The truth? Beautiful skin needn’t be complicated or take lots of time. Years of researching products and ingredients have allowed me to distil the process into 4 simple steps – Cleanse, Prevent, Protect and Treat.
While the products may differ depending on your skin type and specific needs, these 4 steps will help keep your skin looking young and healthy, whatever your age.
Step 1: Cleanse (AM/PM)
Cleansing helps keep your face free from make-up, dirt and oils, which may lead to blemishes, redness or irritation. It also provides a clean surface to better absorb active ingredients and a smooth base for make-up. Depending on preference, you may opt for one step (just a cleanser) or two-step cleansing (cleansing oil/make-up remover followed by a cleanser).
Choose from Apothekari Cloud Nine Foaming Cleansing Crème, suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin and individuals with rosacea or Apothekari AHA-Mazing Clean Exfoliating Cleanser Gel, an exfoliating cleanser featuring sugar cane extract and a triple combination of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) to help smooth fine lines and wrinkles, gently exfoliate clogged pores and promote cellular renewal. Designed for all skin types, but caution if you are overly sensitive or have rosacea.
Optional: Toners. Toners are a great way to great way to deliver targeted actives for acne, rosacea or dry skin. For the rest of us, their use is a matter of personal preference.
Step 2: Prevent (AM/PM)
Prevent skin damage and your skin will be thankful for many years after. Antioxidants such as Vitamins A, C and E, ferulic acid, pomegranate seed oil, astaxanthin and green tea are backed by sound science to support their efficacy in aiding the prevention of skin damage associated with free radicals and UV rays. Antioxidants can also boost the effectiveness of your sunscreen. Apply antioxidants in the morning to battle the daily assault of pollution and ultraviolet rays and at night to help boost collagen production and fight against factors that age skin.
Apothekari Bespoke Vitamin C 10% or 15% are our made to order high potency Vitamin C serums containing a range of antioxidants including L-ascorbic acid, ferulic acid, phloretin, astaxanthin, lycopene and pomegranate seed oil. It also features hyaluronic acid and glycerin to moisturize.
Step 3: Protect (AM)
You may not know it, but the sun’s UV rays are responsible for more than 85% of skin aging. For this reason, the most important skin care product you’ll ever need is sunscreen. Use it daily, year round and you’ll reap the rewards. Sunscreen filters can be divided into two main types – chemical and physical. Chemical filters interact with the skin’s top layer to absorb and render UV rays harmless. Physical filters sit on top of the skin to deflect UV rays. Sunscreens may contain either one or a combination of the two. While both types are effective, my preference is for those that contain physical filters.
Why not opt for a chemical free version if it offers the same benefits? Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide comprise the two physical blocking filters. Zinc oxide covers the full range of the UV spectrum (both the longer UVA (aging) and shorter UVB (burning) rays. Titanium dioxide doesn’t block all UVA rays so I’d steer clear of sunscreens formulated with only titanium dioxide as a sun filter.
Studies have shown zinc oxide to safe, stable upon sun exposure and effective. Our Apothekari Shade SPF 30 delivers broad spectrum, UVA/UVB blocking protection in a non-whitening formulation containing additional free radical fighting benefits.
Step 4: Treat/Correct (AM and/or PM)
Once you have the basics of the above 3 steps covered, your skin may need a bit of extra help. Depending on your individual needs, Step 4 delivers just that. One ingredient that is a must for anyone concerned about youthful skin, is a retinoid. Derivatives of Vitamin A, retinoids provide a range of benefits to skin including: a reduction in the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines; an increase in the production of collagen and elastin; an increase in skin cell turnover; skin brightening; a reduction in the appearance of blemishes and hyperpigmentation; an increase in skin moisture content; protection against UV damage and; a reduction in oil production.
It may sound too good to be true, but it’s not! A is for Anti-Aging Retinal Serum contains stabilized retinaldehyde – an effective yet gentle treatment. If you have had problems incorporating a retinoid into your regimen before, try A is for Anti-Aging. Many of our customers unable to use other retinoids are able to tolerate it well. *Caution with rosacea or sensitive skin. If you have dry skin, incorporate a moisturizer like our Daily Infusion Moisturizer – apply day and/or night as required. Oily Skin, Dry Skin, Rosacea, Hyperpigmentation, Wrinkles/Fine Lines and Eye Concerns require specific protocols.
Watch the blog for future posts as we discuss those in more detail. Here’s to beautiful skin!
