No matter your age, it’s never too late to start a beauty routine. Here are five beauty habits you should be incorporating into your skincare regime. 1. Cleanse not once, but twice It’s so important to cleanse morning and evening to remove every trace of impurity on your skin. This is particularly important after sleeping because your skin omits carbon dioxide on to the surface area. Once you’ve cleansed, repeat. A double cleanse is the most effective way to remove all dirt, and while you’re at it, use a hot towel for a deeper cleanse. A good cleanser should not only cleanse your skin but nourish and maintain its moisture too. If you can, use a prescribed cleanser for your skin type so it doesn’t strip your skin from its lipid barrier and natural defences. Do as the French do and use a micellar water as a cleanser. A light and effective cleanser and make-up remover, micellar water is made up of tiny oil molecules suspended in water which remove dirt and makeup (without the use of harsh chemicals). The ‘micelles’ act as a gentle magnet to capture dirt, excess sebum and make-up without stripping the skin. Best cleanser for oily skin: Ultra Clear Foaming Cleanser (for controlling breakouts); Ultra Brightening Foaming Cleanser (to maintain your skin after clearing it from acne) Best cleanser for dry skin: Ultra Milk Cleanser Best cleanser for combination skin: Ultra Balancing Gel Cleanser Best cleanser for sensitive skin: Ultra B2 Micellar Solution 2. Get a facial To keep your skin in optimum condition consider getting monthly facials. Facials provide intense moisturisation and efficient cellular regeneration, as well as a deeper level of exfoliation than what you can achieve at home. Your skin is constantly renewing itself, so to catch your new skin cells and stimulate healthy cell growth, monthly facials are generally recommended. A facial to reduce pigmentation: Brightening Accelerator Mask Facials to brighten and hydrate: Bespoke Lactic Peel and Bespoke Mandelic Peel A facial for pigmentation, acne and oily combination skin: Bespoke Mandelic Peel Facials for sensitive skin: Cold Cream Marine and Source Marine facials Facials for Anti-ageing: A-Zyme Peel, Hyalu ProCollagene and Silicium Super Lift. Detoxifying – Spiruline Boost Facial 3. Wear Sunscreen The sun is public enemy number one when it comes to our skin. Repeated sun exposure can cause premature ageing and skin cancer, so for obvious reasons make sure you apply sunscreen before you leave the house, and apply every two hours on your face and body if you are outdoors. Go for a non-whitening fast absorbing formula that protects your skin from harmful UVA & UVB rays to help reduce the signs of premature skin ageing. If strapped for cash go for a sunscreen which has a daily moisturiser built in, for example Ultra UV Protective Daily Shield SPF 50+ Defence. Best sunscreen: Ultra UV Protective Daily Moisturiser SPF 30 Best sport / outdoor sunscreen: Sunactive Face and Body Lotion SPF 50+ 4. Use a Serum You should have at least one serum in your beauty bag. Serums are an excellent way to provide an intense concentration of active ingredients that is easily absorbed into your skin. There are many different serums to suit your needs. Here are some of our favourites: Hydrating serum Use a fast absorbing oil-free serum to intensify hydration. The right product will penetrate your skin at a deep level, instantly smoothing, hydrating and plumping your skin. You will see visible results in the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles, and gives your skin a supple and dewy appearance. Best serums: Ultraceuticals B2 Hydrating Serum Antioxidant serum An antioxidant serum protects your skin from free radicals which ages your skin faster. Go for a serum that includes a powerful blend of antioxidants, for example, Chaparral, Silymarin, Provitamin C, Vitamin E and Ferulic Acid. These will help reduce the visible signs of premature ageing by helping to minimise free radical damage. Free radicals age your skin faster and can be found in car fumes, smoke and UVA and UVB rays. Best antioxidant complex: Ultra Protective Antioxidant Complex Serums for collagen production Do you know that Vitamin A and Vitamin C can be easily destroyed by UV, which is why New Zealanders suffer from severe depletion of the vitamins in our skin? To combat this we recommend you stay out of the sun and use products with active ingredients. Vitamin A and Vitamin C serums are stimulate collagen production and reduce inflammation and the production of pigmentation. Best vitamin serums: Ultra C Firming Serum and Ultra A Skin Perfecting Serum Serum for exfoliation – “If there is a product I can’t live without it is the Brightening Serum by Ultraceuticals. The serum exfoliates, lightens and brightens and helps with breakouts and removes pigmentation – in other words, it does everything I want it to do!” – Toneya, Total Body Concept’s Head Therapist 5. 5. Moisturise Hydrate your skin effectively morning and night. Invest in a night cream and your skin will love you for it! During the night is the peak time for cell turnover and rejuvenation, so assist your skin by hydrating with a prescribed night cream for your skin type. Maximise your skin’s opportunity to reproduce healthy, buoyant cells during this precious renewal time. Best night cream: Upon prescription for your skin type – If you are new to Total Body Concept then our Guide to Healthy Skin is a great place to start on your skincare journey with us! At our Christchurch-based skin care and laser clinic we offer a full range of facial treatments, from skin peels and microdermabrasion to laser facials including Laser Genesis (aka the ‘Hollywood’ Facial) and IPL for skin rejuvenation. Our highly trained skin specialists will expertly navigate your skin concerns and real results you can see. We will give you a comprehensive skin consultation at your first appointment at Total Body Concept followed by a detailed at home skincare plan.
