“Take care of your skin…. and it will take care of you.”
My Skin Care Regiment
“Healthy living” to most people means both physical and mental health are in balance or functioning well together in a person. For me, physical (outer) and mental health (inner) are very closely related. More so, that when a change (good or bad) occurs in one it directly affects the other.
People often tell me “Karen, your skin is so pretty.” I have always said to my daughter “take care of your skin, and it will take care of you.” I learned about skin care at a very young age. My mom would had my sister sign me up every charm school that was available when I was a little girl. So it just became a part of life for me once I got older. As a very young woman in my twenties, I worked at Barbizon School of Modeling as an instructor. Working at Barbizon is were and when skin, makeup and appearance became a central part of my character. I enjoy taking care of my skin, and reaping the benefits of my dedication.
Some women will have a bathroom cupboard full of skincare products while some of us are quite happy with just a handful of good essentials. While we all have unique skin concerns, listed below is my basic skincare regiment. I believe every woman should follow one for having great looking skin. Contact me for a list of products that I use.
1. Cleanser
Everyone should have a cleanser in their skincare kit. At night a cleanser removes makeup and grime from the day, and in the morning it will remove any residual impurities. Deciding between a foaming, milky, micellar or oil cleanser is a matter of preference but no cleanser should make your skin feel dry or uncomfortable. If you have dry, sensitive or ageing skin a creamy or milky lotion is more gentle on the skin. If you use a long wearing makeup or waterproof sunscreen using a cleansing oil before your regular cleanser is a good idea to ensure a thorough clean.
2. Exfoliants
A couple of times a week it’s important to slough off any dead skin cells with an exfoliator. As we age, the natural cell renewal process slows down which can cause the skin to look dull and dry. An exfoliant works deeper than a cleanser to shed the older cells. You can choose between a mechanical exfoliator [such as a scrub or microdermabrasion] or a chemical exfoliator [such as glycolic acid, lactic acid and salicylic acid]. A mechanical exfoliator gentle buffs away the dead skin cells whereas chemical exfoliant dissolves the cells. If you are prone to breakouts or have sun damage go for a chemical exfoliant. People with normal, dry and ageing skin can use a combination of both a mechanical and a chemical exfoliant.
3. Eye Cream
The skin around your eyes is much finer than the rest of your face which means it’s more prone to wrinkles. It also has less oil glands so it benefits from a cream to keep the area moist. Choose a product based on your personal concerns. If you want to prevent wrinkles look for an eye cream with antioxidants. If you want to minimise fine lines and wrinkles choose an eye cream with retinol or hyaluronic acid. An eye cream with caffeine is great for people who get puffy eyes and a cream with brighteners will benefit someone with dark circles. If you spend a lot of time outdoors, an eye cream with an SPF is a must.
4. Serum
A serum is an important step in your skincare routine if you are particularly concerned with pigmentation, enlarged pores or fine lines. Serums generally have more active ingredients than your moisturiser so they are going to work a bit harder to resolve concerns. Apply your serum morning and night after your cleanser, sunscreen and eye cream, and before your moisturiser.
5. Moisturiser
A moisturiser will help you achieve younger looking skin by preventing dryness. A moisturiser also acts as a barrier against external irritants. Choose a moisturiser based on your skin type, the season and your budget. If your skin gets drier in winter you can look for a heavier moisturiser. For skin that is prone to breakouts look for a non-comedogenic formula that won’t clog your pores.
6. Sunscreen
Is your most important weapon in keeping wrinkles and pigmentation at bay. If you use a chemical sunscreen apply it after cleansing and give it a few minutes to absorb before you apply your serum and moisturiser. If you use a sunscreen with a physical block [like zinc oxide] apply it after your serum and moisturiser.
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