Joanna's Do's and Don'ts
After 35 years of experience in skincare, here are my top four skincare tips that I have learned along the way and continue to live by.
1. Don’t Do What Your Girlfriend Does
I am often asked by my clients what is the biggest mistake when it comes to skincare. I believe mimicking your girlfriend's skincare routine is one of them.
Not all skin is created equally, and nobody's skin is exactly the same as someone else’s. There are many factors that determine what is needed for your skin at any given time including its condition, your lifestyle, stress levels, diet and the climate you live in or are traveling to. Your regimen can change daily if these factors have changed. This is why I have never performed the same facial twice, even on the same client.
Just because your girlfriend swears by a product or a treatment, does not mean that you are going to reap the same benefits she did. In fact, it could have an adverse reaction and damage your skin in the process. I have seen this many times.
Friends are great for so many things, but when it comes to your skin, always consult your esthetician or dermatologist before doing anything. Ask them about whatever your girlfriend recommended, to see if it would be a good fit for you.
2. Don’t Bring Streets to The Sheets
When I came to the United States 30 years ago and moved to New York City, I was overwhelmed to say the least! The energy was incredible, and people always seemed to be in a rush (nothing has changed!). One thing I noticed, was that in the morning on their way to work, women would be running around with their bags in one hand, heels in the other, and their hair would be soaking wet which I thought it was so strange, because back in Poland, we always showered at night.
The air that surrounds us is full of dirt, smog, dust, and other free radicals. All of those particles stick to our clothes and skin throughout the day, and transfer on to the surfaces we sit on and touch. When we don’t bathe or rinse off before we get in to bed, we are literally bringing the dirt and grime from the streets on to our sheets.
No matter how tired I am, I always shower (or rinse off at the very least) before I get into bed with Sudoku or a good book. It is a critical part of my evening routine.
3. Your Face Starts at The Nipples and Ends at The Hairline
Many people focus their skincare regimens exclusively on what they consider the ‘face’ and forget about other parts of the body that can significantly show our age – specifically the neck and décolleté. Both have reduced lipidic layers and can reveal signs of aging more quickly than other parts of your body.
Everything you do to your face should be applied to these delicate areas, and any leftovers should be used on your hands (another neglected area).
4. Don’t Over Treat Your Skin
Even the best, most expensive products can backfire if you use too many.
Too much of a good thing, like over-exfoliating your over-cleansing, can result in redness, irritation, dryness, and worsened breakouts.
Over treatment can actually have an adverse effect on your skin’s appearance and health so make sure to be gentle with your skin and do not over-apply.
