September: Skin Beauty Basics

For Your Skin

Detox

I’m sure you have a cleanser already…you probably have 20 floating around in your cabinets! First step is to do a skincare product detox and purge old products. It can be hard to do this as you think about all the money spent on them, but just do it. They are old, expired and it’s time to let go.

“taking care of your skin is more important than covering it up”

Cleanse

Your cleanser should be gentle and non-irritating, and should remove your makeup thoroughly. When you shop for a cleanser, you want to make sure the consistency is specific for your skin type (oily-gel, dry-lotion, combination-foam). Also, I would suggest getting one that can also easily dissolve makeup instead of getting a separate makeup remover. This not only saves you a step, but I have found much gentler on your skin, especially around the eyes. I never liked rubbing a cotton pad over my eyes anyway. I felt it dragged the skin too much. As you cleanse, spend time to make sure you remove all of your makeup with gentle circular motions.  The ingredients need to cleanse gently and effectively, but remember you are rinsing this product off so any marketing for infusing your skin with this or that will not be helpful to your skin.

Always cleanse your skin at night. Removing oils, sweat and makeup from the day is so important to let your skin and pores breathe. Something as simple as choosing a headband or wrap to pull your hair back when you cleanse can turn this task into a nightly ritual. Use lukewarm water, a nickel sized amount of product and cleanse in circular motions. If you have a lot of makeup on, rinse and cleanse a second time. Dry your face with a clean towel by gently patting and soaking up the water instead of rubbing which is too harsh.

One of my favorite brands is Paula’s Choice. I have used her products for over 20 years and she never disappoints, but you can find good options at your drugstore as well.

Exfoliate

Whether your skin is oily or dry, the right exfoliant will be your skincare secret!  If done properly, it will get rid of dead skin cell buildup (this can make your complexion dull), can keep your pores clean (bye, bye blackheads!), will even out your skin tone and soften wrinkles. 

So which one?  If you have oily, acne prone skin choose one that uses BHA (beta hydroxy acid). You may also see it referred to as salicylic acid.  This is a derivative of aspirin, works deep within the pores and is anti-inflammatory.  If you have dry or sun damaged skin, look for a product containing AHA (alpha hydroxy acid).  You may also see it as lactic or glycolic acid.  This can be very beneficial for breaking down and getting rid of the thick sun-damaged layers of the skin.  Begin with 1-3x/week, but if you find you are feeling too dry please skip an extra day or two. You want to be aware of your skin barrier and not over exfoliate. Also, be careful with exfoliating products containing the word “scrub”.  These are physical exfoliants usually containing some kind of bead and can be very irritating for your skin, doing more harm than good.

Moisturize

I love this step!  It just feels good.  But here’s where it gets tricky.  The purpose of your moisturizer is not necessarily to give your skin more moisture or water, but to help it retain the moisture levels it already has.  There are certain ingredients that mimic the skin’s healthy functions. One group of these ingredients are antioxidants.  Look for products that contain alpha-lipoic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10, green tea, acai, pomegranate and grape seed extract to name a few.  They help repair and enhance the normal function of the skin, the effect being a more youthful and radiant complexion! 

Both oily and dry skin can benefit from a moisturizer.  The difference will come in the “delivery system” or texture.  A lighter gel is great for oily skin and a more emollient cream better for dry.  Also remember these products should be in an air tight and opaque bottle so the antioxidants will remain stable (no open jars).  To prevent further sun damage, your daytime moisturizer with an SPF of 15 or higher is a must.  It’s not as exciting as a new product, but prevention is the number one way to keep your youthful radiance!

Ritualize

Create a space in your bathroom to display your products.  Have them accessible morning and night.  You don’t have to devote large amounts of time to your routine, but the consistency makes all the difference. Treating this small ritual sends a valuable message of the importance of taking care of you!