When it comes to caring for your skin, using the wrong products can lead to problems such as redness, sensitivity, peeling, and breakouts. It can even damage the skin’s hydro-lipidic barrier, which is essential for protecting your skin from harsh environments, bacteria, and other external factors.
In this article, we’ll explore why it’s crucial to carefully consider the products you choose for your skin, not just the specific ingredients they contain.
Choose Products Based on Your Skin Type
The first key to good skincare is figuring out your skin type and selecting products that work well with it. This is important because certain ingredients and formulations might cause adverse reactions based on your skin type. Skin types are generally divided into four categories: oily, dry, combination, and sensitive, based on noticeable factors such as oiliness, dryness, and sensitivity.
For instance, if you have oily skin, it might look shiny and feel greasy, possibly in the T-zone or all over your face. On the flip side, dry skin shows up as flakiness, scaling, and fine lines, and it might feel tight and sensitive when you use exfoliants. Combination skin involves both dry patches and oily areas, often with an oily T-zone and drier cheeks. Sensitive skin shows up as redness, painful breakouts, and an overall uncomfortable feeling.
Here are some easy tips to ensure that your products are suited to your skin:
Oily Skin
For oily skin, opting for light oil-based creams, especially those with non-comedogenic properties, can be highly effective. Contrary to common belief, these creams can moisturise the skin without clogging pores or exacerbating oiliness. Formulations containing non-comedogenic oils like jojoba, argan, or squalane are known to balance sebum production and strengthen the skin’s natural barrier.
Paul Fister, B.Bus (Mktg), Dip. Form. Chem., Member of ASCC, emphasises the benefits of this approach for oily skin, stating:
“Oil-based moisturisers are formulated to be ‘biomimetic’. They quickly repair the skin’s hydro-lipidic barrier and are scientifically proven to slow moisture loss from the skin to healthy, natural levels. In fact, you can literally feel the difference as soon as you apply this type of cream to your skin.”
He also highlights that the danger of dehydration is mitigated when using oil-based creams on oily skin, preventing the skin’s ‘physiologic upregulation button’ from being pushed. As a result, the skin normalises the production of sebum, which means the perceived problem of oily skin is reduced.
This insight underscores the importance of selecting appropriate oil-based products to nourish the skin rather than depleting it.
A recommended product for this approach is Dr. Spiller Sanvita Cream. This specialised nourishing moisturizer with Green Tea Extract is designed to target and alleviate superficial dryness, tightness, and dehydration. Rich in biomimetic triglycerides and fatty acids, it effectively restores the function of the acid mantle, a vital component of the skin’s defense system.
Dry Skin
For dry skin, embrace oil-based creams enriched with shea butter and ceramides to effectively seal in moisture. Lanolin has had some bad press, but formulated correctly into a well-balanced emulsion, it is a tremendously beneficial ingredient. These types of formulations are pivotal for replenishing the lipid barrier—a fundamental layer of natural oils enshrouding the skin’s surface. This barrier serves as a linchpin in moisture retention and a safeguard against external adversities.
One recommended product for individuals with dry or dehydrated skin is Dr. Spiller’s Collagen Cream. This exceptionally rich cream is ideally applied at night, strategically crafted to visibly rejuvenate moisture levels and facilitate skin repair. Enriched with Biomimetic protectants such as SQUALENE & LECITHIN, scientifically validated to reduce Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL) and enhance hydration efficacy, this cream proves to be an ideal choice for those grappling with dry skin.
Combination Skin
To manage the intricate balance of combination skin, use a light oil-based cream such as Dr. Spiller Care and Repair Cream or Q10 Oxygen Complex Cream. These formulations find a middle ground, addressing the different requirements of dry patches and oilier regions, promoting a harmonious and balanced coexistence.
Sensitive Skin
Paul Fister explains that sensitized skin is often a consequence of using products and/or ingredients that compromise the skin’s natural protective barrier. He points out that the appearance of redness is most likely due to “the formation of new capillaries needed to deliver nutrients and oxygen required for skin repair.” He recommends gentle, non-stripping cleansers, avoidance of over-exfoliation, barrier-repairing moisturizers, and the use of anti-inflammatory and soothing ingredients such as azulene, panthenol, Aloe Vera and more as the best way to treat inflamed and sensitive skin.
