BSC Skin Care System Step 4
BSC System for Skin Care & Renewal
Part Two * Build & Refine
It's time to take you new knowledge and build your own anti-aging skin care & renewal system - with our help. We would not leave you now.
A successful anti-aging skin care system only requires:
- a little knowledge
- the right products
- a few good techniques
You now have the knowledge so lets build your personal skin care & renewal system with the right products. But a word of caution - results will not happen overnight. Sticking with your skin care system is very important.
Its time to start on your skin care system today. Remember, it took years for your skin to age. It will take a few months for you to see big improvements, but have faith. Better skin is within your reach.
We are giving you all the steps you COULD incorporate into your daily skin care system, BUT you may not need or want to do all of these steps.
Your age and whether you are looking for a preventative, maintenance, or renewal skin care system will determine how many products you put into your program. Also, the amount of time you wish to give to your skin will help you decide how many overall products you will use.
Better-Skin-Care.com is not trying to get you to use tons of unnecessary products. We are just trying to give you the best information we have from our extensive research. Our suggestions of products are based on products having the highest quality ingredients and the best prices.
This may seem like a time consuming process, but once you are organized with your anti-aging skin care system, it will only take 5 to 6 minutes twice a day. A little effort now can go a long way for a future that includes beautiful skin!
So let's get started with some basics for everyone...
To maximize the benefits of skin care products, they should be layered on in the correct order. Layering products in the wrong order will diminish their benefits. So after cleansing, layer your skin care products in the following order:
- Toners, acne pads or light peel pads for exfoliating which are the most liquid and usually clear.
- Serums or gels which are thicker than liquids.
- Lotions which are somewhat thicker than liquids and usually milky. May be moisturizers with or without sunscreen or exfoliating acid lotions.
- Creams which are thicker, heavier and won't spill out of a jar.
- Ointments which are usually petrolatum-based solids like Vaseline.
Phase 1: The Morning System of Care & Protection
Washing your face is important.Cleansing - the foundation of a successful skin care system
(1 minute 15 seconds)
To clean your skin, use a gentle rinse off cleanser with a soft face cloth, sea sponge or gently massage with your finger tips. Wash in a circular motion. Rinse several times and pat dry.
Notes for everyone:
- The right cleanser will influence how your skin will react to the other products you put on it.
- You don't want to dry out or grease up your skin with the wrong cleanser.
- Use a gentle, water-soluble cleanser.
- Do not use body soap on your face. The pH is too high and it is too harsh.
- Make sure your hands are clean before you wash your face.
- Rub very gently around the eye area.
- Use lukewarm water when washing. Not too hot or very cold.
- Do not use those leave on cream cleansers.
- Don't over wash! Twice a day is enough.
- Never go to bed with a dirty face.
Oily skin notes:
Make sure you clean thoroughly along scalp, forehead and nose. Oil glands are more concentrated here. Don't over scrub - you won't stop future oil production by over scrubbing. You just need to remove the oil that is there now and clean your pores. If your hair is oily, it may be contributing to your breakouts.
Apply Toner (10 to 20 seconds)
Use a fine mist spray bottle to apply toner then quickly apply your moisturizers while your skin is still damp.
This will flood your epidermis with moisture. Just remember to keep your eyes closed while spraying. Spraying on toner also speeds up this step for you time conscious people. If you wish to use a cotton pad, that is OK too.
Notes for everyone:
The right toner can help hydrate and soothe your skin. A toner can balance your skin's pH. After cleansing, it can take up to 30 minutes for your skin to return to its proper pH without a toner. A toner can also be an exfoliator or another opportunity to flood your skin with anti-oxidants. But if you do need to skip a step for time or money, then skip using a toner. You can always add it later if you find you need it.
Apply a Collagen Stimulating Serum (50 seconds)
Apply a collagen stimulating serum to entire face and neck. Serums can really make the difference for improving collagen and elastin in skin.
Some of my favorite ingredients to look for in serums are:
- Vitamin C - (L-asorbic acid)
- Apply the right skin care products for best results.Peptides - (amino acids, bioactive oligopeptides)
- Carsonine
- Co-enzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
- Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA)
- Vitamin B5 complex
- Hyaluronic acid
- Grape Seed Extract
- DMAE
A serum does not have to have all of these ingredients. Finding one you like is the key. If you can only purchase one serum, make it a strong Vitamin C serum. Topical Vitamin C has shown the best results for stimulating collagen in clinical studies.
Notes for everyone:
- Why a serum? Because a serum can feed the skin with antioxidants better than a creamy lotion.
- Serums are a great delivery system into the skin for active ingredients.
- The skin care industry is finally recognizing that buyers want more than the "feel good" lotion. They want a product that works.
- Serums can be water or oil based. Find what you like the feel of in a product.
- The ingredients in serums can help build collagen and elastin.
