by Skincare Specialist, Bianca Jansen
Picture your skincare routine as your skin’s personal trainer, life coach, and best friend all rolled into one. It’s not just a passing trend; it’s a lifelong partnership in keeping your skin fit, fabulous, and feeling forever young. Whether you’re a seasoned skincare sensei or just dipping your toes into the fountain of youth, we’re all on the same quest for that dazzling, “I woke up like this” glow.
To help you achieve your skincare goals, we’ve compiled a list of 15 golden skincare tips that combine both professional and homecare practices. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your skin remains healthy, beautiful, and age-defying.
Table of contents
- WHY TO FOLLOW SPECIALIST SKINCARE ADVICE
- Maintain balanced hydration with the right moisturiser
- Prevent damage with a 30+ broad-spectrum sunscreen
- Support skin cells with optimal hydration
- Follow a tailored “healthy-skin” diet
- Practise gentle, but regular skin exfoliation
- Use the right natural ingredients
- Be cautious with piping hot showers
- Invest in your skin barrier
- Harness the power of peptides
- Remove your make-up before bedtime
- Master your peri-orbital care
- Be sure to get your beauty sleep
- Protect and brighten with Vitamin C
- Always include your neck and chest in your skincare routine
- Consult your skincare specialist regularly
- CONCLUSION
WHY TO FOLLOW SPECIALIST SKINCARE ADVICE
Your skin is as unique as your fingerprint, and what works for one person may not work for another.
Specialist skincare advice is like a tailored designer gown for your skin, addressing its unique needs and conditions. This personalized approach is crucial due to the diversity of skin types and conditions. Skincare specialists offer custom solutions and help you navigate the complex landscape of products and treatments. They stay updated with the latest advancements, ensuring you receive the most effective recommendations. This expertise is essential in selecting the right products, treatments, and techniques while avoiding skincare fads and gimmicks.
Following specialist skincare advice ensures your skin receives the individualized, informed care it deserves.
1. Maintain balanced hydration with the right moisturiser
Balanced hydration is the cornerstone of healthy, glowing skin. It involves finding that sweet spot where your skin’s natural oils and moisture levels are in harmony. Achieving this balance is essential for ensuring your skin looks and feels its best.
Your skin naturally produces oils to maintain its barrier and keep moisture from escaping. This natural oil, known as sebum, is crucial for skin health. However, various factors, such as environmental conditions, lifestyle, and genetics can affect the production of sebum.
A good moisturizer can help by:
- Preventing Over-drying: In certain conditions or with aggressive cleansing routines, your skin can lose moisture faster than it can produce sebum. This can lead to dryness, tightness, and even flaking. A moisturizer steps in to replenish lost moisture and maintain that comfortable, supple feeling.
- Managing Oiliness: On the flip side, some individuals have oilier skin due to an overproduction of sebum. The right moisturizer can help control this excess oil without stripping the skin of its natural protective oils, thus preventing a greasy appearance.
Your skin faces a constant onslaught of external aggressors. UV rays from the sun, pollution, harsh weather conditions, and even everyday stress can all wreak havoc on your skin. The role of a moisturizer extends beyond hydration; it acts as a protective shield for your skin, maintaining the skin’s natural moisture but also preventing damage and premature aging caused by these elements.
2. Prevent damage with a 30+ broad-spectrum sunscreen
Sunscreen is the ultimate skincare bodyguard and protecting your skin from harmful UV rays is non-negotiable.
UV rays emitted by the sun come in two forms: UVA and UVB. UVA rays are the primary culprits when it comes to aging your skin. They penetrate deep into the skin’s layers, wreaking havoc on collagen and elastin—the two proteins responsible for keeping your skin firm and youthful.
UV-induced skin aging manifests as fine lines, wrinkles, and a loss of elasticity. To prevent these signs of aging and maintain a youthful complexion, sunscreen is your best ally. A broad-spectrum sun cream with an SPF of 30 or higher provides a protective shield against these UVA rays. By applying it daily, you’re effectively fighting against the relentless march of time that the sun can impose on your skin.
Now, you might be thinking, “I only need sunscreen in the summer, right?” Wrong. Sun protection is a year-round commitment because UV rays don’t take vacations, and they’re not only active when the sun is shining bright. They’re present on cloudy days, in the winter, and even when you’re indoors. UVA rays can penetrate cloud cover, glass windows, and the layers of your skin, causing cumulative damage.
