As an esthetician, I am honored to get to know all kinds of people. Individuals that are unique and have their own beauty that glows from the inside out. In many cases, it’s hard for most people to recognize their own beauty, at least at first. Why? Because we are our own worst critics. We blame ourselves for every blemish, every wrinkle, and judge ourselves if the face we see in the mirror doesn’t measure up to the faces we see around us and on social media.

This used to be my struggle, but I learned how to feel good about my skin and myself, by focusing on my strongpoints. Even if you have acne, signs of aging, redness, or any other skin condition that drives you crazy, you can shift your perspective by focusing on the positive (yes there are positives!). A shift in perspective may be just what you need to motivate you to take the baby steps that will help you achieve your healthy skin goals. The following are a list of some common skin challenges, along with the benefits that can accompany them. Read on and see what resonates with you, and if you’d like to learn more, sign up for a free skin care consultation with me.

 

Skin Challenge: Dry Skin

If you have dry skin like me, you know that it’s no fun waking up in the morning with that tight, irritated feeling. You can apply the richest moisturizer and it doesn’t last long, drying out again sometimes by mid-day. But when you exfoliate gently, hydrate with a good hyaluronic acid serum, and seal with a few drops of a high-quality face oil, that same dry skin can possess an unmatched flawless texture, free of any visible pores, with a dewy quality that lasts until sundown.

Try these Suki Skincare products: Cleansing Oil, Hyaluronic Acid Milk Serum, Nourishing Facial Oil, Nourishing Day Cream

 

Skin Challenge: Combination Skin, Oily Skin

My friends with oily skin will tell you how frustrating it is to do “all the things” one does to control oil- the foaming cleansers, the toners, the acne products, and still have too much oil and too many breakouts. There is a chill side to oily skin, though… as I have seen with my older clients, who despite being in their late 40s, early 50s, still do not have wrinkles! They also have less dark spots, as oilier skin is slightly less prone to sun damage. Here’s the winning combo for oily and combination skin: Gentle ingredients that control oil, acne, and redness. Try a creamy cleanser with salicylic acid, a purifying serum that controls oil and acne, and a facial oil and moisturizer that protects the skin while reducing oil production. Your skin will be clean and clear with a non-greasy feel until bedtime!

 Try these Suki Skincare products: Purifying Foaming Cleanser, Purifying Face Serum, Balancing Facial Oil, Balancing Day Lotion

 

Skin Challenge: Excessive Oiliness, Acne, dark spots

At first glance, these conditions may seem unrelated. You may not even know anyone who has these conditions. The truth is they are all caused by hormone fluctuations. It’s not a big surprise, since most of us have said, “I have hormonal acne…” but there’s a beautiful truth in that. Your skin is doing you a favor. Most of these conditions stem from hormonal issues that if left unchecked, can lead to imbalances that can affect your weight, fertility, and emotional health. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), and many thyroid disorders, are examples of some conditions that may be signaled with the appearance of excessive oiliness, acne, facial hair and dark spots or patches on the skin.

Topical medications may help for a time, but most likely you’ll end up at the dead-end choice of Accutane or bust. Accutane is what the doctor prescribes when nothing else will cure your acne, but ask yourself: why is nothing you put on your skin working? 

All of these skin conditions are caused by hormonal changes, intrinsic causes from within your body. Your hormones and or vitamin levels are out of balance. Nothing will change that, except of course a doctor who can balance your hormones and vitamin levels! 

In my experience, an OB/GYN or endocrinologist is your best bet. Have them test your vitamin and hormone levels. Let them correct the true cause of your skin drama. Even better if they will help you with your diet, which may also be causing breakouts.

So listen to your skin, see your doctor, and in the meantime, soothe your skin with clean, natural skincare solutions.

Try these Suki Skincare products: Purifying Foaming Cleanser, Transformative Purifying Masque, Resurfacing Enzyme Peel, Purifying Face Serum, Moisture Rich Brightening Masque, Balancing Facial Oil, Balancing Day Lotion

 

Skin Challenge: Redness, Sensitivity, Puffiness, and Dark Eye Circle

I find that skin issues such as redness and sensitivity are often clues to imbalances in the gut, food sensitivities, and allergies. If you improve these imbalances, you could reduce redness and puffiness in the face and body, brighten the eyes, reduce stress, improve energy levels and sleep. Balance the gut and avoid food sensitivities and your skin and total wellness will improve. Many people say that dark circles are hereditary, but I find that food sensitivities and allergies (that contribute to dark circles) are hereditary, and treatable!

Talk to your doctor about probiotics to balance your gut and get your food allergies tested! You may find that your skin looks better, you have much more energy, and experience an improvement in your general wellness.

Try these Suki Skincare products:  Cleansing Oil, Nourishing Day Cream, Eye Lift Renewal Cream, Ultra Protect Eye Balm, and Ultra Protect Body Balm

 

Skin Challenge: Signs of Aging

If you’re looking for an anti-aging solution, you are on the right track. You may not be fond of your fine lines, expression lines, and crow’s feet, but they are signs of a life well lived, loved, and celebrated. If a man can be sexy with silver highlights and laugh lines, so must a woman. (Thank you, Richard Gere and Helen Mirren!) So while you are celebrating your much-earned wisdom and experience, enjoy some natural skin care ingredients that boost collagen production in the skin, which will literally “unfold” your facial lines and reduce crepiness in your neck area!

Try these Suki Skincare Products: Cleansing Oil, Purifying Foaming Cleanser, Resurfacing Enzyme Peel, Radical Results Youth Serum, Hyaluronic Acid Milk Serum, Eye Lift Renewal Cream, Ultra-Protect Body Balm

 

Click here for a FREE Suki Skincare Consultation with Esthetician Stephanie Smith.

 

Written by: Esthetician Stephanie Smith