Love Your Skin All Year-Round

Your skin deserves some attention especially since it’s your body’s largest organ. Just like you exercise and eat well for heart health, caring for your skin daily matters.

“I believe everybody should have a skin-care routine. It doesn’t have to be complicated. You can really customize it for yourself. But I often compare it to brushing your teeth or taking care of your hair,” says Emily Doster, RN, esthetic nurse with LVPG Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. “Even if it’s a simple routine, it’s good to have one that fits you and your lifestyle.”

Try this:

A.M. routine

1. Cleanse your face.
2. Apply an antioxidant serum such as vitamin C.
3. Apply sunscreen.

Pro tip: The power is in the SPF and consistency. Always use a face sunscreen of at least 30 SPF whether it’s raining, shining or snowing. If you prefer a clean sunscreen, opt for a mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide over a chemical sunscreen.

P.M. routine

1. Cleanse your face to remove any makeup, oil and/or sunscreen.
2. Apply a toner.
3. Apply a treatment serum such as hyaluronic acid.
4. Finish with a moisturizer.

Pro tip: Focus on corrective treatments at nighttime. Anti-aging creams or serums with active ingredients that address pigmentation or acne should be applied in the evening for best results.

Do you have dry or oily skin, or you're just not sure? Doster says how your skin behaves on a daily basis can clue you in. To help you figure out your skin type, review these characteristics that define them:

• Dry skin: Skin tightness, flaky, rough
• Oily skin: Shiny, greasy
• Combination skin: Mixed areas of oily and dry patches
• Normal skin: Neither shiny nor dry
• Sensitive skin: Easily irritated, acne-prone

Finding products that work best for you depends on your skin type and the season. A non-foaming hydrating cleanser works well for both oily and dry skin types to cleanse the skin without stripping it of its natural oils. If you have acne-prone skin, a gentle foaming cleanser may be a better choice. Very oily skin may benefit from a gel-based cleanser, but you may need to switch that out in the wintertime if it’s too drying. 

“In the summer, you may need a stronger sunscreen and a lighter moisturizer. In the winter, you may need a creamier cleanser and a more heavy-duty moisturizer,” Doster says.

Look for products that have healthy ingredients such as jojoba oil, squalene oil and vitamins C, E and B. Aloe vera is soothing in a cleanser but also works well as a moisturizer for the skin. Papaya and pineapple enzymes are great natural exfoliants to help remove dead skin cells when needed.

Now is the perfect time to treat yourself to a facial or in-office treatment. “October through April are typically the months that have less sunshine, so we can do more of our corrective treatments,” Doster says. Some treatments include:

• Microneedling: Recommended for reviving skin texture, addressing larger pores, scarring, fine lines
• Chemical peel: Recommended to treat fine lines and deeper wrinkles, pigmentation, acne
• Microdermabrasion: Recommended for most skin types to increase circulation and remove dead skin. Avoid if you have sensitive skin or are actively breaking out.

Schedule a consultation today to get started on your journey to healthy, glowing skin. And learn more skin and beauty tips from Emily Doster, RN, on The Healthiest You podcasts, Episode 28: Beauty Habits to Ditch and Switch and Episode 23: Skin Care Resolutions You’ll Want to Keep.