When the Mind Touches the Skin: Stress, Cortisol, and Inflammatory Flares
Suzanne Nicholson Suzanne Nicholson

When the Mind Touches the Skin: Stress, Cortisol, and Inflammatory Flares

The skin is not only our largest organ — it is an exquisitely sensitive mirror of our internal world. Few influences reveal this connection more clearly than stress.

When the body perceives stress, it releases cortisol, the primary stress hormone. In short bursts, cortisol is protective. But when stress becomes chronic, elevated cortisol quietly disrupts the skin’s delicate balance, weakening the barrier, increasing inflammation, and slowing cellular repair.

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Welcoming 2026! A Refined Approach to Simple Skincare
Suzanne Nicholson Suzanne Nicholson

Welcoming 2026! A Refined Approach to Simple Skincare

A timeless, professional ritual curated by an esthetician

In my practice located in Pleasant Hill, CA (San Francisco East Bay Area), I often remind clients that beautiful skin is not created through excess—it is cultivated through intention, consistency, and respect for the skin’s natural rhythms. An effective skincare routine should feel refined rather than complicated.

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My Philosophy Behind SUNI Skincare Organic Products
Suzanne Nicholson Suzanne Nicholson

My Philosophy Behind SUNI Skincare Organic Products

Thoughtfully written by Suzanne Nicholson, Founder of SUNI Skincare, Esthetician,
Oncology-trained

My skincare line was created from a place of intention—born not out of trend, but out of experience, discernment, and a deep respect for the skin’s innate intelligence. After years of working closely with various skin types and stages, including those with health-challenged and medically-reactive skin, I came to a simple yet powerful truth: when thoughtfully supported, the skin knows how to heal, protect, and renew itself.

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A Curated Guide to Skincare Ingredients: What to Avoid and What to Embrace
Suzanne Nicholson Suzanne Nicholson

A Curated Guide to Skincare Ingredients: What to Avoid and What to Embrace

In the pursuit of healthy, luminous skin, ingredients matter just as much as routine. As an esthetician located in Pleasant Hill, CA, I often remind clients that skincare should support the skin’s natural intelligence—not challenge it. True refinement lies in choosing formulations that respect the skin barrier, encourage longevity, and deliver results without unnecessary disruption. Understanding which ingredients to avoid—and which to seek out—allows skincare to become not only more effective, but more elegant.

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Understanding Traditional, Organic, and Clean Skincare: Why the Distinction Matters
Suzanne Nicholson Suzanne Nicholson

Understanding Traditional, Organic, and Clean Skincare: Why the Distinction Matters

In today’s beauty landscape, terms such as traditional, organic, and clean are used generously—sometimes interchangeably—yet they represent very different philosophies of formulation and skin health. Understanding these distinctions allows us to make more informed, intentional choices not only for how our skin looks today, but for how it ages, functions, and responds over time.

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Winter 2025 Radiance Edit: 9 Skin Concerns & Curated Solutions
Suzanne Nicholson Suzanne Nicholson

Winter 2025 Radiance Edit: 9 Skin Concerns & Curated Solutions

During the winter months in the San Francisco East Bay Area, many women notice that their skin feels just a little less forgiving. Cooler air, indoor heating, and lingering UV exposure combine to create a season where the complexion often needs extra care, intention, and refinement.

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Season of Glow: Illuminating Treatments and Thanksgiving Holiday-Ready Skin
Suzanne Nicholson Suzanne Nicholson

Season of Glow: Illuminating Treatments and Thanksgiving Holiday-Ready Skin

As November ushers in crisp mornings and cozy evenings in the San Francisco East Bay Area, our skin begins to feel the subtle yet persistent effects of shorter days, cooler temperatures, and the transition indoors. Dullness, dehydration, and the first signs of seasonal fatigue can leave even the most radiant complexion looking muted. This is the perfect moment to embrace luxurious, results-driven treatments that restore and illuminate, preparing your skin for the warmth and coziness of the Thanksgiving holiday.

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Refined Radiance: Embracing Skincare Minimalism From Fall To Winter
Suzanne Nicholson Suzanne Nicholson

Refined Radiance: Embracing Skincare Minimalism From Fall To Winter

As the stillness of the cooler season settles in, our skin often mirrors the season — delicate, dry, and craving nourishment. Harsh winds and indoor heating can deplete vital moisture, leaving the complexion dull and unbalanced. This is the perfect time to embrace skincare minimalism, an approach that celebrates simplicity, purity, and purpose. With SUNI Skincare’s Organic Skincare Collection, even the most refined routine becomes a luxurious ritual of renewal.

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Timeless Defense: The Year-Round Importance of Mineral Sunscreen
Suzanne Nicholson Suzanne Nicholson

Timeless Defense: The Year-Round Importance of Mineral Sunscreen

As the golden hues of autumn settle in and winter’s cool elegance draws near to the San Francisco East Bay Area, many believe that sunscreen can take its seasonal rest. Yet, beneath the soft, muted skies and crisp air, the sun’s invisible rays continue their silent work — gently aging and compromising the skin’s delicate balance. True luxury lies not only in treating the skin but in preserving its timeless beauty, and that begins with year-round protection.

