The Importance of Good Skincare
Skin complaints, ranging from visible scarring to acne to hypersensitivity, pigmentation and premature ageing, can all be addressed, controlled and eradicated with a good skin care regime. Regardless of the skin’s condition, improvements in diet, lifestyle and skin care can all contribute to a
healthier complexion.
Skin care is not a modern phenomenon. There are documented accounts from Ancient Egypt that suggest Cleopatra, well-known for her anti-aging methods and skin care regimen, bathed in sour milk, which is high in lactic acid and has since been proven to be a beneficial skin exfoliant. Ancient Greek athletes used to bathe in Olive Oil and dust their bodies with fine sand to prevent skin from burning in the scorching sun, while the Romans would regularly bathe with soaps to cleanse their skin. The evolution of skincare through the ages has led to the development of many new
technologies and products that offer more choice than ever before; despite this, the importance of a good skin care routine is often over-looked or underappreciated. We’ve all heard someone recite that age old belief; ‘I only ever used soap and water on my skin and it looks fine’, but with the stresses and strains of modern day living, this approach to skincare will not adapt to or protect against the ever-changing pressures our skin is under and, with time, the effects of this neglect will become very apparent.
The skin is the body’s largest integumentary organ and fulfils a huge number of invaluable tasks; because it interacts with the environment on a daily basis, skin plays a key role in protecting against pathogens and excessive water loss while providing insulation, temperature regulation, sensation, synthesis of vitamin D, and the protection of vitamin B folates. Skin that is well protected, nourished and preserved against oxidisation, pollution, UV rays and other lifestyle and environmental elements will remain healthier for longer; the results of this effort will be visible both in the short and
long term as, for example, current complaints are successfully addressed and the ageing process slowed.
All facial skin care routines should include an at-home regime comprising a cleanser, toner or lotion, a serum or concentrate and a moisturiser. Professional supplementation of a home care routine is also a key factor in skin care; a course of facial treatments rich in high quantities of active ingredients will benefit the skin in a multitude of visible and invisible ways. A skin care regime that encompasses athome care with in-spa professional treatments is the quickest and most effective way to ensure skin stays healthy, hydrated, nourished and clean. The earlier good skin care habits are adopted, the better skin’s overall condition will be as it ages.
Hygiene is of the utmost importance for skin, especially when considering the daily battle it faces protecting the body against dirt, dust, smoke, pollution and pathogens, colloquially known as germs. Unclean skin is a favoured place for pathogenic organisms to develop. Dead cells shed by the epidermis mix with sweat and sebaceous gland secretions as well as dirt or dust to form a grimy layer on the skin’s surface. Functions of the skin are disturbed when it is excessively dirty; it becomes more easily damaged, the release of antibacterial compounds decrease, and is more prone to infection.
A good quality cleanser will remove dirt, make-up, excess oil, built-up toxins and other pollutants which clog pores and can lead to conditions such as acne. Ingredients to avoid in a cleanser include alcohol, parabens, synthetic fragrances, often labelled Parfum, and artificial colours, as these will be detrimental to skin health; for example artificial fragrances can encourage skin pigmentation while alcohol dries skin out and can actually speed up the ageing process. Specific ingredients will be most beneficial to each skin type: Oily types should look for lemon, saponaria and rosemary; lemon and grapefruit essential oil are good for balancing combination skin; dry skin benefits from cucumber, arnica and rose essential oil; while soothing chamomile, calendula, green tea and allantoin are highly suited to sensitive skin.
Lotion or Toner is an oft neglected step in a skin care routine but plays a crucial role in strengthening or stabilising skin; certain lotions will remove
better preparing it for further treatment. Lotions can also work to stabilise the PH balance of skin and depending on skin type can reduce oiliness, provide added moisture, control sensitivity, brighten the complexion, prevent bacterial growth and soothe irritation. Applying lotion or toner calms skin after the cleansing process and, providing a lotion is used that best suits skin type, will have added benefits for optimum skin hygiene and health. Alcohol-based toners and lotions should be avoided, especially by particularly oily skin types, as the alcohol will dry skin out and lead to over-production of oil by the sebaceous glands to replace the lost moisture, causing skin to become even oilier. Ingredients to look for include aloe, liquorice, green tea, azulene, allantoin, lactic acid for oily skin and salicylic acid for blemished skin.
A good concentrate or serum can revitalise, de-age, repair, hydrate and nourish skin. By penetrating skin with additional ingredients suited to skin type they maximise the effectiveness of moisturisation and encourage more visible results. Pevonia’s professional concentrates contain up to 10% active ingredients, in contrast to retail products which contain around 0.2%, and as such results will be achieved far more quickly and for longer, which is why it’s worth investing in good quality professional products.
Moisturisation is a key component in a good skin care routine; moisturisers have the ability to ease dryness, control oiliness, refine pores, calm and decongest the skin, control breakouts, repair skin and provide a protective barrier against the elements. Daily sun exposure, even in winter, can hasten the ageing process and cause pigmentation, which is why moisturisers with UV protection are extremely important to help maintain youthful looking, healthy skin. Moisturisers containing all natural ingredients will react best with the skin as many of them contain components already found
organically in the skin and the familiarity of the ingredients will cause them to be accepted more readily; using a synthetic product can have adverse effects on immediate and future skin health and appearance, especially as many synthetic products contain ‘fillers’, which provide attractive but
ultimately useless and potentially harmful colouring, fragrance and texture additives.
An at-home skin care regime should be supplemented with professional in-spa treatments to maximise results. A consultation with a therapist to determine skin type followed by a 12 week recommended treatment course is an essential and effective way of stabilising skin and controlling
complaints. Professional treatments make use of higher quantities of active ingredients than at-home products and together they will provide skin with a level of nourishing care that will protect and replenish it throughout the years.
In addition, a good skin care routine for the body should not be neglected. As previously mentioned, a grimy layer of oil, dirt, dust and pollution can easily form on the surface of unclean skin, leading to outbreaks of blemishes on the chest, back, neck and arms as well as attracting pathogens, which cause body odour and other infections. Pevonia’s all-natural Mystique Escape Bath Salts contain zinc, magnesium and calcium while the Anti-Stress Bath & Shower Gel is rich in chamomile, essential oils and calendula to infuse skin with softening, replenishing and soothing ingredients. Exfoliation sloughs away dead skin cells, dirt and built-up toxins while increasing circulation to reveal fresher, cleaner, softer skin; look for an exfoliator containing spherical jojoba beads as these won’t scratch or leave tiny cuts on the skin, which some exfoliators are guilty of doing. Moisturising after exfoliation provides the skin with nourishment, hydration and protection against the elements. It additionally works to soften rough areas of particular concern such as elbows, knees, hands and feet. Professional body treatments will increase the effectiveness of an at-home body care regime and an expert therapist will be able to advise on a suitable course depending on body condition, concerns, goals and lifestyle factors.
A good skin care routine achieves many immediate and longer-term results; complaints will be effectively controlled and eliminated, lifestyle and environmental effects can be reduced and defended against, and skin will be fresher, cleaner, softer and healthier. A good at-home routine
supplemented with professional treatments is an exceptional combination that will ensure visibly healthy skin for years to come.
