spa therapies
7 Skincare Lessons We’re Taking with Us Into 2021 We did it: We made it to the end of 2020! Last year took its toll on a lot of things, and your skin was no exception. So what lies ahead for your skin in 2021? The answers can be found if you look back on the things we learned in 2020. With a bit more time to give it some attention, the general themes of this year’s skincare trends are a more thoughtful and a gentler approach to skin care.
1. At-Home Chemical Peels You don’t have to go to your dermatologist’s office to keep your complexion fresh and glowing. For that, you can thank advancements in skin care technology. At-home chemical peels are officially 2021’s answer to professional treatments. The DIY versions of in-office peels are gentler on the skin but still effective because they use similar ingredients. These powerful exfoliators will remove the outermost layer of dead skin cells, help unblock pores and boost your natural radiance in just minutes – without the downtime and discomfort, and all from the comfort of your own home. For the best – and safest results – we recommend incorporating a home peel no more than twice a week, and not combining it with other chemical exfoliators like retinol.
2. Multifunctional Products You’re probably at the point now where you want to put less products on your face rather than more. That’s where multitasking products come in. The trick is to aim for products that do more than one thing, so you don’t have a ton of steps in your routine. And a little goes a long way. Look for products like cleansers that exfoliate and foundations with pore-clearing ingredients.
3. Gentle Skin Care 2020 was hard enough, so this year we’re indulging our skin with more nurturing formulas. You’ll be seeing less harsh physical exfoliants (like scrubs and brushes), and gentler AHAs like mandelic and lactic acids. Look for products infused with probiotics, which help your skin maintain balance; ceramide-
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based products, which leave your skin feeling moisturised and soft to the touch; and hyaluronic acid, which is a powerful humectant that draws water into the skin and holds it there.
4. Beauty Devices 2020 was the year of the at-home skincare tool. Your skincare routine becomes that much more potent when used in conjunction with dermatologistapproved devices. Face massage tools which instantly uplift tired skin thanks to modes of vibration which act like a facialist’s hands.
5. Maskne Products Sure, wearing a fabric face mask is now a must, but that doesn’t mean you can’t keep your skin looking flawless. There are ways to treat and prevent the newly coined “maskne” (aka mask acne) that include face mists and masks formulated with hyaluronic acid and aloe vera to soothe stressed out skin and aid in hydration. Face mists can be used throughout the day as a pick-me-up whenever your skin is feeling dry, dehydrated or distressed, and you’ll notice an instant improvement. Likewise, there’s a noticeable difference in the look and feel of your skin when you use face masks. (And you needn’t worry because this glow will last for days).
6. Ingestible Supplements With more time on our hands, 2021 could be an ideal time for you to start taking supplements. In our case, we’re talking about the queen bee of beauty supplements: ingestible collagen. What is collagen, exactly? Collagen is a protein that is found everywhere in our body. As it relates to our skin, it helps to preserve its firmness and elasticity. As we age collagen production decreases, which can cause skin laxity and fine lines and wrinkles. Collagen supplements are carefully formulated to nourish your skin from within. The result is skin that’s healthy and strong and radiates that much-coveted “glow”. If not now, then when?
By Dr Alek Nikolic - SkinMiles
7. Eye Creams That Actually Work It’s all about the eyes in 2021 (courtesy of protective face masks) and a hard-working eye cream will keep your eyes looking pretty. When it comes to picking an eye cream, think about what you’re hoping to achieve. Some contain ingredients such as ceramides, which can plump fine lines. Others contain brightening ingredients like vitamin C that can address dark circles. Formulas with retinol have been shown to enhance collagen production, which ultimately yields younger-looking skin. But whichever way you choose to go, eye creams are an essential part of your skincare regimen now and forever. About Dr Alek Nikolic Dr Alek Nikolic was born in South Africa and received his MBBCh (Wits) in 1992 and in 2000 he received his MBA (UCT). He has been in private practice for 24 years and is the owner of Aesthetic Facial Enhancement, which has offices in Cape Town. Dr Nikolic specialises in aesthetic medicine and is at the forefront of the latest developments in his field. He has lectured extensively and has performed live demonstrations throughout SA and Internationally. He has performed over 20 000 procedures to date and as such is responsible for training numerous medical practitioners. Dr Nikolic is one of the founding members of the South African Allergan Medical Aesthetic Academy, Vice President of the Aesthetic and Anti-Aging Medicine Society of South Africa (AAMSSA) and is an Associate Member of the American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery. SkinMiles: Your Personal Skincare Destination SkinMiles opened its doors in November 2015 after Dr Alek Nikolic realised that doctor-only recommended products with active ingredients were difficult to access. Dr Alek also realised that many people are not sure which products or ingredients to use for their skin types and skin concerns. “SkinMiles was created to allow for more convenient access to doctor recommended active ingredients, and to provide honest, reliable and effective advice for a personalised skin regime, to everyone.”
