Tips on affordable skin care!

Let's be realistic - professional spa treatments can get expensive, especially in New York. Not everyone can afford monthly facials when a facial can cost upwards of $200 in some neighborhoods. So how is the average Josephine supposed to maintain their largest organ - their skin - in an effective and affordable way?

Tip #1: Break down the cost of professional treatments. Let's say, for example, that a facial costs $150.00. With a professional deep-cleaning and proper maintenance, the effects of a facial should last 4-6 weeks, on average. $150 / 6 = $25/week - which seems a much more acceptable price. It's all about perspective when it comes to these things - skincare is not a luxury. Basic facials with highly trained aestheticians are a great and relatively affordable resource.

Tip #2: Find specials! In the age of online deals and email promotions, you'll be sure to find discounts on services somewhere. Plus, many spas (especially in office-heavy neighborhoods) offer "lunchtime specials" which are often quick 30-45 minute previews to services like peels. (Shameless plug: Skintology, of course, offers a wide array of off-peak specials.) These specials are a great way to try certain services and experience the spa before committing to an expensive treatment. You can get a great feel for a place when you can see how they treat their discount-clients.

Tip #3: Once you find an aesthetician or spa you like, stick with it! Many spas offer loyalty discounts to their long-standing clients, or referral programs if you bring your friends. Besides the financial benefits, though, it's also useful for an aesthetician to have a comprehensive history of your skin and treatments. Every spa performs procedures slightly differently, and every aesthetician needs at least one visit from you before being able to determine exactly what you need.

Tip #4: Splurge on at-home skincare. Even with professional help, we can't emphasize the importance of maintaining an at-home skincare regimen enough! That glow you get right after a facial will subside within a couple of days, but you can prolong its purifying effects using cleansers, exfoliants, and moisturizers. Again, break down the cost of a reputable moisturizer by daily use - if one jar of expensive creme costs $65 but lasts you 6 months - you are literally only paying 35 cents a day! Plus, with a consistent at-home skincare regimen, you can push back your professional facials to about four months apart (depending on your skin's needs).

There you have it - skincare can get expensive, but it is much more necessary than many people think. I always break down skincare into two major categories: maintenance and reparation. Often times, you won't think of your skin until it's already in the reparation stage - and you're spending tons of cash just trying to find that one serum that actually reduces dark spots or fine lines. If you start maintaining your skin now, you'll save yourself a lot more stress later!

Clinique, founded in 1968, started the world on a three-step system craze for skincare that consisted of cleansing, toning, and moisturizing. Throwback, anyone? If you were interested in skincare around the early 90s, the picture to the left probably looks familiar to you.

Clinique has since updated their 3-step system to include a new cleanser, and a plethora of "add-on" treatments, from serums to lightening masks to even a make-up line. But building off their 3-step system launched Clinique's brand image as the simplest and best way to daily take care of your skin.

How true is the 3-step system in modern day skin care regimen? Market analysis shows that the demographic of people paying attention to their skin is becoming consistently younger - individuals are more interested in maintaining youth than recapturing it after it's too late.

In honor of May Melanoma Awareness Month - the first most important thing to stress about maintaining healthy and youthful skin is sun protection. The sun's ultraviolet rays are the most damaging environmental factor to your skin. So whether you use a separate sunscreen or have it included in your make-up or moisturizing routine, ensure that you are protected! SPF30 or higher is usually what is recommended, as often, the higher the SPF, the more chemical the ingredients. However many steps your skin care regimen is, make sure applying SPF is included or added!

Step 1: CLEANSE.

This is the most basic and most straightforward of any skin care regimen. Avoid bar soaps, as they tend to be harsh on the skin. Liquid cleansers come in different textures and with different ingredients. For normal to dry skin, use a creamy cleanser that can be washed off or wiped off. Wiping off creamy cleansers eliminates the potential to strip your skin of essential oils, and further hydrates dry or damaged skin. For normal to oily skin, look for small percentages of glycolic or similar acids, that will not only reduce oiliness, but even out imperfections and smooth fine lines.

Step 2: EXFOLIATE.

Exfoliation really gives you the most bang for your buck. I recently started using Malin + Goetz's Jojoba Scrub two or three times a week, and it really makes a noticeable difference. Exfoliating sloughs off dead skin cells that have collected at the upper dermis of your face, which gives your skin a dulled look. Using an exfoliant a few times a week will not only eliminate those dead cells, but revive and encourage skin cells to produce more rapidly. The biggest factor in looking for a good scrub is the size of the bead - the more sensitive your skin, the smaller the bead should be. (Generally speaking, always go for smaller beads as they are easier on your skin. Depending on the manufacturer of the product, the smaller beads should still do the same work as the larger ones!)

Step 3: MOISTURIZE.

I cannot even begin to describe all the different varieties and types of moisturizers out there on the skincare market. In fact, 64% of consumers maintain moisturizing as their #1 method of skin care! Moisturizers range from full body to face, anti-aging to spot treatments, natural and organic to lightening and brightening... Constantly, chemists and dermatologists are developing and expanding on their moisturizers. The major thing to remember when considering moisturizers is that their aim is to hydrate and maintain hydration in your skin. Applying moisturizers right after the shower, for example, locks in the water in your skin as you towel off. There are a few key ingredients to look out for when searching for moisturizers (check out the blog post of last week for details!), but much of it depends on a consumer's individual needs.

It may be surprising that this three-step method doesn't include toning, one of the primary entities in Clinique's original three-step process. Toning, while a good option for people with combination to oily skin, is purely elective. For many people, especially those with dry or sensitive skin, toning should be avoided altogether, as its alcoholic nature can further irritate your skin. Furthermore, with the right cleansing and exfoliating methods, toning can be somewhat redundant.

What cleansers and exfoliating scrubs do you use and recommend? Do you tone? Any particular moisturizers you swear by? Let me know in the comments section!

 Here at Skintology, we believe strongly in the individualization of all our treatments - whether it be a facial or laser hair removal, no two people are the same, and we make every effort to ensure that we don't treat you, or your concerns, that way!

However, at-home skincare regimen remains the first priority for beautiful and consistent skin care. While we advise visiting our Skintology experts for specialized facials on average once a month for below-the-surface cleansing, it is imperative that skin care at home is smoothly integrated into our treatments.

Rest assured though; Skintology's got you covered! Skintology's products are all specially designed and tailored for our treatments and elite clientele in-house by our resident chemist. Our products are built around all-natural ingredients like Japanese green tea, sugar cane, and various fruit extracts, so your skin is hydrated with the most organic of elements.

As with all our services & treatments here at Skintology, we're always searching for the newest and best technologies, ingredients, and methods - so our new line of Skintology products was launched earlier in the year (check it out in our Chelsea store!). It's also the perfect opportunity for you to try our existing line of Skintology products. Take 60% off selected Skintology products in stores (and coming soon online!) - we are confident in our ability to make you a true believer of the Skintology name.

Pictured above:

1. Skintology Skin Renewal Package - includes our Skin Renewal Cleanser with Alpha Hydroxy Acids, to be followed up with our base Skin Renewal Complex and topped off with our Skin Renewal Creme with SPF4; for all skin types.

2. Calming Chamomile Package - includes our Calming Chamomile Cleanser with tea extracts, a Calming Gel Masque, and our Calming Chamomile Day Lotion; for sensitive skin.

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