What are skincare essentials?

Great skin isn’t simply a factor of great genes. Your daily skincare routine dramatically impacts how your skin looks and how you feel. But when trying to build a skincare routine, the mind-boggling number of skincare products can confuse you. That is why we here at Village Dermatology have created our CORE 4 Skincare Program to simplify your decision-making process. Board-Certified Dermatologist Jenny Sobera, MD, created this skincare program to categorize each goal you should aim towards instead of getting caught up in each product.

The Core 4 Program consists of Rebuild, Renew, Replenish and Protect.

Rebuild

Stimulate and Repair

Stimulate new collagen growth as well as repairs damaged collagen.

Collagen is a protein found in many tissues in the body, such as the bones, muscles, skin, and hair. Collagen keeps the skin from sagging and gives it a plump, youthful appearance. The body makes collagen naturally, but this essential protein’s production slows as you age. As early as your mid-20s, your skin begins to lose collagen. In women, the collagen content of the skin can fall by up to 30% during menopause. This natural process results in the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines as well as thin, dry, and less-taut skin.

Several effective skincare products can help to REBUILD collagen. These products stimulate the formation of new collagen and repair damaged collagen.

Some products, such as the Alastin Regenerating Skin Nectar, help to enhance the results of cosmetic treatments like IPL, chemical peels, and microneedling. Others, such as SkinMedica’s TNS Advanced Plus Serum, help to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and refine skin tone and texture. The specially formulated Village Dermatology Firming Facial Serum promotes collagen formation, giving your skin a smoother, more radiant, and youthful appearance. All of these products fit into the REBUILD category, and once you find a good product that works for you in this category, you have 1 of your Core 4 completed. Congratulations!

Renew

Speed Up Cellular Repair

Penetrates deep beneath the surface of the skin to help slough away dead skin cells and speed renewal.

If you’ve ever wondered why babies have such soft skin, it has to do with the skin renewal process. In babies, skin cells renew every 14 days. By the teenage years, this process takes 28 days. In young adults, the skin renewal cycle is further lengthened to 28-42 days. In people over the age of 50, skin renewal can take up to 84 days. Therefore, your skin takes longer to repair and replace damaged cells as you grow older. As a result, more dead skin cells build up on the top layer of your skin, making your skin look dull and tired.

Skincare products that help to RENEW your skin penetrate below the surface and speed up skin renewal. These products slough away dead skin cells, revealing healthy, beautiful skin.

The Epionce Lite Lytic TX cleanses pores deep within the skin and smoothens the skin surface, reduces visible imperfections, softens skin texture, and gives you a more even skin tone. This gentle product is suitable even for very sensitive skin, including thinned elderly skin. The Green Cream Level 3 is an excellent skin renewal option for people new to using retinol-based skincare products. This high-potency product is formulated to minimize skin irritation caused by retinol. Still, it simultaneously allows you to gradually move up through multiple product levels and increase your skin’s tolerance to retinol. Retinol is considered the gold standard in improving the healthy appearance of aging skin.

Got a great product that RENEWS your skin? Great! That product fits nicely into your 2nd Core. Combine that with your REPAIR product, and you are halfway to a complete skincare regimen!

Replenish

Restore Skins Natural Hydration

Increase the hydration level of the skin, improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

One of the most important things you can do to keep your skin looking smooth and soft is to keep it hydrated. Moisture in the skin brings nutrients to skin cells and helps to flush away toxins. Hydration also reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Most individuals do not understand the importance of a healthy skin barrier. The outermost part of your skin (stratum corneum) is designed to keep moisture in and keep germs, bacteria, and irritants out. Individuals with healthy skin barrier function can enjoy more vibrant, blemish-free skin because their skin is doing its job effectively.

One way of keeping your skin hydrated is by drinking plenty of water. This internally hydrates your skin and delivers many other health benefits beyond healthy skin barrier function. Moreover, quality skincare products can also help to REPLENISH moisture levels in your skin.

SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel is an oil-free moisturizer that contains hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5. Hyaluronic acid is a natural hydrator that attracts water and provides extra hydration to your skin. The Village Dermatology HA Peptide Therapy is another ultra-hydrating skincare product that can give you smoother, softer, brighter, firmer skin.

Protect

Protect From Future Damage

Blocks the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays that cause premature aging, sunburn, and skin cancer.

Everyone loves being outside, especially when the sun is out. However, overexposure to harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause sunburns, skin cancer, and premature skin aging. Luckily, sunscreens have come a long way over the past few decades. Forget about that gooey stuff your mom used to wipe on your skin at the beach. Today there are several great companies making sun protection products that are not only great for your skin but are cosmetically elegant. You will use them more because they fit into your lifestyle better. Using a sunscreen that blocks UVA and UVB rays and has an SPF of 30 or higher is the best way to PROTECT your skin.

The EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 is a lightweight sun protection product available in both tinted and non-tinted formulas. It is designed to calm and protect sensitive skin prone to acne and discoloration. This product contains niacinamide (vitamin B3) and hyaluronic acid, which give your skin a healthy natural boost.

Got a great sun protection product that you like using? If so, that is great! You have the 4th Core of your regimen done.

Have a product you like in each of the 4 categories within the Core 4? Amazing! You have a complete skin care system that will help you support your skin goals and can be adjusted over time as your needs change!

Don’t know where to start? No worries, we have our Skincare Specialists ready to help you in our Skin for Life Boutique. Contact them today and let us help you build your customized Core 4 Program.