Hydration is Key: Staying hydrated is important year-round, especially in the summer, but you don’t have to be limited to just drinking water. Consider adding foods to your diet that are also high in water content, including fruits and vegetables such as cucumbers, watermelon, lettuce, and strawberries.
Each day, millions strive to unlock the secrets of blemish-free, luminous skin, yet many find this goal frustratingly out of reach. In a market saturated with quick fixes and fad trends, it’s vital to cut through the noise and understand what truly works. Our skin is our largest organ and the shield between our bodies and the outside world; it deserves more than just a superficial approach. As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Adrianne Lackey.
Adrianne Lackey is a licensed esthetician with more than 17 years of experience in the beauty industry, including 13 years focused on skincare and wellness. Renowned for her passion for skincare and dedication to ongoing education, she has previously served as an esthetics educator, guiding and mentoring the next generation of professionals. Currently, as the Skincare Service Innovation Manager at Massage Envy Franchising, Adrianne leads the development and implementation of results-driven skincare services across the brand. She is also a regular feature in the brand’s media campaigns and social media platforms.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive into our discussion about networking, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?
My passion for helping other people look and feel their best began with my first job as a receptionist at a well-known hair salon. That’s where I first discovered what an esthetician was and something just clicked. I was instantly drawn to the blend of beauty and science — learning about how the skin functions, the effect ingredients can have on the skin, even which makeup works best on different skin types. What also inspired me was seeing how transformative professional skin care can be both physically and emotionally.
Fast forward fifteen years, I’ve worn many hats in the wellness industry: esthetician, educator, and now innovation. I started my career at Massage Envy seven years ago, immersing myself in the world of product development and skin care service innovation — my team and I are among the first to try new skin care products and services on the market and determine whether they would be a good fit for the Massage Envy brand.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
Something interesting and fun about the work I do at Massage Envy is all the various media opportunities I am asked to help with! Never in a million years would I have guessed I would be featured on social media, magazine articles, attend media events and even a national commercial. I’m typically more of a shy person so it’s something that I’ve had to learn to get out of comfort zone with and have grown to really enjoy doing. I get to use my creative side in different ways, and it is always fun to see the finished product come to life.
Which three characteristics do you think were most instrumental to your success?
Be a lifelong learner — I believe this helps you stay inspired and engaged in your industry. With the skin care industry in particular, things change very rapidly and it’s always exciting to see how the latest and greatest innovations and technologies help people with real skin concerns.
Always ask questions — You’ll often find that people genuinely want to be helpful — and can be extremely helpful — all you have to do is ask the question. In my experience it can help alleviate frustrations, clear anything up that you need to, and allow you to have your trusted circle of contacts that you can connect with.
Never underestimate the power of remembering someone’s name — This is something I learned when I worked at the hair salon and it has always stuck with me. It’s just a simple best practice that provides great customer service and allows you to make connections with people.
What are your “5 Things Anyone Can Do to Have Radiant, Flawless Looking Skin?”
Tip #1: Hydration is Key: Staying hydrated is important year-round, especially in the summer, but you don’t have to be limited to just drinking water. Consider adding foods to your diet that are also high in water content, including fruits and vegetables such as cucumbers, watermelon, lettuce, and strawberries.
Tip #2: Shield Your Skin Against the Sun: Clear, glowy skin is everyone’s skin care goal. And yet, the changing weather elements and sunshine can result in unexpected breakouts and skin irritation. Always apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful UV rays — even on cloudy or hazy days. When it comes to protection, look for products that contain the two most powerful sunscreen ingredients on the market: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Unlike chemical-based sunscreen ingredients that absorb into the skin, mineral-based sunscreens stay surface level to physically block and reflect harmful UVA and UVB rays away like a mirror.
Tip #3: Wash Your Face Daily: At the most basic level, it is important to wash your face twice daily with a gentle cleanser to remove dirt, sweat, makeup, extra oil and sunscreen. All of these elements can strip your skin of its natural radiance, leaving breakouts and blemishes in their wake. Adding a lightweight moisturizer helps lock in hydration to keep your face looking fresh. Any additional products, such as serums, exfoliation masks and eye creams, are dependent on your skin type, which is why it is so important to have the right routine that works for you.
Tip #4: Look for Products with Vitamin C: Vitamin C has been touted for its ability to reduce the appearance of blemishes, balance the look of skin tone and texture, and give your skin a radiant allover glow. Other beneficial ingredients include niacinamide, amino acids such as glutamic acid or arginine, or natural humectants like aloe vera or glycerin.
Tip #5: Consider Professional Treatments for an Added Glow-Up: While regular facials are great for maintaining a balanced-looking complexion, some skin concerns require a more targeted focus. Whether you’re battling dryness, sun damage, or the signs of aging, advanced skin care services offer the next level of care to help you achieve the skin you deserve. Services like Chemical Peels, Microderm Infusions, Oxygenating Treatments, Nourishing Light Treatments and Dermaplaning can help boost your skin’s radiance and improve your overall well-being.
