We’re well into the 2nd month of the new year and many have made vows and resolutions about self care. Is having better skin at the top of your resolution list? Well, if you’ve made the decision to take better care of your skin, the next logical question is “What do I need to get started?”
For those new to skincare regimens, starting off simply with a well-formulated cleanser, moisturizer, eye cream and sunscreen helps with establishing a twice daily routine. Once the new regimen becomes second nature, then it’s time to step it up a notch and start adding products to target specific concerns.
Here is a sample of an effective regimen for those wanting to work on correction of uneven skin tone, improve texture, reducing pore size & anti-aging:
AM: Cleanser, Vitamin C serum, Eye cream & Sunscreen
PM: Cleanser, Retinol, Eye Cream & Moisturizer
Cleanser: I’ve been preferring a gel-based or creamy cleanser as of late for many reasons. These types of cleansers gently cleanse the skin without stripping the skin of natural oils. The cleansing step is a very important step in your regimen and if you start off by stripping the skin, the regimen goes down from there…so does your skin!
Vitamin C: This is a powerful antioxidant used in skin care. It helps with anti-aging by limiting free radical damage, it helps to build and maintain collagen levels and it evens out the skin tone. Click the link to check out the experiment that I performed using Vitamin C and apples for my social media audience.
Eye cream: Choose an eye cream or eye gel specific to your skin concern. Many eye products use retinols,peptides & hydrators to target fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness and address hydration levels.
Sunscreen: This step must NOT be skipped. Sunscreen is a necessity, even on days when there is no sun. UV rays are very damaging to the skin and they are present on rainy, cloudy and snow days. If you have skin, you should use a sunscreen! Sun damage has a cumulative effect so what you do on a daily basis to protect your skin from the harmful rays is key to having a healthy, even toned complexion.
Retinol: My absolute favorite! Retinols are so beneficial for the skin for MANY reasons. They help to correct uneven skin tone, they promote cellular turnover, which means that skin is constantly exfoliated. Retinols help to decrease pore size and they stimulate collagen and elastin production, which helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. I’ve personally used retinols for nearly 20 years and I really believe that this product is the reason for my gleaux. Because of the exfoliation properties, I rarely use a physical exfoliant like a scrub. I cannot say enough about retinols, it is definitely a powerhouse and should be included in EVERY regimen for healthy, gleauxing skin.
Moisturizer: Choose a moisturizer that will help support and hydrate your skin. For those with oily skin, you need a moisturizer, too. Chose formulations that are developed for oily skin because if you deprive your skin of the hydration and moisture that it needs by skipping this step, the skin will often start to produce more oil.
Now that you have a good idea of what your regimen should consist of, the next question that usually follows is “Where do I purchase products?” Let’s face it, there are SO MANY skin care product lines out there & it can be very intimitating and overwhelming. Even for a seasoned vet like myself, it is really TOO MUCH to decipher. Many skincare companies market their products as beneficial but they are placing trace amounts or inactive ingredients into their products. So basically, you’re wasting money on a product that will not improve the health of your skin. Making the investment in skincare products is a big step and you shouldn’t take the advice of a salesperson in a department or retail store. I will always recommend making an appointment with a skincare professional so that your specefic needs can be assessed and addressed appropriately