It’s the age-old question all of us want to know – how do we achieve beautiful, radiant skin? It’s one of those questions that is common to us all, no matter your age, skin color, or even gender. It is the number one goal for all of our patients. There are many things you can do to make sure your skin looks and feels it’s best and they range from outward procedures to, well, you know the old phase, “healthy skin starts from within?” It’s not wrong! Below are 12 steps you can take both at home and in the salon to make sure your skin is glowing, smooth and flawless.
1: Hydrate!
Hydration has got to be number one on this list because drinking enough water is crucial to literally every cellular process within your body, and it’s no different when it comes to the health and appearance of your skin. Staying hydrated is as basic as it comes. Do it for your skin and for your health overall. If you get sick of plain water, add some lemon or other fruits to spruce it up or reach for some herbal tea.
2: Eat your Way to Beautiful Skin
Eating a fresh, mostly whole foods diet is crucial to the health and appearance of your skin. I’m talking Omega-3s for hydration and elasticity, Vitamin C to help stimulate collagen production, and Antioxidants to help combat free-radicals. The list doesn’t end there, of course – plants and plant-based foods are bursting with vitamins, nutrients and minerals that all play a part in the health and glow of your skin. A healthy diet is essential.
3: Wash your Face Before Bed
I know you’re tired at nighttime, but this is one of those rituals you just can’t skip. Going to bed with makeup plus the dirt, oil, sweat and other buildup that has accumulated on your face during the day can actually age your skin 7x faster, not to mention the potential for breakouts and clogged pores. No thanks!
4. Use a Cleanser that Fits your Skin Type.
Piggybacking off of #2, but while you’re at it, make sure you’ve chosen a cleanser that fits your skin type. If your face feels super dry or tight after cleansing, the cleanser you’ve chosen might be too strong. There are a slew of different types of cleansers on the market to choose from – from cleansing oil, micellar water, and milk-based cleansers to salicylic acid cleansers and cleansing grains. Having a better understanding of your skin will help you select the right face cleanser. Do you have lipid dry skin, oily skin or dehydrated skin? A detailed skin analysis can help answer those questions.Don’t forget to give your new cleanser a solid trial period of 4-6 weeks before you switch it up.
5: Create a Simple Skincare Routine.
A 12-Step Skincare regimen? Are you really going to do that every day? Let’s be honest, probably not. And you don’t need to. The best skincare routine is the one you’ll stick to – even if it is just as simple as cleansing, using a toner, moisturizing, sun protection and a little bit of exfoliation here and there. Make it simple, easy, and something you can commit to.
6: Sun protection
Too much sun exposure can cause wrinkles, age spots and even skin cancer. You know this already! Avoid these skin woes by making sunscreen a non-negotiable in your routine – even in the wintertime. On a cloudy day, while the clouds can block out light, they may allow harmful UV rays to penetrate through and wreak havoc on your skin.
7: Sleep it Off!
Getting your beauty sleep – it’s a real thing. You need 6-8 hours of quality sleep per night to help your skin look its absolute best. During the night, your skin works hard to boost circulation and repair itself at the cellular level, allowing you to wake up looking and feeling refreshed. A lack of sleep or interrupted sleep disrupts this process.
8: Move that Body!
Regular exercise is important for the health of your body, but did you know it’s great for your skin health too? Cardiovascular exercise promotes blood circulation which nourishes your skin cells by delivering them with oxygen and nutrients – which for you, translates into radiant skin.
9: Exfoliate Weekly
An essential step in your plan to healthy skin is weekly exfoliation. Help the natural process of shedding dead skin cells as well as drawing out toxins and unclogging pores. Just as with your cleanser, your mask or exfoliant should work well with your skin type.
10: Let’s talk about your Pillowcase
Even after washing your face, your pillowcase is still likely to build up with oils, dirt, sweat and other bacteria. Ick! Change it every few days to keep it fresh and to prevent breakouts. Speaking of your pillowcase, switching to a silk pillowcase is said to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Worth a shot!
11: Start a Medical Facial Routine
Having a professional facial might sound like a luxury, but they have a special role in your plan to healthy skin. Having a facial every 3-4 weeks can help you maintain that radiant skin you’ve been working on as it will detox, boost the blood flow to your face, flushing your skin cells with oxygen which helps to give your face a smooth glow. A good example is a regularly scheduled Dermal Infusion session which is designed to provide deep exfoliation while infusing your skin with nourishing serums.
12: Visit a Medical Spa.
Sometimes a little more in-depth action is necessary to get the results you desire for your skin. Years of sun damage and acne may need more involved corrective steps to get rid of acne, acne scars, wrinkles, sunspots, uneven tone and texture. Make an appointment at a MedSpa and talk to an aesthetic physician about options like medical grade chemical peels, hydrafacials, microdermabrasion, microneedling, laser treatments, facial fillers or Botox injections. Here, you’ll find the comfort of a spa combined with medical expertise and specialist supervision.
In your quest for healthy, beautiful skin, definitely give these 12 Steps a try and see how they can transform your visage for the better!