We all have our own skincare routine, and everyone’s skin is slightly different. However whether yours is oily or dry, these are 10 steps which will help you keep your skin healthy and you feeling great about how you look.
1. Ensure you’re hydrated
- Drinking water and staying hydrated is the cheapest, easiest way to help ensure your skin looks great and you have a healthy glow! Staying hydrated ensures your body is able to produce more skin cells and keep them circulating. If you get de-hydrated this process slows down so your likely to find your skin is dryer and looks dull & flat.
2. Get a good nights sleep
- It’s often difficult when we’re all so busy, but sleep deprivation leads to inflated levels of the stress hormone cortisol. This in turn leads to increased levels of stress and inflammation in your skin. This increased level of inflammation will set off any other existing skin conditions you may have including; acne, skin sensitivity, dermatitis reactions, and allergic reactions.
- Sleep is your skins re-charge time. It’s during the night hours that your skin re-hydrates itself and your body removes excess water. Excess water can in turn lead to puffy areas under your eyes and wrinkles.
3. Keep stress in check
- Just like a lack of sleep, rising stress levels will cause an increase in the amount of cortisone in your body. As well as causing increased inflammation and the associated impacts this has on your skin, it may cause an increase in the amount oil your skin produces, making you more prone to pimples.
4. Cleanse
- Washing your face is one of the simplest ways to keep it clean and healthy, and the one which most people manage to fit into their routine. When cleansing its important to;
- Avoid hot water, this can irritate your skin and lead to broken capillaries
- Massage gently, rubbing too hard can irritate and damage your skin
- Pat dry with a clean towel, you don’t want to put oil and dirt back on your clean face or irritate it through unnecessary friction
- Use a quality skin cleanser which is appropriate for your skin type. We stock a range of skin cleansers for all skins types, including several from Osmosis which are great for helping repair your skin and maintaining general skin health.
5. Apply a face serum
- Face serums are a great way to get high impact active ingredients deep into your skin.
- A face serum works by excluding the heavier ingredients of a moisturiser allowing it to be absorbed more deeply.
- They’re typically rich in vitamins which are good for your skin like vitamin C, K and E and can penetrate deeper than a moisturiser alone. They can also help protect your skin as some contain antioxidants, while also hydrating and acting as an anti-inflammatory.
- When applying a face serum be sure to use a small amount of the product. Overloading will leave your skin greasy and can cause blocked pores.
- You should use face serums in conjunction with a good moisturiser, not as a replacement.
6. Moisturise
- Dry, tired skin can help lead to premature signs of aging and removes your positive healthy glow. It can also encourage blocked pores to develop and the loss of beneficial nutrients in your skin. Keeping your skin hydrated and moisturising regularly is important, even if your skin is oily, and is a vital part of skin health and anti-aging care.
- There are broadly two types of moisturisers:
- Oils – These penetrate deeper than creams and can help moderate oil production. If you have a naturally oily skin these can help your body to moderate its own oil production.
- Creams – It’s important to choose a face cream based on natural ingredients as this ensures they’re absorbed into your skin rather than sitting on the surface.
- Some of the active ingredients in facial moisturisers can irritate the delicate skin around your eyes, which is among the thinnest and most sensitive on your body. Make sure you use a product specifically developed for the eye area. As well as being gentle on your skin it will help target any dark circles you have creeping up on you!
- The range of Aspect moisturisers we stock at Airs and Graces are great place to start when exploring high quality, natural cosmeceuticals and they have a product for every skin type.
7. Mask
- A facial mask is a great way to keep your pores clean and unblocked. It should be a core part of your regular skin care routine and helps your skin maintain itself ensuring you keep a healthy, clear, glowing face! Many mask products can now be used in the shower so you don’t need to lie down for 10 or 20 minutes while they take effect, so incorporating it into your routine is even easier.
- DMK produce a range of mask products to help clear blocked pores, exfoliate, brighten and tighten your skin. If you come into our North Melbourne Salon we can help you find the one best for you.
8. Drink green tea
- Green tea is rich in anti-oxidants. It’s been shown to have many health benefits but included in these are several directly related your face.
- The EGCG compounds in green tea can help stop the signs of premature ageing like loose skin and fine wrinkles.
- The OPCs contained in green tea also help fight premature ageing by defending your skin against free radicals and helping repair damaged skin cells.
- Combined with its free radical defending properties, green tea is also an anti-inflammatory. These two benefits can work in conjunction with sun screen to help protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun.
- Green tea is rich in vitamin K which can help reduce dark circles and puffy eyes.
9. Treat yourself with a regular facial
- Regular facials are a great addition to your daily skin care routine and help ensure your skin looks its best.
- A facial will help cleanse and exfoliate your skin to a deeper level than you can achieve at home.
- It will help increase blood circulation to your skin, ensuring it regenerates regularly.
- The massaging action will also promote collagen production and can help smooth fine lines and wrinkles.
- It will help you relax! It’s hard to find time to focus on yourself especially if you’re busy with work and family. A facial will help you get back to yourself, feeling positive and pampered!
- A facial at our a salon in North Melbourne will also include a consultation and it gives you on the opportunity to get the best advice from our beauticians on what products and care is best for your skin type.
10. Protect your skin from the sun
- We all know the long term impact sun damage can on the skin. In the short term this can be redness, inflammation, dryness, peeling and even blisters! In the long term too much sun exposure can cause premature ageing, sun spots, rough skin and skin cancer. It’s vital to protect your skin ever day. A moisturiser with SPF protection is a great starting point, and should be used even in the winter months. In the summer make sure you’re applying a high SPF sun block whenever you’re out in the sun for more than 10 minutes, and be particularly careful with your face, ears and neck.