THE BEST PRACTICES AND INGREDIENTS FOR YOUR SKIN TYPE

Facials are not a “one-size-fits-all” type of treatment. Like face wash or moisturizer, a facial treatment is specific to one’s skin type. “We suggest that each area, or zone of the face, is treated separately, as different areas of the face will have different concerns,” says Danielle Edwards, education manager for Dermalogica Canada.

Before getting any sort of treatment done it is important to not exfoliate your skin, which allows your esthetician or professional skin therapist to maximize your exfoliation treatment. Afterwards, be sure to protect your new found face with sunscreen while drinking water to aid in toxic elimination. If you’re unsure of how to care for your skin before or after, be sure to ask when booking your appointment.

Here are the major skin types and ingredients that work best for each:

DRY
Products used during a facial treatment for dry or dry areas of the skin need to moisturize and protect the skin with emollients in order to keep the skin soft, supple and help the skin retain moisture. Pauline Bakowski, holistic skin therapist at 889 Yonge, suggests, “products with Vitamins A and E can be used to aid in healing, regenerating and smoothing the skin.”

SENSITIVE
“Sensitive skin should be treated to a facial that is gentle and not too stimulating,” says Bakowski. Basic elements, such as water, should be warm, not too hot, and steam should be minimal. Soothing ingredients such as azulen, which is oil derived from chamomile and often has a blue hue, would be ideal in products for sensitive skin.

AGING
The ingredients used during a treatment for aging skin is of the utmost importance. Collagen and elastin help retain the skin’s elasticity and slows the aging process. Vitamin A exfoliates and smooths the skin and stimulates rejuvenation, while Vitamin C aids collagen synthesis and Vitamin E helps to heal.

BLEMISHED
Blemishes on skin can be treated using a spot treatment with antiseptic ingredients such as camphor and tea tree oil, which helps to reduce them quickly.

COMBINATION AND OILY
Products used on combination or oily skin will have lighter formulations and ingredients acting to hydrate and replenish moisture. These treatments often focus on tightening pores and mattifying the skin.