When was the last time you took a good look into the mirror? Were you happy with what you saw, or did you find yourself repeating, yet again, "it's been a hectic and stressful day, I don't really look that tired". Or "where exactly did those bags come from, I don't remember seeing them there yesterday"?! Well ladies, sorry to tell you, the mirror isn't lying to you. That's the daily wear and tear of life staring back at you. But don't worry, its not as depressing as it sounds, keep reading and learn how to both improve your skins texture and maintain the results.
1. The most crucial step of skin care is maintaining a daily regimen that's appropriate for your skin type. If you are unsure whether you have oily, combination, sensitive or dry skin, have your skin assessed at your local cosmetics or skin care counter. Make sure to invest in the products that are right for you. If you have oily or combination skin, it is important to control your oil glands' production without over drying your skin. We recommend cleansing your skin every morning and evening, and following that up with an alcohol free astringent and oil free moisturizer. People with dry or sensitive skin can skip the astringent, and should use a heavy moisturizer so as to replace the skin's missing natural oils.
2. Drink water! Lots of it. The average person should be drinking 8 cups a day. And that's just standard recommendation. It doesn't take into account important factors such as dry weather, excessive activity, or your particular body's needs. To achieve that dewy, youthful looking skin you envy (Jennifer Aniston? Gwenyth Paltrow?), it's critical for you to provide your body with the hydration that it requires.
3. Make sure to protect yourself against the sun. Even if it doesn't look sunny outside, the sun produces harmful ultra violet rays which can dry out and damage your skin thereby causing premature aging. We recommend using at least SPF 15.
4. Detox! Good skin is achieved from both the inside and out. Over long period of time, your body begins to accumulate unhealthy toxins, which amongst many harmful effects, can cause your skin to look sallow and dull. By detoxing your body once or twice a year, it provides your body an instant metabolic "jumpstart". Cleansing your body allows it to give way to a new vibrant and healthy looking skin.
5. Make sure to get enough Vitamin C. Vitamin C is responsible for increasing Collagen production and Elastin levels thereby "stretching" your skin to provide you with smaller looking pores, and decreasing the development of wrinkles. We recommend eating foods high in Vitamin C such as oranges, kiwis, grapefruits, and pineapples as well as applying a facial serum packed with the Vitamin C.
6. Avoid drinking excessive amounts of alcohol and caffeine. That morning cup of coffee or occasional celebratory cup of red wine are perfectly fine; however excessive consumption of these substances has damaging affects upon your skin. Both alcohol and caffeine contain diuretic properties, responsible for increasing your body's urinary production and resulting in the drying out of your skin. Should you drink more than the recommended amount, make sure to at least provide your body with lots of extra hydration.
7. Make sure to exfoliate 1-2 times a week. You can find an excellent, inexpensive exfoliating solution at your local drugstore. It's best to avoid manual exfoliates with granules, as they can injure delicate skin or block the opening of your pores, causing you to breakout. We recommend using a chemical exfoliating peel with key ingredients such as alpha hydroxyl acid or glycolic acid, which allow you to evenly remove the top layer of skin without damaging your skin's surface. We promise you'll be pleased with the healthier, brighter layer of skin you discover underneath!
8. Avoid deep fried and excessively oily foods. This is particularly relevant to people with problematic or oily skin, as they may experience reactive breakouts to these foods.
9. Treat yourself to a professional facial. Cosmeticians have access to top of the line prescription chemicals that only doctors or licensed professionals are trained to administer. By safely removing your skin's whiteheads and blackheads, as well as treating any minor skin imperfections you might have, your cosmetician can achieve professional results with products and equipment unavailable to you at home. Because they can be a bit expensive, we recommend getting a facial once every couple of months as part of your maintenance routine.
10. Try to cut down on stress. The negative affects of stress can be felt on all of your body - including your face. Excessive stress often times brings about early wrinkling, parched skin, or unwanted breakouts. So next time your feeling unusually stressed, take a step back and chill. Your body will appreciate it. And so will your face!
