There are lots of ways to practice self-love and caring for my skin is one I’ve learned to love in my own special resilient way! Smooth as a baby is a real thing and with age, skin needs more and different care, just like all of our parts inside and out. With this in mind, I finally embraced skincare in my 30s. While I must admit I am still one who is looking for the shortest route to the end result. I know this is definitely not going to get me the results that time and care will. So, onward I go as I head into my 40s, embracing skincare as an investment and not an expense (or major time-sucking drag!).
In my quest I have discovered that finding skincare products that feel right (both on, and ethically), smell delicious, and most importantly do their job, makes my self-love skincare sessions so much more enjoyable. Recently I had the pleasure of meeting a brand that offers just such products, LEKKO Aesthetics, and the company’s founder (and formulator!), Danielle Augustino. We chatted about her story and skincare, and I’ve been enjoying a few of her goods. Read on to learn more about Danielle, LEKKO, and her tips for nurturing your skin!
Meet Danielle Augustino & LEKKO Aesthetics
Originally from Buffalo, NY, Danielle Augustino is a skincare connoisseur to know. With 14 years of experience in aesthetic dermatology and plastic surgery, Danielle currently practices as a Board Certified Physician Associate at Bitar Cosmetic Surgery Institute while also running LEKKO Aesthetics.
After years of working in the beauty industry, Danielle decided to take her passion for mixing up her own skincare products to the next level. As a vegan, she noticed a gap in the vegan anti-aging products category. So she became a Certified Skincare Formulator and started LEKKO Aesthetics in 2019. Pronounced ‘layko’, and meaning “lightly, gently, easily” in Polish, a tribute to Danielle’s heritage, LEKKO is devoted to creating the highest quality skincare, starting with the ingredients and carrying all the way through to the sustainability of the packaging, always with strict ethical standards.
Giving Back
Prior to launching LEKKO Aesthetics, Danielle Augustino decided a portion of proceeds from the sale of products would benefit Fantastic Friends of Western New York. This organization is near and dear to her heart as her brother has severe Autism. Danielle’s mother, the President of Fantastic Friends of WNY, created this organization knowing there is a great need for these individuals and their families. So, with each LEKKO purchase, you are contributing to programs that allow these individuals to be in a safe and accepting environment.
Danielle’s Top Tips for Great Skin As You Age
QUALITY INGREDIENTS ARE KEY
According to Danielle Augustino, quality ingredients are essential when it comes to good skincare. Not just the right one for the job, but also the most pure and ethically produced. Number 1 on her list, and because we all need to hear this again as summer comes, is sunscreen! And when it comes to all the other ingredients, Danielle Augustino offers up helpful lists. And there are a couple of key ingredients that shine across the LEKKO collection.
The Best Ingredients for Anti-aging
ANTIOXIDANTS
Antioxidants help protect the skin from oxidative damage caused by free radicals and environmental aggressors like UV and pollution. A common example of an antioxidant ingredient is ascorbic acid. Having them in your skincare products will help defend against damage and help slow skin aging.
Brightening & Hydrating Antioxidant Eye Cream
This might be my favorite LEKKO product! I love the smell and love the way it feels like it is working when applied. The cool refreshing feeling is a welcomed moment in my self-love skincare routine! An antioxidant-infused eye cream designed to brighten and rejuvenate the eye area while improving the appearance of dark circles with Vitamin K, minimizing swelling with Arnica, and increasing hydration resulting in an improvement of the appearance of fine lines with Hyaluronic Acid.
Detox & Glow, Antioxidant Radiance Mask
While this one required a bit more work than I like I love how it felt when I found time to fit it in. And it served as a perfect moment of self-love via skincare. A creamy antioxidant-rich anti-aging mask that hydrated and gently exfoliated my skin resulting in a clearly more radiant complexion.
AHA’s
Appearing as glycolic and lactic acids, AHA’s (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) exfoliate and cleanse the outermost layer of the skin. Thus lifting away dead skin cells and impurities, revealing radiant, healthy skin.
