How to Get the Most out of your Skincare Routine
Dr. Stephanie Stanfield is a renowned wellness advocate and has a Ph.D. in Energy Medicine and a Th.D in Spiritual Counseling. Her specialty is in helping those stuck in chronic pain, illness, or stress. Visit her website at www.makingshiftshappen.com to reach out.
Every woman (and many men) wants smooth, soft skin, but not everyone knows how to get it easily. Silky smooth skin feels great to the touch and provides a sense of confidence moving out into the world or in this era of Zoom meetings and Facetime. With all the competing products & services available, it can be difficult to navigate to the best routine for your specific skin type, lifestyle and desired look.
I recently spoke to Megan Henrie, a licensed cosmetologist who has a passion for helping others achieve confidence in their beauty. She says that the best foundation for any beauty routine is beautiful skin.
Megan recommends a daily routine that includes products to meet your individual skin care needs. Here are her top ten tips for putting together a routine that works for you:
1) Use products intended for your skin type, whether it be oily, dry, normal, or a combination. You don't want to exacerbate your skin, you want to treat it!
2) Be consistent. You won't see results unless you stick with your routine long enough to see them. Also, you will have an easier time spotting if a certain product isn't working the way you intended if you use the products consistently.
3) Target your skincare concerns with serums and treatments. The best way to get results is to narrow in and treat specific concerns.
4) Prevent further damage. It is much easier to prevent the damage than it is to reverse it. Always use an SPF and moisturizer. Treat acne instead of picking at it and creating scars.
5) Double cleanse at night. Use an oil-based balm to loosen up the makeup and/or sebum build-up, and then use your normal cleanser to finish the double cleanse.
6) Exfoliate, but not too much. Over-exfoliation can lead to hyper-pigmentation and micro-tearing on the surface of the skin. 1-2 times a week with gentle manual exfoliation is plenty. Chemical exfoliation can be built up to everyday use if desired, but it's best to start slow. Always read product labels and follow instructions.
7) Use a weekly mask. This can help soothe irritated skin or vamp up your other skin treatments.
8) Stop stressing and obsessing. Not every day is going to be a good skin day, and that's ok! Irritation and blemishes happen. The more you stress about a bad skin day, the worse it can get. Stress hormones can create more breakouts and irritation, and obsessing about it can lead to picking and poking (which never ends well.)
9) Change your bedding often! If you have normal-to-dry skin, weekly bedding changes are ok. If you have more oily or acne-prone skin, change as often as needed. Keep extra pillowcases on hand to change daily if your skin is prone to acne.
10) Don't overdo it. Too much cleansing can strip your skin of natural oils, which can lead to dry, dull, irritated skin, and even acne. Using too many treatments or serums at once can make the products less effective, and over-moisturizing just wastes product and can leave your skin feeling heavy and oily. Find the right balance for your skin, and you will see results!
All you need to do is do what you do every day, just add a few steps with products rich in ingredients that promote
healthy skin.
What goes on your skin is just as important as what goes into your body. Be sure to become an ingredient shopper, looking for skincare that is free from harsh chemicals and unnecessary additives. If a product claims natural ingredients, make sure those are at a level that actually provides benefit vs a sprinkle just to say it's in there. Once you find a line you love and trust, that hard part is done and you can get down to the business of enjoying your beautiful skin!
Megan Henrie is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Colorado and mom of two. You can book a consult or service with her via Megan's Beauty Room.
Comments