4 Things You Should Know for Great-Looking Skin

Every day, we’re inundated with advertisements about the next “miracle” product. Whether it’s an average consumer, a skin care professional or a physician, all would like to believe that they have finally discovered the magic ingredient to make skin flawless.

The reality though, is that skin care miracles don’t occur; at least not in the real world. Good as many skin care products are, they won’t deliver miraculous results, despite what many claim. To have great looking skin, a few basic guidelines apply; here are 4 things to keep in mind:

• Minimize your exposure to UV rays. UVA and UVB rays generated by the sun are responsible for over 85% of skin aging. Wear a good sunscreen every day, stay out of the sun during its peak hours, seek shade, wear a hat and sunglasses. You’ll be well on your way to preventing skin damage from occurring in the first place.
• Incorporate antioxidants. Antioxidants work in conjunction with sunscreens to protect your skin from free radical damage, which ages skin. Our new line of apothekari antioxidants serums  are a customer favorite.
• Be gentle. Tempting as it may be, try not to over-do your skin. Stay away from harsh and irritating cleansers, don’t scrub too much and never apply too many topical actives at once. Even the most resilient skin can suffer damage from over treating.
• Have realistic expectations. Many skin care products (sunscreen and antioxidants are good examples) can prevent damage, others can treat various conditions (skin lighteners, acne preparations); a few can even repair skin (retinoids as in Green Cream for example). However, if your skin has experienced severe damage – it is leathery, very saggy or wrinkled – a topical treatment can only do so much. If you have the budget and are interested, you may wish to explore cosmetic surgery options. Check in with a qualified and experienced dermatologist for help and guidance.