Skincare Insights

Happy summer gorgeous! This isn't your grandma's skincare lecture. We're diving deep into the nitty-gritty of UV damage, exposing the sneaky ways it sabotages your skin. And honey, it's not pretty. The Science of Sun Damage: UVA vs. UVB: UVA rays penetrate deeper into your skin, causing long-term damage like wrinkles and age spots. UVB rays are the primary culprit behind sunburns, but they also contribute to skin cancer. Free Radicals: UV radiation generates free radicals, unstable molecules that wreak havoc on your skin cells, damaging DNA and accelerating aging. Photoaging: This is the premature aging of your skin caused by chronic sun exposure. It goes beyond wrinkles – think leathery texture, uneven tone, and broken capillaries. Inflammation: Sunburn is an inflammatory response, but even subtler sun exposure can trigger low-grade inflammation, which contributes to skin aging and other issues. Why Sunscreen Isn't Enough: Let's be real, sunscreen isn't perfect. It can wear off, wash off, and sometimes, those sneaky UV rays still manage to slip through the cracks. Plus, sunscreen doesn't protect against other environmental aggressors like pollution and blue light, which can also contribute to skin damage. Sun Damage: The B*tch That Never Sleeps Think of UV rays as tiny little vampires, sucking the life out of your collagen and elastin. These are the proteins that keep your skin plump and juicy, like a ripe peach. But with each unprotected sun exposure, those proteins break down, leaving you with wrinkles and the appearance of older looking skin that is truly unnecessary at the time when we have so many And let's not forget those charming little souvenirs called sunspots. They're like unwanted tattoos from that spring break fling you'd rather forget. But the sun's evil plans don't stop there. It also triggers inflammation, messes with your DNA, and basically throws a tantrum on your face, leaving it looking dull and lifeless. Sunscreen: It's Not a Magic Shield  Now, I'm not saying sunscreen is useless. It's your first line of defense, but it's not foolproof. It wears off, sweats off, and those sneaky UV rays can still find a way to wreak havoc. 6 Sunscreen Tips to Save Your Skin (and Your Sanity): Don't be a cheap: Slather on a shot glass full for your body and a quater-sized dollop for your face. Think of it as an investment in your future wrinkle-free self. Timing is everything: Apply sunscreen 15 minutes BEFORE sun exposure. This gives it time to bind to your skin and form a protective barrier. Mixology is for cocktails, not skincare: Don't dilute your sunscreen by mixing it with moisturizer or makeup. It'll weaken its protective powers. Layer it on, baby: Apply a thin layer first, let it dry, then go in with a thicker second coat. This ensures even coverage and maximum protection. Protect the hot spots: Pay extra attention to areas that get more sun exposure, like your nose, ears, and the tops of your feet. Reapply like a boss: Every two hours, or more often if you're sweating or swimming. And don't forget those lips! (A lip balm with SPF is your friend.)   The Montrbo Skincare Approach: At Montrbo, we believe in a holistic approach to skincare. That means protecting your skin from the inside out, with a combination of: Smart Sun Protection: Choose a broad-spectrum (UVA + UVB) sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and a plate before your foundation makeup. Your makeup is not enough!!  Antioxidant Power: Eat and use more antioxidants like Vitamin A, C and E to neutralize free radicals and repair damage from the inside out.  Skin-Nourishing Ingredients: Look for products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides, and ceramides to hydrate, plump, and protect your skin barrier. Mindful Lifestyle Choices: Eat a healthy diet, manage stress, and prioritize sleep for optimal skin health. Accidently got a sunburn?  I got you! As soon as you notice, redness or the feeling of burning, get out of the sun and cool off your skin with a cold compress. Then apply our  Vitalizing Vitamin B Serum or Beauty Elixir  to mop up free radical damage and help your skin heal faster. Ditch the alcohol-laden after-sun products and reach for a soothing blend of oatmeal and aloe vera instead.  Did you know that Exfoliating is Your Way to Smoothness and Sun Protection? Sure is! Regular exfoliation is key to removing dead skin cells and preventing clogged pores (which can lead to breakouts). The Pro Transformation Pads are a gentle yet effective way to slough off that dullness and reveal your natural radiance. Plus, they help your sunscreen penetrate better, so you get the most out of your sun protection. The Montrbo Skincare Difference: At Montrbo, we're not just about slapping on sunscreen and calling it a day. We believe in a holistic approach to skincare, combining smart sun protection with potent antioxidants, hydrating ingredients, and a whole lot of self-love. So buckle up, babes. We're about to embark on a summer skin journey that'll leave you glowing, radiant, and armed with the knowledge to fight back against the sun's reign of terror. XOXO, Cody 

But that's not all - peptides also aid in shrinking pores, helping to refine the texture of your skin. Who doesn't want smaller pores? Say goodbye to clogged pores and hello to smoother, clearer skin.