In LEKKO’s Age-Defying Exfoliating Detox Cleanser, AHA and BHA are combined. The BHA’s (Beta Hydroxy Acids, Ex: Salicylic), break up the intercellular “glue” which holds skin cells together, resulting in exfoliation of the skin and unclogging of pores.
Age-Defying AHA/BHA Exfoliating Detox Cleanser
This luxurious exfoliating gel cleanser contains a blend of acids (AHA’s, BHA’s), jojoba beads, antioxidants, and extracts that cleanse pores, removing impurities, and the build-up of dead skin cells. My skin is a bit on the sensitive side so as suggested I used this sparingly and only a couple of times a week. I loved how it left my skin clean and refreshed and not stripped.
HYALURONIC ACID
Hyaluronic Acid improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It’s also compatible with all skin types.
Hyaluronic Acid Hydration Cream
Naturally derived and paraben-free, LEKKO’s Hyaluronic Acid Hydration Cream is for all skin types. Offering a blend of hyaluronic acid and light oils to deliver multiple layers of hydration. This cream reduces the appearance of fine lines, and skin appears more supple and radiant.
RETINOIDS (Coming soon!)
Coming soon to LEKKO will be a Retinol product. A perfectly formulated blend designed to showcase the gold standard status of retinoids in anti-aging skincare. When it comes to using retinoids one should always start at a low percentage and go slow. Depending on your skin type, start with 1-2 nights per week. Avoid application around the eyes, and near the corners of the nose or mouth as the skin is thinner and more sensitive. And always wear a minimum spf30, the sunscreen in your makeup is probably not enough.
PEPTIDES
Peptides are naturally occurring in the skin, but are also included in many skincare products for good reason. They are amino acids that make up things like collagen. So adding peptides can stimulate collagen growth, leading to firmer skin. As natural collagen production decreases with age, finding products with peptides is one way to help decrease the appearance of wrinkly skin.
The Holy Grail of Skincare Ingredients
While Danielle’s Holy Grail list includes some of same as above like AHA’s, Peptides, and Hyaluronic Acid, it also includes some other key ingredients, Tretinoin, Niacinamide, and the fabulous Vitamin C.
VITAMIN C & NIACINAMIDE
Vitamin C, especially when blended with Ferulic Acid, is fabulous for skincare. It helps improves brown spots, texture, dullness, and appearance of fine lines, protects against free radicals, and promotes a healthy glow.
Vitamin C Illuminating Antioxidant Serum
LEKKO’s Vitamin C Serum offers a blend of antioxidants and Vitamin C in its purest form. Designed to be an age-defying serum, this product delivers benefits to include brighter, smoother, more radiant, and even-toned skin. Key ingredients in addition to Vitamin C include L-Ascorbic Acid, Ferulic Acid, Niacinamide, and Vitamin E.
MAKE TIME TO EXFOLIATE
Exfoliating is an essential part of keeping skin healthy and a great self-love skincare ritual!. Removing dead skin cells allows new ones to surface giving your daily glow an instant boost. Exfoliating also cleanses away any deep dirt which may lead to future problems.
Exfoliate & Resurface Face & Lip Renewal with Hemp Seed Oil
This gentle exfoliant infused with hemp oil and antioxidants, polishes and refines all skin textures, except sensitive, by washing away dead skin cells, resulting in a brighter, more radiant complexion.
LEKKO Aesthetics also has plans to release a new full-body scrub soon as well. This is sure to be perfect for some self-love skincare!
GET YOUR NIGHT CREAM ON
Acting as a repairing blanket for your skin, night creams are a great skincare tool for some serious self-love!
Youthful Radiance Night Oil
The power of a night cream is often overlooked, but when I used this product I quickly remembered. The scent of this one was not a personal favorite, but not bad in any way and it certainly didn’t keep me from enjoying the nourished appearance of my skin in the morning! Consisting of the finest and most luxurious organic and cold-pressed oils, the Youthful Radiance Night oil delivers hydration, antioxidants, and vitamins while you sleep resulting in a more radiant complexion come morning.
Shop LEKKO Asethetics at lekkoaesthetics.com.
More to Love!
How to Curate the Perfect Skincare Regime
Discover the Best Anti-Aging Ingredients to Look for When It Comes to Skincare
