Serious Skin Care

Anyone who knows me can confirm I have always been smitten with lotions and potions.  Growing up, in my circle of friends, I was renowned for my endless array of beauty products.  Nothing has changed; except I am a million times more obsessed these days (Is that even possible? LOL).  Although, I self-diagnosed my skins needs from the get go, a few years back, I sought professional advice, which proved to be an eye-opening experience for me. 

Having always claimed to have combination skin, I was dumbfounded when told straight that my skin is of the oily type, eek!  :-o  So, after two decades of purchasing products suitable for combination skin, I needed re-educating about my own skin type and admitted that I had indeed gotten it all wrong.  It’s no wonder products never satisfied and results never eventuated, I was fighting a losing battle, regardless of my dedication and commitment.  This skin analysis in conjunction with expert advise and guidance from my skin care therapist (Thanks Tembile, I owe you big time) helped me develop a serious, yet fundamental, anti-ageing skin care regime, targeting my skin concerns whilst maintaining my newly determined, ‘oily' skin. 

I love that my personalised skin care prescription is so versatile, allowing me to chop and change products or brands and giving me the option to introduce various targeted treatments as needed.  The straightforward routine is quick and easy to follow, catering perfectly to my busy lifestyle, without compromising on the efficacy or outcome.  I like including new treatments if required, however I know that using just the basics, adequately tackles all of my skin problems ensuring that I come up trumps to WIN the fight against premature skin ageing.

My basic skin care program:

AM

Simple 3-step skin care routine. (Cleanse, tone, moisturise)

+ Vitamin C therapy

+ Treatment products that tackle any of my other skin concerns (i.e. pigmentation etc) NB: This step is not essential!

+ SPF Protection (always the last step prior to any makeup)

 PM

Simple 3-step skin care routine (Cleanse, tone, moisturise)

+ Vitamin A therapy

+ Treatment products that compliment my routine (i.e. eye cream) NB: This step is not essential! (I generally keep the PM treatment ultra basic, as other products could clash or hinder the effectiveness of the highly powerful Vitamin A)

 Weekly

Treatment Skin Care Mask

Occasional 

Manual Exfoliator

I have religiously performed my daily skin care ritual ever since and believe that you have to be prepared to stick it out for the long haul to achieve your desired results.  I have tweaked my products numerous times to get to the stage where I am at now, I dare say I will do so again and again, because it’s is all part of my ongoing journey of establishing my ultimate skin care regime.  I am absolutely, 100%, confident, armed with this optimum anti-ageing skin care program, based on my skins individual needs, it will prompt a change in my skin for the better, delivering positive, visible RESULTS. 

Today, my complexion is looking immaculate and I am finally happy in my own skin.  While it’s a bit cliché, I wish I had of known all those years ago, what I know now!  I wouldn’t have neglected my skin, hence the need to rely on such powerful skin care treatments to try and reverse the signs of premature ageing, caused by damaging external aggressors, which I naively allowed my skin to become subject to.  The importance of a broad-spectrum SPF sunscreen daily, instead of endless hours roasting my skin, all in the name of a developing suntan, which later came back to haunt me. The damage is now done and whilst I can’t physically turn back the hands of time, I CAN help slow down the ageing process and prevent future skin damage.  Obviously, the changes in our appearance will be inevitable eventually, but at least I am confident knowing that my skin care regime allows me to have some control over the rate in which my skin ages, keeping my complexion looking younger and healthier for a bit longer. :)

I will write another blog featuring the products I use in my skin care regime directly and eventually I plan to review each of them too.  There are two morals to learn from this blog; don’t self assess your skin and prevention is better than cure, although if you devote to a strict skin care regime you CAN do battle with the visible signs of ageing and come out the victor. ;)

So tell me peeps, are you all serious about your skin care regime?  Do you wish you could go back in time, and if so would you change the way you looked after your skin?