  Embracing Your Beauty and True Self This Valentine's - Love, Skin Deep and Beyond Hey Beautiful Souls, In a world obsessed with Instagram-perfect love stories, Valentine's Day can feel like the Super Bowl of superficial affection.   Here's a thought: What if we've got it all wrong about Valentine's Day? What if it's not about snaring the perfect partner with overpriced chocolates and grand gestures but about something deeper, something more personal? Remember the Valentine's ads pushing for that sparkly ring, suggesting love's only legit if there's a diamond involved? Yeah, let's talk about that. My friends and I once sobbed over single roses like they were tragic tokens of lost love. "No card, no love," we'd declare, drowning our sorrows in wine and threats never to date again because men are losers.   I'm truly embarrassed to admit how long I let Hallmark and Hershey's dictate my worth on Valentine's Day.  In 2005, post-breakup, I found myself in church, of all places, on Valentine's Day. The preacher said something that stuck: "God is love, and that love is everywhere — not just in some dude who forgot to make dinner reservations." Mind. Blown. If divine love is in everything, then why are we outsourcing our happiness? So, I embarked on a mission to debunk the myths of mainstream romance. Here's what I've learned: The Love Audit: Before you draft your partner's improvement plan, ask yourself, "When was the last time I was the partner I'm seeking?" DIY Love: Waiting for someone else to make you happy? Plot twist: Happiness is a DIY project. The Inside Job: Seeking love? Spoiler alert: The treasure hunt ends where it starts — with you. Love isn't about grand gestures or ticking societal boxes. It's messy, loud, and sometimes, it's about finding peace in your own company (or with your dog, who's probably the most consistent lover you'll ever know). So, as we approach Valentine's Day, let's redefine love. Not as a quest for external validation but as an inner journey of self-acceptance. Your skincare routine isn't just about looking good; it's a ritual of self-care and love. Next time you're applying that hydrating serum, remember, it's not just your skin that's soaking in love — it's your soul, too. This Valentine's, let's not just fall in love with someone else. Let's fall in love with ourselves, our journey, and yes, our beautifully imperfect skin. Because the greatest love story you'll ever write is the one you pen for yourself. Much love to you, Cody and the Montarbo team 

Wish you could experience firmer skin that appears more youthful looking without Botox or the need for aggressive anti-aging facial injections?  Well gorgeous, you are in luck! Our NEW Peptide Repair Cream is formulated with an exceptional amount of peptides and skin-repairing ingredients that have unbelievable anti-aging effects similar to receiving facial injections like Botox.  Peptides contain growth factors that work to profoundly stimulate cell production, reviving impaired skin cells that breakdown and lose their communication speed resulting in a loss of collagen and elasticity, making the skin appear dull and more wrinkled.  So whenever Peptides are applied to the skin consistently, collagen and elastin fiber proteins become stimulated resulting in firmer and more plump skin, especially around the eye area.    If you feel like you’ve done everything imaginable to combat the effects of stress, wrinkles, fine lines, and aging skin, then this product is going to a total game changer for you. (Watch video below to hear my story on how I created these Peptides, and how I almost didn’t bring them to market).    This “botox in a bottle” will renew your skin, giving it the ability to look and feel younger than it actually is. Say goodbye to dull, dehydrated skin and hello to your supple, radiant complexion with our Peptide Repair Cream.   When our Peptide Repair Cream is combined with weekly exfoliation and using other active ingredients like Vitamin A, B and C, they will dramatically cushion your skin, create elasticity, boost firmness through collagen production, shrink pore size, and significantly decrease inflammation, redness, and irritation.   Watch your wrinkles, fine lines, and other skincare concerns slowly fade away as this collagen and elastin-building cream deeply penetrates your skin cells, flooding them with the nourishment and hydration they long for.    Next time you go out and get a cocktail with your girls, be prepared to get carded. Sweetheart, the truth is, avoiding facial injections for a few years is now a possibility when using Peptide Repair Cream.  As always if you need help or have any questions just reach out gorgeous! 

