Importance of Your Skin Care Routine

Posted on: October 5th, 2016 by California Skin Institute

Are you following the best skin care routine for your needs? This is a great question that California Skin Institute providers help patients answer on a daily basis.* One reason why this question is so important is because a properly designed daily routine can significantly slow the onset of wrinkles and development of hyperpigmentation.*Day after day, treating your skin with the right topical ingredients will repair some of the damage, fortify your skin against environmental stressors, and improve overall function.* Let’s take a closer look at some important skin care routine considerations.*

Sensitive Skin

For patients who have sensitive skin, it’s important to choose skin care products with gentle formulations.* This will help reduce skin irritation and the inflammatory response.* Additionally, antioxidants are an important aspect because they help to reduce oxidative stress.*

Many patients with sensitive skin choose CSI’s Gentle Soothing Cleanser as part of their skin care routine.* This cleanser contains numerous ingredients to soothe and moisturize the skin.* For example, Green Tea Polyphenols address skin damage, Yucca Root Extract produces a soothing effect, and Bisabolol is one of several ingredients to target skin dryness.* Generally, this face cleanser should be used twice a day in a skin care routine.*

Sensitive skin also needs a boost in its fight against free radicals and other stressors.* Creams and serums with antioxidants can play a big role in dealing with such issues.* For example, the Triple Antioxidant Powerhouse was formulated with multiple antioxidant ingredients like Green Tea Polyphenols, Resveratrol, and Rosemary Extract, among others.* This cream also contains a number of moisturizers, like hyaluronic acid and squalane.*

Lastly, sensitive skin must have strong protection against UV radiation.* In such cases California Skin Institute providers may recommend Sport Sunblock SPF 45, which is PABA-free and has 9% Micronized Zinc Oxide.*

Mature or Dry Skin

Dry skin produces its own set of problems, especially as chronic dryness exacerbates skin damage over time.* Without ample hydration, skin texture can become very rough and uneven.* Additionally, deficiencies in the moisture barrier can increase probability of issues like dermatitis and Rosacea flare-ups.* Mature skin is especially susceptible to dryness as the natural moisture barrier becomes depleted with age.*

When dealing with mature or dry skin, patients can benefit from products like the Glycolic Gentle Cleanser.* This product helps remove dead skin cells and improve skin texture with glycolic acid, which belongs to the alpha hydroxy acid group.* Some of the other ingredients include Vitamin E, to fight free radicals; Aloe Vera Gel, to soothe the skin; and Green Tea Extract, for its antioxidant properties.*

To follow up the cleanser, patients with dry or mature skin can use a product like the Glycolic Elite 15% Facial Cream.* The main ingredient here is also glycolic acid.* By using it right after a glycolic acid cleanser, the exfoliating effects can be maximized.* The cream also contains antioxidants like Co-Q10, Green Tea Extracts, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E, as well as moisturizers, like Squalane.*

If a patient has glycolic acid sensitivities, another cream that can work well is the Fortified Moisturizer.* This cream doesn’t have alpha hydroxy acids, and focuses on antioxidants and moisturizing ingredients.*

For patients with signs of aging, like wrinkles and hyperpigmentation, a skin care routine with Retinol products can also be helpful.* Items like Retinol Smoothing Serum can promote a more efficient skin shedding process, which leads to smoother skin texture and reduces the appearance of dark spots.* This Retinol cream can be especially beneficial during nighttime application.*

To protect the skin during the day, the SPF 50+ Moisturizing Sunscreen can be a good choice.* It provides strong protection UVA and UVB light, and contains a number of moisturizing ingredients.* It also contains antioxidants, to minimize skin damage.*

Acne Prone Skin

When it comes to a skin care routine for acne, regular exfoliation and pore cleansing can play a big role in reducing breakouts.*

For cleansing, California Skin Institute patients who are suffering from acne may benefit from the Acne Cleanser.* It’s formulated with glycolic and salicylic acids, to exfoliate the skin and cleanse pores.* Alternatively, the Creamy BP Facewash can be used.* It doesn’t contain either glycolic or salicylic acid, and instead targets acne through benzoyl peroxide (which helps reduce excess oil and helps target acne-causing bacteria).*

Of course with acne the patient must be extra vigilant in their skin care routine, to ensure optimal pore cleansing.* This is why some patients also choose to use Acne Pads, which are great for a touch up treatment.* These pads contain glycolic acid and salicylic acid to improve pore health.*

As patients struggle to get their acne under control, many end up having skin that is somewhat compromised and more susceptible to UV damage.* This makes it imperative to use a strong sunscreen, like the Ultra Sheer Sunscreen Fluid SPF 50+.* It contains four different types of UV neutralizing ingredients and won’t clog pores.*

Normal Skin

Individuals with normal skin can count themselves lucky in many ways, because they don’t have to deal with frustrating problems of dry skin sufferers or those with acne.* However, normal skin can also be a liability, because some patients simply neglect their skin.* They don’t see any immediate issues, so they don’t moisturize enough and don’t pay enough attention to exfoliation.* This can lead to many problems down the line and we encourage all patients with normal skin to develop a solid skin care routine.*

For cleansing, individuals with normal skin can really benefit from the Glycolic Elite Cleanser.* It’s quite gentle on the skin, but regular use can keep the pores cleaner and give the skin a smoother texture.*

When it comes to hydration, the Pure Hydrating Serum can be a good choice because of its simple formulation.* The active ingredient is hyaluronic acid, which has been proven to draw moisture to the treatment site.* It’s so attracted to water that some studies suggest it can hold as much as 1,000 times its weight in moisture.*

Effective sun protection can be achieved with the CSI Sport Sunblock SPF 45.* Using a good sunblock regularly is essential, because it reduces damage to skin cells as well as collagen damage.*

At Home Devices

In addition to topical products, patients can boost their skin care routine with specialty skin care devices.* For example, the Clarisonic brush is designed to improve the skin cleansing process.* It contains an automated facial brush that can promote a smoother skin texture and a deeper cleansing of pores.*

Improve Your Skin Care Routine

The best way to create a good skin care routine is to work with a real skin care expert.* Here at CSI our providers have worked with many patients to create a personalized daily routine that is tailored to the unique needs of the patient.* We’d be happy to help you too! Schedule your consultation now by calling a California Skin Institute practice near you, or use the Online Scheduling Portal!

*Individual results may vary and are not guaranteed.