We all have it, but do we all know how to properly look after it? Our skin is a delicate organ indeed; it can make you look gorgeously glowing, adolescent and spotty and give away our real age in two seconds flat.
Beautyheaven caught up with Dr Gabrielle Caswell, President of the Cosmetic Physicians Society of Australasia, to hear how to perfect a great skincare routine, how to get rid of pesky scars and why you shouldn’t necessarily listen to every old wives tale…
So, what is a basic step-by-step guide to great skin?
The most important step to make your skin look its best is finding a regime that you like and that you will stick to because it is time-effective, affordable and is, of course, suitable for your skin type. Once you’ve established your skincare routine, it is important that you stick to it consistently.
Whatever your skincare regime, it should include a cleanser and a moisturiser. In Australia it is always advisable to find a moisturiser that offers sunscreen protection for daywear. If you’re looking for something extra to incorporate into your routine, serums are a great way to deliver active elements to the skin.
What’s also important to remember is not to treat all problems at once. Otherwise you will find it difficult to determine what is working. If you have a particular concern about your skin, visit a cosmetic physician for advice on how to treat the area of concern. Often the doctor will be able to provide you with an at-home treatment option which will resolve the issue. Visit www.cosmeticphysicans.org.au to find a cosmetic physician in your area.
What is the most important thing to remember when cleaning your skin?
Choose a cleanser that is suited to your skin type. Often gel cleansers are the most appropriate option for younger people, but as you age I would recommend you try crème cleansers as the sebum used in the product is highly moisturising.
It is also important to remember to rinse well and remove all residues from the cleanser as well as any leftover make-up or dirt.
Bh recommends using a toner, to ensure that all cleanser residue and leftover grime is removed from the skin. Something like Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Purifying Toner is perfect.
Is it really harmful to exfoliate daily or is that an old wives’ tale?
No, it’s not harmful to exfoliate daily but it depends on the type of exfoliant you use and how hard you are using it. As a guide, there are certain areas of the face that you should be slightly more gentle with. For example, the nose crease does not take kindly to excessive rubbing and you can develop a graze on the
skin if you are too vigorous. I normally recommend that my patients use an exfoliant two or three times a week and at night, before the use of a Vitamin A cream. This encourages maximum repair and growth of the skin overnight.
Bh recommends using a gentle exfoliant if you wish to use it daily. Try Almay Gentle Exfoliator.
How many times a day should you clean your skin?
I advise my patients to wash their skin once in the morning and again at night. Over cleaning can lead to an increase in sebum production and irritation. Sometimes an extra clean might be warranted after outdoor activities to remove sunscreen and dirt, but twice a day is usually enough. It’s also important not to over moisturise as this can lead to adult acne.
Any tips for stretch marks and scarring treatment?
Stretch marks are usually a badge of motherhood and there is no proven treatment for them. (bh recommends Dr. LeWinn’s Medic Bio Care Oil to help fade marks).
The Pearl Fractional laser by Cutera is often used to treat scarring, with patients generally responding well to this treatment. The fractional laser works by taking tiny columns out of the skin, which lays down collagen as it heals, removing scars, pigmentation and causing the skin to lose its sag. A product such as Protec Scar Therapy for Scars and Stretchmarks is also great to help fade, soften, smooth and flatten scars and stretch marks when used daily.
