Everyone desires flawless skin. A key way to accomplish that is quality skincare. Whether you want to enhance your appearance after a cosmetic procedure, prevent sun damage, or minimize the signs of aging, here are the secrets to flawless skin.
Good Habits
The foundation of quality skincare is routine habits that support the health of your skin, your body’s largest organ:
- Getting sufficient restful sleep
- Eating a healthy diet
- Staying hydrated
- Removing makeup before sleep
- Using high-quality skincare products
Cleansing
Depending on your age, your skin type, and any unique concerns, cleansing your face should usually be done twice a day, in the morning and in the evening before bed. If you’re older, with dryer skin, and don’t use a lot of products, you might not need the morning cleanse.
There’s a huge variety of facial cleansing products available today. You’ll find cleansers for acne-prone, sensitive, dry, and combination skin. If you’re not sure which one is right for you, a dermatologist or plastic surgeon can make suggestions.
Different formulations are available too, including:
- Foaming cleansers — for a deep facial wash
- Micellar water — for gentle cleansing without stripping your skin’s natural barrier
- Cleansing pads — great for travel and on-the-go cleansing
- Soothing balms — to remove makeup without irritation
You shouldn’t use soap on your face, as that’s too harsh and can remove natural protection from your skin. Look for products that are free of harmful parabens, phthalates, and sulfates.
Exfoliating
Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells and other detritus from the surface of the skin, making it look fresh and radiant. It can also encourage the production of collagen — one of the building blocks of your skin — as well as help prevent breakouts, blackheads, and clogged pores.
Contrary to what you may have been taught if you grew up in the 20th century, exfoliating the skin on your face should be done gently. Save the gritty scrubs for your heels and elbows, and use a gentle exfoliant instead.
Serum Application
After you cleanse and exfoliate, it’s time to apply any serums you choose to use, before you put on moisturizer. Applying serums in this order helps them better penetrate the skin to do their job.
There are many serums available to treat a range of skin issues, particularly signs of aging. Some of the most popular include:
- Retinol— to smooth fine lines and wrinkles (apply at night to avoid photosensitivity during the day; and avoid if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or lactating)
- Hyaluronic acid— to hold moisture on the skin
- Antioxidant— to protect the skin from stress
- Brightening or lightening— to reduce uneven pigmentation, lighten age spots, and reduce redness
Many serums contain other ingredients to boost their effectiveness at the cellular level, like niacinamide, vitamins, and green tea.
Don’t forget about your neck. Your facial skin doesn’t really end at your chin; you can continue applying most products along the neck and down to your décolletage. Or, you can choose a product specifically formulated for neck care to promote collagen and elastin, tighten the neck, and create a more youthful-looking jawline.
Moisturizing
Your facial moisturizer, like your cleanser, should be based on your skin type, which can change as you age. The same moisturizer that worked for you in your 20s probably won’t be as effective in your 40s or 50s.
Your choice of moisturizer should also be influenced by your environment. If you live in a hot, dry, windy climate, you will need a cream that’s more protective than if you live in a temperate, humid area.
Most people prefer different moisturizers for day and night. Your a.m. moisturizer will need to be more lightweight and work well under makeup, while still hydrating and improving your skin tone. At bedtime, especially as you get older, you likely want something a bit heavier that can help repair skin while you sleep.
You should select a different moisturizing treatment for your eye area. Eye creams are formulated to:
- Provide hydration and protection without greasiness
- Soak into the delicate under-eye area quickly
- Reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness
- Smooth fine lines (aka crow’s feet)
Similarly, your lips need their own treatment too. You may want one with extra moisturizing or a product that helps exfoliate dead skin for smoother, more even lipstick application.
Skincare Essential: Sunscreen
Sunscreen is a must, no matter where you live. It protects your face from ultraviolet rays that cause lines, wrinkles, loss of elasticity, uneven pigmentation, and skin cancer.
You should also apply sunscreen to your neck, chest, backs of your hands, and other exposed areas. Plan to reapply your sunscreen if you’re going to be outdoors for several hours or if you’re swimming or sweating profusely.
If you use a chemical sunscreen as part of your daily routine, it should usually be applied before your moisturizer. Mineral sunscreens, which some people prefer if they’re sensitive to chemical products, should go on after your moisturizer because they work as a physical barrier and don’t need to soak into the skin to be effective.
Not happy with how your foundation sits over your sunscreen? Try a tinted sunscreen that gives you a broad spectrum SPF and sheer color in one product.
Special Skincare Needs: Post-Procedure Kits
Have you had a cosmetic surgery procedure recently, or are you considering having one? Dr. Sarmela Sunder at Sunder Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills has post-procedure kits specially formulated for sensitive areas that need extra TLC. They provide gentle cleansing, use arnica to reduce bruising, and recruit silver to prevent bacterial growth.
To learn more about quality skincare products and facial nonsurgical and surgical procedures to give you the look you want, reach out to Dr. Sunder’s office today. Call 310-777-6679, or get in touch online to schedule your consultation.