The danger with UVA rays is that they are silent culprits. Unlike UVB rays that cause sunburn and are immediately noticeable, UVA rays work silently beneath the surface. The effects might not be visible right away, but over time, they can result in visibly aged and damaged skin.
View some of our top broad-spectrum sunscreens online.
3. Support skin cells with optimal hydration
Your skin, like a sponge, needs hydration to maintain its plumpness and elasticity. When your body is well-hydrated, it ensures that your skin cells are adequately nourished and supported. Hydrated skin cells are like plump cushions. They give your skin a smoother and more youthful appearance. When your body lacks water, your skin can appear dry, dull, and even more prone to fine lines and wrinkles.
Hydration contributes to skin’s elasticity. Elastic skin is better at bouncing back, which is crucial in preventing sagging and maintaining a firm, youthful look.
Drinking water is like giving your skin a deep, internal drink that keeps it looking fresh and vibrant. It’s the elixir of youth that doesn’t cost a fortune.
4. Follow a tailored “healthy-skin” diet
You are what you eat, and this age-old saying holds particularly true when it comes to your skin. A balanced and nutritious diet not only benefits your overall health but also plays a crucial role in achieving and maintaining healthy, glowing skin.
Your skin and your diet have a close, symbiotic relationship. Your skin requires essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to function optimally. These nutrients play a key role in processes like collagen production, skin repair, and protection from environmental damage.
A diet rich in certain nutrients can help prevent or manage various skin conditions. For example, foods high in omega-3 fatty acids can reduce inflammation associated with conditions like acne and psoriasis.
Foods rich in vitamin C, amino acids, and collagen-boosting nutrients can promote the production of collagen, a protein that’s vital for maintaining skin elasticity and reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
A ‘healthy skin diet’ is characterized by foods that are packed with antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory effects.
Fruits and vegetables like berries, citrus fruits, and leafy greens are high in antioxidants. They help combat free radicals, that can damage your skin cells and lead to premature aging. Antioxidants give your skin a youthful, radiant appearance.
Foods like fatty fish (salmon, mackerel), flaxseeds, and walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These healthy fats have anti-inflammatory properties and can help soothe redness and irritation in the skin.
Foods rich in vitamin A (carrots, sweet potatoes), vitamin E (almonds, sunflower seeds), and zinc (oysters, lean meats) are excellent for skin health. These nutrients aid in skin repair and maintenance.
5. Practise gentle, but regular skin exfoliation
Exfoliation is like a mini makeover for your skin. It is a natural and essential part of your skin’s renewal process.
Your skin constantly sheds old, dead skin cells and replaces them with new ones. This is called cell turnover. Young, healthy skin cells reside in the deeper layers and gradually migrate to the surface
Over time, especially as we age, this process can slow down. Dead skin cells may accumulate on the surface, leading to a dull, uneven complexion.
Exfoliation helps to speed up this process by sloughing away dead skin cells, revealing the smoother, brighter skin underneath. It can also improve the effectiveness of other skincare products, as they can penetrate deeper into the skin.
Different skin types have different requirements. For example, sensitive skin may need milder, non-abrasive exfoliation such as lactic acid, while oily skin might benefit from salicylic or azelaic acid, for dry skin, enzyme exfoliants or mild physical exfoliation can remove dead skin cells without over–drying.
6. Use the right natural ingredients
When it comes to skincare, the power of nature should never be underestimated. Natural ingredients can be incredibly effective for maintaining skin health and addressing specific concerns.
Natural ingredients are often free from harsh chemicals and synthetic additives, making them gentler on the skin and less likely to cause irritation or allergic reactions.
While natural ingredients can work wonders for your skin, it’s essential to maintain a balance. Natural ingredients can complement your existing skincare routine, enhancing its effectiveness. For example, you can use natural ingredients for specific concerns while continuing to follow your overall skincare regimen.
When dealing with specific skin concerns or conditions, it’s advisable to consult with a skincare specialist. They can help you integrate natural ingredients safely into your routine and ensure they work harmoniously with other products.
