Over the last 20 years, it has been my privilege to make a difference in the skin of those I've served in my studio. Using my knowledge of how skin responds to massage, product, and technology I see skin transform before my very eyes. Let's look at how *you*can get the best skin of your life!
If you've been a fan for long you know there is no such thing as a one-size fits all skincare routine. What works for one person, may not work for the next because we each have different needs - and that's the skincare journey. The key is creating a skincare routine right for *your* skin and using the tips I've outlined below.
Tip 1: Cleanser Matters
Let's begin with cleanser. When I ask clients about the products being used, they often skip right over the cleanser. My friends, the cleanser you are using is the first step in creating a great skincare routine. Choosing a cleanser right for your type of skin is not just important – it is crucial!
This means if your skin has brown spots or melasma, you need to use a brightening wash such as one with alpha-hydroxy. If your skin is dry or mature skin, you will need to choose a cleanser with moisturizing glycolic acid or a creamy cleanser. If you have oily or skin with acne, you'll need a cleanser with salicylic gel or benzoyl peroxide. Sometimes you only need a non-exfoliating "resting" cleanser to rebalance your skin.
TIP 2: Don't Overdo Product Selection
You have heard me say this before, sometimes less is more in your daily routine. Sure, we all like to do the occasional 7 skins treatment or give ourselves a power treatment. However, using too many products every day is not the way to the best skin of your life. That's a way to exhausted, overworked skin. If you're using the products I recommend, you're getting a lot more actives in the product than in over the counter (OTC) products so you'll use less product and fewer products. Keep it simple most of the time and dial into what your skin really needs as you experiment to find what works for you.
TIP 3: Moisturize + Hydrate + Feed
The health of our skin depends on what we put *inside* our bodies to nourish it – AND – what we apply to the *outside* of our skin. It takes both.
I often say moisturize right after you get out of the shower in the morning and right after you cleanse before bed. I also recommend drinking an 8-ounce glass of water at this time as well. Work hydration from within into your routine so that it becomes a habit.
Feed your skin vitamins and minerals (on the inside) and also put them on your skin (on the outside). Skin is nourished with a diet rich in greens. The chlorophyll in greens act as an anti-inflammatory, oxygenator, and hydrator, as well as cleansing the lymphatic system. For products that feed from the outside, at a minimum add a good vitamin C cream and a serum rich in antioxidants to repair damaged skin.
TIP 4: Exfoliate but don't over do it.
I want to begin this tip by saying over exfoliating is just as damaging to skin as not exfoliating enough. Over exfoliating can lead to breakouts because it strips the skin's natural lipid barrier which protects the skin keeping it hydrated longer. If the skin has to work hard to produce more oil because the lipid barrier is damaged, this can lead to blocked pores. Blocked pores appear larger and lead to breakouts.
Pay attention to your skin. If it starts looking dull, flat, or lackluster it might be time for exfoliation. Choose a product that is gentle but effective. I offer a few options for exfoliation.
If you're using a good cleanser (and my double wash protocol), and good skincare products you will be removing the dead skins so you won't have to exfoliate as much. But if you neglect cleansing twice daily, or use products that leave residue on the skin, it is a good idea to do a deep exfoliation now and then.
TIP 5: Clean your makeup brushes regularly. It doesn't make sense to cleanse your skin and apply high-performance products, and then use dirty, bacteria infested makeup brushes. Cleanse and fully dry your face brushes OFTEN (every 2 weeks). You can use something as simple as shampoo to clean them at night and wake up to clean brushes in the morning.
TIP 6: Keep your unclean hands off your face. Touching the face can lead to irritation, acne, and even scarring if you're picking at blemishes. EVERY time you touch your face, you are spreading bacteria onto your skin.
If you get out of the shower and apply hair product to your hair and style hair before you apply skincare products, remember to wash your hands well before you start applying skincare products. Hair care products often contain waxes, alcohols, etc., that you don't want mixed with your skincare products because they're still on your hands.
TIP 7: Protect
The last step in your morning routine should *always* be to protect your skin from UV rays. I love HOP & Dr. Esthe sun protection products, but you can use your favorite SPF. There's an ongoing debate about what level of SPF. I prefer SPF 50. Just make sure you use it *every* day you're going to be out in the sun (even driving in the car on sunny days) - and don't forget the top of your hands.
Using these tips on a consistent basis will get you on the way to the best skin you've ever had.
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