. www.DesertHealthNews.com May/June 2026 Health & Beauty The Valley's Leading Resource for Health and Wellness 17 www.justusskincare.com www.cellrejuvenationspa.com Organic Facials and Purification Wraps for Full Body Rejuvenation Stephanie Gray, LMT, LE Aesthetician • Massage Therapist • Spinal Flow Practitioner 760.556.5781 44-419 Town Center Way, Ste. 134 • Palm Desert cellrejuvenationspa.com Plant-active ingredients that deliver transformative results Customized sessions may include: Green Envee Enzyme Peel Collagen Boosting Facial Craniosacral Therapy Reflexology www.dryanilu.com Looking for more natural health care? Individualized medically-directed program using: Acupoint Embedding • Cupping Acupuncture • Lifestyle Medicine Herbal Remedies Introducing an effective, holistic weight loss program that helps regulate metabolism, improve digestion and enhance skin elasticity while supporting weight loss and body tightening. 760.674.7178 41750 Rancho Las Palmas Drive, Suite P1• Rancho Mirage Family Medicine Medical Acupuncture Weight Loss & Skin Tightening YANI LU, MD, PHD Medical Director Before Lost 20 lbs. and 6 inches in 3 months After In the nineteenth century, skincare was practical. Women used what worked to make their skin feel better— they cherished their grandmas’ recipes made with ingredients like tallow, honey, milk. Then the twentieth century welcomed Madame C.J. Walker. She sold her excellent hair products and skincare to her friends, and their friends, and became America’s first female millionaire. Other women followed. Helena Rubinstein. Elizabeth Arden. Estée Lauder. Then, the gentlemen who owned the pharmacies and ran the big soap companies got a whiff of profits to be made. Like sweet cigar smoke, it called to them. They bought up small companies but couldn’t figure out how to rake in the dough. Then, one day, it dawned on some boardroom geniuses and their male-only advertising agencies that what they needed to do was hire women to help them market their goods — to women. Duh. In the 1910s and 1920s, copywriting for the beauty industry became one of the few entry points for women in corporate America. And those lady wordsmiths became indispensable. Why? Because they understood that women are good at problem solving. So, they created lots of problems. And the products were the answers. Thus began the litany of lies: “If only I were prettier, skinnier, lighter, blonder, younger, and so on.” Over and over again. Consider some of these hogwash headlines that are guaranteed to make even the head cheerleader feel bad about herself: “A skin you love to touch.” — Woodbury Soap Company (1911) “Often a bridesmaid, but never a bride.” — Listerine (1920s) “Is it true blondes have more fun?” — Clairol (1950s–1960s) “The closer he gets, the better you look.” — Clairol Nice ’n Easy (1965) “Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful.” — L’Oréal (1973) When skincare moved from the kitchen to mass manufacturing, what was in the jars and bottles stopped mattering as much. What mattered was that the customer believed her purchase would result in perfect skin—or Prince Charming. This led to many disappointing purchases and deep pockets for the big guys. Good news. That party may be over. For the first time, anyone with a computer can take a product label photo and ask AI to assess what’s inside, and whether it justifies the price. AI can’t be your absolute source for science, and of course requires many grains of salt, but it’s pretty good at helping determine whether a $200 jar of the latest cream will do anything except smell and feel good. This is great news for small-batch, independent companies that don’t compromise, don’t preserve their products to last forever, and have founders who still hold onto the reins of their formulas and dreams. Somewhere, Madame Walker is smiling. We all know that there are no bad questions, but “What does my skin actually need?” is a much better question than, “What’s wrong with my skin… and me?” Brook Dougherty of Indio is the co-founder of JustUs Skincare and welcomes your questions. She can be reached at (310) 266.7171 or brook@justusskincare.com. For more information, visit www.justusskincare.com. Is It True Blondes Have More Fun? Go Ask Claude. By Brook Dougherty “If only I were…”; early beginnings of the beauty sales pitch Skincare industry marketing has long focused on correction over content. cultivate relationships naturally. Reach out for advice, schedule occasional check ins and express appreciation for their guidance. Over time, these individuals will organically become part of your advisory circle. How to make your board effective. A few principles can help your board function well: • Aim for 4–7 people. This gives you enough diversity without becoming overwhelming. • Engage regularly. Your board is not a static list; it’s an active support system. Schedule periodic check-ins monthly, quarterly or as needed. These can be coffee chats, phone calls or thoughtful emails. Use these interactions to share updates, ask for input and reflect on your progress. • Come prepared. When you seek advice, bring clear questions or topics. Be open to feedback, even when it’s uncomfortable. The value of your board lies in honest perspectives, not validation. • Avoid overburdening anyone. Be mindful of how often you reach out and what you ask of each person. • Offer reciprocity. While your board supports you, relationships should never be one-sided. Share resources, make introductions or offer your own perspective when they need it. Mutual contribution strengthens the connection and makes them sustainable over time. The role of your board. Your board isn’t there to tell you what to do. Its purpose is to offer perspective, ask thoughtful questions, help you see blind spots, celebrate your wins and keep you accountable to the goals you set. By intentionally surrounding yourself with people who challenge, support and inspire you, you create a powerful structure for personal and professional growth. Your personal board of directors becomes a reminder that you don’t have to navigate life alone—and that the right people can elevate every part of your journey. Dr. Susan Murphy is a best-selling author, business consultant and speaker on relationships, conflict, leadership and goal-achievement. Her 13th book, Leading Successful Teams (used at Harvard, Stanford and the Mayo Clinic), is available online. www.DrSusanMurphy.com. Creating a Personal Board of Directors Continued from page 9
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