A good skin care regimen will include:
Cleansing: Use a body wash and facial cleanser that are NOT soap based. Soap breaks down the acid mantle that covers our epidermis. The acid mantle is a thin acidic film of natural body oil and perspiration. It has 3 important roles in the health of our skin:
It seals in moisture.
It blocks airborne particles from clogging our pores.
Its acidity inhibits growth of and kills bacteria and virus that would otherwise attack the skin.
Moisturization: The most important time to moisturize is after bathing. It is important to use a quality product with vegetable and/or fruit oils that add moisture to the skin without clogging pores.
Avoid moisturizers that contains any of these ingredients:
o Mineral Oil - A liquid mixture of hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum. Mineral oil can attract dirt and causes blackhead and eruptions. It can accelerate free radical damage, thus speeding up the aging process, because it causes toxins to build up in the skin.
o Waxes - widely used in cleansing creams, eye creams and moisturizers. Waxes clog pores creating blackheads and whiteheads; they also smother the skin, which over a period of time creates an enlarged pore problem.
o Lanolin - A yellow, semi-solid, fatty secretion from sheep’s wool is widely used in skin and beauty care products. It can cause an allergic reaction in some people, as well as enlarged pores.
o Petrolatum - This familiar, semi-solid mixture of hydrocarbons is derived from petroleum. Literally, “paraffin jelly” or “petroleum jelly” – it is not absorbed by the skin and suffocates the pores.
o Acetone - Used in nail polish and nail polish removers, this colorless, volatile liquid is often used in astringents, fresheners or clarifying lotions. It is extremely toxic and will dehydrate the skin while speeding up the aging process.
o Alcohols such as Isopropyl, SD 40, Ethyl Alcohols dissolves the body’s own natural moisturizers and strips the skin of its own protection, leaving it vulnerable to infection. Alcohols destroy the skin pH balance and since they absorb water, they speed up wrinkling of the skin.
Exfoliation: As we age our natural exfoliation process slows down. Accumulated dead skin cells can dull the appearance of our skin. Exfoliate once or twice a week using an exfoliating body scrub, that contains mild abrasives and/or exfoliating agents like glycolic, lactic acid, and salicylic acid scrubs.
Use a washcloth or exfoliating gloves.
Using a great moisturizer can be the difference between a deep tan with healthy looking skin or a non-existent tan with dried out unhealthy looking skin.
Using a bad moisturizer will inhibit you from getting a good tan.
You need to especially avoid mineral oil and petrolatum in any product you use on your skin, moisturizer or bath product.
We want what is best for our clients. Good moisturizer + a daily skin care regimen = healthy skin. Healthy skin + a great tanning lotion = a great tan.