When it comes to optimal skin care, less is more. That is why Dr. Mohammed Alghoul, a trusted plastic surgeon in Amman, Jordan, recommends a clean look that accentuates your natural beauty.
In pursuit of that goal, your daily skin care regimen should feature a limited number of products that are chosen with the specific characteristics of your skin in mind — products that will enhance your look, rather than hide it under layers of creams, powders and ointments.
It is tempting to try every new product and put every new advertising claim to the test. But the result of such experimentation can be irritation, a reddened complexion, flaky skin and an unnatural, oily appearance. Below, Dr. Alghoul discusses some of the signs that you may be overdoing it, and that your daily skin care regimen could actually be working against you:
1. You are using too much of a product, or too many
Read the label: Cosmetic products will let you know how much to apply. You may be surprised how little can do the trick. Using just a dab of a cream or moisturizer can help avoid potential interactions with chemicals in other products, and give you a more natural look. It’s important to remember that many skin care products contain mild acids, and your skin cannot tolerate an overload of strong ingredients.
2. Your complexion is shiny
When a person overdoes it with exfoliants, the skin typically takes on a bright but dry appearance. From a distance your complexion looks oily, but in reality the overuse of exfoliants has drained much of the natural texture from your face. An unnaturally bright appearance can also result from scrubbing your skin harshly. With all skin care, the key word is “gentle.”
3. Excessive steaming
Even gentle clouds of steam can be harmful when routinely used to hydrate the skin. People who incorporate much-too-frequent steaming into their skin care regimen may actually be aging the face. Excess heat will begin to break down your skin’s collagen, and nature’s rejuvenating protein is something we all definitely want more of, not less.
4. You’re not listening to your skin
Pay close attention to how your skin reacts to new products or combinations of products. In particular, stay alert to any sign of an allergic reaction. Retinoids often don’t mix well with other products, especially salicylic acid or glycolic. When your skin shows redness, swelling, peeling, flaking, dryness or other irritation, halt your regimen for a few days, then add back the products you are using one at a time.
Each person’s skin is unique. Your skin may respond well to oil-based cleansers, while for others this will clog pores and trigger blemishes. Other people tolerate foaming cleansers, while for others these will cause dryness. Your skin doesn’t ask much: It wants protection from the sun, thorough cleansing, moisturizing, nurturing ingredients, and products that will clear away dead skin cells, soften lines and deliver an even tone to the skin.
To learn more about ways to preserve and revitalize your skin, schedule a personal consultation with experienced Amman, Jordan plastic surgeon Dr. Mohammed Alghoul at his office, conveniently located in the Abdali Medical Center, by calling or emailing Northwestern Plastic Surgery today.
