What it Really Means to Have Healthy Skin
Perfect skin is out! Healthy skin is in. I’m not trying to break anyone’s heart with this post, but “perfect skin” does not exist. For anyone. Everyone wakes up with breakouts sometimes, even professional skin therapists like myself. The woman at work who appears to have flawless skin? She has insecurities, too.
So, what are we striving for? How can we change our frame of mind from perfection to healthy?
You’re looking for balance. Your goal will be to maintain healthy barrier function. So, let’s start there.
What is the skin’s barrier, and what does it do? To put it simply, your barrier’s function is to protect the epidermis from bacteria and infections. Things people do on a daily basis to disrupt barrier function include: using harsh ingredients not made for their skin type, using products that are not pH balanced, using astringents to strip the skin’s natural oils, not drinking enough water, and even using prescription medications with improper skin care regimens. When your barrier is dysfunctional, you get transepidermal water loss, or TEWL, and your skin just can’t maintain a healthy balance. You’ll be prone to break outs and you will age faster.
It’s important to understand skin types and to know which one you have. You are born with your skin type; it’s genetic, and it will never change no matter what you do. Using a cleanser for oily skin because your face gets oily when you actually have a dry skin type, is detrimental to your skin. You’re getting that oily shine because your face is freaking out about its loss of natural lubrication, and is now over-producing. You can have skin conditions though, which can change depending on the day or the time of the year, such as dehydration and acne. It’s imperative to see an esthetician so you can get a clear answer. Think of all the money you’ll save by buying products that will work with your skin rather than against it.
When you find out your skin type, the door to healthy skin can open. We can maintain a healthy balance by using professional grade cleansers, exfoliators, toners, and moisturizers recommended for you as an individual, and use professional serums, masques, and treatments to combat any skin conditions you may be suffering from. Think of these products as your defense against the things you want to improve upon, which can be switched out depending on the season, month, or week.
Balanced skin will feel hydrated, smooth, and firm. You won’t age as quickly. It will appear brighter and you’ll have fewer breakouts. I can’t promise you will never break out again. There are so many other factors to consider, like pillowcases, phones and touching your face, pollution, and sun exposure to name a few. However, I can promise you that your skin will feel the most amazing it ever has.
Barrier Defense Booster is a fantastic product to help maintain a healthy barrier, and is available at CG Wax Studio.
