Springtime Skin Cleanup

Springtime Clean up for your Skin
Warmer weather is on the way! It's time for Spring cleaning. What does your skin need to thrive and survive through the next few months?
Your skin is a wonderful self-healing organ. But it never hurts to help it along with some good habits and health boosters. Fortunately, there is no need to spend a lot of time or money to get it revved up for summer. The following few tips and ideas will get you glowing.

1. Get rid of dull, dead skin cells with gentle exfoliation:
   
   1. Never use gritty exfoliation methods. (No scrubby things, no gritty masks, and defintiely never any product that calls itself 'home microdermabrasion'.)
      
   2. For most people an in office, professional exfoliation (with professional grade products), performed by a licensed Esthetician will get you the best start to healthy skin.
      
   3. If you don't have the time and/or money to have a professional treatment; use a gentle acid that is appropriate for your skin's needs. (Lactic acid and salicylic acid are very effective but mild; Glycolic, Retinoic and Alpha Hydroxy acids are pretty harsh and often unnecessary.)
      
2. Keep your skin hydrated. Moisture content is necessary for healthy functioning.
   
   1. Always use a hydrating moisturizer with an SPF of at least 30 to protect from UV rays...UV is the number one aging factor for the skin. (And, it's 365 days a year, and comes through windows.)
      
   2. Don't use 'soaps' to wash your skin...they are not pH balanced and will strip your skin's natural oils.
      
   3. Moisturize immediately after cleansing. (But, if using serums, apply before moisturizer.)
      
3. If you need correction of skin problems, don't rely on advertising! Skin companies are not required to tell the truth. A product with too little of a therapeutic ingredient is worth nothing. Moisturizers won't correct-you need a well formulated serum (or 2, depending on your needs).
   
   My recommendation:
   

• Gentle lactic acid or salicylic acid cleanser. Leave on for one full minute to allow the acid to dissolve oils.
  
• A nutritive mask with appropriate ingredients for your skin.
  
• A serum for preventing skin aging, correcting problems, or repairing damage. (A qualified professional recommendation is best so you don't waste your money!)
  
• A hydrating moisturizer to protect and seal in moisture (with an SPF for daytime).
  
• Perform good skin care every day for best results. (A serum you apply only occasionally cannot do anything for your skin.)
  

If you are planning to go to a professional:

• Do some pre-visit research on useful skin care ingredients. That way if the professional offers you products, you will know if they are useful, or a waste of your money.
  
• Don't waste your money on products that may or may not work for your skin. Wait for advice (I have had many clients over the years using useless products that cost them a lot of money!) I will save you money.
  
• Ask about the skin therapist's qualifications (FYI: a beautician in California has only 25 hours of skincare training). Go to an esthetician.