As the beach days are being replaced by trips to the pumpkin patch and football games it is time to take inventory of what those beautiful summer rays have done to your skin.
Now, lets assume that you are already using my mandatory 30+ SPF all summer long like the A+ skin care skin care goddess that we all hope to be. The sun will still strip the hydration from your skin, and possibly leave those beautiful “sun kissed” spots on your skin. Now is the time to begin the rebuilding process and leave the “sun kissing” to our bronzers.
First thing first, you need to call your Esthetician and schedule a light peel or an enzymatic treatment to rid you of as many of the damaged cells as possible. Then you can take advantage of the shorter days and less sunlight by re-introducing a retinol based product into your regime. Retinols are one of the most effective ingredients on the market for anti-aging. Vitamin A based products will create a sun sensitivity in the skin and cause even more sun damage in the skin, not to mention the potential for a pretty nasty burn in even some of the most overcast days if you are not cautious. Many of my clients will take a hiatus from these products over the summer and pick it back up in the fall. So now is the time to get that Retinol back in the rotation AND keep the SPF too!
There are so many retinols on the market…how do you choose the one that’s right for you?? Not all retinols are created equal. You want to look for a cosmeceutical level or higher to make a real difference. Those are found at spas, medspas and many dermatologists offices. In todays market you can find retinols blended with ingredients like peptides, stem cells or other acids. Your Esthetician or Dermatologist can help you decide what blends may be best for you depending on your sensitivity or needs. Two of my favorites are Rhonda Allison’s Chronopeptide A and Rhonda Allison’s Synergy A. The later being a buffered version with stem cells for sensitive skin.
So it goes without saying that a 30+ SPF sunscreen is a requirement when using a retinol based product. My hands-down favorite daytime moisturizer is Jan Marini’s antioxidant protecting lotion. Not only does it have an SPF 33 but it also has the antioxidant support to help with the free radical damage that you have done over the summer. And did I mention it smells like pineapples?!
Now if you are looking for a product to lighten dark spots specifically, Hydroquinone is one of the most popular and efficient ingredients right now. Some may call them “bleaching” products but no actual bleaching occurs. Some other ingredients to look for can be Daisy flower extract, Azaleic acid or Vitamin C. All are effective in the lightening arena. However, always keep in mind that whenever you are using a melanin suppressing ingredient you should never use it for any longer that 6-12 weeks. Then take a break. The skin can have a “bounce back” effect and create darker spots than you started with. I always tell my clients to write a stop date right on the bottle the first time they use it.
Now is the season to rebuild your skin, after everything you enjoyed over the summer has created issues in your skin, yet before the cold winds and sub zero temps of the winter show their ugly heads creating an even more dry face! Call today to schedule your facial! 610-489-0800
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