On a regular basis we receive calls or emails from customers wondering which are the most important skincare products. This is a great question when you think about it. Most skincare companies (us included) offer a number of different product options. So how does one know which products are most important? We have come up with the following list of four products we feel are essential for maintaining healthy skin.
Cleanser – One of the easiest, least expensive and most often overlooked elements to healthy skin. Cleanser is one of the building blocks of a healthy skincare regime. It helps remove excess oils and impurities from the skin and improve its health and radiance. It also helps prepare your skin for the application of other products. We suggest a professional facial cleanser specifically designed to be gentle on delicate facial skin yet powerful enough to remove debris and impurities effectively. Most all purpose soaps are too harsh for the face and will leave it dry and / or irritated.
Exfoliator – Another inexpensive yet often overlooked basic. Put simply, exfoliating is the process of removing the outer layer of dead skin cells that build up over time. While dead skin cells do slough away naturally as newer skin pushes through, exfoliation accelerates the process and ensures that newer, fresher skin is always shining through. This leaves the skin fresher and more vibrant, while also increasing its ability to absorb and get the most benefit from other skincare products.
Sunscreen – Research suggests that perhaps 40 % of us never use sunscreen. For this reason over 100 million Americans each year get sunburns. In addition to skin cancer, overexposure to the sun can cause wrinkles, age spots and moles. It is important to note that damage can be done even if you don’t get a sunburn and that sunscreen should be worn when spending any length of time at all outdoors. Most experts recommend a sunscreen with an SPF rating of 15 or higher. It is important to make sure the sunscreen you choose protects against both Ultraviolet A (UVA) and Ultraviolet B (UVB) Rays.
Moisturizer – Dry skin heals less effectively and is much more susceptible to the damaging effects of sun exposure, environmental elements, etc. Dry skin causes tiny cracks that allow irritants to sneak in and damage the skin further. Use of a good moisturizer will help limit such issues while keeping your skin hydrated, soft and more youthful in appearance and feel. There are many moisturizers available that include sunscreen, allowing the user to cover two important basics with one product.
Note: The list above is intended to cover the basics of healthy skin and by no means are we saying these are the only products you should consider using. There are a number of other products available that will greatly enhance any skincare routine. That said, if one were to start with only the products on this list, they would be well on their way to improving the overall look and health of their skin. The great part about the products on this list is that they are all relatively inexpensive.