Please note: I am not a doctor. These suggestions are not fancy enough to be evaluated by the FDA. Consult your PCP or dermatologist if you are experiencing a problem you feel you need help with.
As a licensed Esthetician, I get pummeled with dozens of questions a day about skin. I've been considering putting together a post for quite some time about the frequent questions I am asked on an almost daily basis, and some basic tips for improving the health of your skin. It's a constant battle for some to maintain healthy, radiant skin. There are some things you can do to make it easier on yourself, though. Because I've received so many questions, I'll be doing a 3-part series! Hooray! Here, I'll cover some basics. Get started with a routine, first, and tell your skin you love it. You appreciate it. It's the largest organ and covers you up so treat it nicely and it will do the same for you.
1. Give yourself a little more credit
Every single guest or client I meet describes their skin in a horrific way. It almost makes me laugh when I ask what their main concern is and they describe a problem they don't even have! When I look closely at it under the dermascope, it typically looks pretty healthy. Most problems described can be fixed with a simple skin care routine and by following through on a handful of commitments in the morning and evening. Your skin looks much better to everyone else than it looks to you, I can almost guarantee it!
2. Commit to a regular skin-care routine (but be open to changes when necessary!)
It's important to at least cleanse and moisturize every single day. Your skin needs to last you a number of decades and you don't want to be the first friend in your group to get wrinkles, do you? It's incredibly important to take 5-10 minutes a day and maintain the upkeep of your face. Now, whether you do it in the morning or evening depends on how your skin feels at those times. If you need to do it twice a day, that's okay, too. Start by using a gentle cleanser. Get rid of your Clean and Clear or Neutrogena cleansers with a micro bead in it. I know, I know, you like the exfoliation. But it's tearing up your skin, literally, with tiny little rips and causing more harm than good. I could write a whole post on how microbeads harm the environment and your face even more, but I'll spare you-- just listen to the professional and drop the microbead! Spring for a decently priced cleanser with natural, plant-based products. Aveda makes two really great cleansers, a gel for oil-prone skin and a cream for normal to dry skin. Both work wonderfully. Ava Anderson Non-Toxic also makes a delightfully gentle cleanser (pairs awesome with their toner, too) with zero chemicals. I use their baby wash on my face with a Clarisonic twice a week and it is the best "cleanser" I've ever used. We'll get to more on that in just a minute.
A regular, healthy skin care routine can include a daily cleanser, toner, serum (optional but awesome) and moisturizer along with a good cleansing facial mask to be used once every week or two. Throw in a microderm scrub, Clarisonic or natural exfoliant (almonds or sugar are a good!) in harsh weather conditions one to two times a week to clear out that dead skin build-up. And, of course, face-friendly sunscreen or a moisturizer with SPF. If you really need the scrub, use a washcloth to wipe down your face.
Sound like a lot? It might be, depending on how much love your skin needs- but eventually you may be able to cut it down to just a few steps in the evening when your skin is radiant and healthy.
3. Buy nice products for your face. Give your skin some love.
Occasionally I can get away with using a $5 product from the drug store, but my skin is not top-notch when I'm not giving it the love it deserves. It's okay to stretch your budget for a product that will last you a few months as well as improve the health of your skin. Your face is the first thing people see about you-- don't suffer with problem skin. It will make you insecure and feel like people are staring at your skin. Even adding one really great product to your routine can make a world of a difference. Skin is like a sponge, and what you put into it will go into your body and blood stream. If you're using products filled with harsh chemicals, you're more likely to have problem skin. Also, it's 2015. Stop using chemicals on your face!
And now, for the moment you've all been waiting for, my favorite and most recommended products for a basic skin care routine. Keep in mind this is not tailored to a specific need, so if you're extra oily or really dry for example, take some time to do some brand research for what you might need.
Cleansers
-Ava Anderson Non-Toxic makes some of my favorite skin care. Zero chemicals and so, so gentle. Any product you'll buy from them is high-quality with a great price.
-Dark Angels by LUSH, AKA, the love of my life. Rhassoul Mud makes a great base for a cleanser for oily skin. This is one of my favorites for summer.
-Beauty Counter makes tons of natural and safe products. I haven't tried this one myself, but my favorite tride-and-true healthy food blogger raves about this stuff. A great option for sensitive skin.
Toner
-Basic Witchhazel helps to draw out skin's impurities and reduce redness. Grab a cheap bottle at your local grocery store!
-Aveda's Enbrightenment line helps eliminate dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Great for all skin types to help brighten, this one is especially good for sun damaged skin. A little pricey but products results.
-Rose Water makes a great toner. Pick up some organic roses (if they're not organic, you're going to get all those pesticides) and soak the petals for 24 hours or so. Throw in some organic lavender for irritated or sunburned skin and put your delicious smelling combo in a spray bottle. Try not to bathe in it because it smells so good. Your skin will thank you!
