One of the most important ways to achieve great skin is to follow a consistent skincare routine with a few simple skincare do’s thrown in and to remember, it’s a lot easier to prevent damage than repair it! Taking care of your skin from your teens and adapting to changes as you age you will keep your skin healthy and fit for as long as you are. Here are some of my Skincare Do’s!
Be consistent – A skincare routine should be carried out regularly. Some products you’ll use once or twice a day, others every other day or once a week but consistency is key, and your skin will thank you for it.
Be patient – It helps to think of a consistent skincare routine as an exercise routine. When you first begin exercising, results do not come right away but If you stick with it, you will notice undeniable results over time. Too often we buy the latest in skin care products and only use them a few times before giving up on them – I have been that soldier. We buy into the lure of miracle formulas and seek instant results, which inevitably leads to disappointment.
Identify your skin type – This is a really important step and is the first part of putting together a great skincare routine. Many people misdiagnose themselves as having a completely wrong skin type and then end up buying products that they don’t need or that may actually be damaging to their skin. Using the wrong product can result in aggravation, dryness, or even breakouts. Knowing what skin type you have will reduce the odds of this, significantly. Plus, once you crack this code it becomes easier to navigate your skincare altogether as you will have a better understanding of which product formulations to use.
Determine your skin concern – You might just have one concern or perhaps a combination such as wrinkles, uneven skin tone, very dry skin, sun damage, acne, and so on. Whatever concerns you have will determine the additional treatment products you may need to use alongside your core products (Cleanser, toner, exfoliant, moisturizer, and sunscreen). Balancing the core products you need for your skin type with the treatment products you need for your skin concerns will enable you to create the best skincare routine for you.
Feed your skin – As we age and mostly because of sun damage our skin is unable to replenish the ingredients it needs to stay healthy. This is why we look for great skincare products which have those essential ingredients to put back into our skin. Three such ingredients skin needs are antioxidants, skin-replenishing ingredients, such as ceramides, peptides, and hyaluronic acid, and lastly skin-restoring ingredients which are products rich in restorative ingredients such as retinol and niacinamide. By giving back those ingredients we can repair and soothe any damage done and prevent more damage from taking place.
Eat Water – As we know water is also very important for our skin but in fact, eating water is even better. According to the world-renowned dermatologist Dr. Murad “When we eat more water-rich foods, we absorb water more slowly because it is trapped in the structure of these foods. That slow absorption means that water in food stays in our bodies longer, with a multitude of additional benefits” Make sure to stock up on cucumbers!
Sunscreen – Nothing is as vital as sunscreen and you will hear me repeat this time and time again. The UV light emitted by the sun slowly but surely hammers away at the skin all year round whether it’s sunny, cloudy, or rainy. Leaving your skin unprotected against this results in all the signs of aging you want to avoid.
Diet – You can’t hope to achieve great skin if you don’t also look at diet. Research shows that a diet loaded with sugars, processed foods, saturated animal fats, and too much alcohol is all pro-aging for your body and your skin. A poor diet can even make acne-prone skin worse because so many foods that aren’t good for us cause inflammation. While the damage may not show up initially, in the long run, eating an unhealthy diet will make your skin suffer. Try eating a diet rich in antioxidants, omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, whole grains, and other healthy food groups which can be both anti-aging and anti-acne.
Sherna x
