Year after year, we break into the mindset of “New Year, New Me” As we are turning over a new leaf for ourselves, it may also be the perfect time to turn over a new leaf for our skin.
Our skin is an organ, the largest indeed, and this should be the year when we place skincare in our priority list. Skin care isn’t vanity, it’s health, and the health of our skin can additionally affect how we feel about ourselfs. Our goal at Integrative Aesthetics Boston is to empower you through the improvement of your skin health. Sometimes when having a bad skin day, so to speak, we will avoid eye contact and not feel quite as confident in ourselves. Sticking to some consistent hard and fast skin rules and decreasing our lousy skin habits means fewer lousy skin days and better self-confidence.
Skipping your facial-cleansing
When you don’t cleanse your face thoroughly, you’re leaving a layer of sebum, bacteria, and pollution (and make-up for those who use it). If you’re prone to breakouts, you can only imagine what this will do to your skin, but breakouts aren’t the only worry. The processes your skin carries out while you’re sleeping are fundamental for its day to day health, including healing, repairing, regenerating and hydrating. The key is to wash your face. Every. Single. Day. Night.
Not cleaning your cell phone (including earbuds)
Did you know that your phone screen is much dirtier than you think? “Studies have shown that your cell phone is dirtier than a public toilet, “If you are not cleaning it regularly with an alcohol swab and it rubs against your face, you may be transferring that debris to the skin, which combined with friction, and sebum production may promote breakouts. “Placing your phone to your cheek for minutes on end could lead to occlusion of the pores, and then acne.
Not changing your pillowcase frequently
When you don’t refresh your pillowcase regularly, dead skin cells, bacteria, dust mites, and oil build up, and when you put your face into that pillow at night, these substances can cause havoc in your skin. Also, the type of pillowcase seems to matter. Sleeping on silk, soft, less abrasive pillowcases are recommended for overall healthier looking skin.
Not taking your supplements as directed
While there’s no single cause for acne, certain nutrients may play a role. There are the vitamins, minerals, and herbs that support healthy skin and may help prevent these from forming. We can recommend specific amounts of these supportive nutrients specifically for each person based on their health status, medications, or other illnesses. For this reason, it is always best to work with knowledgeable practitioners to discover the underlying causes of acne for you and use supplements that are suited to your needs in the amounts appropriate for you.
Stop fighting the fight
It can be oh-so-tempting to skip the skin-clearing products in our skin-care regimen, but this is not a good idea. It is natural to want to stop using acne-fighting products when your skin is clear, but acne is chronic and requires long-term care to keep it under control—even when you are traveling or are on vacation. Make sure you take your acne products as directed for as long as directed, and never skip.
Skipping your moisturizer
Even though it is essential to use a non-comedogenic product (one that won’t clog your pores) if you are acne prone, dry skin causes inflammation that can result in more acne flares. A healthy, hydrated skin barrier is vital in keeping skin acne free. So, never skip the moisturizer.
Skipping your daily sunscreen
Even during long-cold Winter months, you still need to use your daily sunscreen. Research suggests that smog, chemicals, and toxins in the air can clog your pores and cause acne. There's not much we can do to avoid pollution, but our prescribed sunscreens will create a barrier between your skin and the toxins, and with their antioxidant ingredients can help fight free radical damage in air pollution. Also, it prevents trans-epidermal water loss, aiding in less excess sebum production.
Believing that your acne has nothing to do with what you eat
There are now several studies indicating that acne can be related to diet. In our experience acne can be helped with a customized diet and the right supplements. It is true that one person may be able to eat the foods that cause another to break out without getting any acne her/himself. For this reason, it is always best to work with knowledgeable practitioners to discover what foods may trigger your acne.
Let's start the New Year with a good affirmation. My favorite "I am worthy of clear skin." Affirmations are assertive, positive phrases, that help direct our focus to a more positive and productive state. By replacing negative thoughts with positive ones, we can help change the way we view ourselves, and it opens us up for more good to come our way.
I appreciate all of you, and I can't wait to share a fantastic 2019 with you!
Much Love,
Noemi