As someone who spends her days looking at skin under a magnifying lamp, I’m going to give it to you straight: Sunscreen is the only true "anti-aging" product in existence. Everything else is just damage control. In fact, roughly 80% to 90% of visible skin aging—from leathery texture to deep lines—is actually cumulative sun damage.

If you’re investing in pricey facials but skipping the SPF, you’re essentially lighting your money on fire. But finding a formula that doesn't feel gross, greasy, or leave a white cast shouldn't feel like a chore. From cult-favorite French pharmacy finds to completely invisible primers, here are the dermatologist-approved sunscreens that act as a daily insurance policy for your face.

Summer is the season of warmth, energy, and connection—and in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it's also the season of the Heart and Small Intestine. Together, these two organ systems are known as the Imperial Fire, representing emotional balance, clear thinking, and the ability to connect with our authentic selves.

The Heart is considered the home of the Shen, often translated as the spirit or mind. In TCM, the Heart governs not only blood circulation but also our emotions, consciousness, sleep, memory, and ability to experience joy. When the Heart is balanced, we tend to feel calm, present, and emotionally connected.

The Small Intestine has an equally important role. Physically, it separates nutrients from waste. Energetically, it helps us separate what is beneficial from what no longer serves us. This includes not only the food we eat but also our thoughts, emotions, and daily experiences.

If your cleanser is your foundation, your serum is where things get intentional. This is the step where we stop guessing and start targeting—and yes, where we get a little nerdy. Because of their tiny molecular structure and high concentration of active ingredients, serums don't just sit on the surface; they penetrate deep to change how your skin functions from the inside out.

Whether you are battling stubborn hyperpigmentation, trying to soothe sudden redness, or just wanting to plump up fine lines, choosing the right active ingredients is the key to transformation. But before you go buying a 5-step serum routine, remember: consistency will always outperform chaos. Here is exactly how to pick the 1–2 powerhouse serums your skin actually needs.

Cosmetic acupuncture for acne is an integrated TCM approach utilizes facial needling, cupping, and gua sha to enhance microcirculation, reduce local inflammation, and promote lymphatic drainage. By simultaneously addressing systemic imbalances in hormones, digestion, and stress, we facilitate comprehensive, long-term dermal repair and minimize post-inflammatory scarring. Read more to explore how it might support your skin.

We are so happy to announce. that our longtime office manager, Elizabeth, is joining our team as an acupuncturist! She is a part of the 2025 graduating class of Jung Tao School of Chinese Medicine and recently finished her board exams and is licensed in Tennessee.

She has training in treating pain, internal conditions, women’s health, digestion, headaches, hormonal issues, stress and so much more!

"Does acupuncture hurt?” It’s the number one question we hear at our Maryville, TN clinic. Get the facts about what sensations you may feel, see how acupuncture needles compare to medical ones, and learn why comfortable treatments are our priority. Click to read our full guide to a pain-free first visit at Maryville Acupuncture.