The Wash

Fall is one of the most productive seasons in the treatment room. As UV exposure decreases and temperatures drop, the skin shifts into repair mode which means it responds well to clinical support. Clients who spent summer managing oil, sensitivity, and post-sun damage are ready to see real results. And practitioners who have been cautious about microneedling through the summer months have a clear opening. What we see at the start of fall is consistent: barrier stress from the shift in temperature and humidity, skin that is drier than clients expect, and some residual pigmentation and oxidative damage from summer. The instinct is to jump straight into stronger actives. What works better is restoring barrier function first, then supporting the skin's own repair process with targeted clinical work. This is the framework we rely on most coming into fall in treatment and at home. REJUVENATING CLEANSER Role: Cleanse without stripping Restores barrier lipids that summer heat, sweat, and over-cleansing depleted Sets the skin up to receive hydration and treatment layers without tightness Appropriate for skin that has shifted drier as temperatures drop The move back to the Rejuvenating Cleanser in fall is often noticeable to clients immediately. Skin that felt oily and needed a lighter touch in summer responds differently once humidity drops. REPLENISHING MIST Role: Immediate hydration and prep Willow bark supports gentle exfoliation and improved absorption Helps address the dehydration that comes with heating systems and drier air Can be used between layers during treatment and throughout the day Fall air, and especially indoor heating, pulls moisture from the skin quickly. This step counters that at every point in the routine. BOOSTING COLLAGEN SERUM Role: Hydration and collagen signaling Supports collagen synthesis as the skin enters its natural repair cycle Lightweight enough to layer under heavier support Bridges hydration and repair without barrier stress Fall is when this serum earns its place. The skin's repair processes are most active in cooler months, and consistent collagen signaling through the season produces results clients notice by winter. BIOACTIVE REGENERATING OIL Role: Lipid replenishment Restores barrier lipids and supports elasticity through seasonal transition Pairs well with microneedling protocols;  supports healing and reduces downtime Can serve as a retinoid-adjacent option without the peeling This oil stays in the protocol year-round. In fall and winter, the lipid support it provides becomes visibly more important as the environment becomes more depleting. SENSING REPAIR CREAM Role: Seal and calm Reinforces the lipid matrix and anchors hydration overnight Reduces reactivity and sensitivity during the transition to cooler, drier air Supports recovery between microneedling sessions The heavier support of the Sensing Repair Cream becomes appropriate again in fall. Clients who used the Tonifying Protective Lotion through summer will feel the difference and appreciate the shift. A NOTE ON MICRONEEDLING THIS SEASON Fall is the ideal time to start a microneedling series. UV exposure is decreasing, the skin is in repair mode, and clients have the patience and bandwidth to commit to a protocol. A three-session series started in October produces meaningful results by the holiday season, which is exactly when clients want to see them. The TOMA Micro+ protocol keeps depth conservative and focused: 0.25–0.5mm as the foundation for most treatments, 1.0mm only for pitting scars and sun damage. Efficacy does not require aggression. Clients who are new to microneedling tolerate this approach well, and results compound with each session. If you have been considering adding microneedling to your practice, or restarting after a summer pause, now is the time. The most effective fall protocols support barrier restoration first, then layer in clinical work as the skin stabilizes. This framework adapts across treatment room and retail and gives clients what they need to transition into the season without overcorrecting or overwhelming skin that is already adjusting on its own.

We may have heard it all throughout our awkward pimply adolescent years... oil is the enemy and we need to banish it with harsh apricot scrubs and alcohol pads. It turns out drying out acneic skin is a misnomer and the right facial oil blend will actually work to fight bacteria and heal your skin. Facial oils are all over the market, but it's important to understand exactly how they work and how to choose the right one.  A clean facial oil is great for all skin types, not just if you have acne. We know those with oily skin often avoid extra oil out of fear of clogging pores and creating more breakouts. Let's be clear, the right facial oil will not clog pores and cause acne. It's counterintuitive, we know, but the right facial oil can treat acne better than any harsh drying acid that was pitched to us over the past 30 years. Newsflash: most topical oils are not the cause of acne. The underlying root of acne often times runs on a deeper, systemic level and is exasperated by hormone disrupting chemicals found in food we eat, the things we put on our skin, and our environment that mess with our endocrine system.  Fight Fire With Fire Due to the chemical nature of breakouts, the cellular turnover of acneic skin is five times faster than non-acneic skin. With the overproduction of oil plus skin cells shedding faster than a person can cleanse, the skin becomes congested.  Using an oil on already oily skin sounds illogical, but a common mistake in acne treatments is to strip the skin of its natural oils or to use “oil-free” cleansers. When you remove the skin of its natural oils, it will compensate for the loss and create even more oil in an effort to rehydrate itself. The excess oil, plus extra dead skin causes clogged, angry pores. Courtney Buras, Master Esthetician at The Still Point Spa, sees many clients with acne and has seen firsthand the benefits of facial oils. Courtney shares, “Oils help balance out the overproduction of oil because it's lipophilic, so it makes its way into the follicle where oil is present and attracts oil from the pores. Skin is left hydrated but not congested." TOMA's Bioactive Regenerating Oil is infused with natural fruit acids and essential oils to micro-exfoliate and cleanse the pores for overall healthier skin. The specific oil and source are important Since lipids are rapidly absorbed by the skin, the chemical properties of the oil and source need to be understood. Some oils are comedogenic (meaning they clog pores), so oils like shea, fractionated coconut oil, and sesame oils should be avoided. Oils we recommend for acne:  • Tamanu Oil:  A Polynesian oil that's known for killing bacteria heals current breakouts, prevents future breakouts, and reduces scarring. • Grapeseed Oil: Contains antimicrobial properties that can treat breakouts by attacking bacteria and clears pores. • Argan Oil: Regulates sebum production and reduces breakouts. Its high antioxidant concentration removes damaged cells and fosters new cell growth, helping to fade scars. Healing acne is 90% done at home with a consistent, simple regimen with powerful plant-based formulas. Washing your face twice a day and hydrating with a product like TOMA’s Bioactive Regenerating Oil will turn your skin from greasy to glowing.