Skin Care can appear to be complicated with all the latest 8 and 12-step routines in vogue, but its basics remain straightforward: cleansing, moisturizing and applying sunscreen daily are the keys to healthy, beautiful skin.
If you suffer from acne, opt for a gentle foaming cleanser with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. For dry skin types, an intensive moisturiser containing emollients and hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid is often the answer.
Cleanse
Cleansing should always be at the core of any skincare routine. Our skin is exposed to harmful environmental influences daily such as bacteria, pollutants, excess oil and dead skin cells – if these are left behind on our pores over time they could clog them and lead to breakouts.
Importantly, cleanser helps maintain skin pH levels and hydrate its complexion. Today’s cleansers have evolved greatly over time and now contain gentle surfactants from natural sources like coconuts (used in our Estrella Cleanser Mousse) or other plant-based ingredients with moisturizing benefits that help hydrate the complexion.
Cleansing of the face should take place twice daily – in the morning and evening – for optimal results. Double cleansing ensures all traces of makeup, sunscreen and impurities have been eliminated while also allowing serums and moisturizers to reach all layers of the skin where they’re most needed.
Tone
Toners can help restore skin after cleansing and prepare it for other leave-on skincare products like serums and moisturizers. Toners should be applied using cotton pads or your fingers after cleansing but before initiating other skin treatments.
Modern toners differ significantly from alcohol-rich astringents of yesteryear in that they tend to be much gentler on oily skin types and concerns. If you want to prevent breakouts on oily skin types, look for toners formulated with antibacterial and exfoliating ingredients; these will absorb excess oil, remove dead cells from your complexion, and minimize dark spot formation.
For sensitive skin, toner should contain moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid which has the capacity to hold 1,000 times its own weight in water. You can also find soothing toners containing peppermint, aloe vera or eucalyptus that may soothe the skin. Use toner morning or evening before moisturizing in order to achieve the best-looking complexion possible.
Moisturize
Moisturizing is an integral component of your skincare routine, helping seal in moisture and prevent premature aging while potentially decreasing acne breakouts. Apply moisturizer after cleansing, toning and exfoliating as this enables better absorption by damp skin.
An effective moisturizing lotion must include ingredients like humectants that attract and hold water, occlusives that reduce trans-epidermal water loss and emollients to nourish and soften skin.1
Moisturizer should be applied to all areas of skin, particularly around the face, ears, neck and chest which are susceptible to wrinkles and clogged pores. Finding an appropriate moisturizer depends on both your skin type and the weather; while warm humid conditions call for lightweight gel products while cold dry weather requires products with ingredients like ceramides or oils (coconut, shea butter) or petroleum-based products like dimethicone. Moisturization also acts as a form of camouflage by giving freshly moisturized skin an healthy sheen which can cover other skin blemishes by even out various skin tones.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen should be part of every daily skin care routine for maximum effectiveness and protection from skin cancer, premature aging, hyperpigmentation reduction and overall restoration of integrity of skin integrity. Therefore it should be applied year-round regardless of season or climate conditions.
Mineral and chemical sunscreens offer distinct types of protection. Mineral sunscreens such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide form a physical barrier on the skin to block UV rays; however, chemical ones absorb UV radiation into heat energy before dissipating it again into space.
Select a broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher that provides protection from both UVA and UVB rays, and apply every two hours or as needed when swimming or sweating. Glo Skin and Medspa offers medical grade products and spa services to combat long-term UV exposure which may cause fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone and dryness or rough texture in their clients.