It’s not even funny how many hours I’ve spent staring at rows and rows of skin care products. There are just so many to choose from and, aside from the packaging and the price, they all advertise the same benefits. Plus, even if an item is highly rated or super expensive, that alone doesn’t mean it will work best on my skin type. My mom always told me, “You only have one skin/face so you’d better take care of it.” Based on my experience, developing the right at-home skincare regimen is no simple task though. In fact, it seems close to impossible!
When I was contacted by a local company to share some tips on skincare, I was all for it. After all, I can use those tips myself! Even better is that they come from a professional in the field. So, here it goes.
Great Skin on a Budget
With just a few simple basics, you can bring out your natural radiance and encourage long-term health. Here’s where you can afford to save on skin care:
- A gentle cleanser: Because the skin on your face is different than the rest of your body, choose a mild cleanser that’s formulated just for faces — and don’t use one that treats a condition you don’t have. (For example, if you only have occasional breakouts, it’s not necessary to use an acne product.) You can find something at the drugstore for less than $10.
- A workhorse moisturizer: Hydrated skin doesn’t just feel better — it looks better, too. Skin naturally becomes drier as we age, and dryness can exacerbate the look of lines, wrinkles, and sagging. Great moisturizers aren’t out of reach at lower price points, and affordable classics such as Jergens All-Purpose Face Cream still pull in plenty of 5-star reviews.
- Sun protection: Nowhere is the saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” more relevant than skin care. Keeping your skin protected, no matter how old you are, can pay off big time in the long run by preventing damage and disease. If your skin is sensitive, choose a product with a physical blocker, such as zinc oxide. Picking a formula that’s just for faces ensures that the product is extra gentle without skimping on protection.
Investing in Your Skin Care
If you’ve got a few extra bucks to spend on yourself, your skin is a great investment. Some tips:
- Keep an eye on actives: At a mid-range price point, make your money work for you by choosing products that make use of proven ingredients. In your 20s, get started with a mild retinol product to keep skin supple and delay some signs of aging. In your 30s and 40s, peptides can plump skin and add a “lifted” look. At all ages, hydrating ingredients such as ceramides protect your skin’s natural moisture barrier, helping it retain moisture for as long as possible.
- A deep cleaning: Facials aren’t just a great way to relax and zone out — they can also clean and nourish your skin better than at-home products, making them a nice addition to your normal routine. During a typical facial, an aesthetician uses steam to open your pores and deeply cleanse your skin before extracting debris from clogged areas and applying a personalized blend of products. Going monthly lets you reap the rewards without breaking the bank.
Pamper Your Skin with the Best
For the best skin care money can buy, visit an M.D.’s office for the latest options. Here’s what you can expect:
- Personalized service: Many dermatologists and plastic surgeons, such as Dr. Eric Mariotti in Walnut Creek, offer skincare patients an unsurpassed level of personal attention. For example, the VISIA® Complexion Analysis tool at Dr. Mariotti’s med spa helps his staff assess your skin below the surface to spot potential problems before they crop up. The knowledge can help them recommend the right products and procedures for you.
- Leading-edge tools: And speaking of products and procedures, most doctors who specialize in aesthetic medicine offer a host of incredible options. Injectable products are great for lifting sagging cheeks or filling in wrinkles without surgery or even recovery time. And many of the top skincare brands, such as Obagi®, are available through only physicians. In the office, you’ll meet with a skincare professional who can walk you through your options to help demystify their impressive ingredients and functions. Even if you are looking to save some money, investing in this sort of appointment once a year or so will likely pay off big in the end.
Wow, that’s a lot of great information. Taking care of your skin take time and effort. However, as my mom said, we really don’t get any do-overs if we neglect our skin until it’s too late.
What does your skin care routine look like?
This post was written in collaboration with Etna Interactive and the office of Dr. Eric Mariotti. All opinions are my own.
