Where Wellness Starts
Wellness can mean many different things when it comes to taking care of yourself. We have so many parts of us to groom, feed, nurture and love when it comes to our bodies. It can be hard to choose one to start with. For me, wellness starts with your skin. Did you know that your skin is the largest organ in your body? It only makes sense that you would show that part of you some extra love. As a licensed esthetician, I've learned how to better take care of my skin and the pay off is grand! I've never seen my skin looking so great in my whole life, and all it took was two changes!
One of those changes I had to make was switching up my skin care regimen. This is huge in the world of skin care. So, what is a regimen? Well, a skin care regimen consists of a grouping of products that you use basically every day. I tend to stick to five main steps to help my skin with what I'd like to achieve, and because there are so many facial products out there, using too many to start with can be overwhelming. I start with my cleanser which is usually foaming and oil free because it's best for my oily skin type. Second, I use a toner. This helps to balance you PH levels in your skin, bringing them back to their natural state after cleansing and any other change you are making to your skin. Next, I go to my exfoliation. With exfoliators, depending on the type you use, you may not want to use them every day. They are meant to resurface your skin and rid that top layer of dead skin cells that just sit atop the surface. Too much exfoliation can dry out your skin. The fourth step, is a mask. With oily skin, I go for more of a mud based mask to help soak up any extra oil, but for more dehydrated skin, a mask with hyaluronic acid for hydration is perfect! The last step is a moisturizer, and arguably, the most important step. My whole life I dealt with oily skin, blotting the extra oil with those little sheets you can buy at drug stores and it was a constant chore. However, once I went to school for skin care I learned that usually, when the skin overproduces oil it's because its lacking moisture. Using a regular moisturizer can actually prevent that excess oil from being a constant problem. Typically, we don't think that adding more moisture is going to solve an oily, greasy problem our skin is having, but I was surprised to learn just how simple and easy the solution to my issue was.
Not only do you need a regimen, but you need to be using the right products. I've fallen in love with two skin care lines specifically, and both of them have really helped me see noticeable changes. Dermalogica is a very extensive brand that has been around since the 70's and it has improved my skin and added so many new and exciting products to my skin care regimen. The great thing about that product line is that they have so many sub-lines, if you will that target specific skin desires. For instance, there is a line for brightening and all of the products in that sub-line focus on brightening skin discoloration and hyper-pigmentation. Another sub-line is the Age Smart line which targets sings of premature aging by working to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. I prefer the Daily Skin health line that Dermalogica offers because I love to take care of my skin, and the great thing about this line is that most of the products in it can be used every single day without over-drying your skin. This is where I see the best results, unique to my skin type and skin care goals.
The other skin care line that I have tried recently and can't get enough of is called ClarityRx! This brand is amazing because they use an almost complete selection of plant and fruit derivatives. Some of my favorite products from this unique line are there masks. They all smell fantastic and provide optimal results. Plus, they are very affordable! Specifically, I really enjoy the Cold Compress mas, which is cucumber based and gel-like in texture. This one feels great if you keep it in the refrigerator, and it does wonders for someone who loves to spend time in the sun because of its cooling effects. Another one that I really enjoy is the Daily Fruit Anti-oxidant mask. This one helps purify the skin of debris, toxins and it is made out of mango, which smells super yummy! This line has so much to offer, and I have noticed that by using more natural products, my skin feels and looks better every day!
Aside from the skin care lines and regimens, the second thing I have been doing to better my skin is receiving skin care treatments, at least monthly. When it comes to treatments, remember to always get recommendations from the specialist! They know what is going to be best, and which ingredients might cause a reaction to your skin. You should also make them aware of any allergies or skin sensitivities you might have. Personally, I love to try new things when it comes to treatments of the skin. Some of my favorites are chemical peels, microdermabrasion, dermalinfusion, and LED photo-light therapy. No matter what you are trying to achieve, there is a skin care treatment out there that will benefit you. Most treatments you can receive at a day spa or salon are going to be much less invasive than something performed by a dermatologist or medical trained specialist. However, less invasive does not mean less effective. It just means you may have to do several treatments. But who doesn't love a spa day?
Chemical peels are so effective when done in consecutive treatments. You may need about six, depending on what your goals are and how your skin reacts. A peel is a resurfacing treatment made from plant and food based derivatives. The main types of peels are lactic, which is made from milk for brightening the skin, salicylic acid for killing and treating bacteria/acne, and glycolic for anti-aging benefits. Personally, I love layering the salicylic and lactic peels. Microdermabrasion does a similar service to chemical peels, except it's with a diamond tip machine. The tip of it feels almost like the rough, sandpaper feel of a cat's tongue and it works to suction and buff the top layer of skin, removing about thirty percent of dead skin that sits on top. Dermalinfusion provides the same service, but as it suctions out dirt, debris and bacteria from the pores, it also pumps in a serum of your choice. LED photo-light therapy is very unique because depending on the color, it targets a wide range of issues. Blue light helps to kill bacteria and is better suited for people with acne and breakouts. Green light is meant to brighten and renew the skin, making it more luminous and fresh looking! Red light is best for anti-aging and it helps to stimulate collagen growth in the skin, leaving your skin looking younger and tighter. Lastly, there is an amber-colored light which helps to calm down sensitive, inflamed skin and is very beneficial to people who suffer from Rosacea. No matter what you want to focus on, there is something for everyone!
The reason I am so passionate about skin care is because I never knew how to properly take care of my own skin before going through the training I had for school. Since then, I have learned not only how to take care of my own concerns, but also how to help others. I find that to be something extremely important. Being able to look into the mirror and love what you see is not always about aesthetic appeal. It's also about confidence. It is such a gift to give someone the ability to love themselves, to believe in themselves and to present a bright, smiling face to the world! In a hectic and busy world it's so important to find the time to take care of yourself, but it can be hard to find a place to start. Why not start with something you present to society every day? Why not start with your skin?
Image Source: www.goodhousekeeping.com