Answered by: Renee Stroffe PA-C
A morning regimen helps you remove dirt and oils that may have accumulated while you slept. It can also help moisturize and protect your skin from ultraviolet rays. Morning is the perfect time to prepare your skin for success by protecting it and adding ingredients that will minimize the effects of environmental pollutants and stressors.
Our providers at Natural Image OC are here to help you build a morning skin care routine to look and feel your best. As everyone’s needs are unique, we provide customized care of the highest quality.
The first step in building a skin care regimen at the beginning of your day is to determine your skin type.
Identifying your skin type enables you to customize your routine to your specific needs.
Here are the steps to follow as you create your morning skin care regimen.
Washing your face removes dirt and excess oil that may clog your pores. Splash lukewarm water on your face and use your fingertips to gently rub in a face wash. Then, rinse and pat your skin dry.
To avoid damaging oils that keep your skin barrier healthy, use an alcohol-free cleanser. Alternatively, you may benefit from a hydrating oil-based cleanser if you have dry skin.
This step is optional but often helpful for those with dry or acne-prone skin. Applied the toner to the forehead, nose, and chin. Consider using hydrating toners with hyaluronic acid or rose water if you have sensitive or dry skin. If your skin is oily or prone to acne, toners with salicylic acid or witch hazel may benefit you.
You can use acne treatment to manage and prevent breakouts or skin-brightening treatment to alleviate dark spots or hyperpigmentation. Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid can help treat acne, while hydroquinone or kojic acid can help fade dark spots.
Antioxidant serum helps protect the skin from environmental and UV damage. Vitamin C, vitamin E, and niacinamide are all helpful ingredients to look for. However, mixing Vitamin C and niacinamide will make them less effective.
Apply a high-quality vitamin C, which acts as a topical antioxidant that helps to minimize the effects of stressors that our skin experiences. Blue and purple light in the visible light spectrum emitted from the sun, screens (phone/computer), and light bulbs harm the skin and make brown pigment more prominent. Vitamin C can help minimize these effects. Since vitamin C oxidizes quickly and becomes ineffective, it is important to use a high-quality Vitamin C. Our office carries ISDIN, SkinCeuticals, and Revision lines of vitamin C that are all high quality and effective.
This optional step can hydrate your undereye area. Look for hydrating peptides, antioxidants—such as vitamin C—and sun protection factor in daytime eye creams. A caffeine eye cream can help improve blood circulation while reducing dark circles and puffiness under the eyes.
Moisturizers increase your skin’s water content, which is important for the protective top layer of your skin, also known as the epidermis or skin barrier. All skin types, including oily, need moisture to prevent excessive oil production.
Moisturize the skin with an effective cream with an active ingredient to help restore your basement membrane. The basement membrane is a layer within the skin that acts like a relay point between the top layer of the skin (epidermis) and the connective tissue below (dermis). By providing support to the basement membrane, the skin can better protect itself and minimize the risk of environmental pollutants. The Sente Dermal Repair Cream line has a special ingredient called heparin sulfate that aids in this process.
Moisturizers with glycerin or shea butter help alleviate dry skin, and oil-free or lightweight moisturizers with hyaluronic acid benefit oily or acne-prone skin.
This essential step protects your skin from UV rays, reducing your risk of cancer, sunspots, and wrinkles. Look for options with an SPF of at least 30. Apply a nickel-size amount of lotion to your face, ears, neck, and chest—and reapply every two hours.
Apply sunscreen daily, even if you are not going to be outdoors for an extended period of time. Protecting your skin from UV rays is important to minimize aging effects and decrease skin cancer risks. We carry sunscreens from ISDIN, SkinCeuticals, and Revision that will fit the needs of all patients. For those who spend a lot of time outdoors, we recommend taking Heliocare, an antioxidant vitamin supplement that acts like an “internal SPF.” It amplifies the effect of topical sunscreens and adds further protection.
If you’re looking to take your skin to the next level, these two additional treatments can enhance your results and help your morning routine work even better:
Injectable skin booster/hydrator that helps bring a glow to the skin. Benefits last 6 months and can help reduce flares from skin stressors. Skincare products and cosmetics apply more easily.
A low-downtime light Fraxel laser freshens the texture and pigment of the skin. It also gives the skin a nice glow and reduces the risk of skin cancer. Skincare products and cosmetics apply more easily. The 1 & Me is a great addition to your anti-aging and anti-cancer routine.
Our team can help you determine how to begin your morning regimen. Everyone’s skin care needs are unique, and we can help you find a routine that will benefit you the most. Contact our team today to learn more about building a morning skin care routine.
Dr. Sikorski offers cosmetic & dermatology procedures to patients in all Orange County communities. We provide facelifts, neck lifts, blepharoplasty, CoolSculpting, and other surgical and nonsurgical procedures. Schedule your cosmetic dermatology consultation today!
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