It’s been a minute since I wrote about skin, but since I’m still in the thick of it (and have been for over two decades)….and I hear misconceptions or mistakes being made every day, thought I would just shed some light on some of the things that I commonly hear.

Mistake #1: Not cleansing and moisturizing everyday. First and foremost, everyone needs a basic routine in order to keep the skin hydrated and healthy. I wrote this piece over 10 years ago, and it is the first thing I address during every consultation with my clients. https://holisticwellnesswithcindy.com/2015/10/22/your-at-home-skin-care-routine-the-basic-minimum-to-acheive-and-maintain-healthy-skin/ The most common skin condition I see is dehydration. Most of us don’t drink enough water, and even if we do, the skin is the last place in the body where the internal hydration reaches. We lose a lot of water while we are sleeping and locking in hydration (at the minimum) is necessary to keep the skin healthy. Correction is possible when we add to that basic routine with more corrective at home exfoliation, serums, masks or more aggressive treatments administered by a professional.

Misconception #2: Your skin TYPE never changes. What you are born with you will take to your grave. The skin CONDITION however, changes endlessly. With weather, seasons, climate, diet, hormones, nutrition, aging, stress, environment…..the list goes on. How you take care of it should also adjust with the changes. If you are unsure, this is where your Esthetician can guide you in making adjustments to your regimen as needed, depending on how your skin is behaving. It is a team effort and I’m here to help – but it is you that has to get to know your own skin and do the work.

Reminder #3: If you don’t remember this from Junior High or High School science….here is your reminder! Your skin is the largest organ of your body and is constantly renewing itself, even more so while we are in the rest and digest part of our nervous system, when we are sleeping. Ideally it is best to have a routine morning and evening, however, I always tell my clients, if you don’t have time to do both (I get it) do it before sleep, preferably using a nutrient dense moisturizer, and if you are seeking improvement or correction, adding appropriate serums, masks, eye creams, etc. I liken healthy skin care to working out and eating right (which is additionally linked to the health and appearance of your skin). You can work out and lose weight and get in shape, but in order to reach optimal health we need to take in adequate hydration and nutrition, as well. Feeding your skin prior to repair will ultimately give you a healthier result and will improve the appearance and longevity of your skin.

Misconception #4: Not all products are created equal. Ingredients and formulations differ significantly and some can have adverse effects on the skin. Make sure you trust the source of what you are feeding your skin. Get to know your ingredient lists – literally flip the bottle over and read….and if you are unsure, there are several apps and websites that can assist you. Several years ago I wrote about ingredients and recommended an app called Think Dirty https://www.thinkdirtyapp.com/ (read the blog here: https://holisticwellnesswithcindy.com/2015/12/15/does-your-skin-care-brand-matter-2/ ) Since then, I have been introduced to several others, including the Environmental Working Group https://www.ewg.org/ and Yuka https://yuka.io/en/ . I am sure there are many others, but these I know and am familiar with and have referred many clients to over the years.

Mistake #5: Lastly, as good as that hot water feels on your skin, or the sensation of the washcloth or exfoliating scrub feels rubbing on the skin, less is always more. Both techniques increase capillary activity, increase redness and contribute to dehydration and sensitivity. And now you know.

BONUS CONTENT: If you get a chance or have any interest, here is a great podcast that was released shortly after I started this blog post. Funny the timing was perfect and it really was a reiteration and confirmation of most of what I have learned, teach and practice over the past twenty plus years of my career.

Key takeaways – (mind you the whole podcast is educational and informative)

use mineral sunscreens – avoid harsh chemical sunscreens – look for clean ingredients @ 00:57:35

gut microbiome and skin microbiome closely linked – healthy gut = healthy skin @ 01:30:13

high protein (complete protein) , fruits, veggies and an anti-inflammatory diet are best for healthy skin @ 01:34:28

Happy skin will give you a natural glow! Make informed choices!