Let’s face facts: As we age, our skin goes from baby smooth to drip and droop. If you are like most women, trying to prevent your “true” age from showing may be a continuous battle that you may or may not feel like you are losing. Every day new lines and wrinkles show up where they never were before and although this can be disheartening, we encourage all women to take a stand against aging!
Here is another fact to chew over: You do NOT need to be twenty to have fabulous skin. Beautiful skin is the reflection of proper skin care, a good diet and a conscious effort to look your best at any age. If you have fabulous skin when you’re twenty, that’s the result of genetics but having fabulous skin at fifty? That’s something to brag about!
Wrinkles begin to show as early as your mid-twenties. These begin as fine lines around the eyes, lips, chin and nose. These initial signs of aging should be the first red alarm that your skin care routine needs to be updated. A daily moisturizer is a simple way to combat these early signs but can be ineffective during the greater battle. Remember you are not just fighting time – genetics, the environment and natural biology will all play a role.
Start with a basic understanding of what to expect by studying your family. A mother being a “preview” of what you can expect to look like in twenty years is a phrase that holds some truth. Genetics play a HUGE role in how we develop and that doesn’t stop during the advanced aging process. If your mother (or father) has deep wrinkles, pronounced sagging skin or develops uneven skin texture and color, these are all problems you may need to eventually face but should certainly act upon to prevent. Yes, prevent. Skin care is not just about dealing with the problems as they arise; it’s about stopping them before they start!
Design a system that will target your specific skin types and needs. We recommend a six step system that will cleanse, exfoliate, tone, correct, moisturize and protect.
Begin with a basic cleanser: depending on your particular skin type and whether you are seeking botanical, natural organic or Cosmeceuticals (anti-aging) this may vary. A good cleanse will remove excess debris and oils from the skin, preparing it for step two.
Exfoliation: The build up of dead skin cells and debris is a prime source of wrinkles and fine lines in the face. A gentle exfoliant will remove this build up without causing damage to your skin.
Toner: After cleansing and exfoliation, you may wonder why you should bother adding in a toner. Water contains harsh minerals that will build up on your skin, even when you are rinsing off the cleanser and toner. A quick rub of toner will remove these impurities and leave your skin primed for more aggressive care.
Correct: Should your skin have any special issues such as uneven skin tone, discolorations, redness, loss of elastic, dark eye circles – now is the step to apply targeted products. Your skin is clean and ready to receive these treatments without applying it to unnecessary dead skin cells.
Moisturize: Hydration will play a key factor in keeping your skin looking beautiful. Your skin relies on water and natural oils to stay smooth and feel beautiful. By removing these oils to remove the grime and debris, we are actually depriving our skin of its most basic essentials. Now it is time to replenish the skin with carefully designed moisturizers that will penetrate the outer layers of skin and reach the deepest layer. Healthy new skin cells will develop and give you that smooth skin you want and deserve!
Protect: If you’re outside, protect your skin by covering up with a SPF 30 moisturizer. This will prevent sun damage and keep your skin safe. Remember that any exposure is really too much so even in the winter when the sun may not be so obvious, add this to your daily routine!
Occasional Masques: Applying a masque one a week or every other week is a great way to penetrate the skin even further. These will often exfoliate and hydrate the skin simultaneously and leave your face and body feeling smooth and glowing.
Take control of your skin today and take steps towards keeping your skin healthy, beautiful and youthful for an entire lifetime!