For skin to look its best, now and in the future, it needs a bit of a boost.
This comes in the form of three key elements that are essential for healthy and vibrant skin: Vitamin C, Retinol and sunscreen.
What makes these three things in particular so important? Joelle Rodenburgh, owner of AFYA Skin and Body Clinic in Guelph, explains:
Vitamin C
A good Vitamin C serum can really transform your skin and give you a radiant glow. If you have any unevenness, brown spots, fine lines, wrinkles or redness, this can help. It neutralizes free radicals, defending your skin from premature aging, UV rays, infrared radiation, pollution, even lifestyle factors. It’s a powerful antioxidant that can also help with acne.
Just be sure when you buy a product that contains Vitamin C that the formulation has been designed to keep the ingredient stable. It degrades quickly, and in order to be effective it needs to be kept away from sunlight. That’s why you’ll often find treatments that contain Vitamin C in dark or opaque bottles or packaging; they have been specifically designed to protect the integrity of the ingredient.
Retinol
Retinol is another powerhouse, known for its ability to reduce the look of wrinkles and repair sun-damaged skin. It works by enhancing cell turnover—it is essentially an excellent exfoliator—and it also stimulates collagen production. Retinol is a topical, Vitamin A-based preparation that is the standard bearer when it comes to anti-aging. It can even out pigmentation, fade dark spots and speed the turnover of your uppermost layer of skin.
You do have to be patient with Retinol; it doesn’t work overnight. Best results won’t be seen for several months at least, so sticking to your regime is important. The downside to retinoids is that they can be drying and cause skin irritation. You’ll need to start slowly, using it every other day at most, until your skin builds up a tolerance for it. A very good moisturizer is key to keeping your skin balanced when using Retinol. It will increase your skin’s sensitivity to sunlight, so if you aren’t in the habit of wearing sunscreen daily, now is the time to start.
Sunscreen
Yes, sunscreen is a daily requirement—and year-round, not just in the warmer months. The best way to ensure you won’t skip this important step is to invest some time in finding the right formulation for your skin, one that feels comfortable and sinks right in.
Look for clean ingredients that offer long-lasting coverage, ideally ones that are backed by The Skin Cancer Foundation. The range of formats offered these days is pretty amazing; you can even find highly pigmented pure mineral powders that offer excellent SPF protection.
Remember, quality matters
Your skin deserves quality ingredients that won’t cause harm or discomfort. Using natural and organic products doesn’t necessarily mean it’s great for your skin, as many natural products contain larger molecules that are too large for your skin to absorb. The best thing to do for your skin is to visit a medical spa to get a skin assessment to determine what you skin needs.
Many lines are completely cruelty-free and Leaping Bunny-certified, so spend your skin care dollars wisely. The lines AFYA Skin and Body carry in clinic are: Vivier Skin, UniverSkin and ComfortZone. Many lines are completely cruelty-free and Leaping Bunny-certified, so spend your skin care dollars wisely. Great ethically made products are indeed out there.
For more information or for a personal consultation tailored to your skin’s unique needs, visit AFYA Skin and Body Clinic or call 519-803-7435.