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When it comes to clear pores and balanced oil production, exfoliation is an essential element of any skincare routine. After cleansing, toning, and exfoliating, however, it’s important to hydrate and protect the skin. There are countless products on the market that provide these benefits individually, but there’s also one ingredient that packs a one-two punch of exfoliation AND hydration: lactic acid.

Lactic acid plays several key roles in supporting the function of cells, tissues, and organs in the body. It’s an energy source for mitochondria, a signaling molecule, and a precursor for glucose production.

What does that have to do with skincare?

Lactic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that is commonly used in over-the-counter skincare products to remove dead skin cells, correct hyperpigmentation, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Here’s everything you need to know about lactic acid in skincare.

What is Lactic Acid?

As previously mentioned, lactic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid – one of the most popular over-the-counter AHAs, in fact. It’s also used in professional-strength spa products. This AHA provides both exfoliating and hydrating benefits – it can even stimulate collagen production.

Before lactic acid was integrated into modern skincare products, it was used around the world for skincare in its most natural form. Dairy products are rich in lactic acid. It’s what gives soured milk its distinctive smell and tang. Milk baths have long been a popular treatment to soften and beautify the skin. Today, however, lactic acid can be found in many skincare products.

What Benefits Does It Have for Skin?

The primary skin benefits of lactic acid are linked to its exfoliating and hydrating properties. What makes this AHA so popular is the fact that it can facilitate noticeable change in the skin when used regularly. It’s also one of the more gentle hydroxy acids found in skincare products.

Here’s an overview of some of the benefits this AHA can provide:

Lactic acid helps remove dead cells from the skin’s surface by dissolving the bonds that bind them together – in other words, it acts as an exfoliator.
It can reduce the visible signs of aging by stimulating collagen renewal when used regularly.
This AHA speeds up cell turnover and cell renewal. It can give you a brighter complexion with smoother, softer skin by replacing old cells with new cells.
Lactic acid helps strengthen the skin’s natural moisture barrier to protect against dry skin.
It can be beneficial for individuals struggling with keratosis pilaris. It helps dissolve the plugs that form around the hair follicle, creating “chicken skin” bumps.

While lactic acid is gentler than many AHAs, it is still a very strong treatment and should be used with caution. Potential side effects include sun sensitivity, skin irritation, redness, burning, or swelling. Individuals with very sensitive skin should avoid lactic acid and this AHA should not be combined with the use of topical retinoids.

Popular Yon-Ka Products that Contain Lactic Acid

Lactic acid can be found in several different types of skincare products. Leave-on treatments like creams, serums, and lotions with lactic acid should be used as directed to avoid sun damage, and wearing sunscreen daily is a must. If you’re looking for a stronger dose, try a peel or mask.

Here are some popular Yon-Ka products containing lactic acid to consider:

Alpha-Peel – This anti-wrinkle night concentrate gel helps refine, refresh, and revitalize the complexion overnight. The lactic acid in the product offers exfoliation benefits which pair perfectly with the renewing and hydrating benefits of Alpha-Fluide
Essential White Solution Clarte – Formulated to treat dark spots and pigmentation, this solution is a brightening and exfoliating treatment. The lactic acid it contains is included for its exfoliating benefits and for helping unify the complexion. For best results, use in conjunction with the Essential White collection of products.
Juvenil – This purifying anti-blemish concentrate provides a balanced approach to treating imperfections. The lactic acid in this product acts as a post-biotic to help balance the skin’s pH and support healthy microflora.
SOS Spot – Designed as a roll-on treatment, this product purifies the skin of acne-causing bacteria and offers post-biotic benefits to protect the skin’s healthy microflora. The lactic acid in this product also helps balance the skin’s pH.
Hydra+ Booster – Hydrating for all skin types, this booster is intended to be added to your usual moisturizer. The lactic acid in this product helps to soften and hydrate the skin.

Please consult your Yon-Ka trained esthetician for the best recommendations of how to use lactic acid in your skin care routine.

If you’re familiar with my skincare line, you’re probably also familiar with Triple Berry Smoothing Peel. This best-selling product is loved by beauty editors, celebrity clients, and customers alike, thanks to its ability to target a multitude of skin concerns at once. Whether it’s enlarged or clogged pores, breakouts, hyperpigmentation, uneven texture, or dull-looking skin, this peel can work wonders! 