What are the most common misconceptions about daily skincare routines that prevent people from achieving radiant skin?
One of the most common misconceptions is that oily skin does not need moisturizer because it makes it feel greasier, or there isn’t tightness or dryness in oily skin. Oily skin absolutely needs moisturizer, and maintaining radiant-looking skin is all about finding the perfect balance between oil and water content. Skipping moisturizer can lead to dehydration, causing your skin to produce more oil to compensate. Instead, look for products that help control oil production without drying your skin. Serums, oil-absorbing masks, and balanced moisturizers are your best friends here. Products with ingredients like salicylic acid, bentonite and kaolin Clays, charcoal, witch hazel, beta-glucan, vitamin C and retinol can help keep shine in check.
Could you share your insights on how diet and nutrition directly affect skin health, and perhaps suggest some superfoods for skin radiance?
Incorporating certain nutrient-rich foods can help improve skin hydration, maintain a youthful, overall appearance. By nourishing your body with these skin-friendly foods, you’re giving your skin the tools it needs to stay radiant, hydrated, and resilient. Glowing skin starts from within, so make your meals a reflection of the care you want for your complexion. I recommend looking for foods with the following ingredients:
Zinc: Found in foods such turkey, pumpkin seeds, lentils and chickpeas, zinc are known to help reduce inflammation and promote collage production
Vitamin C and Vitamin E: Foods such as apples, greens, pumpkins, strawberries and blueberries, are filled with vitamins C and E, which can help protect skin from environmental damage and maintaining a youthful appearance.
Beta-carotenes: Found in foods such as sweet potatoes, carrots and dark leafy greens, beta-carotenes can act as a natural sunblock and also contain vitamin C, which is important for healthy looking skin.
Silicon: Found in foods such as green beans, silicon can help with the formation of connective tissues, strengthen nails and boost skin health.
Hydrating foods: Fruits and vegetables like cucumbers, oranges, lettuce, and watermelon are high in water content that can help keep you hydrated.
How do you recommend individuals tailor their skincare routine to address the unique needs of their skin type and environment?
When it comes to skin care, there’s no “one-size-fits-all” routine. Before every facial session, it’s important to know your skin type and share your goals and concerns with your esthetician. Not sure where to start? This quiz can help jump start your skin care journey.
From there, professional estheticians can personalize your sessions — whether you’re looking for options that offer firming and deep cleansing or those that help boost hydration, address concerns over acne and even out the appearance of skin tone and texture. At the end of each session, your esthetician may recommend products to continue your routine at home.
As your skin develops from routine facials and home care, your goals will change, too. Your esthetician can help ensure you’re always using the correct products, in the correct order to achieve the results you’re looking for.
Different environments also require different products — for example, those in humid clients should reach for products that don’t feel as heavy or greasy, such as lightweight serums and lotions or gel moisturizers. Drier climates may increase water loss from the skin, so those people should focus on products that seal in moisture and add some extra nourishment from oils like sunflower or jojoba.
What advances in skincare science or new ingredients are you most excited about that promise to enhance skin health and radiance?
I’m really excited about the Results-Driven Facials, a collection of five targeted facials designed to focus on common skin care concerns with a variety of high-quality ingredients. The new facials include Age-Defying (with ingredients such as AHAs, ceramides, hyaluronic acid and antioxidants), Clarifying Acne (with purifying ingredients and botanicals), Tone-Balancing (with ingredients such as mandelic acid, AHAs and Vitamin E), Brightening (with papaya enzymes, Vitamin E and hyaluronic acid) and Calming (with botanicals, humectants and vitamins).
Can you describe a holistic approach to skincare that encompasses not just topical treatments but also lifestyle and wellness practices?
Taking care of your skin is an important part of an overall self-care routine. Prioritizing your skin care, just like prioritizing sleep, nutrition and exercise, are part of your commitment to personal wellness. Being well-rested, eating the right combination of foods and skin-loving ingredients, avoiding high-stress situations and releasing mood-boosting endorphins allows your skin to breathe and help you achieve a natural glow. When you’re relaxed and in-tune with your “ME time” by making time for things that are important to you, your skin will feel it too.
If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?
It would be a movement to continue to make skin care convenient and approachable, which is something I’m proud to be a part of at Massage Envy. The brand continues to look to provide service offerings to allow members and guests to get the most out of their skin care experience and always aim to help them build and maintain skin care routines with trusted professionals.
How can our readers further follow you online?
Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn. You can also visit MassageEnvy.com or follow @MassageEnvy on Instagram, X and Facebook for more information on the latest skin care services.
Thank you for the time you spent sharing these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
