Skincare 101: A Foolproof Routine for Flawless Skin
Our skin is the most exposed of our organs and works 24/7 to protect our bodies from the environment, however, many of us tend to neglect its proper care, making it susceptible to sun damage, dark spots and the early signs of aging. Fortunately, a good skincare routine can do wonders for your skin’s health and vitality, making sure you truly age gracefully.
And, when it comes to your skin, you can never be too young to start taking care of it. A preventative approach will not only delay the signs of aging and prevent damage, but will also give your skin a strong and healthy foundation as you explore new treatments and products that will address your skin’s specific age-related needs.
Bottom line? No matter what stage of life you’re in, it’s never too early to start a heathy skin care regimen to improve the look and feel of your skin and get the most out of your clinical spa treatments. That’s why we’ve taken the guesswork out of which products yield the best results to not only enhance your skin but help maintain that post-treatment afterglow.
Here’s the scoop…
Go Broad (Spectrum), or Go Home. Sunscreen is a summertime staple but many of us forget to lather up at the first sign of the falling leaves. However, UVA/UVB rays don’t take a seasonal sabbatical and can cause damage to skin year-round, especially in high altitudes and when reflected off of ice and snow.
Sunscreen is essential to any good skin care routine, but are you getting the most out of yours? Applying a good, all-in-one moisturizer and sunscreen – like our personal favorites from Image Skincare – not only provide great UVA/UVB protection but also include all the essentials for healthy skin, including antioxidants. We love Image Sunscreens because they are derived from botanicals, are good for all skin types and offer all the benefits of superior sun protection – minus the sticky residue. Because, after all, the only thing hefty about a sunscreen should be its SPF.
Retain a Retinol. Retinols are vitamin A-based derivatives that are highly effective in reversing the damaging effects of the sun and signs of aging. In fact, they have been proven to reduce fine lines, even skin tone, improve texture, tighten pores and stimulate blood flow to increase collagen production.
We recommend Avene’s RetrinAL 0.1, which offers the same benefits as a prescription without the harsh effects, so you can skip a visit to the doctor’s office along with the skin irritation and redness. Clinically shown to visibly reduce signs of aging while brightening and rejuvenating the skin, RetrinAL 0.1 is enriched with a powerful anti-oxidant and ingredients designed to plump the skin and restore radiance for a more youthful appearance.
Up the Antioxidants. We love these free radical fighters, which have been clinically proven to improve the health and appearance of skin and reverse the signs of aging. They have also been credited with reducing inflammation, tightening and toning skin, reducing fine lines and wrinkles by plumping skin and minimizing the appearance of scars. But what we love most about antioxidants is their ability to stimulate blood flow in the skin to help encourage the growth of new cells to make sun-damaged skin appear younger.
One of our favorite antioxidant-based topicals is Glytone’s Age-Defying Vitamin C + E Serum, and we’re not alone. Recently featured on the cover of NewBeauty: The Beauty Authority magazine, this product has the ability to reverse the signs of aging to improve skin’s overall appearance. In fact, the formula includes time-released Vitamin C shown to provide antioxidant protection while Vitamin E defends against oxidative stress and environmental factors that age the skin.
Another product to consider is Image’s Vital-C, which works effectively on all skin types to soften the appearance of wrinkles, support collage and protect skin against oxidative damage. Better than a shot of caffeine, it also acts as a wake-up call on the skin to fight the visible signs of stress and fatigue that commonly appear in aging skin.
Acid is Good. Don’t let the name scare you. Acids in the form of alpha and beta-hydroxys are go-to anti-aging ingredients in the world of skin care. They work to accelerate cell turnover by dissolving the tiny bonds that hold skin cells together, helping to remove dead surface skin that can lead to dull complexions as well as fine lines. They’re the miracle tools used to fight acne, wrinkles, age spots, scarring and uneven skin tone. And, while alpha-hydroxys are good at getting rid of dead skin cells to promote cellular turnover, beta-hydroxys are typically used to treat acne-prone skin. Regardless, these acids are aces when it comes to a good skin care routine.
With so many options out there, which one is right for you? When it comes to alphas, we especially like Glytone’s Enhance Brightening Complex, formulated with a synergistic combination of organic acids to visibly improve the appearance of unwanted dark spots for a more even and radiant skin tone.
To treat acne-prone skin, we’re fans of Image Skincare’s Clear Cell line of defense, which blends the power of alpha and beta-hydroxy acids to sweep away dead skin cells and remove excess surface oil so skin stays shine-free. Herbal extracts refresh and purify clogged pores and help calm irritated skin. We like that.
You’ve heard that the best defense is a good offense. Take that to heart and start taking care of your skin now to ensure its health, youthful appearance and vitality for years to come. So, when someone says that 40 is the new 30, you’ve got the complexion to prove it.
Want more information on the products featured in this article? Contact us today. We would be happy to give you the 411 on which skin care products are best for you pre-and post-treatment to ensure happy, healthy skin. And, be sure to check out the skincare specials on our website for the latest discounts on our favorite products and services.