How to Layer Your Skin Products?

Skincare can be confusing. From the toners, the serums, the a.m. moisturiser, the p.m. moisturiser etc ….your skincare regime can quickly turn into a nightmare!

Order Matters, Here’s Why

You might have the most amazing skincare products in the world, however if you’re applying them in the wrong order, you will NOT be getting the full benefits.  In fact not only will incorrect application diminish the overall effectiveness of your routine, it can leave your skin dehydrated, irritated or with break-outs!

Studies have found that matching a good skin care regimen with a healthy lifestyle is the best way to slow the signs of aging.

Think Thin-to-Thick

So which order should product be applied? An easy rule of thumb is to cleanse and then simply apply products with the thinnest consistency to the thickest.

This generally insures that:-

1) The products with the most important ingredients penetrate into the skin efficiently (eg antioxidants & active ingredients in serums).

2) You will finish with the products that help lock everything  in.

Step 1: Makeup Remover

If you wear makeup or sunscreen during the day, then a double cleanse in the evening is a must (you can skip this step in the mornings). SO either use makeup wipes, micellar water OR another gentle makeup-removing cleanser.

Step 2: Cleanser (or exfoliation)

Once your makeup is off, it’s time to actually clean your skin. You can start here in the mornings. In the evenings, this step will also ensure that you haven’t left any makeup remover residue on your skin (where it could lead to irritations or breakouts).

Starting the day with a gentle cleanser (or cleansing mask) will ensure the serums and moisturisers (that are layered on afterwards) will penetrate properly. It will also allow for a smoother make-up application (during the day).

An exfoliation product may replace a cleanser in this step once or twice per week.

Step 3: A Modern Day Toner

Back in the day, toners were harsh alcohol-based liquids that often irritated the skin. However today’s toners are filled with gentle ingredients to help clear pores and add nutrients to the skin.

Step 4: Serums

Remembering THINK to THICK!

Serums are usually super-concentrated and nutrient-dense, to address specific concerns (such as general aging, pigmentation or dehydration). SO it’s important that the skins pores efficiently absorb serums first.

See here for a good example of a hydrating day serum. OR here for more information on Retinol serum (for night).

Step 5: Lock it in!

A Moisturiser cream ‘locks in’ all of the active ingredients and hydration that you’ve just applied. Preferably use a am cream in the morning and a pm cream at night. 

The best time to apply a moisturiser is while the skin is still slightly damp, so theres no need to wait until your serum is completely dry before applying a moisturising cream. 

Step 6: Optional add-ons 

Eye cream , foundation, additional sun cream 

Remember thin-to-thick!!

Fortunately Rodan + Fields has made all of the above super easy

Rodan + Fields skincare products are based on a ‘multi-med therapy’ philosophy. This means using the right ingredients, in the right formulations, in the right order. To see real changes in our skin, it is vital to use high quality ingredients in safe and effective amounts and formulations.

Rodan + Fields takes safety and efficacy very seriously. In order to achieve desired results (without adverse effects), each formulation has undergone months of rigorous clinical testing and has a clinical grade 99.9% purity. Did you know that other ‘cosmetic grade’ products are only approximately 70% pure (with no audits) and often contain bacteria.

With Rodan + Fields Multi-Med Therapy, great skin and the confidence and self-esteem that come with it, are within your reach.  To find out which product line is best for you please visit the Solution Tool …..& Write Your Own Prescription for Change.

About / Contact

Victoria has been nursing for 20 years. She has a double degree in Nursing and Health Science, as well as a Post Graduate in Midwifery. In addition, she has also undertaken comprehensive and extensive training in dermatology and the cosmetic field. Having an eye for detail, Victoria now works exclusively in skincare aesthetics as a Cosmetic Nurse.

Working in the Cosmetic/ Dermatology field, Victoria has seen a lot of fads come and go. This Blog aims to help you eliminate the confusion of an over abundance of Skin advice and products on the market today.  The objective  is to help you filter through the gimmicky products and advice, to get to the good material. All products shown are clinical grade, cruelty free, and have undertaken rigorous testing.

