The skin is the body’s largest organ and the first line of defense against environmental factors like the sun, air pollution, trips, falls, and bacteria. As skin ages and loses its elasticity and strength, we become more vulnerable to environmental factors. It is of the utmost importance that we love the skin we’re in, invest in it, and take good care of it. This article will demonstrate how to optimize your skincare routine and show you why it is a crucial component in graceful aging.

There are a few key items to note to understand the skin better and why it’s so important that we take care of it. There are three layers of the skin: The epidermis is the top layer, the Dermis is the middle layer, and Hypodermis is the last. 

The Epidermis is the layer where your melanin is created, and your skin color is provided. This is the outer layer that provides immediate protection from environmental factors like ultraviolet rays and bacteria. 

The Dermis is the layer where your collagen and elastin are. The collagen and elastin are what make your skin look fuller and more supported. This second line of defense is where your sweat glands, oil glands, hair follicles, and nerve endings can be found. In the Dermis is where the touch and pain receptors are; this is the layer responsible for helping us feel things. 

Although the Hypodermis is the deepest layer, it plays an important role in keeping the body safe. This layer is responsible for helping the body retain its body heat. The Hypodermis also acts as a shock absorber to help protect the body from injury. In this layer, we find collagen and fat cells. 

An effective skincare routine can help prevent acne, treat wrinkles, and help keep your skin looking its best. Your skin will also look more youthful because as you age, your skin’s cells renew slowly, making you look less youthful. A quality skincare routine can help remove dead skin cells so your body will replace them with newer, younger cells.

It is also important to remember that prevention is more manageable than correction, meaning that taking daily care of your skin is less costly than trying to fix the problem in the future.

7 Tips on How to Optimize Your Skincare Routine

Here are seven tips on how to optimize your skincare routine.

Hydration from Within 

Hydrated skin comes from within. The epidermis absorbs and retains water. While living in a humid environment can help keep the skin hydrated because of its absorption capabilities, actually drinking water is what does wonders for the skin! Drinking your suggested amount of water daily is key to maintaining healthy skin and giving your skin the support it needs to maintain its elasticity. 

The daily recommended water intake adequate daily fluid intake is 15.5 cups (125 ounces) of fluids a day for men and 11.5 cups (91 ounces) of fluids a day for women.

These recommendations include fluids from water, other beverages and food. About 20% of daily fluid intake usually comes from food and the rest from drinks.

Cleanse and Tone Daily

To keep your skin fresh, it should be washed every morning to start the day with a clean slate, especially if you wear makeup. Your face collects bacteria as you sleep; you don’t want to trap it under makeup. Then in the evening before bed is when you wash the day away. 

Throughout the day, your face is littered with bacteria, pollutants, oil, dirt, and dead skin. Again, you must wash your face at the end of the day if you wear makeup because otherwise, all of the environmental factors you’ve faced during the day are just sitting on your skin. If not washed off completely nightly, this can lead to breakouts, wrinkles, and skin irritation. 

Take your cleansing to the next level by adding a toner. A toner is the second step to remove any remaining or missed dirt not removed by the cleanser. Toners aid the skin in absorbing moisturizers and serums as well. 

Apply Serums 

Once your skin is freshly toned, you will next apply your serum. LAMIDERM APEX is the first patented skin cell regeneration serum on the market that contains egg bioactive growth factors. This ingredient has been scientifically shown to increase levels of collagen, elastin and fibronectin production in human skin cells, in just three days. This serum reduces dark spots, brightens skin tone, and it helps repair the skin and protects it from pollutants.

Exfoliate

Exfoliating is vital in removing dead skin cells from the face. This crucial step should not be done daily as it only needs to be done a few times a week, depending on your skin type. Exfoliation can be done chemically or manually. Chemically exfoliating can be done by using products with BHAs (beta hydroxy acid) and AHAs (alpha hydroxy acid) in them. BHAs go deep into your pores and help remove dead skin cells. While AHAs work on the skin's surface to peel back old and dead skin so the new healthy skin cells can take their place. 

Another method of chemically exfoliating is by using a product that has a gritty texture to massage away dead skin cells, dirt, and excess oil. 

Manually exfoliating is done using tools such as a blade for dermaplaning, scrub brushes, or even a washcloth if you have sensitive skin. The way skin feels is undeniably smooth after exfoliating. However, in this case, less really is more. Over-exfoliating the skin can lead to irritation, dryness, and discoloration. The face should only be exfoliated when it’s needed. 

Moisturize

This seemingly simple step is small but mighty. Moisturizing your skin gives it that big drink of water from the outside. Face lotion is most commonly used; however other topicals like Hyaluronic Acid and facial oils are other reliable methods of hydrating the skin. Sometimes people with oil-prone skin worry adding more moisture to their face will make it oily. Or vice versa, people with dry skin overcompensate and may use too much product. This is one of those steps that finding the right product for your skin and using the suggested amount will go a long way for you. All skin types need to moisturize. 

OMNIA  - Add Collagen to Your Diet

Proper skin care is essential to creating and maintaining the health and vitality of your appearance. But what you apply on top of your skin daily isn't enough. Everything you consume can reflect negatively or positively on your skin; therefore, obtaining the proper vitamins and nutrients you need daily ensures that your skin will look its best.

Around age 25, the body begins to decline in collagen production. By age 40, adults usually see a steep decline in the production of collagen, which is noticed by more fine lines, wrinkles, and achy joints. 

This can be combated by adding collagen to your diet. Collagen is a protein that keeps skin looking fuller and tighter. It can be consumed in the form of vitamins, powders added to smoothies, teas, or coffees, or even baked into baked goods. Bone broth is also an excellent source of collagen and can be served in various ways. 

OMNIA contains marine collagen as well as other essential vitamins, minerals, and particular nutrients for healthy and glowing skin, all in one capsule. It contains three main ingredients proven to continuously rejuvenate the health of your skin as you age: egg bioactive growth factors, the superfood Spirulina, and the herbal extract of Red Clover Blossoms. 

In addition, OMNIA contains three powerful ingredient complexes made up of minerals, collagen, and natural moisturizers to help improve skin tissue's structure, function, and appearance: Rejuvenation Complex, Super Vitamin B Complex, and Antioxidant and Botanical Blend. OMNIA’s formula not only supports healthy skin but also strengthens and improves the appearance of your hair and nails. 

Visit shop.lifepharm.com to get OMNIA today!

Facials and Face Masks 

Facials are a resource that can take your skincare routine to the next level. They can be done both at home or in a salon by a licensed esthetician. For your at-home facials, you can purchase tools like a facial steamer, facial massagers, a jade roller, and even face masks or sheet masks. DIY facials can be a cost-friendly way to give yourself a facial wholly tailored to your needs.

Going to a salon and getting a facial done by a professional can be expensive; however, they can offer more targeted solutions and a wide range of facials. Another benefit of receiving a facial from a professional is they can provide specific guidelines and recommendations for treatments and products you should use for your skin type. Whichever you choose, facials are a simple way to elevate your skincare routine. 

Wear Sunscreen Daily 

Now that you’ve hydrated, cleansed, toned, exfoliated, moisturized, taken your collagen, and even done a few at-home facials, next is the most crucial step to protect your skin. Applying sunscreen daily. The sun is so hard on the face that it can deplete it and cause wrinkles, fine lines, sunspots, and sun damage or skin cancer. The UV rays of the sun counteract the time and effort put into taking care of your skin. That’s why daily sunscreen is vital in maintaining healthy skin.

Please visit shop.lifepharm.com and start your skincare journey today!