Skin is dynamic and can have varying needs depending on factors like age, climate, and lifestyle. A balanced approach allows you to adapt your skincare routine to address these changing requirements.
7. Be cautious with piping hot showers
Hot showers are a tempting indulgence, especially on chilly mornings, but they can have unintended consequences for your skin.
Hot water can strip your skin of its natural oils. These oils serve as a protective barrier, preventing moisture loss and keeping your skin supple. When these oils are stripped away, your skin can become dry and prone to issues like itching, flaking, or even dermatitis.
Hot water can also cause blood vessels in your skin to dilate. While this might not sound concerning, it can lead to redness and increased sensitivity, especially if you have rosacea or other skin conditions.
The high temperature can compromise your skin’s protective barrier. This barrier is essential for keeping harmful microbes out and essential moisture in. A weakened barrier can make your skin more susceptible to environmental damage and irritation.
8. Invest in your skin barrier
Your skin’s barrier is like a protective shield, guarding you against the harsh elements of the world. It’s essential to consider skincare products that support and maintain this vital defense.
Your skin’s protective barrier, often referred to as the “lipid barrier” or “stratum corneum,” is made up of several crucial components. These include:
- Ceramides – help seal in moisture, prevent water loss, and protect against environmental irritants
- Fatty acids, like linoleic acid, are essential for maintaining the flexibility and integrity of the skin barrier
- Cholesterol – another essential component of your skin’s barrier maintaining the structural integrity and ensuring it functions correctly.
- Natural Moisturizing Factors (NMFs) – like amino acids and urea help attract and retain water, keeping your skin hydrated
Skincare products containing these essential ingredients, such as ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol, can reinforce and replenish your skin’s protective barrier.
Check out the top 10 trending skincare ingredients for this year!
9. Harness the power of peptides
Peptides are like the unsung heroes of skincare, quietly working to support your skin’s foundation and provide a firm, radiant appearance. Peptides contribute to the well-being of your skin’s foundation by:
- Collagen Production: Collagen is essential for maintaining your skin’s structure and firmness. Peptides signal to your skin that it needs to produce more collagen, which can help combat the natural decline in collagen production that occurs as you age.
- Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs): Peptides also help inhibit enzymes called MMPs. These enzymes break down collagen, so by reducing their activity, peptides contribute to maintaining your skin’s foundation.
- Skin Barrier Support: Peptides can assist in strengthening your skin’s protective barrier, making it more resilient to environmental stressors and moisture loss.
10. Remove your make-up before bedtime
Falling asleep with makeup on might seem like a harmless habit, but it can have detrimental effects on your skin, potentially causing premature aging and unwanted flare-ups. Makeup, especially foundation and heavy products, can clog your pores which can lead to the formation of blackheads and whiteheads as well as the exacerbation of acne-prone skin conditions.
Throughout the day, your skin collects dirt, pollution, and sweat. When makeup is left on overnight, it traps these impurities against your skin, increasing the risk of breakouts.
Some makeup products contain allergens or irritants that can cause redness, itching, or skin sensitivities when left on your skin for an extended period. Residual makeup can dull your complexion and make your skin appear lifeless and tired, diminishing your natural radiance.
Cleansing your skin at night clears away makeup, dirt, sweat, and pollutants, allowing your skin to breathe and recover from daily stressors. When your skin is free from makeup and impurities, it can effectively renew and regenerate. This is crucial for achieving a fresh, youthful appearance.
A clean canvas is better for absorbing the benefits of your nightly skincare products, such as moisturizers, serums, and treatments.
11. Master your peri-orbital care
The skin around your eyes requires special attention, it is the thinnest and most delicate skin on your face. The skin around your eyes is also more prone to showing signs of aging and fatigue. Here’s why this area is unique:
The eye area has fewer oil glands, which means it’s less equipped to maintain moisture and protect itself. This contributes to issues like dryness and fine lines.
Your eyes are in almost constant motion, whether you’re blinking, smiling, or squinting. This movement can lead to the formation of fine lines and wrinkles over time.
Using a dedicated eye cream can help address the specific needs of the eye area and offer numerous benefits, including hydration, reduced puffiness, dark circle reduction, and wrinkle prevention.
