How to Start a Skincare Routine
This week I reached out to a skincare expert to bring you the basics of how to start a skincare routine. Priscilla Alvarado is a friend, esthetician, and the owner of BARE Los Angeles. Keeping reading to learn everything you need to achieve gorgeous skin.
How to Start a Skincare Routine
“I hardly ever wash my face”… “SPF feels too greasy for my skin so I just skip it”…” I exfoliate with baking soda, that’s good right?” Baking soda? Really? Please, don’t take skincare advice from Pinterest … “Cleanse? Oh no I just use makeup wipes.” As an Esthetician, I’ve heard it all. The good, the bad, and the scary things women do to their skin.
How you treat for your skin in your late 20s early 30s will reflect in your 40s/50s and so on. Now is the best time to establish a skincare routine to stay forever young.
Basics Steps to Skincare
Cleansing: I always recommend a double cleanse. What is double cleansing? Cleansing first with an oil-based cleanser to remove makeup, dirt, and impurities. Followed by a water-based cleanser to thoroughly cleanse the skin.
Serums: Retinol or Vitamin C are two great serums to start with. They both address fine lines, soften wrinkles, pigmentation, acne scars, skin texture and pore size. Vitamin C is a great option for women with more sensitive skin. If you’ve never used Retinol, you must slowly ease into it otherwise you’ll be a red peeling mess and that’s no fun.
Moisturizer: A quality moisturizer should contain hyaluronic acid, holds 1,000x its weight in water. Ceramides, strengthen the skin’s barrier to help prevent moisture loss. Humectants which retains moisture.
SPF: The number one question I’m always asked, “What is the best anti-aging cream you can recommend?” A Broad Spectrum SPF! UVA rays known as aging rays, cause collagen loss, saggy, wrinkled skin which is irreversible once the collagen is lost. UVB rays are known as the burning rays, causes pigmentation damage deep within the skin. It can take up to ten years to see the true effects of the sun. Protect your skin always!
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Learn More than just the Basics.
Now that we’ve established your skincare routine let’s talk about my favorite treatment, chemical peels!
Everyone can benefit from a chemical peel every now and then. Chemical peels are my absolute favorite treatment to give clients because they yield great results. Whether you struggle with acne, aging, pigmentation, or all of the above a chemical peel can be a great option for treatment.
A chemical peel is a skin-resurfacing procedure. Depending on the issues you’re addressing with the procedure, you’ll choose a chemical peel in one of two depths: (Deep peels can only be performed by a doctor)
- Light chemical peel
- A light (superficial) chemical peel removes the outer layer of the skin (epidermis). It’s used to treat fine wrinkles, acne, uneven skin tone, and dryness. You might have a light peel every two to five weeks.
- Medium chemical peel
- A medium chemical peel removes skin cells from the epidermis and from portions of the upper part of your middle layer of skin (dermis). It’s used to treat wrinkles, acne scars, and uneven skin tone. You might need to repeat the procedure to achieve or maintain the desired result.
**A series of 3-6 peels is recommended, every 4 weeks for desired lasting results although noticeable results can be achieved after one.
Skincare is not a one routine fits all. We all have different skin types, concerns, allergies, and sensitivities. Pick products that best suit YOUR skin. If you’re unsure about how to care for your skin or need a customized routine visit your local Esthetician. Or reach out to me Priscilla, I’d be more than happy to help. Find me on IG here
