Topical Treatments For Your Skin
Topical treatments have a major impact on your skin. You may have started early in your life, say your teens and twenties, with a good cleansing and moisturizing routine. This is more likely if you grew up during the age of social media, where information has been easily accessible and health and beauty influencers plentiful. However, if you are somewhere in your late 30s and beyond, chances are you spent much of your teen years and some of your twenties laying out in the sun with baby oil slathered all over your skin.
Of course, different generations have different ideas of what's cool to do, what's healthy, and what's trendy. And trends do come back around. Just look, all things 90s are back in style -- with the exception of the thin eyebrow, thank God. But what will never become trendy again, and we mean never, is ignoring the health of your skin.
Whether you were an 80s Sun worshipper, a 90s beach babe, or a 2000s SPF slather sister, there are some topical treatments you need right now. Your skin type will determine the cleanser you choose, for example, if you have sensitive skin you'll want to start with a cleanser that has no fragrance and minimal ingredients. If your skin is very dry you'll look for a cleanser for dry skin that contains added moisturizer, and if your skin is very oily, you'll need a cleanser specifically for oily skin. There are so many facial cleansers on the market, and when trying a new one make sure you save yourself time and money by purchasing the smallest size available, travel size would be best.
PRO TIP: You can contact beauty companies and ask for free samples of their cleansers. Chances are they will mail you a sample or a coupon.
Serums, lotions, and creams can get confusing and you may not know where to begin. You likely see a bunch of ingredients and might not be sure which is best for you. Let's break down some of these ingredients and you can decide where to start.
Vitamin C serums are great for brightening the skin. Known for its anti-aging and anti-oxidant properties, a good vitamin C serum protects against environmental damage. like pollution and sun damage. Other benefits of using a vitamin C serum include hydration, redness reduction, minimizing dark under-eye circles, and it promotes collagen production. Vitamin C serums are generally well-tolerated and there are many varieties on the market to choose from.
You've probably heard of Hyaluronic Acid. This ingredient deeply moisturizes the skin, making it supple and soft. Hyaluronic Acid supports the skin's elasticity and helps reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and scars. Your body naturally produces Hyaluronic Acid, so it's generally safe for all skin.
Niacinamide is a good ingredient for those living with acne. A good niacinamide serum can help reduce the redness and inflammation caused by acne.
Retinol is a form of Vitamin A and is an ingredient you can find in over-the-counter products or get by prescription. This anti-aging powerhouse comes in different strengths and is used primarily for reducing wrinkles, fine lines, dark spots, and acne breakouts.
Other ingredients to look for are those that include antioxidants such as Green Tea Extract and Reservatrol, which help protect the skin from free radicals.
If you are unsure of where to start with topical treatments, no matter your age, we are happy to provide you with a skin consultation! Remember, good skin starts from within. Make sure you subscribe to our blog so you can find out exactly what that means in the next episode!