1) Sun protection

There’s a reason that ‘sun protection’ is our number 1 tip- it’s the cornerstone of everything we do at The Jade Cosmetic Clinic. If you’re not investing in good quality, physical barrier sunscreen & using it 365 days a year, then there is not a lot we can do with skin treatments or injectables.

To understand sun protection, it’s important that we understand the terms UVA, UVB & SPF rating.

The sun emits 2 types of ultraviolet (UV) that reaches our skin: Ultraviolet A (UVA) & Ultraviolet B (UVB). UVA accounts for about 95% of the UV light that reaches our skin. It’s present all day long, all year round, whether its sunny, cloudy or raining. It’s the nasty rays that cause ageing!

UVA rays destroys collagen in the skin that gives it firmness & elasticity. UVA rays are a leading cause of premature ageing & wrinkles & a contributing factor to every type of skin cancer. Ultraviolet B (UVB) are the rays of sun that cause the skin to burn & turn red. An SPF rating only protects the wearer against UVB (the burning) rays, not UVA (the nasty ageing rays).

An SPF rating is simply a mathematical estimation of how long you can spend in the sun before burning. So how do we protect ourselves against both UVA & UVB? We recommend always looking for a Broad Spectrum sun protection formulated with Zinc Oxide. The good thing about some zinc oxide products these days is that they are light, easy to wear & non-greasy.

Our favourite go-to’s we recommended are: Synergie Skin UberZinc light, hydrating everyday moisturiser & sunscreen & Synergie Minerals full range of Zinc Oxide foundations.

2) Internal supplementation

Beauty really does begin on the inside. It’s no secret that our gut health has a huge impact on our skin. The skin is simply a reflection of our internal health. So what are our tried & tested internal health supplements?

The Beauty Chef: A quality range of bio-fermented, probiotic health food powder & elixirs for gut health, glowing skin & wellbeing.

CoQ10: Many medical studies demonstrate the anti-ageing benefits of this powerful anti-oxidant. Results have shown CoQ10 improves skin hydration, skin thickness, elasticity & visible wrinkles. This is definitely as simple supplement you want to add to your every day routine.

Zinc: Zinc is an essential mineral that your body does not naturally produce, we must obtain it through our diet or supplementation. Zinc has been found to boost our immune system, accelerate wound healing, decrease inflammation & inhibit the growth of p. acne bacteria (the cause of breakouts & pustules). If you’re someone that experiences breakouts or inflammation (redness), zinc supplementation is for you. Be sure to look for Zinc Picolinate when purchasing supplementation (this form is far more absorbable form than regular zinc).

Fish Oil: Fish oil contains two essential fatty acids that have powerful anti-inflammatory & healing properties. The supplementation of these fatty acids has been shown to boost skin hydration & prevent against moisture loss. It also improves dry, scaling skin in those with psoriasis.

When purchasing fish oil, always look for a liquid form such as Melrose Fish Oil.

Chlorophyl: Liquid chlorophyl is a powerful antioxidant cleanses the blood & reduces the occurrence of breakouts & skin inflammation.

3) Active skincare

It’s amazing the difference a few simple changes to your skincare routine can make.

It’s important to note that not all skincare is created equal. The results you gain from your skincare will depend on the quality of the products you use. But wait, this doesn’t always mean reaching for the most expensive product! It means choosing active, medical grade skincare products that actually work. Over-the-counter products we purchase in the supermarket, department store or pharmacy are designed to sit on the surface of the skin.

They often look pretty, smell nice & feel nice on the skin, however when we wash our face at the end of the day, the products are simply washed away down the sink. Whereas medical-grade, active products are designed to penetrate the skin, & get to where they’re needed. They make a physical, noticeable difference to our skin. These products are found in medical clinics & often prescribed with the assistance of a medical professional or highly trained skin therapist.

4) Avoid nasty ingredients

What we choose to use on our skin is just as important as what we choose to not use on our skin. Studies show that we absorb close to 60% of the products that come into contact with our skin. This means, we may be absorbing over 2 KGS OF CHEMICALS into our body each year. This is frightening.

