Camas, WA
If you are one of my patients, friends, or colleagues—you probably know of my passion for skincare health, and my commitment to using products that work.
I will first handedly admit how overwhelming it can be when it comes to finding the perfect product regimen for your home skincare routine, especially if you are just beginning your journey to healthier skin. Between cleansers, toners, serums and moisturizers, it’s understandably confusing to know where to begin!
One of the most common questions I get is “Which moisturizer should I be using?” or, “What ___ (fill in skincare item here) should I use?”. It is my hope to encourage transforming this inquiry to, “What are the key ingredients my skin needs to look and feel its best?”
If you want to experience noticeable improvements in your skin it is important to start with a strong foundation. The three pillars of antiaging and skin health are Vitamin C, sunscreen, and retinol.
Topical Vitamin C slows down the aging process by acting as a shield on your skin to prevent formation of free radicals that cause wrinkles and collagen breakdown. Free radicals are basically part of what can cause us to get wrinkles and appear aged. After you consistently use a topical antioxidant like Vitamin C, you will notice great improvement in your skin tone, texture and overall brightness.
Skincare step: Apply in the morning to clean dry skin, first thing after cleansing.
Sunscreen is arguably one of the most important products to use every single day, regardless of whether it’s rain or shine out. It’s so important to wear sunscreen daily and re-apply (I’ll share my favorite SPF for easy reapplication). One of the reasons we start to show signs of aging is due to a loss of collagen in our skin. Sun exposure especially contributes to collagen breakdown. Around 80% of facial aging can be attributed to sun exposure.
Wearing sunscreen means less wrinkles, less aging, protection of existing collagen in the skin, less formation of sunspots and/or pigmentation, and allows your injectable treatments to look better.
Skincare step: Apply in the morning, as your last step before applying makeup if you wear it.
Retinol (a form of Vitamin A) is truly the star of the show. It increases cellular turnover, which in turn clears away old debris that sit on the surface of our skin. Additionally, as it clears away the old cell debris, new healthier cells are then formed. Another benefit we receive from using retinol consistently is that it stimulates collagen production in the area which it’s applied. With regular use, you can count on your skin to develop less wrinkles, congestion, acne, and sunspots!
Skincare step: Apply in the evening to clean dry skin, first thing after cleansing.
Now that we have reviewed the three pillars of anti-aging, let’s go over some of my favorite brands and specific products I use at home!
Katia Ruiz MS, FNP-C is an Injection Specialist at Skin by Lovely Camas, in Vancouver Washington.
Book online or call us at 877-568-3594 ext 4 to schedule with her!
About Skin by Lovely™
Skin by Lovely specializes in FDA-approved, natural-looking, non-surgical, medical facial aesthetics and rejuvenation treatments. With practices in Santa Monica, CA, Portland, OR, Lake Oswego, OR, and Camas, WA, Skin by Lovely is certified by Allergan, the makers of Botox® and Juvederm®, as a Top 10 facial aesthetic practice in the United States and a Top 25 account for Galderma, the makers of Dysport® and Restylane®.
Convenient online scheduling is available for all three Skin by Lovely locations.