A highly recommended product for sensitive skin is Dr. Spiller’s Azulen Cream Mask and Azulene Cream. This powerful combination is recognized for its skin-smoothing emollients, effectively minimising the appearance of redness in skin prone to reactivity and irritation. It swiftly restores a balanced complexion while visibly promoting skin repair. Notably, the inclusion of BISABOLOL, an extract from German chamomile, brings scientifically proven anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antimitotic properties to the formula, making it an excellent choice for sensitive skincare.
Choose Products That Protect Your Skin Barrier
The skin barrier, or stratum corneum, acts as the outermost protective layer, shielding our skin from external elements. It plays a crucial role in preventing issues like dryness, sensitivity, and inflammation, making its maintenance vital for overall skin health.
When the skin barrier is compromised, it becomes vulnerable to environmental stressors, leading to problems like redness, itching, and heightened sensitivity. Therefore, safeguarding the skin barrier is a crucial element in promoting optimal skin well-being.
To reinforce the skin barrier, incorporate products with ingredients such as ceramides, emollients, and Essential Fatty Acids. These components mimic the natural structure of the skin barrier, enhancing its resilience. Biomimetic creams, specifically designed to replicate the skin’s natural composition, are particularly effective in supporting barrier health.
Biomimetic creams contain ingredients that closely resemble the skin’s natural lipid composition, ensuring optimal compatibility. This not only improves the skin’s ability to retain moisture but also fortifies it against external stressors. From a scientific standpoint, these creams establish a protective layer that not only prevents moisture loss but also contributes to the skin’s innate renewal processes.
Choose Simple but Effective Skincare
Finally, when building a skincare routine, choosing simple but effective skincare products is essential. The notion that a complex skincare regimen equates to enhanced efficacy is a common misconception. In reality, overwhelming the skin with an abundance of products can have adverse effects.
The skin, a complex organ with its own delicate balance, can be disrupted when bombarded with an excess of skincare products. Layering multiple formulations, each laden with various active ingredients, may lead to irritation and sensitivity and even exacerbate existing skin concerns. Instead of achieving the desired results, a convoluted routine can potentially compromise the skin’s natural defenses and impede its ability to maintain equilibrium.
The key lies in opting for simplicity coupled with efficacy. Choosing skincare products with straightforward formulations featuring scientifically proven ingredients is paramount. Direct and purposeful ingredients are often more impactful in addressing specific skin concerns without overwhelming the skin’s natural processes.
Dr. Horst Spiller, the visionary behind the renowned Dr. Spiller skincare brand distributed by OmniDerm, ardently believed in respecting the skin’s natural acid mantle. His philosophy emphasised that effective cleansing should not entail stripping the skin of its natural oils. In line with this principle, Dr. Spiller’s products are meticulously formulated to work in harmony with the skin, refraining from an overly aggressive approach. His mantra, “sterile skin is neither possible nor desirable,” underscores the importance of preserving the skin’s inherent balance.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to skincare, keeping it simple is the secret to healthy, radiant skin. Understand your skin type – oily, dry, combination, or sensitive – and choose products that suit it. If you are unsure, look for the advice of a competent skin professional. The use of wrong products can cause problems such as redness and breakouts.
Also, keep in mind to protect your skin barrier with products containing ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol. Biomimetic creams mimic your skin’s natural structure and provide resistance to external factors.
Keep your skincare routine simple. Complex routines can cause problems. Dr Spiller’s approach promotes simplicity by respecting your skin’s natural balance. Choose products with proven ingredients for effective results. Remember, simplicity is the key to healthy, radiant skin.
Dr Spiller
is available through trained and qualified skin clinics, Australia-wide.
https://www.dr-spiller.com.au/
Dr. Spiller is distributed in Australia by OmniDerm Pty. Ltd
51-53 Tinning Street, Brunswick, VIC 3056
T: 03 9645 0200
E: admin@omniderm.com.au