After being out of stock for over a year (and amassing almost a 5,000-person waitlist!), I’m so happy to announce that Triple Berry Smoothing Peel is back! It has the same brightening antioxidant berry blend and the same great exfoliating benefits, and it still looks and smells just like raspberry jam. However, we gave the formula some exciting new updates. In this post, I’ll share them with you in detail. Let’s dive in.

Why Triple Berry Was Out of Stock

Like so many other companies, we were hit with supply chain disruptions at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. These disruptions led to one of the ingredients used in Triple Berry Smoothing Peel being discontinued. The ingredient was a unique polymer that was used to thicken the formula and give the peel its signature, jelly-like formula. This polymer was very difficult to replicate, so it took time.  

Finding out an important ingredient in one of your best-selling products is unavailable is not a good feeling, but I knew I had to pivot quickly and figure out the next steps. I asked myself, “Where can I find the silver lining in this?” After going through the options, I decided the best course of action was to reformulate Triple Berry Smoothing Peel. It’s been over ten years since I first launched this product (how time flies!), and one thing I’m very committed to is making sure the products in my line are up to date. While I never formulate based on what’s trendy, I always want to make use of the best and latest innovations in skincare when appropriate. I decided this was the perfect opportunity to reevaluate Triple Berry and modernize the formulation. 

While it took longer than I would’ve liked, it was incredibly important to me to get this reformulation exactly right. I went through so many samples and versions with our lab until, finally, we came up with something I was proud to put out into the world. I know it’s been a long road, and I can’t say how much I appreciate our wonderful customers for being patient with us!

Meet the New Formula

When I initially started thinking about this reformulation, the first step was to take into account all the feedback we’d gotten about the peel over the years. One of the biggest complaints we heard over and over again was that it wasn’t pregnancy-safe due to the inclusion of salicylic acid. Anyone who’s been pregnant knows hormonal shifts can send breakouts and hyperpigmentation into overdrive, and Triple Berry is perfect for those concerns. We wanted to make sure the peel was accessible to all of our customers, so, step one was to remove salicylic acid, making it pregnancy-safe.

Note: If you still want to use salicylic acid in your routine, I suggest using an exfoliating acid serum, such as the BHA Clarifying Serum or the Pore + Wrinkle Perfecting Serum. These can be used on exfoliation nights when you aren’t using the peel. 

Additionally, you can use the Rapid Response Detox Masque after rinsing off Triple Berry Smoothing Peel. These two products have been so effective for managing breakouts when used together. If you have the time and want to take it a step further, use this peel/mask duo as part of an at-home facial.

Say Hello to the New Ingredients

To ensure the peel was still great for combatting breakouts and clogged pores, I then opted to add a few new exfoliating acids. The main way this peel fights breakouts and congestion is by removing dead skin cells that can fall into the lining of your pores and cause blockages.

Next, I decided to add an exciting new ingredient that would take this peel to the next level in terms of fading hyperpigmentation. I also chose to add a few more soothing ingredients to help keep the skin comfortable. 

Here’s a breakdown of all the new ingredients.

Phytic Acid

First is phytic acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid naturally found in certain grains and legumes (though for skincare purposes, it’s synthesized in a lab). It’s been shown effective in reducing acne and enlarged pores, and it’s also helpful for combatting post-breakout marks and fine lines.

Gluconolactone

Gluconolactone is a PHA, which stands for poly-hydroxy acid. This group of exfoliating acids works in the same way AHAs and BHAs do, but they have a larger molecule size so they’re more gentle. Gluconolactone also hydrates the skin while it exfoliates.

PHAs were originally patented by the brand NeoStrata around 1994, which meant they had exclusive rights to use them in skincare formulations. That patent expired a few years ago, which means PHAs are now fair game and can be used by other skincare formulators such as myself. Exciting!

Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate (Azelaic Acid)

Pronouncing this one is no easy feat, but potassium azeloyl diglycinate is actually just a derivative of azelaic acid. Azelaic acid is known for improving acne and calming redness and irritation (it’s even used in some prescriptions for rosacea). It’s also been proven very effective at fading hyperpigmentation.