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The Refined Ritual of Ideal Facial Water Temperature
Suzanne Nicholson Suzanne Nicholson

The Refined Ritual of Ideal Facial Water Temperature

In the pursuit of radiant, healthy skin, even the simplest steps deserve careful attention. One often-overlooked aspect of daily skincare is the temperature of the water you use to cleanse your face. It may seem subtle, but the right temperature transforms a routine into a luxurious ritual, while the wrong one can quietly undermine your skin’s natural beauty.

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Harvest Your Radiance: The Benefits of an Organic Pumpkin Facial
Suzanne Nicholson Suzanne Nicholson

Harvest Your Radiance: The Benefits of an Organic Pumpkin Facial

As the crisp autumn air settles into the San Francisco Bay Area, it’s the perfect time to nourish, renew, and brighten your skin. Pumpkin is a natural powerhouse for the skin, rich in enzymes, antioxidants, and vitamins A, C, and E, which help exfoliate, stimulate cell turnover, and protect against environmental stressors. Fall brings not only shorter days but also the ideal opportunity to indulge in treatments that restore radiance and prepare your skin for the season ahead.

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Why Fall Is the Perfect Time to Treat Dark Spots
Suzanne Nicholson Suzanne Nicholson

Why Fall Is the Perfect Time to Treat Dark Spots

As autumn arrives in the San Francisco Bay Area, days grow shorter and darker, giving our skin a welcome reprieve from the intensity of summer sun. This seasonal shift makes fall the perfect time to begin addressing areas of hyperpigmentation and uneven tone with targeted treatments. With reduced UV exposure, the skin is better able to repair and renew—making brightening ingredients even more effective.

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Elevated Autumn Care for Sensitive Facial Skin
Suzanne Nicholson Suzanne Nicholson

Elevated Autumn Care for Sensitive Facial Skin

As autumn arrives, in the San Francisco East Bay Area especially, the crisp air, fluctuating temperatures, and shorter days can leave skin feeling more delicate than usual. Many clients notice increased sensitivity, dryness, and irritation, while chronic conditions such as eczema, rosacea, or psoriasis may become more pronounced. The season’s transition calls for gentle, thoughtful care to restore balance and protect the skin’s natural barrier.

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Luxurious Solutions for Itchy, Dehydrated, and Crepey Body Skin
Suzanne Nicholson Suzanne Nicholson

Luxurious Solutions for Itchy, Dehydrated, and Crepey Body Skin

As the seasons shift and cooler air sets in the San Francisco Bay Area, many people notice their body skin becoming dry, itchy, dehydrated, or crepey. Also perfect for GLP-1with skin laxity concerns and/or those with aging skin. These common concerns arise as natural moisture levels decrease, the skin’s barrier becomes more vulnerable to environmental stressors, aging, and weight loss. With thoughtful care, however, skin can be restored, nourished, and luxuriously smooth.

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Exfoliation Secrets for Post-Summer Luminous Skin
Suzanne Nicholson Suzanne Nicholson

Exfoliation Secrets for Post-Summer Luminous Skin

As the San Francisco East Bay Area’s summer warmth softens into the crisp embrace of autumn, our skin often longs for renewal. Sun exposure, salt water, and heat leave behind uneven texture, congestion, and a veil of dullness. To reveal a fresh, luminous complexion, the key lies in refined exfoliation—tailored to each skin type—and the soothing care that follows. This ritual of renewal ensures skin moves gracefully into the new season with balance and radiance.

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Sunset Glow: Restoring Radiant Skin End-of-Summer
Suzanne Nicholson Suzanne Nicholson

Sunset Glow: Restoring Radiant Skin End-of-Summer

As the warmth of the San Francisco East Bay Area’s summer gives way to autumn’s embrace, many notice that their skin carries subtle reminders of the sun: dark spots, uneven tone, and areas of hyperpigmentation. While these changes are natural after months of UV exposure, they can leave the complexion looking tired and less luminous. This is the perfect time to turn to a thoughtful skincare routine that blends organic nourishment with targeted treatment.

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Brighten and Revive Post-Summer Skin with Velvet Hydration
Suzanne Nicholson Suzanne Nicholson

Brighten and Revive Post-Summer Skin with Velvet Hydration

As the golden glow of the San Francisco East Bay Area’s summer recedes, many of us discover that our skin has been left weary from the season’s indulgences. Hours in the sun, dips in chlorine or salt water, and the constant pull of heat and air conditioning often culminate in a complexion that feels parched, dull, and lacking in vitality. Yet with thoughtful care, it is entirely possible to restore supple softness and luminous grace to the skin.

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