Hi gorgeous! Has your skin been feeling more dull, dry, and dehydrated recently? The colder weather is known to strip the skin of its moisture, which can worsen current skin conditions. However, there is no need to worry because we are here to offer you some professional tips and tricks that’ll give you that stunning summer glow, even in the winter. Without the extra humidity in the air, it is vital that you keep your skin moisturized. How can you do that? Well, here are… 3 SKINCARE TIPS TO KEEP YOUR SKIN HEALTHY AND HYDRATED   1. Use a thicker cream, or a cream infused with humectants and lipids. This will help protect your skin against environmental stressors. Creams with these characteristics trap in hydration, maximize your skin’s moisture barrier, and act as a mask that prevents damage. Speaking of masks, our Extreme Hydration Repair Mask would be the ideal product to use this winter. It contains powerful peptides and ceramides that restore Transepidermal Water Loss as it instantly hydrates and repairs dry, damaged, irritated, and inflamed skin.   2. Add a few drops of glycerin to any product. Glycerin is a potent humectant that hydrates and protects the skin barrier. It helps the skin retain moisture and relieves uncomfortable, flaky, sensitive skin. You can take your moisturizers, serums, and face mists to the next level with just this one product. This cheap and effective hack will blow your mind.   3. Do NOT use hot water to wash your face. Washing your face with hot water depletes your skin of its natural oils and moisture. During the winter, when your skin is already struggling to survive, you don’t want to do anything that’ll cause even more irritation and moisture loss. Try washing your face with cold water instead. If you want to take it a step further, getting a humidifier is an amazing way to restore humidity to your space to combat the dry, harsh air and restore hydration to your skin. Wouldn’t life be so much easier if topical skincare was the one and only way you could achieve your skincare goals? Unfortunately, that’s not the case as internal care is just as, if not more important. With that being said, stay  tuned  for next week post where we talk about practical diet and lifestyle tips that will transform your skin. On a side note, we’re super excited to guide you in the right direction this year regarding all of your diet, lifestyle and skincare concerns. Our go-to products this season include our Gentle Glow Cream Cleanser, our Extreme Hydration Repair Mask, and our brand new Professional Transformation Treatment Pads. Talk about the perfect combination. Gently cleanse, lightly exfoliate, and intensely hydrate your skin with this 3-step routine for glowing, youthful, hydrated skin.  We hope you enjoyed our 3 tips today and find a way to put them to good use. Once you take on a few of these tips, you will begin to notice dramatic differences in not just your skin’s health and complexion, but how you feel overall, guaranteed. Remember to stay gorgeous and ask your question below or email us at info@montarboskincare.com as we love hearing from you. 

With all of the anxiety and worries about money due to inflation, we specifically created our Professional Transformation Treatment Pads so that you could use only one product, and still achieve the skin of your dreams.  They have everything you need to dramatically improve every single skin concern you might be worried about, including breakouts, blemishes, acne scars, pigmentation, aging skin, fine lines and sun damage.    

HOW TO ACHIEVE DRAMATIC RESULT WHEN USING VITAMIN C SERUM Hello gorgeous!  Today I wanted to talk about Vitamin C, its benefits, and how to properly use it so you achieve dramatic results when using this proven anti-aging and skin brightening ingredient.  To begin with, vitamin C is a potent antioxidant commonly used in skincare. It has a plethora of benefits that are listed down below. Plumps your skin, resulting in a more youthful appearance Targets pigmentation by evening skin tone and texture Brightens your skin to achieve that natural glow Tightens your skin, stimulating collagen and reducing the impacts of aging Protects your skin against free radical damage and environmental stressors, minimizing the formation of fine lines and wrinkles Hydrates your skin, improving overall health Vitamin C is a powerful skincare ingredient that when used properly, has the power to dramatically improve your skin concerns. You want to apply more acidic antioxidants, like Vitamin C, which is L-ascorbic acid, both in the morning and night.   Apply immediately after cleansing, toning, or exfoliating to achieve the best results. Thoroughly work the product into your skin, especially concentrating on areas that need the most help.   Allow the Vitamin C to fully absorb into the skin for at least 3-5 minutes and wait before applying other products.  Why should you wait before applying other products? Because applying other products too soon can alter the pH of the antioxidant, making it less effective. After the product is absorbed, you may continue with the rest of your skincare routine. Overall, using an antioxidant, especially our Vitalizing B & C Serum, helps to exfoliate, prevent damage, repair, and hydrate your skin. That knocks out four out of six steps of our Montarbo Method! If you want to take advantage of this tip, we have a discount code for you to use on one of our most popular antioxidant serums. Use the code ANTIOXIDANT to receive 15% off. We hope this tip helps and we are so excited to see you get one step closer to feeling like the confident, radiant, and wonderful person you are. If you have any questions or concerns about this post please comment below. Remember to stay gorgeous and check back weekly for my newest blog post and videos.  Much love, Cody M 

