Skin Lifestyle Effects from the Esthetician’s Point of View

By Victoria Wigg, LME

Many lifestyle choices wreak havoc on our skin. For instance, we know that smoking floods the face with over a thousand free radicals per puff. To counter effects like these, need to know what ingredients and treatments to use.

In the case of smoking, skin-specific topical antioxidants like spin trap and catalase, as well as internal antioxidants like selenium and vitamin C, can help prevent and reverse damage. Similarly, while alcohol dehydrates the skin, leaving it dry and lifeless, topical applications of shea butter and heavy water can help to soothe the skin and replenish lost moisture; and vitamin A—applied topically or taken internally–helps the skin produce its own natural moisture factor.

We also know that a poor diet can contribute to acne due to the presence of hormones, preservatives, lack of fiber and very little nutrition. Internal detoxifiers like burdock root and dandelion root, as well as internal and topical sebum regulators like stone root extract and pregnenolone, can help balance this effect. The addition of alfalfa and wheat grass juices can help make up nutritionally what is often lacking in our food.

Makeup is another culprit behind many skin conditions due to the artificial preservatives, fragrances and dyes present. Mineral makeup with an SPF is the perfect alternative to traditional formulas for both coverage and sun protection, which counteracts UV-induced inflammation.

Lastly, tanning beds and over exposure to the sun add to every skin condition we see. Tanning beds should be avoided at all costs, and sunscreen should always be used when skin is exposed to UV rays. A sunscreen with a physical blocker like titanium dioxide or zinc, as well as antioxidants like vitamin C and superoxide dismutase, can help protect the skin, while chemical peels can help reverse and prevent the damage caused by UV overexposure and other harmful lifestyle choices.