Healthy skin starts with a foundation in diet & lifestyle (check out the first Healthy Skin Blog). Next, you need to attend to how you are caring for your skin.
Choose skin care products that are clean and right for your skin
You might think that the best skin care products are those with fancy ingredients and a high price tag, but the truth is that more expensive doesn’t always mean better. In fact, some of the most effective products are simple and inexpensive, and you can find some really effective natural products these days. Here are some tips on choosing healthy skin care that’s right for you:
- Choose products that are right for your skin type. If you have dry or sensitive skin, look for a gentle cleanser and a moisturizer with hyaluronic acid and/or ceramides. If your complexion is oily or congested, look for products that contain salicylic acid, which can help to exfoliate and cleanse deeply. But don’t skip out on oils. Many experts suggest that using a quality face serum made with jojoba oil can be beneficial for more oily skin.
- Change up your routine based on the climate. Here in Southern Ontario, we deal with super cold and dry weather come winter, which means we need to level up our moisturizing game to keep our skin’s barrier strong and healthy throughout the cold and windy weather. Moisturizers with ceramides (which are lipids that make up the skin’s barrier) can be particularly helpful for sealing in the skin’s moisture. Likewise, if you’re also used to using a clay mask to detoxify, try adding in a few drops of jojoba, rosehip, argan or marula oil with a teaspoon of yogurt to amp up the moisturizing qualities of your mask.
- Be wary of chemicals in your beauty routine. The Environmental Working Group estimates that the average woman “wears” more than 12 different chemicals on her face each day. Many common ingredients can irritate the skin, be absorbed through the skin, and disrupt the microbiome of your skin (we’ll talk about the microbiome in a moment), so pay attention to labels when shopping for new items—and steer clear of anything containing parabens (a compound found in deodorants) or phthalates (a plastic softener). The Environmental Working Group has a great search function which you can use to check out how clean specific products are.
- Use sunscreen. Even in the winter. It may feel like its unnecessary to put on sunscreen when the days get colder and shorter, but sunscreen is your face’s best defense against UV rays. Mineral sunscreens are healthier for your skin than chemical sunscreens, because they provide a physical barrier from UV rays thanks to minerals like zinc. EltaMD: UV Daily SPF40 (available at our clinic) is a great option as it uses transparent zinc oxide, which can quickly blend into the skin without leaving that sunscreen residue you may see with other products. It is noncomedogenic, meaning it won’t clog pores and is specially formulated to reduce the risk of break outs. This product also includes antioxidants and Hyaluronic Acid to help prevent skin-aging, enhance smoothness of the skin, and help reduce wrinkles. It’s also fragrance free, paraben free, and sensitivity free.
Some therapies and habits can step up your skin care game
- Avoid touching your face, as it can transmit unhealthy bacteria which can cause breakouts.
- Facial massage can help to stimulate blood flow and detoxification through healthy lymphatic drainage. Yes, you can do great facial massages with a gua sha or jade roller. If you’re unsure of how to do a facial massage, there are lots of how-to videos out there!
- Facial acupuncture, also known as cosmetic acupuncture, is a completely natural treatment that can help to support skin health. This ancient Chinese practice uses fine needles to stimulate the flow of energy along meridians in order to improve your health and well-being. Traditional Chinese medicine teaches that this stimulation will result in improved blood circulation and increased nutrition for your skin cells, which helps with cell regeneration and collagen production (key players when it comes to ensuring healthy looking skin).
- Celluma LED Light Therapy is a Health Canda and FDA approved device used to reduce acne and lessen wrinkles and fine lines. This device has been thoroughly studied to show visible improvements in skin health. This treatment is safe and non-invasive.
To learn more about how to create a complete plan for healthy, glowing skin, book an appointment today and help our team get you a the path to getting your best skin ever!