When it comes to optimal skin care, less is more. That is why experienced Sacramento plastic surgeon Dr. Donald Hause recommends a clean look that accentuates your natural beauty.
In pursuit of this goal, your daily skin care regimen should feature a limited number of products that are chosen with the specific characteristics of your skin in mind — products that will enhance your look, rather than hide it under layers of creams, powders and ointments. Here are a few key variables to keep in mind when seeking the right skin care routine:
Remember the Basics
Cleansers, moisturizes and exfoliants will make a dramatic difference when applied daily. Cleansers are important for clearing away dead skin, removing oil and preventing blockage in pores. Moisturizing your skin each day helps preserve a smooth, supple look.
Exfoliants include retinol, glycolic acid, AHA and BHA. They work by abrading the dry surface layer of your complexion and stimulating the production of new skin cells, as well as collagen, the natural protein that gives skin strength and flexibility and helps it resist stretching, drooping and sagging. These topical products target fine lines, minor wrinkles, age spots, sun spots and other blemishes; improve skin tone; and reduce the size of pores.
Read Labels
Cosmetic products will let you know how much to apply. You may be surprised how little can do the trick. Using just a dab of a cream or moisturizer can help avoid potential interactions with chemicals in other products, and give you a more natural look. It’s important to remember that many skin care products contain mild acids, and your skin cannot tolerate an overload of strong ingredients.
Don’t Overdo It
When women overdo it with exfoliants, the skin typically takes on a bright but dry appearance. From a distance your complexion looks oily, but in reality the overuse of exfoliants has drained much of the natural texture from your face. An unnaturally bright appearance can also result from scrubbing your skin harshly. With all skin care, the key word is “gentle.”
Avoid Excessive Steaming
Even gentle clouds of steam can be harmful when routinely used to hydrate the skin. Women who incorporate much-too-frequent steaming into their skin care regimen may actually be aging the face. Excess heat will begin to break down your skin’s collagen.
Listen to Your Skin
Pay close attention to how your skin reacts to new products or combinations of products. In particular, stay alert to any sign of an allergic reaction. Retinoids often don’t mix well with other products, especially salicylic or glycolic acid. When your skin shows redness, swelling, peeling, flaking, dryness or other irritation, halt your regimen for a few days, then add back the products you are using one at a time.
To learn more about effective skin care routines, call Sacramento Aesthetic Surgery at (916) 646-6869 or send us an email to schedule a consultation.
