To be completely honest, skincare is SO overwhelming, not to mention the fact that different products are recommended for different skin types, and the amount of NEW lines coming out on a daily basis is insane! Prior to starting my business, I was in this boat-buying into different lines and trying new products every few months. I was never entirely sure which products were best for my skin type, and always thought I had this combination skin. It wasn’t until I was trained further on skincare consultation and the appropriate products based on skin typing through Biophora, that I truly understood my skin.
Although I do fluctuate from oily to dry, I actually was causing the dryness through exfoliation and overuse of specific products. Additionally, I was scared of oil based products or serums, because I made the assumption that these would make my skin more oily-not the case.
Throughout my research and training, I have found 3 universal products, that in my opinion, everyone should use. That being said, there is obviously circumstances, such as pregnancy and breastfeeding, where skincare products should not be used, and I do recommend consulting with either a physician or trained skincare specialist before using products you are unsure of.
The first product I will speak about is Hyaluronic Acid, also known as hyaluronan, is a clear, gooey substance that is naturally produced by your body. It is actually the same product found in dermal fillers. When applied to skin, as a serum, it binds to water and hydrates the skin and retains moisture. As our skin retains more moisture, fine lines and wrinkles are less visible, and the skin appears more plump. Unfortunately, aging and environmental factors contribute to the loss of our hyaluronic acid stores, thus increasing the aging process. Young or old, dry or oily skin, this product is universal to our needs. It is my favorite product hands down, and something I NEVER miss in my skincare routine. My favorite is the Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum from PCA Skin.
“It is always recommend doing your research into skincare- just because they say it is 100% doesnt mean it is, and often you get what you pay for as far as quality. There are certain products you do not want to skimp out on-and this is definitely one of them.”
So we have covered the product used for hydration and plumping but what about tightening and targeting those fine lines and wrinkles? This is where the next 2 products come into play.
Vitamin C- also known as L-absorbic acid is a powerful antioxidant. It is the powerhouse for targeting aging lines and brightening the skins complexion. As we are exposed to environmental factors, free radicals break down our skins collagen; leaving us with fine lines, dark spots, wrinkles and dry patches. Vitamin C neutralizes these free radicals and stimulates the synthesis of collagen. The quality, and potency is very important with this product. It must also remain in a bottle that protects from UV light. Biophora is hands-down the best Vitamin C product I have found to date. It is 100% Pure, and comes in a powder format.
“Always consult with your skincare specialist on how much Vitamin C to use, as well as how often and what it is safe to be mixed with. As a powerful antioxidant we want to be safe with its use, and more is not always better in this case.”
Retinol is the final product I will be speaking about today that is a great universal product choice when targeting aging. Vitamin C and Retinol also work incredibly well together by co-acting in 2 different ways to provide optimal results.
Retinol is a regenerator- a derivative of Vitamin A. Retinol turbo charges skin-cell turnover to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, pores and pigmentation. It also works fast on breakouts. Retinol is also a very powerful product that comes in specific potency’s. Biophora also takes the cake for me on this product, especially with their ability to tailor the product to everyone with the potency options of 30/60/90.
“There are specific guidelines when using this product that must be followed, and the potency is tailored to individual skin types based on consultation.”
“Vitamin C and Retinol should never be used together in high potency without speaking to a skincare specialist, as guidance should be provided on the layering of these products.”
Skincare is my passion. If there is ever any topic or questions you have, please do not hesitate to reach out. I hope this was helpful to some of you )