Serum (Optional for a regular skin care routine, but great for dry or aging skin. Heavier and fattier than a moisturizer, it sinks deep down into the skin for preventative care)
-Ole Henrickson Truth Serum. Just, yes. Oh yes. This bad boy will knock out any signs of aging and brighten dull, tired skin. A little pricey but totally worth it. A personal favorite of mine, I use this almost every day. A little less on the natural side, though. But, it smells like a sweet little orange grove.
-Bare Minerals Brightening Serum.. ooh, how I love this company. A great option on a budget but more natural ingredients than the truth serum above. I stand behind any Bare Minerals products.
-Jurlique, higher on the other end of the budget, but creates a beautiful, silky smooth, radiant look. A perfect serum for those worried about aging, premature crows feet, etc..
Face Masks
-So natural you could eat it, this is my go-to for breakouts. But don't eat it. Use once a week for acne-prone skin.
-Origins 10-minute mask is a good staple to keep in your medicine cabinet. Bonus: not expensive and you can purchase at Macy's! Apply with a brush for especially sensitive skin.
-Farmhouse Fresh is a brand I've recently stumbled upon and I am particularly fond of this tingly little number. It can be used as a scrub or just a mask for dual exfoliation. Not for the faint of heart, this one does werk.
Moisturizers
-Tried everything? In terms of moisturizers, most of us have. I started using a moisturizer when I was in sixth grade because my mom told me I would get wrinkles if I didn't. She was right. Try this all-in-one primer, moisturizer, eye-cream and toner by Mereadesso. To say it's one of my favorites would be an understatement. Light, creamy, smells so, so good-- and it gets the job done for most of these products. You can't go wrong with this one.
-Ohhhhhh Dr. Jart+, how I love ya. The brand that introduced the ever popular BB cream to the market. My love. Your eye creams, your serums, your everything... but this moisturizer in particular helps to regenerate healthy skin growth. A lovely choice for anyone outside of acne prone skin.
-This one might be a better choice for the red-prone skinned out there: chock full of Patchouli oil, it's going to help reduce redness and irritation. Silky smooth and lotsa moisture coming at your skin.
SPF
-A great sunscreen is hard to come by, especially without tons of chemicals. This one by Coola gets my thumbs up.
-Looking for an easy way to get a teeny bit of coverage and keep a good habit of applying sunscreen? Try a BB cream!
Oh boy.. I could go on forever and ever about natural skin care products. This is just the start. I haven't even gone into the realm of eye creams, night masks and moisturizers, BB, CC or DD creams, tinted moisturizers or homemade remedies. Give some of these a try and do not be afraid to switch things up until you find something you like! Skin care doesn't have to be boring, so enjoy the process of finding what works for you!
As a licensed Esthetician, I get pummeled with dozens of questions a day about skin. I've been considering putting together a post for quite some time about the frequent questions I am asked on an almost daily basis, and some basic tips for improving the health of your skin. It's a constant battle for some to maintain healthy, radiant skin. There are some things you can do to make it easier on yourself, though. Because I've received so many questions, I'll be doing a 3-part series! Hooray! Here, I'll cover some basics. Get started with a routine, first, and tell your skin you love it. You appreciate it. It's the largest organ and covers you up so treat it nicely and it will do the same for you.
1. Give yourself a little more credit
Every single guest or client I meet describes their skin in a horrific way. It almost makes me laugh when I ask what their main concern is and they describe a problem they don't even have! When I look closely at it under the dermascope, it typically looks pretty healthy. Most problems described can be fixed with a simple skin care routine and by following through on a handful of commitments in the morning and evening. Your skin looks much better to everyone else than it looks to you, I can almost guarantee it!
2. Commit to a regular skin-care routine (but be open to changes when necessary!)
It's important to at least cleanse and moisturize every single day. Your skin needs to last you a number of decades and you don't want to be the first friend in your group to get wrinkles, do you? It's incredibly important to take 5-10 minutes a day and maintain the upkeep of your face. Now, whether you do it in the morning or evening depends on how your skin feels at those times. If you need to do it twice a day, that's okay, too. Start by using a gentle cleanser. Get rid of your Clean and Clear or Neutrogena cleansers with a micro bead in it. I know, I know, you like the exfoliation. But it's tearing up your skin, literally, with tiny little rips and causing more harm than good. I could write a whole post on how microbeads harm the environment and your face even more, but I'll spare you-- just listen to the professional and drop the microbead! Spring for a decently priced cleanser with natural, plant-based products. Aveda makes two really great cleansers, a gel for oil-prone skin and a cream for normal to dry skin. Both work wonderfully. Ava Anderson Non-Toxic also makes a delightfully gentle cleanser (pairs awesome with their toner, too) with zero chemicals. I use their baby wash on my face with a Clarisonic twice a week and it is the best "cleanser" I've ever used. We'll get to more on that in just a minute.
A regular, healthy skin care routine can include a daily cleanser, toner, serum (optional but awesome) and moisturizer along with a good cleansing facial mask to be used once every week or two. Throw in a microderm scrub, Clarisonic or natural exfoliant (almonds or sugar are a good!) in harsh weather conditions one to two times a week to clear out that dead skin build-up. And, of course, face-friendly sunscreen or a moisturizer with SPF. If you really need the scrub, use a washcloth to wipe down your face.
