Happy New Year, Glow Getters!
At the Miracle 10 HQ, we talk a whole lot about skincare products and aesthetic treatments on this page. The beauty game is our raison d’etre after all. But as much as we love diving into the nitty gritty, sometimes it’s great to just take a step back and return to the basics. As we embark on a new year, we’re going to focus on the fundamentals of skincare.
Achieving and maintaining healthy skin is rooted in a few key principles: building a solid foundation, protecting your skin from the sun, and maintaining a consistent and realistic routine. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the basics of skincare, to help you navigate the essentials required for a glowing complexion.
The Building Blocks: Skin Health
Healthy skin is the cornerstone of any skincare routine.
Your skin is the largest organ of your body. It serves as a barrier against environmental aggressors, regulates your temperature, prevents water loss, and, let’s be real, it’s also the one thing visible to the outside world.
We know you want to look your best, so you can feel your best. Therefore, maintaining skin health can be as simple as looking out for the following:
Hydration
Keeping your skin hydrated is vital. Use a well-formulated moisturizer suitable for your skin type to help lessen moisture loss. And yes, drinking water is also important to keep your body hydrated from head to toe, inside and out. Moisturizer is not going to cut it if your skin has no moisture to lock in.
Nutrition
You are what you eat! A balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants supports skin health. The proteins found in the skin, like collagen and elastin, can only be created when our cells are happy and operating optimally.
Nutrients like vitamins A, C, and E, along with omega-3 fatty acids, play a crucial role in maintaining skin integrity and function. Antioxidants found in berries and leafy greens help eradicate the free radicals that threaten our cellular health.
Rest and Relaxation
Along with a variety of functions, adequate sleep allows your skin to repair and regenerate. During sleep, blood flow to the skin increases, collagen production is boosted, and the repair of damage from UV exposure and pollution occurs.
The Holy Grail: Sun Protection
If there’s one holy grail skincare item we would recommend to anyone who has, well, skin… It’s sunscreen. The sun is great and all, but it is the one environmental factor nearly every person on this planet will come into contact with regularly. Therefore, it has the capacity to do the most damage.
Sun protection is arguably the most critical aspect of maintaining healthy skin. If we were stranded on a desert island and could only have one skincare item with us, it would be SPF… Especially if we’re gonna be baking out in the sun while waiting for rescue.
Regular use of sunscreen helps prevent the formation of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots caused by sun exposure. It also helps prevent sun-induced pigmentation issues, leading to a more even complexion. Finally, and most importantly, protecting your skin from UV rays significantly lowers your risk of developing skin cancers, including melanoma.
To ensure adequate sun protection, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every day, even on cloudy days and during winter (snow reflects UV rays!). Our Miracle 10 sunscreens range from SPF 30-45, and you have the option to choose either a chemical or mineral sunscreen. Reapply every two hours if you’re outdoors, and more frequently if you’re swimming or sweating.
Holding it All Together: Consistency and Realism
A consistent skincare routine doesn't have to be complicated to be effective. In fact, it often helps to reduce the number of products you use, especially when starting out, if you want to set yourself up for success.
The following three essential products (in addition to sunscreen of course) can help you build a simple yet powerful skincare regimen:
Cleanser
The foundation of any skincare routine is a good cleanser. It removes dirt, oil, makeup, and impurities from your skin, preparing it for the application of other products. Choose a cleanser suitable for your skin type—gentle and hydrating for dry or sensitive skin, and foaming or gel-based for oily or acne-prone skin.
Not sure if you're cleansing correctly? We have a whole blog dedicated to setting the record straight here.
Moisturizer
A moisturizer helps to keep your skin hydrated, soft, and supple. It also supports the skin barrier function, preventing moisture loss and protecting against environmental damage. Select a moisturizer that matches your skin type and concerns, whether it’s lightweight and oil-free for oily skin or rich and creamy for dry skin.
Ever wonder if there's a way to lock in more moisture while you sleep? This little trending call slugging can help achieve just that and more, making your moisturizer work overtime for you. Read more about it here.
Actives
Active treatments are products that target a particular concern, like using a Vitamin C serum for sun spots, or eye cream for the under eye area. There are so many treatment products you can choose from, however, the star of the show for many is a retinol. If you're not on #team retinol for it being too strong or not suitable for your skin (some of us with inflammatory conditions may not be able to tolerate it), you can start with treatment products that feature hydroxy acids like AHAs and BHAs.
You are a seasoned skincare veteran here, and already know that the medium of which your favourite product comes in can make a difference in the order of application in your routine. Skincare products can come in a variety of formulations like creams, serums, masks, under-eye treatments, and so on. The thinner the consistency, the earlier on you'll need apply it in your routine. Think of it like this - start with the product most water-like first and work your way to the thicker stuff. That's why you'll always end with a moisturizer or oil!
Serums are concentrated formulations designed to target particular issues like hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, or dehydration. For example, a vitamin C serum can brighten the skin and reduce dark spots, while a hyaluronic acid serum can boost hydration. Our new Revive is a moisturizing serum that addresses each of these concerns and can be applied to your morning and evening routines.
Masks are often thicker in consistency and used less frequently than serums. You can use a mask to provide an extra boost of hydration, detoxify, or treat specific concerns like acne or dullness. Our Mask does just that with its vitamin and protein-rich content. Masks are there for when you need a little pick-me-up once or twice a week.
Eye Treatments can be easy enough to incorporate, and they make a world of difference. Eyes are the windows to the soul, and as such, the delicate skin around them requires special care. Miracle 10 also has a variety of products like Eye Treatment and our Platinum Eye Lift which can help reduce puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines.
Class Dismissed
Understanding the fundamentals of skincare is essential for achieving and maintaining healthy, radiant skin. By focusing on overall skin health, protecting your skin from the sun, and maintaining a consistent yet simple routine, you can effectively address various skin concerns and promote a glowing complexion.
Of course, there are many conditions that can affect you despite the work you put in to achieve healthy skin. Don’t be disheartened if these recommendations are not enough. We offer these guidelines as a general starting point, but you know your body best! It certainly doesn’t hurt to get specialized care from a professional if you need to. Our team at MD Beauty Clinic are always on standby for free consultations whenever you're ready.
Healthy habits, sun protection, and a consistent regimen are simply the foundations on which you can build a sturdy skincare routine. Start with the basics, and you’ll be on your way to healthy, beautiful skin.
And for any Glow Getters in need of a one-on-one, shoot us an email at info@miracle10.com and our team of experts will help curate a personal routine for you.