Back to School, Back to Basics!
Happy September everyone! On the raw Blog this month we are celebrating the return-to-routine by taking it "Back to Basics" with your skincare regime. So, what does back to basics mean? To us it is highlighting our tried and true skincare routine of: cleanse/tone/
Cleanse
Cleansing is always the first step in both your daily and nightly routine. The best cleansers will wash away oil, dirt and make-up, without stripping your skin of it's lipped barrier (which helps protect your skin by keeping moisture in and the harsh elements out). We love the Zo Skin Health line of cleansers, which remove dirt, oil and impurities with a gentle foaming formula, leaving the skin feeling fresh and hydrated.
Tone
Both the Zo Calming Skin Toner, and Oil Control acne pads are our go-to for toning the skin after cleansing. The oil control pads are a crucial part of our acne-treatment program and work to remove oil, normalize pore size, help smooth skin’s surface and reduce irritation. For those without acne concerns we love the calming, Ph balanced toner which removes impurities and invigorates weak and sensitive skin.
Hydrate
You don't have to be a rocket scientist to know what moisturizer does for your skin (hello, moisturizes it!). But understanding why it's so important and what product is right for your skin type and concerns just might be the most important thing you can do for your canvas. The right product will hydrate your skin, lock in moisture, and reinforce your skins protective barrier. While we strongly recommend a consult with our Skin Master Amanda Massey to determine which products will give you the best result, the Daily Power Defence by Zo Skin health is a staff favourite here at Raw Canvas.
PROTECT!
Protect, protect, protect. We can't say it enough. Sunscreen should be used daily to protect your canvas from the suns harsh rays year round. UV rays penetrate the clouds easily, making the cause of visible skin damage and cancer ever-present, even in the cold winter months. For more information about what types of sunscreen are best for your skin check out our blog post on Chemical vs. Physical Sunscreens.
So now that you're following our first four Back to Basics steps daily, what's next? There's two more very important steps you don't want to miss out on!
Exfoliate
Exfoliation is key to removing dead skin cells and debris that can clog your pores and leave you with dull looking skin. Your skin cells have a natural turn-over; as they continually generate new cells we are left with older cells on the surface that take longer to slough off. The process of exfoliation removes these, leaving younger, fresher looking skin below. There are many types of exfoliant, starting with chemical vs. physical. Chemical exfoliation includes treatments and products like acids & peels that chemically remove the top layer of the dermis. A physical exfoliant is when an actual tool is used to slough off the dead skin cells. a few examples of this are the magnesium crystals in our favourite Zo Exfoliating Polish, or the surgery-grade blade used by our Skin Master for dermalplaning all those dead cells away.
Correct
The last step in our back to basics routine is the one that often yields the most dramatic results in our clients: Correct. Correct encompasses all of the products used to target your specific skin concerns such as anti-aging, acne, rosacea and age spots. Products like iS Clinical Active Serum, which is touted by physicians as "remarkable", and "phenomenal", diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, reduces uneven skin tone and blemishes, and gives the appearance of smaller pores (alongside a host if additional skin smoothing benefits). And then there is Pro-Health, also by iS Clinical with Vitamin C, D, A as well as powerful anti-oxidants to improve the appearance of compromised, blemish-prone, and aging skin.
Want to know more about what products are best for your personal "Back to basics" skincare routine? We offer both in-person, as well as phone consultations so you can schedule a custom consult with our Skin Master Amanda Massey wherever you are!
* The products recommended in this blog post are based on highlighting some of our favourite products and not intended as a custom plan for your specific canvas. Please schedule a consult to discuss your treatment plan with our Skin Master.
