02 Jun 5 Most Important Skin Care Secrets You Need to Know About
So it has been a little bit over 3 months since I started working with the world-renowned cosmetic dermatologist and NY Times Best-Selling author, Dr. Leslie Baumann. I am loving it and learning so much! I realized that there are a lot of things that many people do not know about skin care (me included!) that I thought I would share these tips:
KNOW YOUR SKIN TYPE!
Oily, Dry, or Combination: these are the only skin types most of us are familiar with. But there is so much more to your skin than the amount of oil that it produces. Dr. Baumann developed her own skin typing system that takes pigmentation, sensitivity, and tendency to wrinkle into account. She found that there are 16 skin types!!! I am an OSPW (Oily, Sensitive, Pigmented, Wrinkle-prone) type. Before working with Dr. Baumann, I did not know that mechanical exfoliation, steaming, and lasers are no-nos for my skin type. Make sure you know what your skin type is by answering a questionnaire that takes less than 5 minutes at an office of a dermatologist trained in Skin Type Solutions before undergoing any procedures or trying any new products.
Oily, Dry, or Combination: these are the only skin types most of us are familiar with. But there is so much more to your skin than the amount of oil that it produces. Dr. Baumann developed her own skin typing system that takes pigmentation, sensitivity, and tendency to wrinkle into account. She found that there are 16 skin types!!! I am an OSPW (Oily, Sensitive, Pigmented, Wrinkle-prone) type. Before working with Dr. Baumann, I did not know that mechanical exfoliation, steaming, and lasers are no-nos for my skin type. Make sure you know what your skin type is by answering a questionnaire that takes less than 5 minutes at an office of a dermatologist trained in Skin Type Solutions before undergoing any procedures or trying any new products.
START USING RETINOIDS
You ever notice those ladies with beautiful, luminescent, polished-looking skin? This is their secret. Retinoids are a form of Vitamin A and they are the miracle workers in the derm world. They help you make new collagen, making your skin baby soft and pliable. They also speed up the cell turnover of our skin, unveiling smooth skin that reflects light. And there’s more! They not only unclog those icky pores that cause pimples, but they also reduce the activity of melanocytes, which cause uneven pigmentation or brown spots. Retinoids can be obtained by prescription. They also degrade very quickly with sun exposure and may cause you to be more sun sensitive, which means you have to really be good with putting on sunscreen (you have to be anyway!)
You ever notice those ladies with beautiful, luminescent, polished-looking skin? This is their secret. Retinoids are a form of Vitamin A and they are the miracle workers in the derm world. They help you make new collagen, making your skin baby soft and pliable. They also speed up the cell turnover of our skin, unveiling smooth skin that reflects light. And there’s more! They not only unclog those icky pores that cause pimples, but they also reduce the activity of melanocytes, which cause uneven pigmentation or brown spots. Retinoids can be obtained by prescription. They also degrade very quickly with sun exposure and may cause you to be more sun sensitive, which means you have to really be good with putting on sunscreen (you have to be anyway!)
SPEAKING OF SUNSCREEN…
One should never leave the house without putting it on. Studies have shown that collagen dysfunction can occur with UV exposure, making you more prone to not only wrinkles but also skin cancer. Don’t think that your SPF make-up is enough coverage. You need to be piling it on inches thick to be able to get it to the rated SPF. Ideally, you need about 1/2 a teaspoon of sunscreen for just your face. Don’t forget your neck, chest, and hands. You do not want them to give away your age! And if you’re really bad about putting on sunscreen, don’t give up. There are a lot of studies showing that the extract from a fern, Polypodium leucotomos, a supplement that can help protect skin from sunburns and UV damage. This is marketed under brands like Heliocare and Fernblock. I usually take one pill before boating, tennis, running outdoors, or biking in addition to putting on sunscreen.
One should never leave the house without putting it on. Studies have shown that collagen dysfunction can occur with UV exposure, making you more prone to not only wrinkles but also skin cancer. Don’t think that your SPF make-up is enough coverage. You need to be piling it on inches thick to be able to get it to the rated SPF. Ideally, you need about 1/2 a teaspoon of sunscreen for just your face. Don’t forget your neck, chest, and hands. You do not want them to give away your age! And if you’re really bad about putting on sunscreen, don’t give up. There are a lot of studies showing that the extract from a fern, Polypodium leucotomos, a supplement that can help protect skin from sunburns and UV damage. This is marketed under brands like Heliocare and Fernblock. I usually take one pill before boating, tennis, running outdoors, or biking in addition to putting on sunscreen.
DON’T FORGET YOUR VITAMIN C!
Topical Vitamin C and retinoids are the only products that have been shown to increase collagen production when applied to skin. This makes the skin more firm and improves fine lines. Vitamin C can also lighten uneven pigmentation and protect the skin from sun and environmental damage since it is one of the more powerful antioxidants. One thing to remember is that not all formulations are equal. Vitamin C degrades very easily. It has to be protected from light, oxygen, pH changes, and heat. Packaging is extremely important. Absolutely loving iS Clinical Super Serum Advance+. Skinceuticals’ C E Ferulic is a close second. I usually put in on in the morning before I apply my sunscreen.
Topical Vitamin C and retinoids are the only products that have been shown to increase collagen production when applied to skin. This makes the skin more firm and improves fine lines. Vitamin C can also lighten uneven pigmentation and protect the skin from sun and environmental damage since it is one of the more powerful antioxidants. One thing to remember is that not all formulations are equal. Vitamin C degrades very easily. It has to be protected from light, oxygen, pH changes, and heat. Packaging is extremely important. Absolutely loving iS Clinical Super Serum Advance+. Skinceuticals’ C E Ferulic is a close second. I usually put in on in the morning before I apply my sunscreen.
EAT WELL AND DON’T STRESS
It’s a well-known fact that healthy living can make you look young. Stress, cigarette smoking, and pollution, on the other hand, can age you. They generate unstable oxygen molecules called free radicals that can damage skin cells and proteins such as collagen and elastin. They cause dull, uneven, sagging skin. The antioxidants found in fruits, vegetables, green tea, red wine, dark chocolate, and certain spices protect our skin by neutralizing these free radicals in the body. Furthermore, studies have shown that antioxidants exhibit not only anti-aging properties, but it can be anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory as well. It is also important to avoid extremely stressful situations since they bring out hormones like cortisol, which can cause unwanted pigmentation in your skin. Finally, ease up on dairy and sugary foods as they can worsen your acne breakouts.
It’s a well-known fact that healthy living can make you look young. Stress, cigarette smoking, and pollution, on the other hand, can age you. They generate unstable oxygen molecules called free radicals that can damage skin cells and proteins such as collagen and elastin. They cause dull, uneven, sagging skin. The antioxidants found in fruits, vegetables, green tea, red wine, dark chocolate, and certain spices protect our skin by neutralizing these free radicals in the body. Furthermore, studies have shown that antioxidants exhibit not only anti-aging properties, but it can be anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory as well. It is also important to avoid extremely stressful situations since they bring out hormones like cortisol, which can cause unwanted pigmentation in your skin. Finally, ease up on dairy and sugary foods as they can worsen your acne breakouts.
It is never too late to start a good skin care regimen, and no better time than now. You’re going to thank me later!
Be on the lookout for more skin care and beauty tips. I will be posting them regularly. Hit me up if you have any tips or secrets you want to share as well.
Lots of love,
Paula