Finding a skin care program that can easily become daily routine may seem like an ongoing journey.
Remember your skin is unique. What works for your friends and family may not work for you. Be open to new products for every season of the year and every season of your life. Skin enhancement and repair takes time and consistency. Be patient. Basic skin care is so very important and if routinely done and properly beautiful healthy skin will appear!
How do you begin?
Step 1: Cleanse the skin
Cleansing removes sweat, oil, dirt and pollutants that collects on the surface. You should be cleansing every morning and before you retire for bed. Steer clear of harsh body bar soaps on facial skin. Cleansers are available and should be used based on skin type.
Step 2: Toner
I can not stress how important toner is for your skin! It adjusts the pH and prepares the skin to absorb moisturizer, serums, product properly . Avoid harsh alcohol or citrus based toner as they can irritate your skin. Consultation with an experienced skin care expert can guide you on all products including toner.
Step 3: Exfoliation*
Skin is in the constant process of shedding millions of skin cells every day. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells that have accumulated. Most Dermatologists agree you should exfoliate ONE to THREE times each week. There are chemical exfoliators and granule exfoliators. Both can be effective but chemical exfoliating ingredients like AHAs and BHAs are often more effective in getting deep into the pores to remove build up.
Exfoliation will help skin look younger, promote blood flow, collagen production and improve overall skin health. AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) products are preferred for sun damaged, dry and aging skin. BHA products are oil loving. Preferred for oily, acne-prone and problems with black heads. BHAs (Beta Hydroxy Acids) are anti-inflammatory and have antibacterial properties.
*On the days you exfoliate follow in these steps: Cleanse, Exfoliate, Tone
Step 4: Serums, Eye creams, Moisturizer
Traditional skincare products focus on the visible symptoms of unhealthy skin without addressing the underlying causes at a cellular level. Medical lines however go deeper to obtain the collagen stimulation your skin needs to rejuvenate and enhance collagen. Topical Vitamin C is good to protect, brighten and stimulate collagen. Eye creams depend on your need to brighten, firm, or address puffiness. Many have a mild retinol to address fine lines without irritation. Moisturizers should be based on skin type as to properly hydrate without overproducing oil. Problematic skin types also need their proper moisturizer so skin does not go into overproduction of oil after cleansing and toning. I highly recommend requesting a consultation with a skin professional to assist with the choice of proper products needed to meet your skin care goals.
Step 5: Proper SPF sun protection
Sun screen with a minimum protection factor of spf 30 is the recommended factor in most skin care lines. With my experience I have seen skin maintain clarity and reduced sun damage by incorporating 50 spf into your daily skin care routine for all skin types. Formulas are available to match all skin types and tones. Always choose a broad spectrum sun screen for the best protection. Sun screen costs pennies per day and is the number one anti-aging product all can benefit from. Remember to apply spf protection to your lips, eye lids, ears, neck and décolletage prior to applying foundation makeup. Apply Full body 20 minutes or as directed prior to spending time outside.
On the days you wear makeup and are not able to reapply as directed there are mineral powder sunscreens available! Brush and go! Also for the summer invest in a great broad brim sun hat and sunglasses for you and the children.
A daily a.m. and p.m. skin routine is so very important and easily followed with the right products for YOU. Visit a skin care professional. An Aesthetician, Dermatologist or Plastic Surgeon will be happy to consult with you, guide you and help you to obtain your skin care goal.
But at the end of every day consistency is the key to progressing forward to natural beautiful skin.
Have a marvelous SUMMER!
Deborah Meza
Woman’s Clinic, P.A.
4577 Thirteenth Street
Gulfport, MS 39501
228-341-7879