You might be interested to know experts (dermatologists, estheticians, and plastic surgeons) views on what would be a great skincare regimen. You might notice that they all recommended the same skincare treatments and regimen. We took all these ideas, went into more detail, added more explanation, and then putting them together to follow skincare program, which we have listed below.
1. Lower Stress
Stress is toxic to your body and creates hormones that age us as they destroy cells and create byproducts and free radicals. Stress can reverse any skincare, anti-aging treatment or program by itself, so it is vitally essential in skincare to eliminate or at least minimize stress. It has also been documented that people with lower levels of stress hormones have younger and more elastic skin and better overall health.
2. Avoid Dehydration
Your skin is mostly made up of water (experts have been quoted as saying 60-90% of our skin is water). It is a fact that more than 70% of us do not drink enough water, and many are slightly dehydrated. This can cause a marked decrease in skin elasticity and affect healing. For your skin cells to function properly and heal properly from cuts, etc. we need to drink 8-12 glasses of water every day. Our skin is one of our most important organs as it protects us from disease, cushions our falls, etc. So, for proper skincare we need to drink plenty of water.
3. Sleep Well
Not getting enough sleep has been proven in studies to increase stress hormones and lower our skins anti-oxidant activities. This will age your skin. Not getting the proper 8-10 hours of sleep per day will first show in your skin with broken capillaries, puffiness, and circles under the eyes. Proper sleep should be a vital component of any skincare regimen.
4. Healthy Diet
Many of us think we eat okay or try to start the New Year with a better diet resolution to fail after a few weeks. Canadians and Americans eat too many junk foods, and this can cause or worsen skin problems like pimples and acne. Acne is documented to be genetically related, but certain greasy foods and sugars can exacerbate the problem. A well-balanced meal three times per day has been proven to help alleviate spikes in skin problems and average out the outbreaks in acne vulgaris and even rosacea. Proper nutrition is a core part of any proper skincare regimen or treatment.
5. Supplements
Take a multivitamin to supplement your skin and body. We can't always make sure we get 100% of each vitamin and mineral with the foods we eat, especially with the way many foods are processed and cooked. We can, however, take a multivitamin once a day. It has been proven from research powerhouses like Cornell University that people that take multivitamins once a day live longer by more than five years have a better quality of life and lower risk of disease and infection. Vitamin and mineral supplements are essential to proper skincare.
6. Avoid Soap
Harsh cleaners in most soaps will make actual dry out and further age your skin. Harsh soaps can dry out your skin and even stimulate further sebum (oil) production which can worsen acne and other related skincare conditions. Use a mild cleanser. This will adequately clean your skin without over drying it. Mild cleansers are essential to proper skincare.
7. Quit Smoking
Smoking puts years on you and will reverse any skincare regimen. Smoking can and will add ten or more years to your skin. Why would you want to do that to yourself? If you must want nicotine then get nicotine gum or the patch - they will cure your cravings, and there is no evidence or statistics of anyone developing cancer, lung disease, etc. From the patch or gum (however, nicotine is still toxic and can cause long term heart problems, so see your doctor about this). Smoking must be removed for any skincare program to be effective.
8. Use Sunscreen
Wear an effective sunscreen with a higher SPF (sun protection factor). Our skin does have keratin to protect against the suns harmful rays, but it is no match for UV rays, etc. that we expose ourselves to every day. Skin cancer has several forms like Basal cell, and melanoma and all can be deadly so protect your skin with good quality sunscreen every day. Make sunscreen a part of your skincare regimen and a part of your daily life.
9. Spa Treatments
Treat yourself to a spa treatment at least once in every three months. Not only will it feel good, but many of these treatments will cleanse your body and rejuvenate your skin. Chemical skin peels, regular facials, Swedish massage, complete relaxation, aromatherapy, etc. will all energize and heal your skin. Facial treatments have been proven effective at improving your skins ability to regenerate itself and improve collagen levels. That is why regular facial is one of the most important services offered in spas.