We all strive to have healthy, glowing skin yet navigating your way through the maze of finding appropriate skincare routine and treatments as we age can be very confusing.
Whether you are currently dealing with break outs and acne, have developed sun damage or are searching for ways to soften lines and wrinkles, there is always a way forward with the availability of effective ingredients and professional modalities. What’s not so easy is the ability to sort through all the hype and testimonials to find real answers and real results.
Here are a few answers to common questions that we hope will make it easier for you to traverse your way through the skincare mine field.
What products should I use in my regular skincare routine?
A great skincare routine is simple, effective, and easy to stick to. Often we find people are doing far too much to their skin. The key is to simplify and aim for consistency at first, then introduce more targeted products such as serums, eye creams, masks, etc.
A cleanser, SPF, and moisturiser are three basics products everyone needs in their daily routine as it is important to rid the epidermis of impurities, protect from the sun and hydrate at a minimum.
Should I be using different products in the morning vs the evening?
Yes, but again this depends on if you are a person who is already used to or would like to have a routine for morning and night. We suggest using vitamin C as part of your morning routine as it provides antioxidant properties to combat day time pollutants. Top off with a hydrator appropriate for your skin followed by sun protection. Evening products can be more focused on repair such as heavier moisturisers or oils, other serums such as Vitamin A/Retinol and masks.
How often should I be exfoliating?
Generally speaking, gently exfoliating between two to three times a week is enough. You definitely do not need to exfoliate every day. Exfoliants such as light scrubs or enzyme treatments help to remove the layer of dead cells on the surface of our skin that can make our skin look dull and tired. Other exfoliants may include alpha and beta hydroxy acids such as glycolic and lactic. They are derived from fruits and milk and are often the key ingredient in professional level peels.
When is the right time to start using anti-ageing products?
The skin ageing process is very individual, and can be influenced by many factors including skin type, genetics, lifestyle, and sun exposure. Believe it or not, we start to ‘age’ or lose collagen from 25-30 so this is an ideal time to introduce ageing focused products such as retinol which is a derivative of vitamin A – one of the body’s key nutrients for boosting cell turnover.
Products with a form of Vitamin A in them promote skin renewal, brighten skin tone, reduce acne, and boost collagen production, and can also help with pigmentation.
Our Botanique Skin Nutrition Active Vitamin A is oil based and is gentle enough to be used nightly. However those with sensitive skin or who struggle with conditions like rosacea may be more prone to passing side effects such as mild irritation, dryness, and sun sensitivity as your skin adjusts.
In Which Order Should I Use Products in my Skincare Routine?
For ingredients to absorb properly, your skin needs to be clean of oil, makeup, and grime. Think of it as preparing a clean ‘canvas’. After cleansing, the basic principle is to begin application with thinner, water based products and layer until you get to the thicker and heavier cream or oil based products.
For instance for Morning:
Step 1: Cleanser (optional)
Step 2: Eye cream (this is so you don’t get other products on your eyelids)
Step 3: Serum such as Vitamin C
Step 4: Spot treatments
Step 5: Moisturiser
Step 6 (AM): Sunscreen
For Evening
Step 1: Cleanser
Step 2: Eye cream (optional)
Step 3: Serum such as Retinol
Step 5: Cream or Oil
What are the most common skincare concerns for women in the 20’s to 30’s age group?
To slow down the early onset of ageing, it is imperative that you clean and protect which means making sure you take off your make up at the end of the night before going to bed and ensuring you use sun protection EVERY day. This is particularly important if you live in a high UV exposure area such as Queensland as even stepping out the door means you are ‘in the sun’.
What are the most common skincare concerns for women in the 40’s to 50’s age group?
As we approach our 40s fine lines, wrinkles, redness/ inflammation and sun spots or pigmentation start to appear, along with some loss of volume in facial features due to collagen and elastic breakdown. From a skincare perspective, key Vitamins A, B and C into the skin are important, as well as looking for products with ceramides, peptides, hyaluronic acid and collagen.
What are the most common skincare concerns for women over 50?
This is the age bracket where our skin usually starts to show the signs of ageing most, particularly during and after menopause. We often see additional growths on the skin such as benign skin tags or moles, as well as more pigmentation, redness, deeper lines and wrinkles. Some of us may experience the start of jowls and/or a double chin. Additionally, our skin and hair typically become dryer.
In addition to cleansing, using SPF and introducing products that include the vitamins mentioned above, our skin generally becomes more lipid dry and/or dehydrated of water which means we need to start introducing very hydrating, rich creams and oils. If you haven’t previously been doing so, make sure you extend all skincare down the neck and to the decolletage.
Which professional in salon treatments should I be looking for?
At Botanique Skin Wellness Spa we make recommendations depending on where you are at in your skin journey. We analyse our clients’ skin using a 3D Analyzer to evaluate all aspects of skin conditions, including fine lines, pigmentation, surface texture, pores, inflammatory processes, dehydration, oiliness, and more. Once an appropriate skin analysis has occurred, we can assess what needs to be optimised in your current routine.
You can find a list of general recommendations and estimated prices for professional treatments here.
Further, we support suggested treatments with the right skincare routine for you. There is no one size fits all so it is important to look for companies and brands that acknowledge this. We believe in ‘feeding’ the skin with nourishing natural botanically based ingredients. We do not have any nasties in our skincare range and urge you to look for these types of products, no matter what you are using.
For more information, you can view our range at www.botaniqueskinnutrition.com.au where you can also complete an online skin quiz!
