No matter the complaint with your skin, whether it be aging, pigmentation, scarring, acne or sensitivity, most skin problems can be addressed, controlled and eradicated with a good daily skin care regime.
70% of the results achieved on your skin come from your skin care regime, and only 30% from skin treatments.
So many think it’s the other way around! But think about it; you brush your teeth everyday and then go to the dentist for that twice yearly clean. Likewise you wouldn’t invest in an expensive Personal Training session and eat junk food everyday expecting results. It’s the habits you adopt everyday that make the most impact.
Skin care however is not a new or passing fad. There are documented accounts of Cleopatra bathing in sour milk which is high in lactic acid (a natural skin exfoliant). Ancient Greek athletes used a mix of Olive Oil and fine sand to prevent skin from burning in the sun, and the Romans regularly bathed with soaps to cleanse their skin. Despite this, the importance of a good skin care routine is often over-looked or under-appreciated. We’ve all heard the classic ‘I only use soap and water and my skin looks fine’ or ‘my mother uses nothing and she has great skin; its all genetics’. But with the stresses of modern day living, the effects of skin neglect can become very apparent.
If you think about our facial skin, it is the most exposed and vulnerable. Our skin interacts with the environment daily, and works to protect against pathogens, excessive water loss while also providing insulation, temperature regulation, and the synthesis of vitamin D. It is one hard working organ! A skin that is well nourished, hydrated and protected against pollution, UV rays and other environmental elements, will remain healthier for longer and the visible effects are apparent both in the short and long term. Skin care can ensure current complaints are successfully addressed and the ageing process slowed, no matter when you start a good regime. The sooner good skin care habits are adopted, the better the skin’s overall condition will be!
So what is classed as a good skin care regime? A good facial skin care routine should include quality cosmeceutical products, and consist of a cleanser, a serum, exfoliant, a moisturizer, and last but not least, a sunscreen.
Cleanser
It all starts with a good quality cleanser to remove dirt, make-up, excess oil, built-up toxins and other pollutants which can clog pores and can lead to conditions such as acne. While regular exfoliation will remove any dead skin cells that may be clogging the skin and uncover fresh new cells below. This also clears the way for any serums or moisturizing products to penetrate more deeply into the skin, which makes them much more effective.
Cosmeceutical Serum
A cosmeceutical serum can revitalize, de-age, repair, hydrate and nourish skin. Using Chirally correct (or skin mimicking) ingredients, serums work deep in the dermis, the control center of the skin, to control oil, eliminate pigment, fight signs of ageing, calm rosacea, and maintain all over skin health. Results using serums are achieved far more quickly and last much longer, which is why it’s worth investing in a serum with good quality ingredients.While most serums will work to hydrate the skin from the inside out, they don’t provide a protective shield between your skin and the environment like moisturizers do; so always ensure you seal your serum in with a good moisturiser.
Moisturiser
Moisturisers works to ease dryness, control oiliness, calm and repair skin and provide a protective barrier against the elements. While Moisturizers only work on the outer layer of the skin and do not penetrate, a good quality moisturizer is still extremely important, as using a synthetic product can have adverse effects on skin health and appearance.
Sunscreen
Let’s not forget the all important Sunscreen! Yes, everyday. Rain, Hail or Shine!
Daily sun exposure, even in winter, can speed up the ageing process and cause pigmentation, which is why a daily moisturizer with UV protection is paramount to maintain youthful looking, healthy skin. And it’s not just the burning UVB rays we are protecting against; UVA rays are the primary cause of wrinkles, leathery skin, sagging and sun spots. UVA rays are stealth, so they cannot be felt, and also penetrate through clouds, seep through your car windows, and they can even sneak through some clothing. Even though UVA rays are less likely to give you a sunburn, they are still linked to increasing your risk of skin cancer because they cause damage to your skin cells.
The importance of good quality skin care is stressed not just because of the results able to be achieved, but because there are some ingredients you should to avoid in skin care as they can be detrimental to skin health. These ingredients include alcohols, parabens, synthetic fragrances (often labelled as Parfum), and artificial colours, which believe it or not, even though detrimental are very common. How detrimental? For example, artificial fragrances can encourage skin pigmentation, while alcohol can dry the skin out and can speed up the ageing process, cause sensitivities, broken capillaries AND cause breakouts. Yikes!
So, even if you think it’s ‘too late’ to start, by adopting a good skin care routine you can achieve many immediate and long-term results; skin complaints will be effectively controlled and eliminated, lifestyle and environmental damage can be reduced and defended against, and skin will be fresher, cleaner, softer and healthier. However, we can’t forget about that all important 30%. For your skin to look its absolute best, a regular course of facial treatments is the quickest and most effective way, along with an appropriate skin care routine, to ensure skin stays healthy, hydrated, nourished and clean.