How to prioritize your skin care regimen

According to Statista.com, the skincare industry was a whopping $110 billion in 2014 globally. With all those products on the shelves, it's hard to decipher which ones you should be using. Starting a skincare regimen is imperative to your skin's health and the earlier you start, the better. But how do you choose the right products? Diving into skincare can be overwhelming, so we're breaking down the most important pieces of the puzzle.

First and foremost, using a cleanser designed for your skin type helps to remove oil, makeup and debris. Some cleansers also target other common skin issues such as hyperpigmentation or acne. When your skin is properly cleansed, it allows the other products you use to be more thoroughly absorbed, and therefore more effective. Cleansing the skin should always be the first step in your skincare regimen.

Next, every single person age 30 or older should be using an antioxidant once a day. If you start younger, that's even better. Antioxidants are skincare's best kept secret and they are often underestimated in their importance to your skin's health. They penetrate the skin on a cellular level and create a physical barrier that prevents free radicals from damaging your skin cells. It's important to incorporate antioxidants in your diet, as well as in your topical skincare products. Some of the most common antioxidants include vitamins A, C, and E.

There is a common misconception, especially among those of us who have oily skin, that moisturizer is not necessary. Adding moisturizer helps to hydrate your skin and actually attracts water to your skin cells. This type of healthy hydration increases cell turnover which is a huge anti-aging benefit. It also improves elasticity, repairs flakiness, and plumps the skin. The best time to apply moisturizer is when your skin is still damp from cleansing. The left over water on the skins helps to pull the moisturizer into the pores, maximizing the benefits.

Lastly, sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen! Sun exposure is one of the worst things to subject your skin to. It is the primary cause of wrinkles and aging and has been proven to be a cause of skin cancer. The best kinds of sunscreen are physical blocks such as those containing titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. Many moisturizers contain sunscreen and should be worn every day!

Is it worth the money? There is so much hesitance when it comes to spending money on skincare, and let's face it, it isn't cheap. Most of the time however, there is a difference in the quality of high end versus budget skin care products. In acne products for example, over the counter cleansers and creams might only have .5 percent salicylic acid (the most common acne fighting ingredient) whereas, medical grade skin care products will have 1.5 percent salicylic acid. The ingredients matter, as do the results. As we've mentioned, at the very least, everyone should be using a cleanser, antioxidant, moisturizer and sunscreen. After that you can supplement your routine with exfoliates, corrective products such as retinol, or other reparatives.

Call Owsley Plastic Surgery for a complimentary skincare consultation today, (208) 664-0165.