We all want amazing, clear, radiant skin but sometimes it can just feel like no matter what you do to your skin it just won’t improve; so you start a routine, continue for a while, decide, “nope it’s not doing anything” and change to another skincare routine. You may find a month later you feel the same and soon enough you end up with a bathroom full of products you have no idea what to do with!
“You don’t need to use 50 different products to have a great complexion”
Treatment products are great for specific concerns however starting off with a simple skincare routine may be best, that way you can really tell between what products are working, and which ones are not. What a lot of people do not realise is that selecting products can be a bit more complicated than just assuming a treatment for a specific condition. There are factors that you need to take into consideration such as:
- Skin type
- Skin condition
- Symptoms
In regards to symptoms, these can include excess oil on the skin’s surface, dryness, dehydration, acne, sun damage, lines, wrinkles or a combination of all of these and so it may be worthwhile and beneficial having a skin analysis with a qualified dermal therapist who can correctly prescribe a skin care routine for you and explain exactly how to use the products and what the benefits of these products are.
To make things easier, here are 5 great tips from Victorian Cosmetic Dermal Clinics’s own staff. These should be your 5 commitments to healthy glowing skin in 2014!
1) Deep cleanse-clean skin equals healthy skin. We all know that we have to cleanse but how many of us actually do it morning & night and correctly? You should be cleansing twice a day & not just with water! Water only wets your skin, a cleanser will remove the build-up of oil & dirt so your moisturiser can actually absorb and not just sit on your skin. Oily skin types beware, over cleansing & stripping your skin of all its oil may make your skin oiler in the long run; stick to cleansing twice a day only. Remember, if you wear makeup or sunscreen, you MUST cleanse that off first with a makeup remover, then use your cleanser afterwards. Some cleansers need to be used on dry skin, usually glycolic cleansers, so make sure you are following the directions to get the best out of your products.
Tip: Use an exfoliator 1-3 times a week in place of your cleanser to remove dead skin cells. Be gentle with your exfoliating products, we only want to remove the dead skin cells not a whole layer of skin! Always use lukewarm water, gently massage in outward circular motions for about 30 seconds. Make sure that you get into the creases by your nose which often get clogged up and develop blackheads & don’t forget your neck.
2) Treat yourself to a mask, a missed step in most skincare routines. Why? Because it will draw out impurities from beneath the top layers of the epidermis giving you cleaner, clearer skin. A mask will help unclog pores, soften & exfoliate dead skin cells so the rest of your skin care products work more effectively. Masks are available for different skin types and skin conditions, so pick one that suits your needs. Treat yourself 1-2 times a week. Apply the mask according to the instructions on clean, dry skin and rinse with cool water. Don’t leave it on for longer than suggested, (normally about 15 minutes). Follow with the rest of your skin care routine, toner & moisturiser.
3) Moisturise and sunblock every day! The skin is the largest organ in the body so it is important to keep it healthy by protecting it every day. It doesn’t matter if your skin is dry, normal or oily, you need to moisturise, and the key is to find one that suits your skin. No matter how old you are, moisturizing is one easy step you can take to prevent wrinkles and keep your skin looking youthful. Cleanse your skin first, morning & night then apply your moisturiser to clean dry skin. Don’t apply your moisturiser to your eye area as the skin around your eyes is thinner & more delicate than the rest of your face, only use an eye cream around your eyes, avoid applying too much as this will only cause puffiness, a rice grain size is plenty.
Tip: We have all heard over & over again how important it is to wear sunblock, well we are going to say it again, wear sunblock, EVERYDAY! And we now have SPF 50+ available in Australia. Apply 20 minutes before sun exposure to all exposed areas & use a lip balm or lipstick with an SPF on your lips. It is the best protection against ageing. Your future self will thank you for it. Don’t forget to moisturise & protect your body!
4) Glowing beautiful skin can be accredited to a good diet, healthy lifestyle and a good skin care routine. Beautiful skin starts with nourishment from within so here’s a list of must have foods with loads of benefits.
- Avocados– loaded with cholesterol-lowering power, potassium, folate & vitamin E. Healthy oils in avocados, nuts and olive oil keep skin cell membranes strong and pliant.
- Walnuts– packed with good fats which is great for heart health, lowering cholesterol, boosting brain function, and reducing inflammation.
- Tomatoes– loaded with lycopene, a powerful antioxidant to help fight illnesses of all stripes & loaded with vitamins C and A.
- Broccoli– great anti-inflammatory effects to help with everything from eye health and arthritis to heart disease and sun damage.
- Dark leafy greens– loaded with vitamins and iron and can be snuck into meals easily.
- Salmon– loaded with anti-inflammatory omega 3s, healthy fats, vitamin B12 & great for your skin. Omega-3 fatty acids in fish help keep skin-cell membranes strong and elastic. Choose fish and other lean proteins, not just red meat.
- Blackcurrants, blueberries, broccoli, guava, kiwi fruit, oranges, papaya, strawberries and sweet potatoes all have Vitamin C to help with the production of collagen that strengthens the capillaries that supply the skin with nutrients.
- Coconut Oil– not just for your cooking, it’s a wonderfully hydrating treat for skin too. Keeps the skin’s connective tissues strong, which prevents sagging and wrinkles.
- Green tea– benefits range from cancer prevention to longevity to skin benefits—thanks to its antioxidant polyphenols.
- Extra virgin olive oil– helps with heart-disease prevention, cancer prevention, and its cholesterol-lowering good fats. Olive oil, tomatoes & red wine have antioxidants that help block the chemical reactions that lead to sun damage.
- Cutting back on white bread, pasta, and refined sugar can also lower the stress hormone cortisol and minimize breakouts.
5. Water intake is critical to good skin health! Did you know that water is 60% of body weight in males and 50% in females? Hydrated skin equals healthy, youthful, glowing skin. Skin needs moisture to stay flexible. Even mild dehydration will cause your skin to look dry, tired and aged. Try to drink at least six to eight glasses of water a day to maintain optimum hydration levels.
Tip: If you have trouble tracking how much water you’re actually drinking, grab yourself a large water bottle so you can see how much you’re drinking through the day. Your skin will love you for it!
Once you make changes to your skincare routine or diet, don’t expect an overnight miracle. It can take up to 4 weeks for new skin to emerge to the surface so the visible benefits can take just as long.
If you want to take your skincare to the next level, get in touch for a consultation with one of our experts.