1. Sunscreen – Sunscreen is the skin’s first line of defense against harmful UV rays that not only cause our skin to age faster, but protects us from the number one most common cancer in America, skin cancer. To be effective, Sunscreen must be reapplied, often – every 2 hours – with a minimum of spf 30 or above.
DID YOU KNOW… SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays, which are the rays that cause burns and skin cancer.
2. Antioxidants – Vitamin C is one of the most common antioxidants found in skincare. But what does it do and why do we need it? Antioxidants, like sunscreen, help protect our skin. Unlike sunscreen, which protects us from harmful UV rays of the sun, antioxidants protect our skin on a cellular-level from the silent aggressors found in our environment, such as free-radicals, pollution and radiation.
Vitamin C is a powerhouse of all antioxidants, and it has many other benefits, such as it’s ability to brighten the skin and help fade pigmentation. But don’t be fooled, not all vitamin C is created equal. On a molecular level, vitamin C is very unstable. So unless it has been formulated to safely and effectively penetrate the skin, the vitamin C may be less effective than intended.
PRO TIP… Ensure that your antioxidant is medical-grade. This ensures that the formulation is safe, but also that it is a high-quality ingredient that can truly provide protection and results. Many medical-grade products also have clinical studies to show how it penetrates the skin to provide maximum protection of free-radicals.
3. Retinol – Vitamin A, commonly referred to as retinol, helps to increase cell turnover to enhance collagen production, decrease fine lines and acne and even pigmentation to promote healthy-looking skin. It belongs to the retinoid family, which also includes retinoic acid, retinyl esters, and retin-a. Along with retinol’s many benefits, comes potential side-effects that many people experience when first start using vitamin A, including redness, dryness, irritation and flaking. Although these side-effects are short-lived, there are ways to help avoid these unnecessary frustrations. When first starting retinol, it is important to start with a low dosage, usually .25% and only apply it every 3 nights to slowly build up the skin’s tolerance to nightly use.
PRO TIP…Only use your retinol at NIGHT (unless directed by your physician or skin professional) to minimize the skin’s photosensitivity to the sun.
Retinol is not for everyone. Due to some medical conditions, such as pregnancy, retinol usage is not recommended. Others prefer to not use retinol due to skin sensitivities, lifestyle, or other personal preferences. Although the benefits far out way the side-effects, there are other options to help promote cellular turnover that can accommodate all skin types. The regular use of exfoliates will help to remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin to smooth fine lines, minimizes pores and provide an instant glow to the skin.
4. Cleanser –Choosing the correct cleanser for your skin is very important step that is often overlooked. The purpose of a cleanser is not only to cleanse the skin and remove solids, such as makeup, dirt and oil that can clog pores. A proper cleanser will also remove invisible agents such as pollution and smog from the environment that is sits on the skin that can cause your skin to age prematurely.
Cleansers come in different forms, such as gel, foaming, cream and oil. While some are recommended for specific skin types, cleansers can be a preference based on how the make your skin feel. However, using an ineffective cleanser could actually cause more harm than good.
PRO TIP… Your cleanser should never cause it to feel too dry and tight. These are signs that it has stripped your skin’s natural barrier and caused the pH of the skin to be off-balanced.
Call (817)-912-1200 or come by Aesthetic Specialists today to have a complimentary consultation by one of our talented providers who can help you find the best skincare regimen for you!