THE BENEFITS OF SKINCARE

THE BENEFITS OF SKIN CARE

Many people undertake some kind of active skincare routine and follow a range of skincare tips at home.

Skincare professionals like me, (Natalie Wade, Director of MYSKIN Shop LTD) have the knowledge and experience to educate you on the importance of skin care, and will tell you that a good skincare routine includes cleansing, toning and moisturising the skin on your face and neck everyday, as well as applying a serum to help target a specific condition / concern. Exfoliation will depend on your particular skin type, and may be required, once a week, twice a week, or maybe once a fortnight. Taking care of the skin (all skin types – fair to dark) also requires the use of SPF, EVERYDAY, regardless of the time of year. UV rays are always present, and can penetrate the skin, even on the cloudiest of days. Applying SPF to the face, neck, hands and any other areas of exposed skin will ensure it is adequately protected.

In everyday life your skin will come up against various lifestyle and environmental elements. Factors such as: diet, smoking, alcohol consumption, sun exposure, changing weather conditions, air pollution, harsh chemicals, perfumes, central heating and air conditioned buildings can affect the look and feel of the skin. Although the way this can affect your skin specifically may vary from someone else, the outcome is commonly experienced, with the complexion becoming dry, dull and inflamed.

And, we mustn’t forget about ageing and how the loss of collagen and elastin can alter the facial profile, and change its overall texture and tone.

What are the general benefits of skin care?

 Using skincare products has many beauty benefits as they help to ensure your complexion stays in good condition. The right regime will assist in maintaining skin that is clean, clear and soft to touch. Healthy skin looks glowing and radiant, and certain products can be applied to add extra nourishment and hydration.

In terms of ageing, skincare products can help to support the skin’s inner structure. Whilst we cannot completely stop the process altogether, skincare can be used to help strengthen the skin both inside and out – making it easier to hold on to your youthful looks.

As previously mentioned, protecting the skin is important. The skin’s protective layer is easily damaged, allowing harmful UV rays to penetrate the deeper layers. SPF can prevent this from happening and the cellular damage that occurs as a result. Cellular damage can build up over time, and many of its effects often won’t become visible for many years. Protecting the skin can reduce the chance of damage causing pigmentation, skin cancer and other common skin complaints, as well as premature ageing.

What skin care products should I use?

Skincare is big business and there are many different brands available to purchase in shops and skincare clinics around the country, each providing an array of different creams, lotions and serums. It’s important to ensure you’re using the right products for your particular skin. In general, cosmetic skincare products (those you can buy in shops and on-line) may be targeted at skin types such as: dry skin, oily skin, normal skin, combination skin or sensitive skin. It’s common for many people to be unaware of their particular skin type, meaning the wrong products are used. This can be counterintuitive and may be as ineffective as not using any skincare at all.

You should typically look to use a suitable cleanser, toner and moisturiser twice a day. It’s especially important to wash and cleanse the skin at the end of the day to remove any oil, dirt and debris that may be lying on the surface and / or clogging up the pores – all of which cause the development of acne. The reason us professionals generally don’t recommend daily exfoliation is to avoid overdoing it. Exfoliating too often can aggravate the skin, leading to redness and inflammation which can exacerbate any existing conditions.

Should I ask a skincare professional for advice?

 Asking a skincare professional for their advice is the best way to ensure you are using the most suitable products for your skin as we will have undergone extensive training and attended various skincare courses. When you seek advice from a skincare professional you will most likely receive an in-depth skin assessment. Not only does our knowledge help to identify your particular skin type, our findings can also establish if your skin is affected by any other concerns. Our analysis can look deeper into the skin, and what may be going on under the surface. In many cases we can also predict the future developments of your skin, including how you may be affected by ageing.

When clients visit my clinic or request a consultation at MYSKIN SHOP, I always consider the type of skincare that is currently being used, as well as the type of skincare that will provide the most benefits. Skincare is generally categorised into 5 levels:

• Cosmetic – the products you are able to buy in shops, supermarkets and on-line
• Dermatology – dermatology / pharmacy led products that contain some active ingredients
• Cosmeceutical – higher quality, professional brands that contain a wider range of active ingredients
• Pharma-grade – products that contain pharmaceutical graded ingredients of the highest purity and potency
• Medical grade – products that are only available via a prescription.

Our advice will guide you on the most effective ways to have good skin, recommending which products your skin actually needs, and whether your complexion would benefit from a targeted skincare protocol. We know from experience, the specific products / brands that provide the best way to transform the look and feel of the skin.

At MY SKINSHOP we will always carry out a comprehensive evaluation of your skin before giving any advice. We can conduct each consultation virtually, if this is more convenient, and we stock the most reputable products and skincare brands on the market, including: iS Clinical, Environ, Empelle, Deesse and CACI. It’s true that these products may be slightly more expensive than those you can pick up whilst out shopping, but in many cases it’s because they are clinically advanced.

Why is Pharma-graded skincare better than shop-bought products?

 Using products that contain active ingredients when considering the care of your skin are often the key to achieving an incredible complexion. Products that are cosmeceutical level or higher will have been thoroughly researched and are developed to a higher standard, having undergone clinical trials to prove they are safe and effective. Clinically advanced skincare products are also referred to as pharma-graded. This is because they are formulated to a higher standard than shop-bought (cosmetic) products, and contain a higher concentration of specific active ingredients – the requirement of pharma-graded products is that they’re 99% pure. This type of results-driven skincare can be tailored to meet the specific needs of your skin, containing the right blend of ingredients to enhance its quality and condition. Due to their superiority, you’ll find they produce much better results than cosmetic products that contain lots of mixed chemicals and ingredients, and can target more complex / long-term conditions, including: acne, rosacea, ageing skin and pigmentation. These products will need to be recommended by a trained skincare professional, and should be used regularly with their guidance to achieve optimal results.

So, if you’re in need of great skincare advice, or are looking for the most suitable products to bring out the best in your complexion, visit www.myskinshop.co.uk.