What is a good skin care routine?

I had an interesting client the other day. She hadn’t had a facial in twelve years; had experienced an elevated level of stress lately; was suddenly breaking out; and was quickly approaching 40. I could tell in her voice that she was in a slight state of panic about her skin. 

This situation is familiar to me after working at Aetheria for 8 years. Many people perceive spa treatments to be a luxury; not something that is beneficial to an overall health and wellness lifestyle. They think they’re doing all the right things: eating well, exercising regularly, going to the doctor for their annual check-ups, getting their teeth cleaned when they’re supposed to…the list goes on.  As good as you are, life still happens. Sorry to break it to you. We age. It’s inevitable.

Spa treatments aren’t a luxury.  Just like brushing your teeth everyday isn’t a luxury.  And good skin care begins with a choice to be healthy.

Your skin is the largest organ of your body, creating a breathable barrier to both release toxins in our body through sweat glands, as well as creating a barrier to toxins in our environment. Your skin’s texture, elasticity, suppleness, tone, and color are a reflection of what’s going on inside your body, as well as a reaction to what’s going on in your environment. If you maintain a healthy lifestyle, your chances of preserving the skin you were born with is substantially increased. But if you make poor lifestyle choices, it will show later on.

There is a long list of “have-tos” in our daily existence. As your esthetician, I completely understand the lack of time we have to get everything done. But please understand that getting a facial once every twelve years will have limited, and temporary, results. It’s really important to incorporate a good skin care routine into your lifestyle. Just like you would make a vigorous work-out a priority for optimum health, a good skin care routine is required for optimum beauty.

Step 1: Choose to make your skin care a priority.

Step 2: Schedule a consultation with a specialist you trust and respect. Feel free to shop around for the right specialist. Every spa, therapist, dermatologist, and esthetician will have a different set of recommendations for you. I know it’s frustrating, but it’s like finding a good doctor. You’ll know who is right when you FEEL a connection to that place and/or specialist. Trust your instincts.

Step 3: It’s a team effort. Talk to your specialist about your concerns. Good skin care is like piecing together a 3-D puzzle. You have a skin type (dry, oily, combination, normal), as well as skin conditions (acne, dehydration, hyperpigmentation, sensitivities), lifestyle habits (diet, exercise, stress-levels), and other information (genes, current routine and products used) that all need to be considered when developing a treatment plan.

Step 4: Make it a priority. Set time aside every day to do your skin care routine. No matter how busy your life is, it’s worth it to take 5 minutes for some self-care. Many people incorporate their skin care into their morning and evening ritual until it’s a habit, just like brushing your teeth.

Step 5: Regular check-ups. We recommend regular facials every 4 to 6 weeks, depending on your treatment plan. But at the very least, once a season is required. The environment plays a role in your skin’s health and appearance, so as the seasons change, you may need to update your products or routine to adjust to these changes. You may have noticed that your skin is more oily in the summer, and drier in the winter. Good products are designed to supplement your skin with nutrients, hydration and oils that your body needs, so be sure you’ve got the right tools in your toolbox to keep your skin glowing.

Step 6: Be patient. American culture has trained us to demand immediate gratification. There is no magic bullet, though many product labels will lead you to believe that. The skin is one of the most metabolically active parts of the body, and the body is turning over skin, hair, and nail cells on a daily basis.  Any skin care routine (along with your lifestyle) is affecting the deepest layers of the skin. Visible results will take some time to appear.

As always, if you have questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to ask us. We’re here to help you be the most beautiful, organic YOU.