If your current skin care routine isn’t working for you and you’re looking to start fresh, you’re probably wondering where to begin. How do you choose the skin care products that are best for you?
At Eterna Vein & Medical Aesthetics in Puyallup, Washington, our team of master aestheticians are ready and able to help you decide which skin care products work, and which don’t, whether they be the kind you get at the drugstore or pharmaceutical-grade options.
Why do I need a skin care routine?
Your skin is the largest organ in your body, and it needs to be treated with the same concern as any other organ. While it serves as a barrier to environmental toxins and invading pathogens, it also needs to remain strong and supple enough so it doesn’t experience trauma thru your daily activities.
The goal of a skincare routine should be to improve skin tone, keep the skin soft, and prevent the visible signs of aging. It should also address any problem areas that need some extra help.
What is involved in a skincare routine?
The exact nature of a skincare routine, including which products are best, depends on who you ask and your skin type; the selection is as unique as the person who’s adopting it.
Those who have specific skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, or rosacea require specific products as part of their routines to address their specific issues.
Basically, a skincare routine may consist of as little as three steps:
1. Cleansing
If you wash twice a day, once in the morning and once at night, it helps you avoid clogged pores, acne, and a dull complexion.
The right facial cleanser depends on your skin type: oily, dry, sensitive, or mature. It should cleanse your skin without stripping away essential, healthy oils. Limit exfoliating scrubs to once a week to avoid overstripping or wear down the skin.
Use non-comedogenic products, especially if you have oily or acne-prone skin. These don’t clog pores or trigger acne by blocking glands or irritating the hair follicles.
2. Toning
Toners are essentially supplements — thin liquids that deliver an extra shot of nutrients and help your skin better absorb the other products you use. They can be a good way to include specific ingredients in your routine or add another layer of replenishment. Some active ingredients to look for include:
Alpha and beta hydroxy acids: gently remove dead skin cells that clog pores, improve sun-damaged skin, and reduce dullness
Hyaluronic acid: boosts and seals in hydration, and plumps skin to treat fine lines
Rose water and green tea: produce anti-inflammatory effect to calm irritation and reduce redness
Vitamins E and C: fight exposure to free radicals that age skin; reduce sun spots
Toners should be applied after cleansing and before you add other products. Although toners are a great addition to your skincare routine, it is not a must as it was in the past, thanks to new advancements in skin care.
Serums can be used to address specific issues. In addition to hyaluronic acid and vitamin C, things to look for include:
Retinol, vitamin B3, and peptides: stimulate collagen and elastin production, volumizing sagging skin
Colloidal sulfur and niacinamide: decrease inflammation, calming redness and irritation; improve acne with antimicrobial effects
3. Moisturizing
At its most basic, a moisturizer hydrates and softens the skin, preventing water loss through the outer layers. It also complements protective oils. Dermatologists recommend using a moisturizer year-round for all skin types, since as you age, your skin loses its ability to retain moisture, and daily activities can strip natural moisturizers from the surface.
Creams or lotions you apply in the morning protect your skin from the environmental pollutants you encounter throughout the day. They may contain antioxidants and sunscreen (look for an SPF of at least 30). Creams you apply at night, though, focus on repairing any damage your skin sustained, speeding up cellular turnover, and counteracting sun spots. Since these creams contain emollients, they can be thicker in texture.
4. Sun Protection
Daily use of a sunscreen should also be prioritized. Wearing sunscreen every day helps to protect the skin from harmful rays that can damage your skin resulting in wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.
Pharmaceutical-grade skincare products
Eterna Vein & Medical Aesthetics is pleased to offer pharmaceutical-grade skin care products for our clients, which are only made available through authorized medical and healthcare providers. The advantage of using these products is they contain far higher levels of the active ingredients than their over-the-counter counterparts. That makes them work faster and more effectively at tackling your skin care needs. Brands we carry include:
Colorescience® (in-office only)
ZO Skin Health®
iS Clinical® Cosmeceuticals (in-office only)
EltaMD® Skin Care (in-office only)
Epionce®
Sente®
Within each line, we can recommend specific products that are appropriate for your skin type and any specific skin condition you may have.
If you need help choosing skin care products, contact Eterna Vein & Medical Aesthetics by calling the office at 253-268-3400 today.