Clear glowing skin has always been the goal of everyone. Unfortunately, as we age, our skin tends to sag because of collagen loss and gets prone to pigmentation due to being under the sun a lot. Plus, all that pollution we encounter especially when we commute (and other factors) give way to breakouts, clogged pores, and stubborn acne.
Not all hope is lost—with the right skincare routine and the help of professional treatments, achieving that goal isn’t impossible. While buying products is fairly easy, some of us don't have time for facials. Can we just do away with topical creams and serums? We got right down to it and asked dermatologist, Dr. Kaycee Reyes of Luminisce Skin Clinic, if facials are really worth it and what can be done at home.
What happens in a facial?
“The old-school method used to be just your basic cleaning, steaming, and pricking, but nowadays, there are so many varieties and preparations when it comes to facials,” says Dr. Reyes. Each clinic has different protocols and machines to target pigmentation, acne, and other concerns depending on the patient. “If you need to know what kind of facial or maintenance to get, you have to consult with a professional”, she adds.
FYI, you might just end up wasting your money on a facial that’s not tailor-made for you. Dr. Reyes emphasizes that the right kind of facial “can brighten, lessen fine lines and pigmentation, hydrate, and make the skin more supple—it’s more preventive.”
She also reminds us to make sure the aesthetician who's going to perform the pricking (if you need it) is well-trained or else you’re going to traumatize your skin, which can lead to scarring and other complications.
Is it really okay to skip facials?
“Depends on the kind of facial and the skin type,” Dr. Reyes says. “If you have good skin, you can just do topical antioxidants like creams, so you don’t need to have a facial,” she adds. As long as you know how to use the products on your skin and you take care of it regularly, then it’s perfectly okay to skip. “But if you have problematic skin or have skin concerns with texture, pigmentation, acne, and pores, then yes, you need to come to the clinic for some consultation and advice,” notes Dr. Reyes.
If you’re strapped for cash or have no time for a monthly appointment to your favorite clinic, you can definitely space it out. “Quarterly is fine as long as you get the right kind of facial for your skin type and concern,” she suggests.
Can diet really affect the skin?
“Yes!” says Dr. Reyes. “Our second brain is the gut and everything we consume, we take in. The food we eat affects the inflammation and the lining, which can open up the intestine walls and can cause chronic inflammation in the body. This may cause breakouts, acne, and sometimes can activate auto-immune diseases,” she explains.
Sugar is particularly bad as it causes glycation, a process that causes protein fibers such as collagen and elastin (what makes our skin plump!) in the body to become stiff and malformed. “This causes aggressive aging,” she adds. I guess we all need to ease up on the milk tea!
Can a good skincare routine make up for it?
Regardless if you have good skin or not, having the right skincare routine with good ingredients is essential. Just keep in mind that not all creams or serums can take care of all your skin concerns. “I still recommend consulting with a professional first. She will advise you on how to use certain products since your skin may not be strong enough to handle certain ingredients. You may be using it too much, or you’re using the wrong product,” suggests Dr. Reyes.
When building your routine, “it’s always good to have a Vitamin C serum for its brightening and anti-aging effects, an AHA or BHA for exfoliation, a retinoid for anti-aging, and sunblock for protection” says Dr. Reyes. For moisturizers and eye creams, Dr. Reyes recommends those with peptides, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid in the ingredients. Scroll down below to see a list of derma-approved products!
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Shiseido Perfect Whip Foam Cleanser
Why it works: You only need a pea-sized amount of this cleanser, so this will last a long time. Plus, it leaves your skin clean without the tight feeling.
ADVERTISMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓Shiseido Perfect Whip Foam Cleanser, P440, BeautyMNL
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V&M Naturals Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Toner
Why it works: “Toners are for degreasing,” says Dr. Reyes. This one with Witch Hazel gets rid of gunk and keeps the skin matte.
V&M Naturals Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Toner, P335, BeautyMNL
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Wildleaf Vitamin C Serum
Why it works: Formulated with 18 percent Ascorbic Acid and Niacinamide, this potent serum helps in brightening and minimizing of spots and blemishes. Since Vitamin C is an antioxidant, this also protects the skin from free radicals that cause aging.
Wildleaf Vitamin C Serum, P1,190, BeautyMNL
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The Inkey List Caffeine Under-Eye Serum
Why it works: Dr. Reyes recommends an eye cream with hyaluronic acid to hydrate the sensitive eye area. This inexpensive eye cream has the star ingredient plus caffeine to brighten the under-eye area.
The Inkey List Caffeine Under-Eye Serum, P700, Sephora.ph
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By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water
Why it works: This exfoliant is gentle for sensitive skin daily use. It gets rid of dead skin cells and minimizes pigmentation. The added sodium hyaluronate also helps soothe irritation.
ADVERTISMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water, P1,250, BeautyMNL
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Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream
Why it works: Peptides, growth factors, and supportive amino acids make this moisturizer a powerhouse must-have for those who want smooth, glowing skin.
Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream, P4,010, Sephora.ph
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Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF50+ PA++++
Why it works: No routine is complete without sun protection This water-based sunscreen contains hyaluronic acid, so not only does this protect your skin from the sun, it also helps plump it up.
Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF50+ PA++++, P488, BeautyMNL