Skin Care for Mothers

Dr. Alex and his mother Yafa

Happy Mother's Day from A E Skin. This is the perfect opportunity to discuss good skin care for mothers. There are a number of things mothers can do to keep their skin healthy. These include both a regimen that is done at home as well as procedures done in an office or spa.

Sunscreen

Daily sunscreen use is first and foremost because years of sun exposure causes damage to the skin which is seen as fine lines, wrinkles, laxity, and discoloration. Mothers should also teach their children to apply sunscreen daily starting at 6 months of age. Sunscreens should have a minimum SPF of 30 with UVA protection such as the Elta MD UV Clear.

Moisturizer

Approximately two thirds of the skin is made up of water and an adequate amount of water is essential for proper function. Moisturizer should be applied at least twice daily, or even more for mothers with dry skin or those in dry climates. Heavy moisturizers retain the water better and are usually used at night, since most people prefer something lighter during the day. For best hydration, apply a hydrating serum just before applying a moisturizer to bring the water into the skin. Also, be sure to drink at least eight glasses of water every day so your body is well hydrated.

Exfoliation

Exfoliation is something that can be done in many different ways. At home this can be done with scrubs, loofahs, washcloths, or brushes such as the Clarisonic. You can also apply topical products such as an exfoliating serum to remove the dead skin from the surface. Professional treatments are more deep and include facials, microdermabrasion, chemical peels, and laser resurfacing.

Retinoids

Using a retinoid such as retinol or its prescription-strength counterpart, retin-A, will stimulate collagen production, which slows down with age. This will improve fine lines, wrinkles, and laxity. At the same time it will stimulate cell turnover, which also slows down with age, giving a soft and smooth texture and a bright glowing appearance.

Antioxidants

Application of topical antioxidants such as vitamin C will help improve the color, texture, and radiance of the skin and protect the skin from sun damage. While eating foods rich in antioxidants such as berries is good for the health, usually these antioxidants are delivered to the entire body so only a small amount reaches the skin.

Eye Care

The eyes are often considered the central part of the face because that is what people see first when looking at your face. Eye creams or gels such as the Elta MD Renew Eye Gel will help with puffiness, wrinkles, and dark circles around the eyes.

Overall Health and Wellness

The skin often shows what is going on inside your body, especially in times of stress. It is therefore important to maintain a healthy lifestyle to keep your skin looking flawless. This includes eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep at night.

All of us at A E Skin wish you a wonderful Mother's Day!