The Basic Steps of Daily Skin Care Regimen

Cleanse

It may seem like common sense, but cleansing your skin twice a day is critical to keeping it looking and feeling healthy. There are several reasons that this is an essential part of any good skincare regimen:

Remove Build-Up

Facial cleansing removes dirt, oil, and other unwanted debris. All-day long the skin on our faces is continually covered with pollutants, bacteria, dirt, viruses and old (dead) skin cells. Washing your face daily removes these impurities and gives your skin a fresh look. If you did not wash your face regularly, your skin would be covered with a thick layer of dirt and grime which would clog your pores and make it difficult for skincare products to properly penetrate the skin.

Increase Hydration

When you cleanse your skin, it helps manage its PH levels, enabling sufficient water and product retention. Cleansing your skin regularly, along with using a good moisturizer, is also an important factor in helping the skin maintain a proper level of hydration. When your skin is dehydrated it looks and feels rough, aged and wrinkled.

Keep Skin Clear

There are small glands under our skin that produce an oil called sebum, which protects the skin from the dangers of our outside environment. Hair follicles within the skin are used as a pathway by these glands, and the oil is able to reach the skin’s surface where it forms a barrier that prevents the penetration of bacteria or other harmful elements.

When excessive amounts of dirt build up on the surface of the skin, it can cause blockages of the hair follicle, which traps sweat, sebum and dead skin cells. The resulting lack of sebum on the surface of the skin allows bacteria to then penetrate the follicle, causing inflammation and leading to acne.

Cleansing your skin properly clears pores of debris and prevents dirt buildup. This allows the sebum oil to reach the skin surface without anything blocking it, decreasing the chances of having a breakout.

Some Other Benefits of Cleansing

• Regular cleansing is essential to keeping your skin looking radiant and healthy.
• Allows anti-aging products and treatments to penetrate the skin and work properly.
• Helps maintain proper pore size.
• Encourages proper skin hydration and prevents the production of excess oils.

How to Choose the Right Facial Cleansers

We know that there are so many different skincare products to choose from that it can be overwhelming. Here are some simple tips to help you select a great skin cleanser:

• First, you need to be sure that you choose a cleanser that’s a good match for your skin type. People with dry skin should avoid cleansers that have high alcohol content. If you have oily skin you will need a cleanser with a lower PH level. Sensitive skin needs a basic cleanser without any heavy fragrances and/or additives.
• The delivery of the cleanser matters when it comes to different skin types as well. Gel or foamy cleansers are better for oily skin types, while cream cleansers are great for dry skin.
• If you tend to wear a lot of makeup, you should look for a cleanser that is targeted toward makeup removal.
• People who sweat a lot from exercise, being outside etc on a regular basis should look for a product that focuses on clogged pores.
• Natural” cleansers that are free of synthetic ingredients are good options for those with allergies. The majority of cleansers that are labeled “gentle” are great at removing dirt from the skin without over-drying and irritating it.
• You can help to maintain your skin’s natural balance by selecting a cleanser with a balanced PH.

Moisturize

Just like with cleansers, different skin types will have different needs for a moisturizer. It is also great when your moisturizer has ingredients that can help with other skin issues. Some ingredients we like to look for in moisturizers are:

Vitamins C and E are antioxidants that help protect your skin from free radicals, support your skin’s natural barrier and improve your complexion.

Hyaluronic Acid is a naturally occurring substance in the human body that maintains skin’s moisture and elasticity, lubricates connective tissue and regulates cell renewal. When used topically in skin care products, hyaluronic acid creates a barrier of moisture on the skin, making it smoother and softer. Hyaluronic acid is able to produce amazing benefits for dehydrated skin due to its ability to hold up to 1000x its own weight in water.

Moisturizers with Alpha Hydroxy Acids are great for oily/acne-prone skin, and they also help with anti-aging. If you’re prone to acne, be sure to look for a non-comedogenic facial moisturizer that won’t clog your pores

Protect

One of the best ways to prevent the aging of your skin is with sunscreen. It protects skin from wrinkling and sagging prematurely and from hyperpigmentation. Harmful UV rays damage collagen and elastin fibers, and for the best protection you should choose a broad-spectrum (UVA and UVB) sunscreen that is SPF 35 or higher to protect your skin. Be sure to wear sunscreen daily, even if you are not going to the beach. We are in the sun several times throughout the day, sometimes even when we are inside if the windows are open.

Our skin needs protection from elements other than just the sun. Things like pollution, dust, smog and cigarette smoke can create free radicals, which can speed along the aging process for our skin when it is exposed to them. This can result in things like broken blood vessels, an uneven (darker) complexion, and weakened, saggy skin. The best way to protect your skin from free radicals is with a product containing antioxidants, such as Vitamin C and E and Green Tea Extract.