Blog topics will help educate and shed light on various skin (& related health) concerns. It is important to take a wholistic approach when it comes to skin health. Blog topics will cover both conventional and functional medicine. This includes various treatment options, clinical grade products, natural products, hormones, gut health, cosmetic injectables, natural remedies and more.

Please read on to find out more

For in clinic skin treatments / injectables with Victoria at Laser Clinics Australia please visit here OR contact:-

Warriewood (Tuesdays) Ph: 02 83192078

Brookvale (Thursdays) Ph: 80148911

For dermatological clinically proven skincare products visit here

😊 Victoria Isherwood

Contact

 

 

Should You Be Taking Skin Boosting Supplements?

Unsure whether you may need an extra nutritional boost for your skin? OR are you perhaps lacking in a vital skin nutrient without realising 😳?

Our skin is often a reflection of what is going on inside our bodies. It’s always best to aim to get the majority of your nutrition through your food. HOWEVER, if you don’t always eat as well as you should ….here are 7 supplements to consider

Skin Boosting Supplements

Vitamin A (Retinol)

Vitamin A is an antioxidant that belongs to the class of compounds called retinoids. It is critical for skin maintenance and repair, collagen production and acne prevention.

Low levels of Vitamin A have been associated with:-

• Rough, dry and scaling skin.
• Inflammatory skin conditions.
• Follicular thickening of the skin – which can show up as rough, raised bumps on the back of the arms (called hyperkeratosis pillaris).
• Acne – Vitamin A is essential for the normal shedding of dead skin cells which can otherwise build up inside our pores. As we know, blocked pores ultimately lead to acne. Furthermore, Vitamin A has anti-inflammatory benefits for our skin and can therefore help calm angry acne breakouts.

Vitamin A is found in two different forms: Active Vitamin A and Beta Carotene. Active Vitamin A comes from animal-derived foods and is otherwise known as retinol. This ‘ready to be absorbed’ Vitamin A can be used straight away by the body -it does not need to be converted. The 2nd type of Vitamin A (which is obtained from colourful fruits and vegetables), is ‘Beta Carotene’. These carotenoids need to be converted to the active form of Vitamin A by the body (after the food is ingested). Beta carotene is found primarily in vegetables and fruits.

The most vitamin A-rich foods are liver and cod liver oil, however other sources include:-

Eggs, asparagus, peaches, carrots, beet greens, kale, broccoli, spinach, sweet potato, cantaloupe, red peppers and mango.

Poor Gut Health can cause malabsorption of vitamin A.

Vitamin A (commonly known as Retin-A) has been prescribed for decades by dermatologists to treat acne ‘topically’. Accutane (Roacutane) is a prescription oral medication which is derived from vitamin A. It has been used to treat severe cases of acne by dermatologists for years. However it can have serious side effects and its use must be supervised by a dermatologist.

Note:- Because Vitamin A is fat-soluble, it can build up in our body. Therefore an excessive intake (of more than 10,000 international units / IU) can be toxic. This is especially the case during pregnancy, so women who are planning on becoming pregnant should check with their doctors before starting any supplements.

B7 / Biotin

Vitamin B7, otherwise known as ‘Biotin’ is a water-soluble ‘B-complex’ vitamin.

B7 (biotin) contributes to the maintenance of strong and healthy hair, SKIN, nails, mucous membranes, the nervous system, and psychological functions. It is also essential for the metabolism of glucose, proteins and fatty acids.

Interestingly B7 sometimes gets the nickname ‘Vitamin H’, which stems from the German word “Haar” which mean “hair and skin.”

The human body cannot synthesis its own Vitamin B7. Only bacteria, molds, yeasts, algae, and certain plants can make it. SO it needs to be supplied via our diet.

Unabsorbed B7 is eliminated in urine, so the body does not build up spare reserves. This means it must be consumed daily.

Sources of B7 include:-

Salmon, sardines, avocado, bananas, raspberries, liver, mushrooms, yeast, whole-wheat bread, cheddar cheese, pork, chicken, cauliflower, egg yolk, carrots, dairy, certain nuts.

