A professional treatment is a great way to take that first step towards optimal skin health. But the quest for improved skin can’t end there. A great at-home skin care regimen is an essential counterpart to regular professional treatments.
So where to start? First and foremost, everyone needs a good cleanser. And I do NOT mean soap! I am floored by the number of people who are still using soap on their skin. Soap is alkaline, which means it has a higher pH level than your skin and is therefore very drying. You want to use a product that has the same pH level your skin does, and I’ve yet to find a soap that fits that criteria. Skeptical? I welcome you to bring your soap (or other cleanser) to me so I can test it — you will be amazed. Even so-called “gentle” cleansers, such as Cetaphil, are alkaline and drying to your skin.
This is just another example of why regular visits to your skincare professional are essential. During your facial, your skincare professional should analyze your skin in order to ascertain the proper treatment in the therapy room, as well as the best products to use when you get home. Based on their findings during your skin analysis, they can recommend a cleanser (and other products) that is right for your skin’s unique needs, whether it’s acneic, oily, normal, dry, aging, sensitized or a combination of two or more of these conditions. The bargain cleanser that you buy in the drugstore may do more damage than good — not such a bargain in the long run!
A good cleanser is essential in any skincare regimen. Your skincare therapist has access to, and in-depth knowledge of, the cleanser that will be pH balanced and right for your needs. So drop the soap — but preferably not on the floor. It can be slippery there.