New Year, New Skin | What skin care regimen is right for you?
It’s the new year which means it’s time for a fresh start. The new year typically revolves around making resolutions and taking better care of your body or your health. Don’t worry, I am not here to talk about some crazy fad diet that you will most likely quit in the next 2 days. I am going to guide you through a simple/realistic skin care regimen which is a new year’s resolution that you will look forward to treating your skin to for months to come.
Why do you need a skin care regimen? Having a customized skin care regimen that covers all aspects of the skin renewal process is like having a full circle. If certain steps are left out, it leaves holes and the entire process falls apart. There are simple regimens and advanced ones so it all depends on your individual needs and what type of results you are looking for. Your regimen also depends on how committed you are to your skin health. My clients describe the results they desire for their skin and this may sound surprising but 50% of the skin care work must be done at home. Think of your home skin care as your “homework.”
In this article, we will go over a basic home care regimen. Everyone’s skin is different so having something customized specifically for you is ideal. Mixing random products and brands together at home may or may not work for you. Remember, this is cosmetic chemistry we are talking about here and regimens are scientifically formulated to keep the skin in balance and create a cumulative benefit.
Cleanse: Why do we need to cleanse? A cleanser is the first step to a healthy complexion. Cleansers remove dirt, pollution, excess oil and makeup. Prepping your skin for the renewal process is key to helping treatments and products change the skin so don’t forget to wash your face! ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. I recommend this: Clean for all skin types, or Fresh Canvas for truly oily and problematic skin.
Exfoliate: Why exfoliate? As we age, the buildup of dead skin cells increases. Our cell turnover rate slows down creating a dull and rough texture. Because the skin is made up of many layers, we need to facilitate this process by doing either a manual (scrub) or chemical (glycolic, enzymatic, etc.) exfoliation regularly. This results in moisturizers working properly and helps brighten and even out the texture of the skin. This one is a favorite: Surface Enzyme Exfoliant
Treat/Serum: Why treat? Think of a specialized treatment for your skin as a topical prescription supplement. Serums and treatment lotions are typically highly concentrated (especially when recommended by your esthetician) and is the key to targeting specific needs. For example, someone experiencing acne will use a blemish treatment at this step, whereas someone looking to brighten sun damage will use a serum that repairs sun damage and brightens the skin. I recommend this one: Constitution DNA Serum . It is super hydrating and nourishing, perfect year round but especially great for winter.
Hydrate: Why hydrate? Replenishing the moisture of the skin becomes more necessary depending on climate, age and skin type. Did you know that even oily skin can be dehydrated? Choosing the right one for your skin type will create a youthful glow and comfort for the skin. We love these: Moisture Infusion for normal to oily skin and Cocoon for dry to normal skin.
Protect: Why protect? Protecting from damaging UVA/UVB rays is an essential step in your regimen. I like to think of this as your number one anti-aging product. The sun’s UV rays feel great but they do break down collagen and elastin and contribute to spots, capillary damage and even cancer. EVEN DURING GRAY WINTER DAYS. Don’t miss this step! Formulas for sunscreens have come a long way in the last decade and you will be surprised at how nice they look and feel on the skin. We love this one: Tizo- Ultra Zinc (Amy's Favorite!)
I strongly encourage you to implement these basic steps at home, in between your professional treatments to get better and faster results. To help you get started, use code “NEWYEAR “ for 20% off of purchases of $100 or more.
Need guidance or want to optimize your regimen? Book a complimentary consultation!