Protect your skin from the sun damage that ages it, wind that roughens it, and pollutants that leave it dull and blemish-prone. Healthy skin is radiant, smooth, and free of blemishes. Caring for your skin properly will keep it glowing with good health.
Thorough, but gentle cleansing is the first step to achieving beautiful skin. Breakouts can happen when dirt and bacteria mix with oil and form clogs in pores. Blackheads may look like dirt, but they’re actually oxidized sebum, an oily substance all skin produces naturally. The oxidized accumulation of sebum turns dark, giving the skin a dirty appearance. Keep skin clean with a cream or lotion cleanser. Bar soap also cleanses well, but can dry the thinner and more sensitive skin of the face. Products formulated for facial use are kinder to more delicate skin.
The outer layer of skin, the epidermis, continuously sheds old skin cells and replaces them with newer cells from deeper within your skin. These old cells can leave skin ashy or dull, but there’s a way to speed up the process and reveal the younger, healthier cells beneath. Exfoliation is the process of removing this outermost layer of dead cells; exfoliating skin gives it a youthful glow and a healthier appearance.
There are many exfoliating products on the market, but they all fall into one of two types of exfoliation. Physical exfoliation is the process of rubbing away old skin cells with a gentle abrasive. Specially formulated exfoliating scrubs contain small particles that wear off the outermost layer of the epidermis. Ingredients such as alpha hydroxy acids and certain enzymes act as chemical exfoliators, loosening the bonds between old, dead cells and the younger cells they hide. Anti-aging products often contain these chemical exfoliants.
After exfoliation, skin needs protection from the primary cause of premature aging: sun damage. Not only can harmful ultraviolet rays leave your skin with uneven coloration and a network of fine lines, they can also cause skin cancer. Sunscreen doesn’t just protect your skin from aging before its time, it protects your health. It’s important to choose a sunscreen that provides protection from both UVA and UVB radiation. All sunscreen has an SPF (sun protection factor) assigned to it; the higher the number, the better the protection. Look for products containing zinc oxide, a safe, non-irritating, and effective ingredient to ward off harmful solar radiation. Remember that no sunscreen can be effective if it stays in the bottle, though; use sunscreen liberally on all exposed skin every day.
Sun damage is not the only danger your skin faces. Chlorinated water, wind, and arid temperature-controlled environments can rob skin of moisture, leaving it looking and feeling dry. Invest in a moisturizer that contains both humectants and oils or silicone-based polymers. Humectants like glycerin and uric acid collect moisture from the surrounding atmosphere, while oils and silicone-based ingredients act as an occlusive barrier to keep that moisture there to rehydrate parched skin. Some moisturizers also contain plenty of sun protection, allowing them to do double duty.
No matter your age, taking steps to protect your skin will help keep it beautiful and healthy for a lifetime.
This was written by a leading dermatologist, who specialises in anti-aging treatments and skin care. Has recently reviewed and recommends the following product: lancome absolue soleil