The following ingredients have been proven toxic & mutagenic in animal studies. Avoid these at all costs.

• SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE (SLES) (SLS): These are detergents found in garage floor cleaners & engine degreases. It’s the ingredient that makes cleansers & soaps “foam”. Linked to it’s uses are depression, skin & eye irritation, sensitive skin & accelerated ageing.
• PROPYLENE GLYCOL, POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL & VARIOUS INGREDIENTS FORMULATED WITH PEGs & PGs: A very common skincare ingredient used to enhance the penetration of ingredients into the skin. Linked to cancer, reduced immunity, miscarriage & birth deformity.
• PARABENS (METHYL, BUTYL, ETHYL, PROPYL): Parabens are preservatives. They improve a product’s shelf-life. They are often used in deodorants & have been found in breast cancer tumours. Parabens are known endocrine disruptors & have been linked to various cancers & hormonal imbalances.
• PHTHALATES (DBP, DEP, DEHP & DMP): Often used as fragrances in cosmetic products. They are known endocrine & fertility disruptors.
• SYNTHETIC (FD&C) DYES & COLOURANTS: These synthetic colours contain heavy metal salts that deposit toxins into our skin. Animal studies show the majority of these are carcinogenic (cancer causing.

5) Sleep

Sleep is the time when your body repairs itself. This is true for your epidermis (skin) as much as it is for your brain or your muscles. During sleep, your skin’s blood flow increases, & the organ rebuilds its collagen & repairs damage from UV exposure, reducing wrinkles & age spots.

6) Hydration

Your skin is an organ. In fact, it’s the largest organ of the body, & it’s mostly made up of water. Without water, your skin can’t function at its best. If your skin doesn’t get enough water, not only will it become dry, tight, & flaky, but it will also become even more prone to aging. Adequate hydration assists with fewer wrinkles, improved complexion, reduced puffiness, faster healing, improved skin detoxification (& less breakouts/congestion).

7) Makeup brushes & pillow cases

Although it seems like a chore, regularly changing your pillowcase & washing your makeup brushes is vital to healthy skin. Pillowcases & makeup brushes can harbor nasty acne causing bacteria as well as dead skin cells & oil. Our skin is in direct contact with our pillowcases for average 6-8 hours every night, as well as being smeared with our makeup brushes daily. If you’re experiencing blackheads, congestion or breakouts, look to your makeup brushes & pillow cases, as they may be the cause.

8) Regular skin treatments

Just like our physical health, our skin needs a regular ‘work out’ to keep fit. When it comes to skin health, what we’re doing on a daily basis (skincare & lifestyle) has the biggest impact, but regular skin treatments fast-track your results. That’s why we set up our ‘SkinGym’ program at the Jade Cosmetic Clinic. This exclusive program allows you to have your own bespoke 12 month skin treatment pre-planned, discounted & bundled into easy monthly payments. Contact us to learn more.

9) Diet

We’re all aware that our diet has an impact on our skin, but some foods actually directly impact your skin health.

• Sugar: sugar breaks down collagen & elastin in the skin, rapidly increasing the rate of skin ageing.
• Refined carbohydrates: Increase the activity of the oil glands, resulting in clogged pores & acne.
• Alcohol: Alcohol draws the moisture out of the skin from the inside, resulting in a dehydrated appearance. It also expands the blood vessels in the skin resulting in inflammation, visible ‘broken’ capillaries. Alcohol will also lead to worsening of acne & rosacea.
• Fast food/processed food: Fast food is usually high in ‘bad’ (trans) fats. These are the ‘bad fats’ & can lead to free radical damage & ageing of cells.

10) Don’t be too harsh on your skin

When we’re experiencing issues with our skin, it’s easy to go over-board with skincare products & cleansing. But this can do more harm than good. When it comes to skin health, remember to avoid strong cleansers & soaps. These strip the skin of natural oils & only worsen existing skin problems. Don’t be too harsh on yourself, just stick to your skincare regime prescribed by a professional & be patient. Remember to limit hot, long showers which also strip the skin of our natural oils/hydration.