  Have you been dying to find a ride-or-die cleanser that leaves your skin feeling squeaky clean and hydrated? Our Gentle Glow Cream Cleanser is the perfect cleanser for all skin types. It is highly effective at targeting any kind of stubborn skin concern you might be struggling with, including pigmentation, acne, and melasma. It can be used every day, twice a day to achieve maximum benefits. (Click the video below to watch how we recommend using our Gentle Glow Cream Cleanser, and feel free to read more info about the product below) This creamy formula helps to hydrate, plump, brighten, and gently exfoliate your skin without stripping your moisture barrier or drying it out. It’s calming, yet mighty as it can cut through sunscreen and full coverage makeup, making it easy and efficient to get a deep clean. If you are looking for a cleanser that minimizes oil production, blemishes, breakouts, and an uneven skin tone, get your hands on this today. You’ll be blown away by the gorgeous glow you can achieve with this product. Our Gentle Glow Cream Cleanser is filled with a plethora of antioxidants and nutrients that help to improve skin tone and texture. The key ingredients in this cleanser along with their benefits are listed below.  Glycerin: A potent humectant that hydrates and protects your skin barrier  Malic Acid: A gentle exfoliant ideal for sensitive skin Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract: An antioxidant that minimizes redness and strengthens skin Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract: An anti-inflammatory that aids in brightening and soothing skin Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate: A form of Vitamin C that plumps and evens skin tone and texture Lactic Acid: A gentle exfoliant that brightens and smoothes skin Alpha-Arbutin: A skin-brightening compound that effectively targets PIH and PIE Niacinamide: A form of Vitamin B3 that reduces redness, inflammation, and pigmentation concerns Panthenol: A form of Vitamin B5 that deeply moisturizes skin A little goes a long way with this powerful cleanser, so use accordingly. This product works best when you apply a pea-sized amount on dry skin. Work the product into the skin focusing on areas of concern, and slowly add water to create a lathering foam.  Cleanse for at least 60 seconds and rinse with water when done. Toss all your concerns about if this product will make your skin break out, or if it will leave your skin thirsty for some hydration right out the door. This product is formulated with the right balance of antioxidants, nutrients, and ingredients that will leave you and your skin feeling happy. Grab our Gentle Glow Cream Cleanser today and watch it become your new favorite skincare staple.

It breaks my heart to see Intelligent people blowing money on the latest and most expensive skincare products only to ruin their skin and results they have achieved by not wearing sunscreen correctly.     We all know that wearing the correct amount of sunscreen has been proven to prevent premature aging, pigmentation, skin cancer, and wrinkles.  However with that being said, I am confused and concerned by how many people still don’t apply enough sunscreen and when they do, it's often done incorrectly.    After 20 year in the skincare industry working with thousands of clients, It seems like people develop a little amnesia when it comes to using sunscreen.   They either forget to use it altogether, how to apply it properly, or how much sunscreen is needed to protect the skin from UV damage that causes pigmentation, premature aging, and cancer.    Truth is, if you are using expensive skincare products now but don't use sunscreen perfectly, you are wasting money and ruining your results by not protecting your skin properly.    So today I thought it would be fun to share my first 3 Important Sunscreen Tips That Most People Forget so you get this right. Please read my tips and watch the video below.  I have 6 more sunscreen tips coming soon and hope today's tips will inspire you to be more serious about wearing sunscreen and sun safety.(  If you want to learn how I recommend applying sunscreen, watch this quick 60 second video here. )  I promise If you follow my sunscreen tips you'll be able to achieve healthy and more youthful-looking skin for years to come while sustaining the results you have already achieved.  3 IMPORTANT SUNSCREEN TIPS THAT MOST PEOPLE FORGET  1. If you know you are going to be outside at the pool, the beach, or if you know you are going to be very  active in the sun going for a hike or run, apply sunscreen 15 minutes before you go outside.  This will allow the chemicals enough time to absorb into the skin so that they can effectively reflect or absorb UV radiation. If you apply sunscreen while already outside in the sun, girl it's too late!  We see many innocent people getting frustrated that their melasma or sun-damage is coming back because they forget that sunscreen needs to be used very specifically in order to work.  Sunscreen is classified as a drug by the FDA and just like any medication, they need to be used as directed and prescribed in order to be effective.  Also, did you know that if you apply a ton of face cream and then immediately apply your SFP, you are effectively cutting the SPF protection in half? Allow your face cream to soak in for a few minutes before applying SPF  2. If you are prone to melasma, sun-damage, or a specific skin concern that you are trying to protect or prevent, ( like driver side sun-damage, sun spots or pigmentation ), always apply sunscreen all over your face, then apply more to those areas to help give an added layer or sunscreen protection.  3. Don't forget to apply sunscreen to your ears!  Most people forget to apply sunscreen to their ears and behind their ears which is the number one place we see suspicious moles, freckles and actinic keratoses develop which can or will eventually become cancerous if not checked and properly diagnosed.  Watch my quick 60 second video explaining everything in today post.     Alright gorgeous! Thank you for allowing me to ramble on about sunscreen today. I'm curious what you learned or enjoyed most from today’s post? Have a glorious day gorgeous! Also let me know if you have any questions about today’s post or about sunscreen in general as I love answering all of your questions.  Much love to you beautiful,  Cody Montarbo