Five ways to jumpstart a skincare routine

Kristin Goslee Akins - Submitted photo
Kristin Goslee Akins - Submitted photo

Treating your skin well at home is the cornerstone to a healthy epidermis, according to Kristin Goslee Akins, owner of Guru Skin Care Studio, 305 Forest Lakes Blvd., in Hot Springs.

"Trust me, I do not expect everyone to have a skin care routine quite as extensive as mine (I alternate between four eye creams!) However, I do believe good skin care is good self-care," Akins said in a news release.

Here are a few easy steps to get going:

• Start simple! "Create your morning and evening routines based on these four base products: a cleanser, exfoliant, moisturizer, and an eye cream. Habit experts recommend tacking a new habit onto an old one. Try out your new ritual alongside something you are already doing daily, like showering or brushing your teeth. Once your new routine is set start adding in the fun goodies like serums, toners, masques, and spot treatments."

• Schedule a professional skin care treatment. "Your Licensed Aesthetician will recommend the products and ingredients that fit your skin type, concerns, and goals. This will help you avoid the analysis paralysis which sets in when faced with the thousands of skin care lines on the market. Not to mention, facials are relaxing and results-oriented so it's a win-win."

• Ditch the Magnifying Mirror. "While they are the perfect tool for whisking away stray hairs, they are the siren song of pickers and self-extractors. You know who you are, you're in that blazing mirror 30 minutes a day squeezing and squishing every blackhead and blemish in a 5-mile radius. Chances are you're causing more harm than good. Did I mention Sirens sing you to shipwreck? Step away from the bright light."

• Read your labels. "Much like with the food we eat, we need to check out the labels on our skin care products. The most concentrated and active ingredients will be listed at the very top. So if you are looking for a vitamin C serum and see ascorbic acid listed on the bottom line of your bottle, you're skin is not absorbing very much vitamin C at all. The majority of skin care companies have moved away from using parabens, but don't be afraid of preservatives, they are needed to keep potions and lotions fresh."

• Use it or lose it. "If your medicine cabinet is overflowing with expired products, it's time for a cleanse. Your out of date products are not delivering the results you want, especially when it comes to sunscreen, retinol, and other active ingredients. Set aside 5-10 minutes to toss out the oldies and organize the good loot. Corral products in a basket for morning and evening routines or line up bottles on a shelf in the order they are used."

"Give yourself some leeway for trial and error. The key is to find which products and routines work best for you, stick to them, and add on as you see fit," Akins said.

Guru Skin Care Studio is open weekdays by appointment only. To schedule a skin care treatment, call or text 501-725-1010 or email kristin @guruskincarestudio.com

Business on 01/13/2020

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