The foundation of good skin is a good skin care routine. The old adage of cleanse, tone and moisturize can never be repeated often enough. I believe in it 100%.
Cleansing is important for obvious reasons. Dead loose skin cells and other debris from external sources in our environment, such as car fumes and dust particles, attach themselves to the skin. In the summer we can also sweat a little more so there’s some added toxins on the surface. Cleansing is crucial to remove these particles.
On the surface of our skin (and all over our bodies too) we have something called the acid mantle which consists of sebum and sweat. It is a protective shield which helps to control bacteria levels and prevents infections and disease. The acid mantle also acts as a natural moisturizer. The pH balance of the skin is between 4.5 – 5.6 (depending on who you talk to) and this acid environment helps to prevent bacterial growth. So when we cleanse our skin we disrupt that pH level. Therefore, we need to restore it: toning does that. A toner will also work as a vehicle to take the moisturizer deeper into the layers of the skin.
So that is why I would recommend to apply moisturizer while the skin is still damp from the toner. The moisturizer’s job is to keep your skin hydrated and protected throughout the day. But nowadays, moisturizers do so much more. They can be anti-ageing, clearing, lightening, calming and a number of other things.
So cleansing and toning should be done in the morning and at night. The moisturizer should definitely be applied during the day as it is protection for the skin. At night, it depends on your skin type, location (where you live), lifestyle and other factors whether you should use a moisturizer.
That is the foundation of a regimen. Once you have selected the right products for your specific needs, you are well on your way to achieve your goal of healthier skin.
Of course, there are additional products that address specific areas. Personally, I’m a big fan of eye creams. Their formulation is different to that of moisturizers to prevent the product running into the eyes. Also with most people, the eye area is the first to show signs of ageing as the skin is much thinner there. A lightweight eye cream from about 25 years onwards would be my recommendation. Definitely in the mornings and for some people in the evening too, depending on when they started using an eye cream.
Exfoliation is great! It removes dead skin cells, prevents clogged pores, helps with enlarged pores and boosts the regeneration process of skin cells. The frequency of exfoliation, again, depends on your skin type, products used and lifestyle.
Then if you have any other, specific skin concerns, such as aging, pigmentation or rosacea, you can address those with a mask and a serum. When using a mask, ideally it would be applied after the exfoliator. At that point the mask can penetrate the skin up to 30% deeper as the old skin cells have been removed. So it’s more effective. The serum is a concentrated product to support what it is you’re trying to achieve in your skin care routine. Ideally, it can be used mornings and night.
At Bloom Organics we offer complimentary 20 minute skin analyses, where one of our experienced therapists will assess your skin, existing skin care routine and any skin concerns or goals and will then determine your ideal skin care program.
Give Bloom Organics a call on 941-362-4194 to reserve your appointment.