The reason we chose to go with a derivative instead of azelaic acid itself is that, from a cosmetic chemistry standpoint, azelaic acid is very hard to work with. It’s difficult to stabilize unless it’s used in very minimalistic formulas—basically, it doesn’t play well with other active ingredients.

Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate is a fairly new ingredient, and it’s just as beneficial for addressing hyperpigmentation. Whether it’s hormonally-driven, like melasma, or caused by sun damage or past breakouts, this ingredient can help. Used consistently, it encourages brighter-looking, more even-toned skin.

Allantoin and Mirabilis Jalapa Extract

Allantoin and Mirabilis jalapa are both excellent soothing ingredients, and they’re definitely the cherry on top of all these great, new additions to Triple Berry Smoothing Peel. My goal is always to create effective products that make a noticeable change in the skin without irritating it, so adding these ingredients was key.

In addition to adding more soothing ingredients, I really wanted to go the extra mile to make sure this peel would be safe for all 9 Skin Types to use. I opted to have it go through clinical testing, where it was administered to over 50 participants. Their reactions were monitored, and I’m happy to say none of them were adverse. 

Even though this peel has been clinically demonstrated to be non-irritating, everyone is different. We always recommend patch testing a new product before using it for the first time. Even if you used the previous version of Triple Berry Smoothing Peel, it’s a good idea to patch-test this one.

This reformulation has been a labor of love. After over a year of research and testing, I’m thrilled to send it out into the world. I can’t wait for you to try it, and I hope you love it as much as I do. If you want to know more about how to use Triple Berry Smoothing Peel, check out the FAQs on the product page.

Use up all your CSA veggies with easy-to-make fritters. These zucchini kohlrabi carrot fritters with herb yogurt sauce make for a quick and delicious weeknight dinner.

Veggie fritters are my new saving grace. Since we started getting our weekly CSA boxes this summer, I’ve had to step up my meal planning game. By planning out our dinners for the week in advance, I make sure no CSA veg gets left behind. Otherwise, it’s food waste city up in here and we can’t have that.

The last two weekends in a row, we’ve had family and friends visiting and staying with us, which meant eating out won over cooking at home. That left me with a TON of veggies to use in just a few days until our next CSA pick up. The solution?

FRITTERS!

Fritters to the rescue, my friends. You can grate up almost any veggie combination, mix it with some spices, egg, and flour and fry those babies up like there’s no tomorrow. Easy peasy.

 

This week I had an abundance of zucchini, kohlrabi, carrots, and spring onion so they ALL went into the fritter batter.

I almost forgot the most important reason that I love fritters – it transforms the veggies. Full disclosure, I’m not the biggest zucchini fan. I know, veggie blasphemy. But I’ve discovered that if I grate zucchini and throw it into fritters or tacos or sauce, I totally dig it. Problem solved. If there’s a veggie that you’re not over the moon for, try grating it into a fritter and see what you think!

Never heard of kohlrabi? It looks and tastes like a turnip but it’s a little sweeter and milder in flavor. Kohlrabi hails from the brassica family, which is known for its chronic-disease fighting antioxidants. It’s an excellent source of vitamin K and vitamin C (contains more vitamin C than orange juice!) and a good source of fiber. There’s lots you can do in the kitchen with kohlrabi:

thinly slice and eat raw with a yogurt dip
shred into a slaw or salad
roast it in the oven
sauté it (you can sauté the leaves too!)
puree into a soup
shred it into fritters!

I love the crispy exterior of these fritters – it makes for a seriously satisfying meal. And paired with a bright lemony herb yogurt dressing, it’s legit. 
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Tell me, have you ever made veggie fritters? Do you have a go-to meal to use up all your vegetables?

Crockpot Chicken Tacos (or Instant Pot) – The Real Food Dietitians

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Always skipping breakfast? Looking for a way to streamline your morning? These 5 on-the-go breakfast recipes are exactly what you need!

Breakfast is by far the most commonly skipped meal. Sometimes you just need to hit snooze a few more times than usual! On mornings like this, it can be so helpful to have an on-the-go breakfast recipe that you’ve either already prepped ahead of time, or can quickly make and run out the door with. 

