Today we are going to look at HOW we can look after our skin and WHY good skin care is vital.
As you saw from Skin Fundamentals NO.1, Our skin needs care, it has many functions and it needs a little TLC to ensure it can work effectively.
But, do we really need a whole range of products that take lots of our time and money? In short, no. However, by selecting a few skin-specific products you can have the beautiful skin you desire and gain Optimum Skin Health.
In my opinion, in order to maintain and improve the overall appearance of skin, an advanced skincare regimen is vital. Although the specific products depend on your skin type and conditions, every effective regimen should include, at the very least:
A cleanser; an antioxidant and a good SPF.
A cleanser. Proper skin hygiene is important because unclean skin favors the development of bacteria. If not washed away, the slurry of sweat, dirt, makeup and dead skin is decomposed by bacterial flora, producing a foul smell and clogging pores and alot more in the long term…
Functions of the skin are disturbed when it is excessively dirty; it becomes more easily damaged, the release of antibacterial compounds decreases, and dirty skin is more prone to develop infections and becoming sensitive.
So, we need to keep our skin clean with a gentle, convenient cleanser.
Two of my best selling cleansers are Obagi’s Nu-Derm Gentle Cleanser – For Normal to Dry Skin: A mild, gel-based cleanser that gently removes impurities, oil, and makeup to leave skin clean and fresh. OR SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser: A mild cream cleanser for dry or sensitive skin.
Did you know that Damage from the sun is deemed the number-one cause of premature skin ageing..?
We want to prevent premature skin ageing and we can start to do this by using a topical antioxidant every morning which will reinforce the skins natural protection against free radicals (which are the baddies!).
Antioxidants
Antioxidants counteract the damaging effects of free-radicals and they are nutrient rich (full of vitamins and minerals) which can fight off the damaging effects of pollution, smoke and sun damage to name only a few…
By using a topical antioxidant daily we can help to revitalize, protect, and preserve your skin’s tone, texture and appearance therefore helping to prevent and slow down the appearance of aging.
My best selling and favorite antioxidants are Skinceuticals’ C E Ferulic®: and Obagi’s Professional C-Serum’s – lovely products which I use myself every day.
Finally, we must prevent sun damage. Overexposure to sunlight is widely accepted as the underlying cause for harmful effects on the skin. Experts believe that four out of five cases of skin cancer could be prevented, as UV damage is mostly avoidable, this is massive! It is absolutely vital that we all protect our skin with a broad spectrum SPF product which will limit damage from both UVA and UVB rays.
We dont have to use thick white gloop on our skin anymore, decent SPF’s have come a long way now and I use mine as my moisturiser. I like Obagi’s Nu-Derm Sun Shield Matte Broad Spectrum SPF 50, and SkinCeuticals Mineral Radiance UV Defense SPF 50.
Always ensure your SPF is above 30, is ‘broad spectrum’ and you reapply it if you’re out in direct sunlight. Apply it on top of your antioxidant every single day – whatever the weather. I do!
There you have it, my top three essential products!
When used together, these products ensure an effective skincare regimen for maintaining and improving the healthy appearance of skin and therefore take you on your way to Optimum Skin Health.
It is important to have consultation with your skincare expert who will look at your skin and advise the best products for you to use. We are all unique and have different needs.
For advice drop me a line: contact@theskinnurse.co.uk or call me on: 0777 911 3416