Beauty Essentials

So much information is available to consumers, it becomes challenging to find the right routine. Many are constantly experimenting, changing products trying to find the magic bullet. Some new finds are excellent, but often they result in lack luster results or irritation. Here are some key items to keep in your beauty arsenal.

Cleansers-  An oil cleanser, and a classic. A double cleanse will ensure all makeup is gone and skin is clean (once to remove makeup, 2^nd to clean skin). My skin is a fan of oil cleansers. Double cleanse with a quality oil cleanser is fine.

Exfoliator- AHAs, scrubs, enzymes, all great for weekly exfoliation.  Every ones skin can get a dead skin build up and leave skin looking dull. Gentle weekly exfoliation can help bring vibrancy to complexion. Some things to avoid are OVER exfoliating. Dry skin types are prone to over doing it with these products and leading to more dryness. 1x bi-weekly is enough. Combinations to oily skin can tolerate 2x per week.

Moisturizer- Everyone needs a moisturizer suited for skin type. Oily skins do well with gel cream textures. Still gives the skin hydration without the oils. Dry skin needs a richer texture. One that provides hydration as well as oils, since that skin isn’t producing enough. Environmental factors (desert, high humidity, and recycled air), as well as lifestyle (sports, time in sun and high heat) should be considered when choosing a moisturizer. In heat, a lighter weight during the day is great, and richer for evening.

Eye Cream- The eye area is one of the first places to show aging. The skin is thin, delicate, and easily irritated. Finding one formulated for the eye area is important. Along with hydration, firming peptides should be on your list of ingredients to look for.  A few more are arriving on scene that are LID safe. Most are for around the brown and orbital bone. If crepiness of the lid is of concern, look for this to be noted on package.

Sunscreen- UV rays are everywhere. They accelerate aging by drying out the skin, causing age spots, breaking down collagen. A minimum of SPF 15 daily IF you are indoors and have no direct exposure.  The other factor to think about there is Blue Light. More and more research is coming out about the blue light from our lights and screens. This year we are seeing a big push to produce products that can filter it. Traditional sunscreens do not filter blue light.

Now, I know many will say their makeup has sunscreen in it, which fine. With sunscreens you have to reapply every 2 hours. So does it really matter that it’s in your makeup? Not really. It’s best to apply before your makeup, and reapply using a spray or powder sunscreen.

Of course you can add a serum, toner/ softener, but I don’t consider those Essentials. More like great additions. Great skin can be as easy as a few products used correctly and consistently.