Using the Foundational Five to Create On-The-Go Breakfast Recipes

In case you’re new to the NS Community and the Mindful Nutrition Method, the Foundational Five system is part of how we teach you to build balanced meals. It makes it easy for you to give your body the nourishment you need while having the flexibility to enjoy the foods you love without stressing about food.

The Foundational Five is made up of five elements of nutrition including Protein, Fat, Non-starchy Carbohydrates, Starchy & Sugary Carbohydrates, and the Flavor Factor (which brings vibrancy, deliciousness, and enjoyment to your meals). 

You can download our free guide that walks you through our Foundational Five system for creating balanced meals that you can use to meal prep or cook fresh this week!

5 On-The-Go Breakfast Recipes

Test out some of these Nutrition Stripped on-the-go favorites the next time you’re in need of a quick breakfast recipe.

1. Cinnamon Tahini Smoothie Packed with Protein

Smoothies are an awesome way to get all the nourishment you need first thing in the morning, in a compact, speedy way. You have the option to prep these ahead of time and quickly blend the morning of, or you can simply assemble and blend all at once. 

This particular smoothie is such a delicious way to combine the cool, refreshing feel of summer with the savory, comforting flavors of fall. The tahini adds a deliciously creamy mouthfeel while the cinnamon adds a surprisingly satisfying taste. 

2. Peach and Blackberry Yogurt Bowl

A lot of people are surprised when I recommend yogurt bowls as an on-the-go option, but hear me out. It may not be something you’re eating in the car during your morning commute, but you can certainly assemble it in less than 10-minutes and take it with you as you run out the door. 

The night prior, quickly grab your favorite food storage container and toss your yogurt of choice inside. Then the next morning as you’re heading out the door, grab the container, toss in your toppings, close the container and give it a shake. As soon as you get to your destination, you have a delicious, nourishing breakfast waiting for you!

I love this peach and blackberry yogurt bowl because the only work you have to do is chop a peach. Everything else just gets added with ease.

3. Veggie Egg Bake

Grab-and-go options need to be prepared quickly and easy to travel with. This veggie egg bake is just that! You can make it up to a month in advance and store it in the freezer, or two weeks in advance and keep it in the refrigerator. 

It’s a great way to get a protein-packed breakfast without having to scramble up some eggs when you’re rushing around in the morning!

4. Simple Mango Chia Pudding

Just like the egg bake above, this Simple Mango Chia Pudding is a great breakfast option to prep in advance for a busy week ahead. It’s great because you can prepare single servings, that way if you’re only busy on one or two mornings, you can prep the exact amount that you need. 

This chia pudding is so satiating due to the chia seeds! You can prep these in mason jars to make them super travel-friendly. 

5. Cherry Cardamom Bircher Muesli

If you’re not a fan of chia seed pudding or simply don’t enjoy the taste, muesli is a great alternative. It too can be prepped the night before in single-serving amounts, it just has a slightly different taste and texture. 

It’s made with all raw ingredients, which means less prep time in the kitchen. Plus, it’s packed with energizing starchy carbohydrates, and antioxidant-filled cherries. 

Tips For Making On-The-Go Breakfast Recipes

There are a few tips you should keep in mind that will help you out a bit when prepping these 5 on-the-go breakfast recipes. 

Invest in good quality storage containers 

Having quality storage containers can make all the difference when you’re frequently taking your breakfast on the go. It can ensure your prepped meals stay fresh longer, and prevent any leaking or spills while traveling. 

Get into a good planning groove 

Planning is such a key part of making busy mornings stress-free. Pick a day (as well as ideally one backup day) where you’ll take a look at your week ahead and plan out what you’ll need for meals. That way, you can determine how many on-the-go meals you’ll need, and can therefore prep and shop accordingly. 

FAQs About These On-The-Go Breakfast Recipes

Have a few questions? Check out these FAQs! 

What if I don’t like some of these ingredients?

The great part about all of these recipes is that they’re so versatile and flexible. Not a fan of mango? Totally fine! Swap it out for some raspberries or strawberries. Can’t stand asparagus? Feel free to leave it out! Don’t let a few ingredients stop you from enjoying the ease and convenience these recipes can give you. 

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