New Year~New Skin~New Glow

"Make time for yourself and for your skin"

~dermdivapro

With every new year comes a clean slate — so what will you do with this fresh start? How about committing to having better skin this year.

Great skin is not simply a matter of DNA--

Your daily habits in fact, have a big impact on what you see in the mirror.

The goal of any skin-care routine is to tune up your complexion so it’s functioning at its best, and also troubleshoot or target any areas you want to work on. As your skin needs shifts with age, so will your products. The science behind skin-care products has come a long way but there’s still no such thing as an instant fix — you need time to reap the benefits. Results are only seen through consistent use. With any skin-care product, apply in order of consistency — from thinnest to thickest. For example, cleanser, toner (if you use it), serum, and then moisturizer.

Facial Cleanser

The right formula cleanses your skin without stripping essential, healthy oils. Take it easy with

exfoliating scrubs (use once a week) and avoid those with crushed walnut shells or abrasive ingredients.

Washing your face is the most basic and essential step of any routine. Our skin comes in contact with environmental pollutants, dirt and other factors each day that should be gently removed. Wash twice a day, morning and night, to avoid clogged pores, dullness and acne.

Recommendations: *SCA (The Skin Clinic & Aesthetics) 10% AHA Exfoliating Cleanser. **Twice a week I recommend SCA Microdermabrasion Exfoliating Scrub. I combine the Scrub with the cleanser twice a week.

If my skin feels sensitive then I will wash with the SCA Rosehip Regenerative Balance Cleanser

Toner

For many, the word “toner” brings to mind stinging astringents from the ’80s. The original was an alcohol-based product that was used to dry up oily skin and remove any leftover dirt following cleansing. Today’s formulas, however, have evolved. Think of them as supplements — these thin liquids deliver an extra shot of nutrients, helping the other products in your regimen absorb better, while still balancing your complexion. Toners should be done after cleansing and before putting on anything else. The traditional application method was to saturate a cotton pad and pass it over your face, but you end up losing a lot of product. Applying toner with clean hands is the most efficient way. All you do is pour a few drops in your palm, then swipe it on. Most formulas can be used morning and night, but you might want to use those with exfoliating acids only at night or every other day. Here are a few options of ingredients in toners:

• Alpha and beta hydroxy acids to gently remove dead skin cells that can clog pores, improve sun-damaged skin and minimize dullness.

• Hyaluronic acid to boost hydration, seal in dewiness and plump skin to subtly treat fine lines.

• Rose water and green tea to calm irritation and reduce redness with an anti-inflammatory effect.

• Vitamin E and C to fight daily exposure to free radicals that can age your skin.

Recommend: SCA Hydrating Skin Toner with CoQ10

CoQ10 is a powerful antioxidant that helps to defend skin from adverse effects of sun exposure that are caused by free radicals. CoQ10 also supports the production of collagen & elastin.

For acne prone skin I recommend SCA Triple Action Clarifying Pads (use as your toner)

Serums

Simply put, serums are powerful skin allies. Filled with concentrated doses of active ingredients, these elixirs can mitigate a number of issues, from dark spots to wrinkles. Even if you don’t have any specific issues, everyone still needs a general antioxidant serum in the morning to protect from daily aggressors.

To handle specific issues, look for these ingredients in products:

• Hyaluronic acid to seal in hydration and strengthen the barrier function (the top layer of your skin) to prevent moisture loss.

• Vitamin C to help brighten dull skin and decrease dark spots with continued use.

• Retinol, vitamin B3, peptides to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, proteins in the body that help prevent lines and skin sagging.

• Colloidal sulfur, niacinamide to calm redness and irritation by decreasing inflammation, and improve acne with its antimicrobial effects.

If you have multiple concerns, you might want to use multiple formulas. Maybe you’ll use a vitamin C serum all over but then dab on another serum for hyperpigmentation on just a few spots. Don’t try mixing a serum into your moisturizer because this lessens the ability of the serum to absorb effectively. Products should be applied one by one. Not all serums are applied with the same frequency either. It is recommenced to use antioxidants in the morning because they give you additional protection from the environment, and most of us don’t use enough sunscreen as is. Yet certain ingredients are best when slathered on at night. For example: Retinols are not sun-stable and will degrade if applied in daytime.

Recommend: SCA 100% Hyaluronic Quenching serum for all skin types

If my skin is red or irritated I use the SCA Antioxidant Rich Calming Serum

For aging skin I recommend the SCA Biomimetic Oligo Peptide Rejuvenating Serum and Environ Youth Essentia C-Quence serum

Moisturizing

The most basic function of a moisturizer is to hydrate and soften the skin. Moisturizers also assist in preventing water loss through the outer layers of skin. They can also complement the naturally found protective oils and other building blocks within the skin, such as ceramides. This is one product that is recommend using year-round, for all skin types. Skin naturally loses the ability to retain moisture as we age and daily activities, such as washing, can strip natural hydrators from the surface.

Everyone needs moisture, but the texture of your moisturizer will differ depending on your skin type.

Creams you apply in the morning are equipped to protect your skin from the environmental aggressors you’ll face when you leave the house—many contain antioxidants to minimize pollution-based free radicals and sunscreen to shield you from ultraviolet radiation. They typically have a lightweight consistency. Night creams, on the other hand, focus on repairing any damage you might have picked up with ingredients like retinol to speed cellular turnover and counteract dark spots. These creams also replenish moisture levels, which naturally dip in the evening, with emollients that often create a rich, thick texture.

Recommend: SCA The Only Cream You'll Ever Need

If I need a stronger moisturizer I will use SCA Squalane Equilibrium Restoring Gel (which I absolutely love)

SCA Overnight Peptide Power Mask is an amazing product to repair damaged skin while you sleep.

Eye Creams

Can you survive without an eye cream? Absolutely. But, if you have specific concerns — like hyperpigmentation, dryness or puffiness — you might want to try one. T he skin around the eyes is quite thin and delicate, and more likely to react to irritating ingredients than other areas. For undereye bags and inflammation, caffeine, peptides and hyaluronic acid can be soothing. Dark circles can be due to visible veins or actual discoloration common in darker skin tones. Look for brightening ingredients like vitamin C, kojic acid and niacinamide. Steer clear of strong retinols which can sting and create redness and fragrance, to avoid any eye irritation.

Recommend: SCA Age Expression Eliminator Lift & Tighten formula

I also recommend the Colorescience Total Eye Firm & Repair Cream

Sunscreen

Sunscreen is, hands down, the most crucial skin-care product. It’s of utmost importance as part of your year-round regimen. Daily and consistent sunscreen use helps to prevent the development of fine lines and wrinkles, textural imperfections, and changes in the appearance of pores over time. More importantly, daily sunscreen use can help to prevent the formation of certain skin cancers. To make it easy to remember, use a daily moisturizer with a built-in broad spectrum SPF of at least 30.

Recommend: ColoreScience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield 50 SPF

There are also products that I recommend to treat specific conditions such as brown/sun spots, fine lines/wrinkles, acne, scars, etc.

We have our own products at The Skin Clinic & Aesthetics that we can personalize

to your skin care needs. Call (208) 237-3749 or come on in to one of our 3 Idaho locations for a complimentary consultation.

Pocatello 1155 Yellowstone Ave Suite F

Idaho Falls 2110 Niagra Ave Suite 3

Preston 85 North State Street