BACK TO BASICS: Is your cleanser aging you?

Want radically younger looking skin? Your cleansing routine is likely the #1 change you need to make Hey {NAME}, Before you apply ANY skincare today… You need to read this. Because if you want to take years off your look, there’s one MAJOR thing to change about your skincare… And it’s not: 🚫 Upgrading your moisturizer... 🚫 Adding in potent treatments or serums... 🚫 Or using anti-aging masks weekly. Although these are very important… there’s something else you must do first… Fix your face-washing routine! I know this sounds minor (and almost too easy). But I’d estimate about 95% of the patients I see in my office are washing their face incorrectly. And when that FIRST STEP of your skincare routine is off… everything that comes after it (like those great moisturizers, treatments, and masks)... won’t matter one bit! So here are my best pieces of advice when it comes to washing: 1) Don’t use too much water. Tap water is full of minerals that dry out skin and encourage creasing. This is especially true in “hard water areas” like Southwestern states. That’s why you should always use as little water as possible to dampen and rinse your face while washing. If possible, using distilled bottled water is even better. 2) Don’t overdo it. No one needs to wash their face more than twice a day. Even if your skin is oily… overwashing can actually stimulate those oil glands, and make the problem WORSE! And if you have dry skin, twice daily may even be too much. Try a quick “rinse-and-pat-dry” without cleanser in the morning, then a full wash in the evening only. 3) Ditch those gritty scrubs. If you’re cleansing with a scrub containing ground apricot pit or walnut shell, toss it in the trash! These ingredients can create micro-tears in your skin. The only exfoliants you should be using are enzyme-based, AHA-based, or elemental/mineral-based. These slough away dead skin WITHOUT causing harm. 4) Use the right cleanser! I hate to tell you — most of the cleansers you see at the drugstore are downright terrible for your skin. Many contain ingredients that dry out your skin way too much — and they rarely contain NOURISHING compounds that actually improve skin or address signs of aging. (And you certainly don’t want to use a regular body soap on your face. Those are basically detergents designed to strip away everything — good oils & moisture included.) What you need is a cleanser that actually hydrates skin while “cleaning away” daily environmental damage and free radicals. My recommendation? Look for a formula that incorporates antioxidants and AHAs to lightly exfoliate skin without any harsh scrubbing. (AHAs are also known to reduce the look of wrinkles — so it’s really a cleanser, exfoliant, and wrinkle treatment all in one step.) Plus, it helps balance your skin’s pH to counteract the effects of hard water. I know this seems like a simple adjustment, {NAME}... But most people I’ve spoken to are extremely impressed by how much smoother, softer, and more youthful their skin looks with a high-quality cleanser. Whatever formula you choose, be sure to follow my 3 tips above each and every time you cleanse your skin. I think you’ll be shocked by how different your skin feels! Your Beverly Hills MD, Dr. John Layke //links.beverlyhills-md.com/a/141/click/9941372/742234759/_f6aefd14dbab967270a4db976d0f2967892d5235/70f731dc5340cdb79752175e7afc619ca2aac6d1     This email was sent to {EMAIL} by jlayke@beverlyhills-md.com [Edit Profile]( | [Manage Subscriptions]( | [VIP Discounts]( | [Join Text Club]( | [Subscribe](  Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery Group 436 N. Bedford Dr. Suite 214 Beverly Hills, CA 90210   [Report Spam](  These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Â