Wishing for that glowing skin of your youth? Don’t just wish – Do Something!
It’s never too late to start taking care of your skin!
Our skin begins to age in our mid-20s, but you probably didn’t notice it then. Those products you have used for years may not be giving you the results you want anymore. Our genetics, daily habits, and the sun cause changes in our skin, but there are several things that you can do to achieve softer, healthier skin.
Begin by using a creamy cleanser if you have dry skin, or if you are oily, use a foamy one. Breaking out? Choose a cleanser containing beta green tea – a natural antiseptic that is great for problematic skin. Always cleanse with warm or cool water. Hot water can strip away your skin’s natural moisture. Pat your face dry — don’t rub.
Next step – Moisturize
Moisturizers protect and improve your skin. Even if your skin tends to be oily or breakouts, you can use a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer every day. Dry skin may need to be moisturized more than just once a day. Very dry skin can often benefit from using a serum before adding moisturizer. Serums and moisturizers are best used while your face is still damp to seal in moisture. And don’t forget your neck! Using moisturizer and sun screen on the neck can slow the formation of crepey skin.
Don’t forget your sunscreen!
Sun protection is needed during daylight hours, even when it is cloudy or if you’re staying indoors. The sun’s rays can pass through clouds and windows, so you’re always exposed. Many moisturizers have sunscreen, as does some make-up. Look for a broad-spectrum screen, which means it guards against both UVA and UVB rays. I think the best sun protection is derived from a product containing zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. Those products sit on the surface of the skin and reflect the sun’s rays away. Use your sunscreen on your lips, neck and chest too. Driving? Be sure to protect the backs of your hands as well. And if you sweat or are outside for a long time, reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes to stay protected. Wearing make-up? Boost your protection by puffing on a mineral powder.
Layer your lotions and potions
Begin with clean skin, apply any serums or gels that treat specific issues (they need to be next to your skin to get the most benefit), follow with your moisturizer and top it off with your sunscreen. Make-up can be applied after the sunscreen. A word of caution here – never sleep in your sunscreen. Your skin needs to recover and rejuvenate while you sleep. Cleanse, use your corrective serums, moisturize and have sweet dreams.
Keep that glow
Exfoliation of dead, dry skin will return your skin to a healthy glow. Normal to dry skin can benefit from a gentle exfoliation weekly. Use an enzyme, gentle scrub or a spinning brush to gently rid your skin of that dull outer layer. Oily skin can usually be exfoliated more often. Get the most from your enzyme by adding steam. Cleanse your skin, apply the enzyme, and then jump in the shower. The steam will increase the power of your product. Remove it at the end of your shower.
Exfoliation exposes a fresh new layer of skin, but it also makes your skin more sensitive to damage from the sun, so be sure to protect that glow with a good sunscreen.
Your skin care pro offers many in salon treatments that treat more deeply than retail products. Check out progressive chemical peels and deeply moisturizing facials to rid your skin of the dry and dulling layer left over from exposure to sun and summer heat.