Under Eye Treatment (20 seconds)
Under eye products are a very effective addition to your anti-aging skin care system. Puffiness, fine lines and dark circles are the main problems. If you have a specific under eye need, look for specifically formulated products like these (link)
Notes for everyone:
- Be careful using a moisturizer containing AHA or BHA immediately around your eye. It could be a little harsh.
- If you have dark circles and/or puffiness, look for one with vitamin K.
- It does not matter much if you skin is oily or dry when it comes to the eye region. The area is delicate and needs moisture and protection.
- Pat on under eye products. Do not drag. Use your ring finger so you won't press too hard.
Spot Treat Skin Discolorations (1 minute give or take)
Spot treat any brown spots or discolorations with a skin lightening product if needed.
Don't forget to check the back of your hands and chest. There may be brown spots there too.
Notes for everyone:
- The more often a product with a skin bleaching agent is applied, the sooner it will work.
- With that said, DO NOT apply more than twice a day. But persistence and the right product is the key to getting rid of brown spots.
- Be careful using hydroquinone products with self tanning lotions. They will make some funny spots when applied together.
- Hydroquinone should not be used on dark skin tones. It can cause more dark spots and unevenness. Use Kojic acid instead.
Apply a Moisturizer to Hydrate and Seal the Skin (50 seconds)
Apply a dollop of moisturizer to face and neck and massage then tap your skin to increase circulation. Don't forget, moisturizers can include lots of extra beneficial ingredients these days. Look for anti-aging ingredients in moisturizers for that extra kick!
Notes for everyone:
- A good moisturizer will help seal in your skin's water.
- A good moisturizer will help to repair the skin's lipid barrier. This will keep the skin from feeling dry, irritated and revealing all those little lines.
- Ceramide (an identical lipid molecule) is a good choice of ingredient to look for in a moisturizer.
- You don't necessarily need a heavy cream moisturizer. Find what feels good to your skin. If your skin feels clogged or bumpy after a couple hours, then you need a lighter moisturizer.
- If your skin looks shiny, then the oils in the moisturizer are not penetrating your skin. You need either a lighter formulation or maybe a different type of oil (humectant).
- If you have not been exfoliating and you find your moisturizer is not being absorbed, then stop using it until you have gone through an exfoliating process. Use an AHA or BHA for exfoliation and moisturizing.
Sunscreen - Protect that Skin! (50 seconds)
Apply sunscreen everyday.
Apply an SPF of at least 15, preferable 20 to 30 to your face, neck and upper chest every day.
Yes, every day! Don't try to guess how much you will be in the sun or if it might rain, just get in the habit of using sun screen. You can still get lots of UV rays driving or sitting by a window.
Notes for everyone:
- Always apply sunscreen 20 minutes before going in the sun. It needs time to penetrate.
- Don't worry. There are lots of great sun screens for your face that don't feel unpleasant.
Take care of your skin at night.
Phase Two: The Bedtime System of Care & Renewal
Again, we are giving you all the steps you COULD incorporate into your daily, bedtime system, BUT you may not need or want to do all of these steps.
We just want to help you find what works for you!
Most of the bedtime system is the same the morning system. To save you reading time, we have left out the notes that are the same as above. The moisturizer step has a couple new notes, so please do not skip these.
Cleansing - the foundation of a successful skin care system (1 minute 15 seconds)
To clean your skin, use a gentle rinse off cleanser with a soft face cloth, sea sponge or gently massage with your finger tips. Wash in a circular motion. Rinse several times and pat dry.
Apply Toner (15 to 30 seconds)
Use a fine mist spray bottle to apply toner then quickly apply your moisturizers while your skin is still damp. This will flood your epidermis with moisture. Just remember to keep your eyes closed while spraying. Spraying on toner also speeds up this step for you time conscious people. If you wish to use a cotton pad, that is OK too.
Night time skin care
Apply a Collagen Stimulating Serum (50 seconds)
Apply a collagen stimulating serum to entire face and neck. Serums can really make a difference for improving collagen and elastin in skin.
Under Eye Treatment (20 seconds)
Treat around your eyes with an eye moisturizer and/or dark circle treatment.
Spot Treat (1 minute give or take)
Then spot treat any brown spots or discolorations with a skin bleaching product if needed.
Moisturize your skin
Apply a moisturizer to hydrate and seal the skin (50 seconds)
You still need to seal your skin with a moisturizer at night. Apply a dollop of moisturizer to face and neck and massage then tap your skin to increase circulation.
Notes for everyone:
- Applying a moisturizer on top of your serum will help seal in the serum ingredients.
- You could use a different moisturizer at night say with different active ingredients. If you are using an AHA during the day, then try a moisturizer with antioxidants at night to get the best of both.
That's it - sort of - we have shown you what you need to do in your daily process of renewing and caring for your skin - except for - Skin Exfoliation.
Skin Exfoliation is a subject all of its own -
So we are going to cover this as a separate topic but then show you how to use it in your anti-aging skin care & renewal system.
Learn about exfoliation
OR
Go directly to step 5 => Step 5
For further help, check out our examples of anti-aging skin care & renewal systems.
