Steps to flawless skin.
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Jan 8, 2017
Jessy L.
I don't have much trouble areas on my face, but I still want my skin to look and feel smooth. Acne isn't a problem for me, but I do have a few pimples here and there, but they're really small, I have some acne scarring, little bit of uneven skin tone, and under eye bags, I probably can't do much about my eye bags since they're hereditary. Right now my skin care routine consists of cleaning using the Cerave Renewing cleanser (morning and night), moisturizing with Cetaphil daily moisturizer spf 15, and at night I use Ambi fade cream on my dark spots and Clindamycin Topical Phosphate Lotion on my acne, these were both recommended to me by my dermatologist. And also I have combination skin. What can I start doing to achieve "flawless" skin?
Jan 8, 2017
Lara R.
Are you currently using an exfoliator?
Jan 8, 2017
Jessy L.
@Lara R I'm not using one at the moment, I've use on before but it caused me to break out so I stopped using on.
Jan 9, 2017
Lara R.
I think it could be a step in your routine that could make a difference. I recommend Algenist multiperfector exfoliator. It helps with the texture and overall appearance of the skin. You can use it 2-3x per week after you cleanse it, and then tone and moisturize as usual :)
Jan 9, 2017
Deborah S.
I recommend that you start using a bha, since I've been using the paula's choice one, occasional breakouts that I used to have, have completely stopped and my skin appears smoother. :)
Jan 9, 2017
Jessy L.
Thank you ladies! If I may ask is a bha and an exfoliant the same thing?
Jan 9, 2017
Lara R.
The one I recommended it's a "physical" exfoliant.
BHA and AHA are chemical exfoliants.
Both will polish the skin by removing death skin cells, but usually chemical exfoliants have a deeper effect. If used with caution (use SPF is a must), you may get to the wanted effect faster
Jan 9, 2017
Leuca S.
Essentially, all chemical exfoliants have a common action and a unique action.
Their common action when used in the correct concentration as directed is to dissolve the bonds holding together outermost layer of the epidermis, which is essentially all dead skin. Your skin is constantly shedding and creating new cells, but as we age and are exposed to environmental effects your ability to cast off the old cells diminishes.
When this chemical reaction takes place on the surface of the skin, it does two things.
1. It loosens those dead skin cells so that they can properly come off of your face with your cleanser (cleansing device is optional to augment this process)
2. It stimulates a healing/regenerating response within the lower layers of the skin. This is essentially speeding your natural cell turnover to get fresh skin where you want it.
There is only one type of BHA, and that is salicylic acid. It's really commonly used in lower end skincare, but is typically put in bad products and so a lot of people think they can't tolerate it. BHA is oil soluble, which means it has the unique ability to cut through the sebum your skin naturally produces to get into your pores and help them function better by clearing debris and reshaping the lining. It's related to aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), and in low doses has an anti inflammatory effect. It's also mildly antibacterial. Best for people who have acne/pore problems as their primary concern, as you can use it with hydrating products to offset any potential drying effects.
AHA typically comes in two forms that you'll commonly see: lactic acid and glycolic acid. There are a few others, but they're pretty uncommon and generally not even used properly so you don't need to worry about them. AHA is water soluble and naturally a humectant, which means that it helps to bind water to the skin to help keep it hydrated while it exfoliates. Lactic acid is generally less intense and slightly more hydrating, but they function similarly.
Chemical exfoliants are largely useless in cleansers, as they must be left on for a sufficient time period to actually work their magic, and in leave on products must be within a specific PH to both work as acids while at the same time not damaging your skin. Generally this sweet spot is between a PH or 3-4, with 3 being about as intense as is generally recommended and anything over 4 being too weak to really exfoliate.
Jan 11, 2017
Jessy L.
Thank you ladies this is great information!