Hide my skin?

 

Hide your skin? But, why?

Oh, I see....like the elephant in the above photo? You have wrinkles, sagging skin, and dark circles under your eyes? Uneven skin tone?

I get it....trust me....I get it! I grew up in the days before sunscreen was a thing. As a teenager, I couldn't wait to bake in the sun with mineral oil, of all things (disguised as baby oil) smeared all over my exposed skin. (that's a whole different issue that I won't go into today). Suffice it to say...I did some terrible damage to my skin that caused permanent damage.....uneven skin tone, wrinkles, dark spots, and yes, a mild form of skin cancer. All in the name of "health and beauty." I have very fair skin, and sunburn very easily. So you could say, that one of my personal missions is to educate people on protecting their skin, and preventing as many future skin problems possible.

But alas, for me....the damage is already done. What to do? I do have a few suggestions:

1 - Definitely hide your skin from any potential sun damage. Cover your skin with clothing, or a mineral based sunscreen, with the primary active ingredient being Titanium dioxide, or Zinc oxide. These have fewer side effects and sit on top of your skin, instead of soaking into your skin. 

2 - Invest in good, high quality skincare products, like Karine Joncas  The better your skin looks, the less you will need to spend on foundation and concealer to cover your skin flaws. Quality products pay for themselves in results. High quality skincare products heal your skin from the deepest layers out, giving your skin a soft, healthy glow. Let your natural beauty shine through!!

3 - Use your high quality skincare products consistently. It really would be a waste of money to buy them, and then not use them. Believe it or not, they don't work from your vanity drawer......Even if you don't wear any makeup, you still need to wash your face in the morning, and at bedtime. Environmental pollution soaks into your skin, causing the release of free-radicals that damage your skin. Wash your face at bedtime to remove unwanted chemicals from your skin, and then moisturize it with products that help to break down the free radicals (anti-oxidants like Vit C, Vit A, Peptides, etc). In the morning, wash off the dead skin cells that have accumulated on your pillow, and moisturize again, to seal and protect. 

Karine Joncas moisturizers (Icons, as Karine calls them) are 4 in 1. They serve as your day, night, eye, and decolette cream. No need for a separate cream for each. A high quality moisturizer is definitely money well spent. 

4 - Don't neglect the rest of your body's skin. Remember, your skin is your largest organ, and your first line of defense against infection and disease. Using a body exfoliant and body cream will make your skin feel soft and smooth, and will help prevent rashes and other skin problems caused by exposure to contaminants picked up by your clothes during the day. 

Body Care Products.

5 - Eat healthy and drink plenty of water. We really are what we eat. We need plenty of protein and some fats to rebuild our tissues. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains provide trace vitamins and minerals necessary for cell reproduction and to fight off infections. Avoid any added sugar - it causes inflammation throughout your body, and aggravates conditions like arthritis and eczema. Drinking plenty of water flushes out the toxins, and will also help keep your skin hydrated. Dry or dehydrated skin is wrinkly skin. ( I will do another post on how to tell the difference).

6- Get good advice for skin concerns that need more than just cleaning and moisturizing. Don't waste time and money buying products over the counter, or online, without the advice of a good skincare consultant or medical professional. Most problems can be solved by just finding the products that are right for you. A good consultant will ask you questions and provide solutions. Many will provide free samples and help facilitate the return or exchange of products that aren't getting you the results you need. 

As always, I'm here to help....that's what I do.

Take good care of your skin! It's the only one you will get!

Martha