Although B7 deficiency is not too common, the symptoms include:
• dry, irritated skin
• brittle hair or hair loss

Vitamin C

The antioxidant properties of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), combined with its role in connective tissue health and the synthesis of collagen -makes Vitamin C vital for SKIN health.

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, which our body does not make on its own (and it does not store it either). SO it is important that it is included daily in our diet.

Many fruits and vegetables are great sources of vitamin C. Some good ones include:-

Citrus fruits, strawberries, broccoli, spinach, kale, red capsicum (pepper), kiwi fruit, guava, papaya.

A deficiency in Vitamin C can present as:

• Rough, dry, scaly skin
• Easy bruising
• Slow wound healing
• Dry and splitting hair
• Dry red spots on the skin
• Poor gum health (bleeding, inflammation etc)

Essential Fatty Acids – particularly Omega-3’s

Essential fatty acids (EFAs) have many health benefits including SKIN health. This is due to the fatty acids EPA & DHA.

• Help keep the skin moist and strong by reducing the amount of water lost through the epidermis (the top layer of skin).
• Has anti-inflammatory properties – including the treatment of eczema, rosacea, psoriasis and acne.
• Help prevent premature aging of our skin.
• Mental Health benefits (eg anxiety & depression).
• Heart Health
• Helps with the management of ADHD.

Inflammation is a big part of the problem with acne (externally and systemically). Therefore an anti-inflammatory Omega-3 supplement is helpful when it comes to clearing acne.

Since the body doesn’t produce EFA’s, they must be obtained through our diet or from supplements. Good dietary sources include salmon, sardines, walnuts and flaxseeds.

Good EFA supplements include Fish oil, Sea Buckthorn & Krill oil. However keep in mind that there are fish oils and there are fish oils. SO many of the supplements found in our supermarkets are manufactured cheaply and can even be rancid! Choose a reputable company (eg BioCeuticals in Australia) where the fish oil undergoes strict testing to ensure its purity & to make sure it is of the highest quality, using ethically sourced fish free of heavy metals.

Zinc

Zinc is an vital mineral that helps with;-

• Healthy skin, hair & nails
• Prevention and management of acne & other skin conditions.
• Healthy immune function.
• Tissue repair and wound healing.
• The metabolism of omega-3 fatty acids

Zinc is easlier absorbed from animal food sources. However some plant foods and nuts can be high in zinc as well. Good sources include: Organs such as kidney and liver, red meat such as beef and lamb, and seafood such as oysters, scallops, and other shellfish. Non animal sources include pecans, pumpkin seeds, ginger, legumes, mushrooms and whole grains.

Probiotics

See previous article…

Curcumin

Turmeric is a bright yellow-orange spice related to ginger. Turmeric gets its health benefits primarily because of its bioactive component ‘curcumin’.

Curcumin – is an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral powerhouse.

Curcumin has been shown to be quite effective in calming the symptoms of eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, scleroderma, rosacea, and other skin diseases. Although the underlying causes of these conditions vary, they all have ‘inflammation’ of the skin in common.

Science shows that Curcumin can be beneficial for acne sufferers. Topically applied it can kill bacteria and reduce acne-causing inflammation. Taken internally it can reduce inflammation which partially the cause of acne. In fact, studies have shown that acne sufferers have higher levels of inflammation and lower levels of antioxidants than people with clear skin. Therefore it is no surprise that treatments that reduce inflammation and oxidative stress reduce acne.

More recently, studies have suggested that curcumin, may slow (or even cease) the growth of melanoma skin cancer cells.

 

Victoria Isherwood (Registered Nurse) 🙂

 

Please note:-
The recommended daily amount of vitamin A (from all sources) is 700mcg retinol equivalents for women and 900mcg retinol equivalents for men. If you are pregnant, or considering becoming pregnant, do not take vitamin A supplements without consulting your doctor or pharmacist. WARNING – When taken in excess of 3000mcg retinol equivalents, vitamin A can cause harm to the baby.