When your skin is working hard doing its job of protecting us from the elements, it can lose its luster and start to look faded or dull. That’s normal. But, you can give your skin a break by taking care of it every day. Keeping your skin happy doesn’t have to take hours of pampering with fancy machines or scary chemicals that promise instant youth. It does, however, take a few minutes of tender loving care each day for your skin to look its best.
By doing 5 basic steps each and every day, your skin will begin to recover its luster and even its youthful glow. Let’s see what these 5 steps are.
1. Cleanse the right way.
Cleanse your face in the morning and again in the evening without fail. Use a cleanser that is suited to your skin. A ph-balanced cleanser that is creamy is good for dry skin, while most gels are suited for oily skin. You don’t have to create suds to get your skin clean. There are many very good cleansers on the market that do not foam. However, if you like suds go ahead and use a sudsy cleanser, just as long as it suits your skin type. Always cleanse your face with a gentle motion, washing at least 30 seconds. Rinse well with fresh water. You’ll want to cleanse twice if you have make-up or a heavy sunscreen on your face.
2. You need a good toner.
In order to fight those damaging “free radicals” we’ve been hearing so much about, you’ll need a good toner. Your toner should create an antioxidant shield, balancing the skin’s protective barrier. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which holds 1,000 times its weight in water, giving your skin a real hydration boost. Other ingredients to look for are vitamin C and white tea, both restorative and calming. Be sure your toner is ph-balanced, especially if your cleanser is not.
3. Exfoliate regularly.
A gentle, non-abrasive exfoliation is necessary to clear dead skin cells from your skin’s surface. Exfoliating helps the skin renewal process and reveals a brighter, clearer complexion. Exfoliating also allows moisturizers to penetrate deeper into your skin. Exfoliation is good, but more is not always better. Be careful not to over-exfoliate or scrub your skin harshly. If you have oily skin, over-exfoliating will cause the oil glands to over-produce oil to compensate for the oil that you have stripped away. Obviously this can cause more clogging and more shine on an already oily face. So, exfoliate often, but gently, and your skin will love you for it.
4. Keep that moisturizer coming.
Every skin needs a good moisturizer, whether your skin is dry or oily. That’s because every skin needs extra nourishment, the kind of nourishment that comes in your moisturizer. Look for a moisturizer that offers ingredients like vitamins A, C, and E, as well as yeast to help heal and nourish the skin. Choose the moisturizer that best suits your skin type, with special ingredients to combat the effects of pollutants and other damaging elements.
5. Sunscreen is for every day.
Your healthy skin depends on the daily use of sunscreen. The sun causes about 99% of all the signs of aging you can see on your skin. Your face is quite susceptible to sun damage since it’s exposed to the sun on a regular basis; walking in and out of buildings or even driving your car puts your skin at risk. If your morning moisturizer does not contain sunscreen, be sure you find a good product to apply on top of your moisturizer. If you plan to be outdoors for an extended period of time, move your SPF up a few notches for optimum protection. The FDA-approved ingredients titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are the preferred choices.
Is this all I need to do to look and feel years younger?
Your routine skincare regime will start you off on the right foot, but you need to treat your whole body for optimum results. The proper diet plan, regular exercise, and drinking plenty of water will propel you into feeling younger and looking younger in no time. Back that up with regular monthly visits to your Skin Care Professional and your complexion will always have that youthful, ravishing appearance you long for.
Charlotte Field is an Esthetician offering Day Spa Facials in Pensacola. She specializes in Anti-aging, Relaxation and Results. Learn more about her services at FacialsbyCharlotte.com.