After years of research and tons of hands-on experience at the Kate Somerville Clinic, we know that no matter what your skin type is, there are certain things everyone should be doing to promote healthy skin. If you need tips for getting healthy skin, keep reading to expand your knowledge of premium skin care and learn what you can do to take your skin to the next level.
Tips for Healthy Skin
Skin care can be quite an overwhelming task when you begin to look at all the products available to you. There are cleansers and toners, exfoliators and moisturizers, plus all of the various spa or clinic treatments you can have done. So it is no wonder so many of us get confused about what we should be doing and which products we are supposed to use. At Kate Somerville, we understand how challenging this can be which is why we take great care in helping all our clients develop the best skin care regimen for their unique skin. However, in all our years of experience, we have found some things that can help promote glowing and healthy skin in nearly anyone. Aly Mac, Kate Somerville esthetician, recently sat down with us to share her top five tips for healthy skin that you can add to your skincare routine to keep your skin hydrated, reduce the appearance of fine lines, and so much more.
1. Exfoliate
If you are not already exfoliating as part of your weekly routine, you definitely need to start! This process of removing the outer most layer of skin provides a number of benefits to your overall skin health. First, it helps to unclog and minimize the appearance of your pores by removing any lingering dirt or grime on your face’s surface. Exfoliation also helps to prepare your skin for any products you choose to put on after. With all those dead skin cells and dirt gone, any additional products will be able to better penetrate the skin and be more effective.
Aly recommends exfoliating at least two to three times per week to see the most exfoliation benefits. But the type of exfoliator you choose and the frequency at which you use it will depend on your skin type. When it comes to type, you can use physical or chemical exfoliants though some skin care products use a combination of these two methods. A physical exfoliant uses an abrasive substance to help lift dead skin cells from the surface of your face. Chemical exfoliation uses substances like like acids or enzymes to dissolve any lingering dead cells on your skin. Generally speaking, those with sensitive skin will want to opt for a gentler exfoliator and use it less often.
2. Double Up on Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in our bodies as a primary element of our connective tissues within our skin, cartilage, joints, and eyes. Its main function is to lubricate our joints but it also supports our skin by hydrating the skin. Unfortunately, however, our naturally occurring levels of hyaluronic acid begin to decrease around the age of 40 years old [1] which can lead to a loss of skin moisture and volume. So applying hyaluronic acid to your face can have a number of benefits including regulating your skin’s moisture levels [2].
With all these benefits, Aly says an easy way to improve the appearance of your skin this coming year is to double up on your hyaluronic acid application. She suggests applying a single layer and letting it dry before applying the second layer of the product. She notes that “your skin is drier in the winter months and hyaluronic acid acts as water for your skin, you just need to be sure you are keeping it hydrated and a double application can help do just that!”
3. Double Cleanse Too
Long popular in Korean skin care practices, double cleansing has seen a recent surge here in the states and Aly recommends adopting the practice at night, especially after wearing makeup. As it sounds, the process involves washing your face two times, first with an oil-based cleanser and the second with a water-based cleanser specific to your skin type. Using an oil cleanser seems counterintuitive to most but these products can be especially effective in gently dissolving tough to remove makeup while removing environmental pollutants from the surface of the skin. Oil-based cleansers can also remove excess oil from the surface of your skin and balance future oil production as overly dry skin often leads to increased oil production. Plus, by removing any surface dirt this initial cleanse allows the follow cleanser to penetrate deeper into your pores and clean your face more effectively.
Your water-based cleanser should be designed to specifically address the concerns of your specific skin type: normal, oily or acne-prone, dry, combination, sensitive, or even aging. This second wash removes any lingering dirt or residue that was left behind by your oil cleanser and leaves you with a clean face.
4. Use Facial Oils
On the rise within the broader skincare community are facial oils. Chances are you haven’t implemented this step into your routine yet and that’s ok – it can definitely be intimidating. But if you want to achieve healthy, glowing skin this is one product you can’t afford to skip anymore. Like every product, you can find a facial oil for nearly any skin concern you want to target. But the difference with oils is that the active ingredients that are effective in treating those concerns will often be more concentrated in an oil. But in addition to providing these ingredients, oils provide a few other benefits:
• Seal in Moisture - Aly notes that oil can be particularly helpful in the winter months as they help to lock in moisture. Depending on the specific oil you choose, they can provide extra nourishment to the skin and help to replenish the skin’s natural barrier, keeping your skin fresh and healthy.
• Gives You a Glow - Aging or weathered skin can appear dull and dry as your skin naturally produces less oil in those states. So using an oil can help promote moisture and encourage glowing skin.
• Protects from the Elements - Just as oils can seal moisture and other products into your skin, it can also help protect you from external pollutants or other harmful elements. If you apply an oil toward the end of your skincare regimen, it acts as a barrier on the outer layer of skin.
5. Hydrate From the Inside Out
One of the things Aly says most people overlook is their water intake. “If you want healthy skin, you have to drink lots of water!” She told us that you should be drinking 100 ounces per day at a minimum if you want to maintain glowing and radiant skin. “That sounds like a lot of water to most people, but if that is the case, you probably are not drinking nearly enough water,” she says. Her recommendation for ensuring that you drink enough every day? “Always make sure you have a really large water bottle with you. Fill it up in the morning and make sure you are finishing it by the time you leave for work. Then fill it up again and drink it by lunch, and then again by dinner. If you are doing that, you will dramatically increase your daily water consumption.”
Drinking plenty of water also helps your body to get rid of any toxins lingering in your organs, including your skin [3]. Some have even reported reduced acne as they increased their water intake [4], though studies surrounding those results are insufficient. Regardless, drinking more water definitely won’t have a negative impact on your skin!
We hope this helps you feel confident and ready to accomplish your skincare goals. By adding just these five things to your regimen you can dramatically improve the appearance of your skin and face the world with your most radiant look to date. Plus, we also have you covered when it comes to helping reduce the appearance of eye wrinkles or learning about sulfur as an acne treatment.
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