When it comes to skincare, many people assume they’ll need to drop $200 on a fancy jar of skin cream in order to get real results.
Jodi Skinner says she loves reassuring her clients that isn’t the case at all. In fact, she says expensive moisturizers can actually be worse for your skin because of the cost-per-use breakdown.
“If it was a stretch to afford that $200 cream, people tend to use it sparingly because they keep thinking of how expensive it was to buy,” explains Skinner. “It’s better to buy a moisturizer you can comfortably afford, and use as much as you need without a second thought.”
Skinner is a Licensed Practical Nurse with Skincare Studio Inc. in St. John’s. She says aging gracefully is something her clients are always interested in, especially as they start to notice subtle changes in the mirror.
“People will come in to see us because their skin seems a little thinner and not as tight as it used to be,” says Skinner. “They also might be unhappy with age spots or discolourations, and they usually start noticing fine lines and wrinkles in their early 30s.”
Skinner says the best way to keep your skin looking fresh and youthful is to keep it healthy from the inside by living a healthy, smoke-free lifestyle with nutritious foods and plenty of water.
“Hardly anyone drinks enough water, and it makes a huge difference in your skin,” says Skinner. “Staying properly hydrated helps to keep your skin plump and give it that glow we all want.”
She recommends wearing sunscreen year-round, even if it’s face and neck only during the bundled-up winter months. She admits she only started doing this two years ago and says it’s “made a huge difference already.”
Whether your skin is dry, oily or a combination of the two, you need to moisturize in order to keep it looking its best. Skinner says it’s super important to moisturize morning and night after cleansing and toning your skin.
“We start to lose that moisture barrier in our skin as we get older, so it needs to be replenished,” says Skinner. “And hot water strips the moisture out of your skin, which is why it’s important to moisturize after a bath, a shower or washing your face.”
What about additional creams for your eye area, or to specifically target wrinkles? Skinner says if you’re in your 30s or above, a multi-use vitamin A cream can help you maintain your skin’s plumpness as well as improve its tone, texture, wrinkles and even acne.
“It never hurts to pop in and have a chat with us, even if you don’t think you want a procedure,” says Skinner. “We’re always happy to talk about your skin-care routine or help you pick out a new moisturizer if you need one.”
If you want to jump-start your skin’s rejuvenation process, Skinner says a microdermabrasion treatment can leave it looking brighter and smoother in a single appointment.
Skincare Studio also offers a limelight laser treatment that uses different light lengths to reduce dark spots and wrinkles, shrink pores and clear up breakouts.
“Treatments won’t make a 60-year-old look like a 20-year-old, but they can absolutely make you into your best self,” says Skinner. “It’s never too late to improve your skin.”
