How to Revive Dull Sluggish Skin

How much care we give our skin will be evident as we age. Are you protecting your skin from the sun or spending hours with your bare face unprotected? Sun damage begins to show its effects in our mid thirties by exposing sun damage through age spots or hyper pigmentation. The damage was actually done years earlier at the dermis level and since the dermis is our skin’s memory bank, it says, “I know what you did to me and now I will reveal it for all to see on the outer skin or the epidermis.” The dermis remembers those beach days basking in the sun with no sunscreen. As our collagen levels or our skin’s support matrix begin to break down, alas, those creepy little crows feet emerge ove
ight! We are sure the Crow’s Feet Fairy flew in while we slept and zapped us. What to do? The following are suggestions to help restore sun damaged skin, diminish unwanted lines and give new life to your skin!

1. Never go to bed with your makeup on as pores will clog and skin will become dull and lifeless because it cannot breathe. Use a creamy cleanser or gentle facial wash to cleanse skin thoroughly. Follow with a toner or astringent to clear away any residue from cleanser and restore your skin to its natural pH balance.
2. The next step is to apply alpha hydroxy acid to exfoliate the surface layer of dead skin cells on the epidermis. This cell turnover will activate the dermis to pump out new skin cells giving skin a healthy glow. I favor Glycolic Acid as it is a natural AHA derived from sugar cane and when used only at night, it will not leave your skin photo sensitive like Retin-A. Glycolic Acid stings at first until your skin adjusts, but in a short time it works its magic and rejuvenates your skin.
3. Now it is time to apply your night cream. Use a rich cream for dry skin or a light moisturizer for normal to oily skin. Even if you have oily skin you still need moisturizer or your skin will dry out on the surface and cause clogged pores and breakouts.
4. Your morning routine after cleansing and toning should include a Vitamin C Serum. There are a few Vitamin C Serums that have been tested and proven to reach the dermis: Skin Ceuticals, Celex C, Dr. Perricome and Obaji. I am sure there are others, but these are the ones I know about. Vitamin C Serums are very expensive, but worth every penny as they prevent free radical damage at the dermis level, and instigate rebuilding of collagen. Vitamin C Serum is cumulative in the skin for up to four days!
5. Now it is time for sunscreen. We need to block those nasty UV rays from destroying our skin. For general use a 30 block is sufficient, but if you are a golfer, tennis player, biker, runner or boater, you need a 45 to 50 block broad spectrum sunscreen. Your sunscreen should be sweat proof and water proof, containing both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide for maximum protection.
6. It is very important to remove sunscreen before going to bed as it is extremely heavy and traps sweat on your skin which will clog pores and instigate blackheads and breakouts.