12. Be sure to get your beauty sleep
A good night’s sleep isn’t just about feeling rested; it’s a crucial part of maintaining healthy skin. While you’re asleep, your body goes to work, and so does your skin.
At night when you sleep your skin cells regenerate rapidly, this process helps replace damaged cells with new healthy ones. Collagen production peaks at night, which is vital for maintaining your skin’s elasticity and reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Your body detoxifies and removes waste products from your skin, helping maintain its clarity and preventing blemishes. While you’re resting, your skin can better retain moisture, reducing the risk of dryness and irritation. Blood flow to your skin increases during sleep, delivering essential nutrients and oxygen that support a healthy complexion.
Adequate sleep and stress management play a vital role in your skin’s health. Poor sleep and high stress levels can lead to breakouts, dull skin, and premature aging. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night.
13. Protect and brighten with Vitamin C
Vitamin C is like a supercharged elixir for your skin, offering a range of benefits that include antioxidative power, skin-brightening effects, and revitalization. It is a potent antioxidant, which means it’s great at neutralizing free radicals that can damage your skin.
Free radicals are unstable molecules that can harm your skin cells and accelerate aging. Vitamin C combats these free radicals, protecting your skin from their harmful effects.
While Vitamin C isn’t a replacement for sunscreen, it can enhance your skin’s natural defense against UV damage. When used in conjunction with sunscreen, it provides extra protection.
In addition to its antioxidative power, Vitamin C is well-known for its skin-brightening and revitalizing effects it can help fade hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and uneven skin tone.
Regular use of Vitamin C can lead to improved skin texture, making it smoother and more youthful as it aids in the regeneration of skin cells, which contributes to healthier, more vibrant skin.
14. Always include your neck and chest in your skincare routine
Your face isn’t the only area that deserves skincare attention, neglecting these areas can result in an inconsistency in skin quality, with your face appearing more youthful than your neck and chest. The neck and chest are often exposed to the sun, which can lead to signs of aging like wrinkles, dark spots, and loss of elasticity.
Signs of aging can be particularly noticeable on the neck and chest, making it essential to include them in your skincare routine. To maintain a youthful and healthy neck and chest, Always apply sunscreen to protect from harmful UV rays. This helps prevent premature aging. Use moisturizers and serums that provide hydration to these areas to maintain their elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines. Gently exfoliate your neck and chest to remove dead skin cells and encourage cell turnover and in turn improve texture and skin tone.
Remember to also apply products that contain anti-aging ingredients like retinol, peptides, and antioxidants to target signs of aging.
15. Consult your skincare specialist regularly
Regular skincare specialist consultations are crucial for maintaining healthy and beautiful skin. These experts provide personalized guidance based on your skin type and goals, optimizing your skincare routine to achieve the best results.
Skincare specialists create customized treatment plans for concerns like acne, anti-aging, or sensitive skin, recommending effective solutions to save you from trial and error. They stay updated with the latest developments in skincare and aesthetics, ensuring you benefit from cutting-edge treatments.
Moreover, skincare specialists can discern beneficial products from marketing gimmicks, shielding you from industry trends. These consultations are your path to optimal skincare and enduring beauty.
CONCLUSION
Our journey through the 15 golden skincare tips has highlighted the numerous benefits of incorporating these practices into your daily routine. These tips provide personalized care, protect and prevent skin damage, and encourage a holistic approach to skincare. They emphasize the importance of hydration, nutrition, exfoliation, natural ingredients, good sleep, and cautious habits. Additionally, they stress the value of consulting skincare specialists for tailored advice.
If you seek personalized advice and expert guidance, the team at Dr. Nerina Wilkinson + Associates is ready! Our team of skincare specialists offers a variety of bespoke treatments and services to address your unique skin concerns. Whether you’re looking for anti-aging solutions, treatment for specific skincare conditions, or a comprehensive skincare plan, we’re here to help you achieve your most radiant skin ever.
The journey to healthy, radiant skin is a lifelong commitment. By following these golden skincare tips and continuing to adapt and learn, you’re ensuring your skin’s well-being and beauty for years to come. Your skin deserves the best care, and it’s a journey well worth taking.
Should you be ready to make a change, email us at skinclinic@drnwilkinson.co.za to start your Skin Science journey to radiance today.
Written by Skincare Specialist, Bianca Jansen
