Many people believe that great skin is only the result of good genes, but our daily habits also impact what we see when looking in the mirror. To achieve healthy, glowing skin, it is essential to establish a routine that focuses on tuning up your complexion and targeting any problem areas that you feel need work. It can be hard to figure out what types of products your skincare routine should include, so VALLEY is here to help you figure it out!
Skincare routines, while deeply personal, all have the same goal of keeping our skin healthy and functioning at its best. With so many products promising to help us achieve this goal, it can be completely overwhelming to even think about which ones you need. Skincare routines should be tailored to your individual needs, but there are some basic steps that experts, including the American Academy of Dermatology, say everyone should include.
Your skin type and your skin concerns should drive your decision-making when it comes to choosing the right products. Knowing whether your skin is dry, oily, sensitive or combination can help you decipher what ingredients you should look out for so that your routine delivers the best results. There are also certain ingredients that you should steer clear of; things like parabens, synthetic fragrances and formaldehydes can be damaging to the body. Look for products with a “clean” label to ensure you’re only putting the very best on your skin.
Cleanser
New York City dermatologist Dr. Carlos Charles, during an interview with the New York Times, stated that washing your face every morning and night is the most basic and essential step of any skincare routine. When we go about our lives, our skin comes into contact with all kinds of dirt, environmental pollutants and other factors that none of us want to keep on our skin. By cleansing, we remove these unwanted elements and clear our skin without stripping away the necessary layers. Cleansing also boosts hydration, which keeps our skin feeling soft and smooth.
VALLEY recommends the following products based on your skin type: for normal or combination skin, Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Cleansing Gel; for dry skin, Drunk Elephant’s Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser; and for oily skin, the CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser;
Toner
The next step, toner, is optional according to most experts, but it can provide great benefits. Toners give a healthy layer of nutrients so that your other products are absorbed more easily. They are a good way to replenish your skin and add ingredients that you might not have in the other products you’re using. There are various options depending on your skin concerns, but any toner you choose will help with your skin’s overall appearance and the tightness of your pores.
VALLEY recommends these toners for every skin type: the Essential Power Skin Toner by Laneige; the Rose Petal Facial Toner from Thayers; and the Balancing Force Oil Control Toner by Ole Henricksen.
Serums
Another optional step that provides great benefits is serums. Serums are powerful skin allies, and can deeply penetrate the skin to deliver powerful ingredients, making them a great tool for targeting your specific skin concerns.
VALLEY recommends the following serums for all skin types: Super Pure from Glossier; the Kombucha Antioxidant Facial Treatment Essence from Fresh; and the TruSkin Vitamin C Serum.
Moisturizer
The most basic function of any moisturizer is to nourish and hydrate the skin, leaving it soft to the touch. It prevents water loss and can also complement the protective oils in your skin to help strengthen it.
Most dermatologists recommend that people use two different moisturizers: one for the day and one at night. Day creams are often lighter and include sunscreen, so they are better at protecting your skin from the environmental pollutants you’ll face outside. Night creams focus more on repairing any of the damage you might have picked up during the day, as well as replenishing your moisture levels.
For moisturizers, VALLEY recommends the following products based on your skin type: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream for oily skin; Clinique’s Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel for combination skin; and Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream for dry skin.
Achieving great skin doesn’t have to cost a fortune! There are many inexpensive products that have the same ingredients and will address your skin concerns in the same ways that the most expensive products will. Many dermatologists and skin experts agree, expensive doesn’t always mean better.
There are so many options when it comes to deciding what specific products to include in your skincare routine. Regimens can include as little or as many products as you want or need depending on your skin concerns. Caring for your skin is personal: only you know the amount of time, effort and money that you’re willing to put into your skincare routine. Everybody’s skin is different, so everybody’s routine will be different! Building a skincare routine is all about finding what works best for you.
Bruxism is the medical term for prolonged unconscious teeth grinding and teeth clenching whilst asleep or awake which can lead to secondary headaches, earaches, dental problems and facial pain. Dental problems can include increased teeth sensitivity, chipped teeth and loss of tooth enamel. Facial problems can include jaw pain especially in the sensitive temporomandibular (TMJ) joint and a compensatory increase in the masseter muscles which can lead to the appearance of a severely wide set jaw.
Injecting small doses of botulinum toxin in to the masseters and temporalis muscles, weakens them enough to prevent involuntary teeth clenching and grinding whilst sparing voluntary movements such as chewing and facial expressions.