Hello, and welcome to the first mailbag of April! My name is Dr. Ryan Shelton and today we will be answering two questions from customers to help them with their skincare concerns - just like we do every Friday! My first question comes from Trisha in Los Angeles, CA.
Q: Hi Dr. Ryan. My pores have been so huge recently. How can I shrink them and make them less visible?
A: Hi Trisha! Enlarged pores can be caused by several different things, including genetics, sun damage, and a decrease in collagen and elastin production. While it's impossible to shrink pores completely, there are some things you can do to minimize their appearance and promote smoother-looking skin. Let me tell you a little more…
The first thing you want to do to help minimize your pores is make sure you’re consistently exfoliating.
Incorporate gentle exfoliants like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) into your routine to remove dead skin cells and debris that can emphasize the appearance of pores.
My Lavender Oil Cleanser uses AHAs and BHAs, and it helps to gently remove unwanted dirt and impurities from your skin so your pores can stay clean!
Using a cleanser like this twice daily will help make sure your pores aren’t getting overloaded with gunk, so I’d make adding something similar to your routine a top priority.
Once that’s been added to your routine, you can try using something with retinol.
Retinol can help increase cell turnover, stimulate collagen production, and improve skin texture, including minimizing the appearance of pores over time.
It’s one of the most popular skincare ingredients out there - as I’m sure you know - and it hosts a whole bunch of benefits on top of helping you solve your pore problem.
Lastly, it’s super important to keep your skin’s hydration where it needs to be. When the skin is dehydrated, pores can appear more prominent, which can only add to the problem you’re experiencing right now!
Make sure the moisturizer you’re using is hydrating enough to keep your skin moisturized all day, but not overly rich or oily so that it will clog your pores.
My Repair and Release Cream is a great example of a moisturizer that gets the job done without making your skin feel like it’s covered in oil. It soaks into the skin super fast and helps protect your complexion throughout the day, so I highly recommend adding it to your routine!
As with most skincare concerns, it might take you a bit of time and effort to see the results you want. Just stay consistent and trust the process and you should see a difference in no time!
Our next question is from Emma in Miami, FL.
Q: Hi Dr. Ryan. I want to make my skin glow more but ever since I turned 47 it feels impossible. How can I make my skin look great again?
A: Hi Emma, this is a question that I love to answer because so many people lose that glow as they age, and it’s surprisingly easy to get it back. Achieving a healthy glow is within reach at any age, and there are several strategies to enhance your skin's radiance. Let’s talk about these strategies a bit more…
Firstly, you’re going to need to prioritize skincare ingredients that promote skin brightness and radiance.
The first one that probably pops up in your mind is Vitamin C. This potent antioxidant helps even out skin tone, reduces discoloration, and creates a luminous glow.
Using any skincare product with vitamin C can make a huge difference, so incorporate something like my Dark Spot Corrector into your daily routine to reap its benefits.
Even if you don’t have any dark spots you’re concerned about, this product works by brightening and rejuvenating the skin tone, so it would still be an ally to you!
Next, make sure you’re exfoliating enough.
Exfoliation is going to help you by unveiling brighter, smoother skin, and by getting rid of all the dead skin that could be obstructing your glow!
But, you don’t want to overdo it…
Opt for gentle exfoliants like AHAs or BHAs to avoid over-exfoliation, which can compromise the skin's barrier.
These are in my Lavender Oil Cleanser, which you can safely use twice a day to help keep dead skin cells away and also keep your skin healthy.
Lastly, make sure you keep your skin moisturized properly.
Hydration is essential for a healthy glow, so ensure your skin is moisturized by incorporating hydrating serums and moisturizers into your routine.
Look for ingredients like sodium hyaluronate which helps attract and retain moisture in the skin.
I have this in my Peptide PM Shield, which is an overnight mask designed specifically to boost hydration and create a beautiful glow! I really think you’ll love it!
With dedication to a consistent skincare routine, you can absolutely achieve a radiant glow, and I’m so excited to hear back about your results!
