be run over email, and more and more websites and applications keep our eyeballs glued to devices, it's easy to de-prioritize our human relationships. However, disconnecting from people can be bad for your health. Having a strong, nurturing support system has been shown to reduce stress and improve physical and emotional health. And while sleep, diet, exercise habits, and other lifestyle choices are all essential to your well-being, creating strong connections has equally powerful health implications.  Disconnect from Stress If you’re going through a particularly stressful period, consider leaning on a loved one to help ease your nerves. A 2010 study from the University of Chicago found that people in committed relationships produced less cortisol (the stress hormone) after answering a series of stress-inducing questions. Meaning it’s easier to bounce back from stress when you have a partner.  It makes sense. Overcoming challenges is always more difficult if you’re shouldering the burden alone. On the other hand, a supportive partner can talk through your frustrations with you, and, when necessary, provide a welcome distraction from the stressors. And if you aren’t in a committed romantic partnership, relationships can help support stress relief in other ways. Even a simple hug releases oxytocin, a hormone that can help release stress. So don’t be afraid to reach out—it could give you an instant mood lift.   Making Love Moves Spending time with the people we love has the power to remind us of who we are. A sensation that can improve our sense of self-worth, which, in turn, makes us want to take better care of ourselves. And if you generally spend time with a group of friends that values health, there’s a good chance you’ll adopt similar habits. A Hearty Dose of Love Being in a loving relationship doesn’t just make your heart flutter and skip a beat. Those in healthy long-term relationships have exhibited lower heart rates and blood pressure than single people. So, don’t be afraid of that heart-racing feeling of being around the one you love—it’s good for you!  Quality, Not Quantity  Studies have shown that those in healthy long-term relationships live longer; however, those in less positive long-term relationships can experience the opposite effect. Be thoughtful about who you include in your network. Make sure your loved ones make you feel good net positive, and if some members of your inner circle are consistently doing things that make you feel bad or hurt, it might be time to reevaluate their place in your life.  So, keep your loved ones close. Call that old friend you've been meaning to catch up with, sit down for a family dinner, or plan a date night and stick with it. Nurturing your connections has the potential to be life-changing. 

Exercising in nature is also known as “green exercise.” There are many benefits to overall health to exercising outdoors - including improved mental health as well as physical health.