In today’s tumultuous times, women continue to prioritize their skincare routines. Despite ongoing challenges, dermatologists’ offices remain busy as women seek advice on maintaining youthful and glowing skin. healthy skin dermatology
Skincare experts emphasize the importance of strong, repaired skin, advocating for balanced and smart approaches rather than aggressive treatments. Here’s how you can achieve the healthiest and most beautiful skin ever.
1. Create Strong Skin Barriers
The Role of Skin as a Protective Barrier
The skin is not only an essential part of our body but also a crucial protective barrier. According to Geoffrey Genesky, Head of Kiehl’s Skin Care Laboratory in New York, external elements such as sun, smoke, wind, and pollution significantly impact skin function and appearance.
Importance of Antioxidants
Dr. Philippe Allouche, Head of Innovation at Biologique Recherche, stresses that a damaged skin barrier can lead to:
- Dryness
- Dullness
- Irritation
- Sun damage
- Premature aging
- Bacterial infections
He cautions that treatments like laser and peels can further weaken a compromised skin barrier. To safeguard the skin, antioxidants are highly recommended. Dermatologist Elizabeth Hale explains that antioxidants neutralize free radicals produced during exposure to environmental stressors, which attack elastin and collagen. Charlene DeHaven, Medical Director of Innovative Skincare, notes that 85% of skin’s free radicals come from the sun.
Vitamin A and Efficacy of Antioxidant Products
Hale advises using products rich in antioxidants, such as Vitamin A and Vitamin E, which nourish different parts of skin cells. Vitamin A is particularly effective for stimulating collagen production, which strengthens the skin. Applying antioxidant-rich serums every morning and evening after cleansing can provide optimal protection and repair.
2. Raise and Fix
Internal Support for Skin Health
Protecting the skin from daily life and maintaining its plump appearance requires more than external care. Karyn Grossman emphasizes the benefits of peptides and growth factors in stimulating collagen production. Recent studies have shown that using growth factors can significantly reduce under-eye bags within three months. healthy skin dermatology
DNA Repair Enzymes
The role of DNA repair enzymes in skincare is gaining attention. Dr. Ronald Moy, creator of DNAEGF Renewal Skincare, explains that these enzymes, naturally present in our bodies, start to decline around age 30. Using topical products containing DNA repair enzymes can reverse sun damage, help prevent skin cancers, and reduce collagen degradation.
3. A Good Foundation is a Must
Maintaining Skin’s Structure
The skin’s epidermis is composed of cells (bricks) held together by fats (mortar). Dr. Harold Lancer explains that when this structure is intact, the skin is supple and resilient. Environmental factors, poor diet, and inadequate moisturizing can weaken this structure, leading to dryness and a compromised barrier.
Hydration and Lipids
Hale recommends nourishing the skin with a combination of lipids, which can be obtained from dietary sources like salmon and other fatty fish, as well as from moisturizing products containing shea butter, fatty acid-rich botanical oils, and ceramides. Powerful humectants like hyaluronic acid, which can hold up to 1,000 times their weight in water, are also essential for hydration. healthy skin dermatology
4. Balance is Everything
The Importance of pH Balance
Maintaining the skin’s natural pH balance is crucial for its health. Marisa Vara Arredondo, founder of Phace Bioactive, explains that the skin’s acid mantle, with a pH of 4.4 to 5.6, acts as a built-in antioxidant and protects against environmental factors and bacterial growth.
Choosing the Right Cleansers
Using cleansers that are too alkaline can strip the skin of its natural defenses, making it harder for other products to be effective. A study published in the British Journal of Dermatology found that women with alkaline
skin were more prone to fine lines compared to those with acidic skin. Hale advises that if a cleanser leaves your skin feeling stripped and squeaky-clean, it may be too harsh. Detergents are often the worst offenders, so choosing milder cleansers is important.
Conclusion
Achieving and maintaining beautiful, healthy skin involves creating strong barriers, supporting internal repair mechanisms, ensuring proper hydration, and maintaining pH balance. By adopting these expert-recommended strategies, women can enjoy radiant and resilient skin even in challenging times. Here’s a summary of the steps to take:
- Create Strong Barriers: Use antioxidants to protect and repair the skin barrier.
- Raise and Fix: Incorporate peptides and growth factors into your routine.
- Maintain a Good Foundation: Keep your skin hydrated and structured with lipids and humectants.
- Balance is Everything: Maintain the skin’s natural pH with the right cleansers and skincare products.
By following these tips, you can achieve the healthiest and most beautiful skin ever.
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