Sound like a lot? It might be, depending on how much love your skin needs- but eventually you may be able to cut it down to just a few steps in the evening when your skin is radiant and healthy.
3. Buy nice products for your face. Give your skin some love.
Occasionally I can get away with using a $5 product from the drug store, but my skin is not top-notch when I'm not giving it the love it deserves. It's okay to stretch your budget for a product that will last you a few months as well as improve the health of your skin. Your face is the first thing people see about you-- don't suffer with problem skin. It will make you insecure and feel like people are staring at your skin. Even adding one really great product to your routine can make a world of a difference. Skin is like a sponge, and what you put into it will go into your body and blood stream. If you're using products filled with harsh chemicals, you're more likely to have problem skin. Also, it's 2015. Stop using chemicals on your face!
And now, for the moment you've all been waiting for, my favorite and most recommended products for a basic skin care routine. Keep in mind this is not tailored to a specific need, so if you're extra oily or really dry for example, take some time to do some brand research for what you might need.
Cleansers
-Ava Anderson Non-Toxic makes some of my favorite skin care. Zero chemicals and so, so gentle. Any product you'll buy from them is high-quality with a great price.
-Dark Angels by LUSH, AKA, the love of my life. Rhassoul Mud makes a great base for a cleanser for oily skin. This is one of my favorites for summer.
-Beauty Counter makes tons of natural and safe products. I haven't tried this one myself, but my favorite tride-and-true healthy food blogger raves about this stuff. A great option for sensitive skin.
Toner
-Basic Witchhazel helps to draw out skin's impurities and reduce redness. Grab a cheap bottle at your local grocery store!
-Aveda's Enbrightenment line helps eliminate dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Great for all skin types to help brighten, this one is especially good for sun damaged skin. A little pricey but products results.
-Rose Water makes a great toner. Pick up some organic roses (if they're not organic, you're going to get all those pesticides) and soak the petals for 24 hours or so. Throw in some organic lavender for irritated or sunburned skin and put your delicious smelling combo in a spray bottle. Try not to bathe in it because it smells so good. Your skin will thank you!
Serum (Optional for a regular skin care routine, but great for dry or aging skin. Heavier and fattier than a moisturizer, it sinks deep down into the skin for preventative care)
-Ole Henrickson Truth Serum. Just, yes. Oh yes. This bad boy will knock out any signs of aging and brighten dull, tired skin. A little pricey but totally worth it. A personal favorite of mine, I use this almost every day. A little less on the natural side, though. But, it smells like a sweet little orange grove.
-Bare Minerals Brightening Serum.. ooh, how I love this company. A great option on a budget but more natural ingredients than the truth serum above. I stand behind any Bare Minerals products.
-Jurlique, higher on the other end of the budget, but creates a beautiful, silky smooth, radiant look. A perfect serum for those worried about aging, premature crows feet, etc..
Face Masks
-So natural you could eat it, this is my go-to for breakouts. But don't eat it. Use once a week for acne-prone skin.
-Origins 10-minute mask is a good staple to keep in your medicine cabinet. Bonus: not expensive and you can purchase at Macy's! Apply with a brush for especially sensitive skin.
-Farmhouse Fresh is a brand I've recently stumbled upon and I am particularly fond of this tingly little number. It can be used as a scrub or just a mask for dual exfoliation. Not for the faint of heart, this one does werk.
Moisturizers
-Tried everything? In terms of moisturizers, most of us have. I started using a moisturizer when I was in sixth grade because my mom told me I would get wrinkles if I didn't. She was right. Try this all-in-one primer, moisturizer, eye-cream and toner by Mereadesso. To say it's one of my favorites would be an understatement. Light, creamy, smells so, so good-- and it gets the job done for most of these products. You can't go wrong with this one.
-Ohhhhhh Dr. Jart+, how I love ya. The brand that introduced the ever popular BB cream to the market. My love. Your eye creams, your serums, your everything... but this moisturizer in particular helps to regenerate healthy skin growth. A lovely choice for anyone outside of acne prone skin.
-This one might be a better choice for the red-prone skinned out there: chock full of Patchouli oil, it's going to help reduce redness and irritation. Silky smooth and lotsa moisture coming at your skin.
SPF
-A great sunscreen is hard to come by, especially without tons of chemicals. This one by Coola gets my thumbs up.
-Looking for an easy way to get a teeny bit of coverage and keep a good habit of applying sunscreen? Try a BB cream!
Oh boy.. I could go on forever and ever about natural skin care products. This is just the start. I haven't even gone into the realm of eye creams, night masks and moisturizers, BB, CC or DD creams, tinted moisturizers or homemade remedies. Give some of these a try and do not be afraid to switch things up until you find something you like! Skin care doesn't have to be boring, so enjoy the process of finding what works for you!