As March Madness is winding down and the final four teams head out to Detroit in what seems to be an exciting end to the touney, I started thinking…what top 4 skin care products would make the cut that everyone could benefit from, male and female?
The Fighting Antioxidants…
I’ve talked about how important these are in a previous post. They help to fight free radicals (cell destroyers/agers). Using a vitamin C, Green Tea, or any other antioxidant really helps to keep the skin supple and youthful.
The Mighty Exfoliators…
By helping to remove this dull layer of dead skin cells, exfoliation improves the texture of skin, unclogs pores, and can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. In addition, it can prevent ingrown hairs and acne scarring. Exfoliation is important for men as it exposes the hair follicles, allowing a better shave.
Exfoliation can be done through chemical or mechanical methods. Chemical exfoliation methods usually involve acids. Alpha hydroxy acids, some of the more widely used acids, include glycolic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, citric acid, mandelic acid and tartaric acid. Beta hydroxy acids like salicylic acid, can also be used however those who are pregnant or breast feeding should stay away from this type of acid. These substances loosen the bonds between cells in the outer, dead layer of skin, which speeds up the normal shedding process and helps with exfoliation.
Mechanical exfoliation techniques use abrasive items such as rough cloths, sponges, brushes or pads, or scrubs including pumice, sugar or salt crystals, polyethylene beads, crushed grape seed, ground fruit pits, oatmeal, ground almonds and other coarse materials.
Because of the wide array of exfoliation methods available, it is very important to determine what type of method would be best for your skin type before beginning the use of an exfoliant, particularly if you have sensitive skin. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions!
The Retinoid Rebels…
Retinoic Acid (a derivative of Vitamin A) is known as a cell communicating agent because it encourages skin cells to communicate and function normally. This is a process that is often interrupted during the aging process. When retinoids help skin to function normally, skin derives a number of benefits including:
- An increase in new skin cells due to an increase in cell turnover at the top layer of skin. Skin looks brighter and smoother
- Smoother, plumper skin due to an increase in collagen production
- A reduction in pore size because they can penetrate oil glands and help to unclog pores
- A reduction in skin pigmentation associated with sun damage or other hyperpigmentation disorders such as Melasma
- Protection against free radical damage due to its antioxidant action.
Retinoids are an integral part of any anti aging skin care regimen because their regular use results in skin that is tighter, smoother, brighter and blemish free.
The Cleansing Tide…
A good face cleanser provides several benefits to people using them. It helps in gentle removal of dirt and debris, prevents oil secretion in the face, provides a calm and soothing sensation to the skin, eliminates surface bacteria, imparts new and fresh skin texture, and removes excess toxins from the skin.
If it’s winter, the cleansers stop your facial skin from cracking and if its summer the cleansers prevent your skin from secreting excessive oil. But you have to regularly use the facial cleansers to notice the changes. And don’t forget…too much of anything is not good for your skin, so don’t over cleanse! Windows are the only things that should be squeaky clean.
The Naismith Award goes to…Sunscreen!
This one should be a no-brainer! Think of this product as the defenseman of the year! Sunscreen protects our skin from the harmful UV cancer causing sun rays. More than 90% of all skin cancers are caused by sun exposure, and sunscreens are the number one arsenal we have against the disease. It’s also the best anti-aging product on the market. You should be wearing SPF 30 everyday, 365 days a year. The sun does not go away in the winter (although it feels like it!). More to come in May for Skin Cancer Awareness month.
To review the highlights ~ Antioxidants help to fight free radicals that cause skin damage and aging. Used everyday, these can slow the aging process down. Weekly exfoliation rids our face o
f the dead skin cells that accumulate over time preventing breakouts, ingrown hairs, and diminishing wrinkles. Retinoids at night help to rebuild collagen, slough off dead skin cells, and reverse sun damage. A cleanser preps the canvas for the other products to be applied. Over-cleansing doesn’t provide a cleaner face. It can actually cause more harm than good by stripping all the natural oils off the face. Finally, wearing sunscreen on a daily basis ensures that it will become a habit of applying it every morning; thus protecting you from the harmful UV rays that we encounter on a daily basis. Using these tips will help you achieve a younger healthier complexion taking your skin care to the top!
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