5 AESTHETIC TIPS TO KNOW

Everyone knows that getting spa treatments are infinitely relaxing and beneficial, especially when you’re getting a facial treatment. Besides being a stress reliever, there are a host of benefits to keeping the skin - the largest organ in your body - healthy and getting it the regular care that it needs.

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Here at Upkeep, we offer a myriad of facials for all skin types, including our signature facial treatment that everybody loves. But besides getting pampered and receiving proper care from a professional aesthetician, getting a facial makes a dramatic difference for your skin. Read on to see why you should get yourself a facial, stat!

1 - Get professional advice

You might think you know your own skin but let’s face it, nobody knows it better like a skin expert. When you come in for a facial, a professional aesthetician gets an unobstructed view of your skin up close, without makeup and filters, which reveals your true skin type. The skin analysis allows them to come up with the proper and ideal skin treatment and regimen that’s suited to your skin’s unique needs.

2 - Hydration is key

If you don’t know it by now, hydration is important across all skin types, even for those with oily skin! To maintain a healthy skin and prevent skin concerns that spring from having dry skin such as dermatitis and eczema, it is essential to keep it hydrated at all times. During facials, the skin receives intensive hydration to give your skin a much-needed moisture boost. When done regularly, facials help your skin regulate and maintain the appropriate moisture level.

3 - Always exfoliation

Exfoliating at home can sometimes be a bit too harsh on the skin, leaving it dry and peeling unattractively. But having it done by a professional can make a huge difference on your skin, effectively removing dead skin cells and promoting healthy cell turnover. Facials include the aesthetician performing deep exfoliation on your skin using different methods such as bio abrasion, derma-planing, chemical peels or ultrasound exfoliation, depending on your skin type.  

4 - Clogged pores and blackheads

Perhaps the most important part of having a facial, getting whiteheads and blackheads safely extracted and having clogged pores addressed will definitely help improve and clear out your skin. Paired with exfoliation, extractions leave you with a healthier skin complexion when done regularly.

5 - Anti-aging advice

As we grow older, our skin is subjected to signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles, or age spots, among others. Facials offer a host of anti-aging benefits to the skin that you shouldn’t miss out on. Steam and facial massages help improve and increase the flow of blood and oxygen to the skin, which in turn promotes rapid absorption of the nutrients and antioxidants the skin needs, leaving it looking soft, smooth and youthful. It’s a well-known fact that getting regular facials help keep the skin’s aging process at bay.

Most people wait until there’s a problem with their skin before coming in to get a facial treatment. Skin concerns such as breakouts, fine lines and wrinkles, eczema or rosacea are only some problems that can be prevented from happening when you’re getting facials done on a regular basis. Just like your body’s health, prevention is key to ensuring your skin stays healthy and happy.

The 3 Essential Products You Need To Have In Your Skincare Routine

Sometimes, it’s all about going back to the basics.

With an innumerable amount of skincare products out on the market today, it sure is fun to try and experiment, especially if you’re searching for the perfect skincare routine. With new product innovations, trends and superstar ingredients coming out year after year (like the trending 10-step Korean skincare beauty routine), the available options can leave you a little bit overwhelmed.

So what is it that the skin really needs? Do we have to subscribe to every skincare product type that’s being touted as the next big miracle in the industry? Do we really need to have 10 types of skincare products on our bathroom vanity to have the ideal skin?

Of course not! While it doesn’t hurt to have a ton of different skincare product types that help target different areas of concern for your skin, professionals have trimmed the list down to the basics. For your skin to be healthy and well-maintained, here are the 4 essential products you really should have for an effective skincare routine:

1. Cleanser

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Start off your skincare routine with a gentle cleanser that’s suited to your skin type. Whether you’re the type to wear makeup daily or you like to keep your face bare for a more natural look, cleansing your face is an essential step you shouldn’t skip.

2. Moisturizer

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Hydration is important if you want to prevent skin issues. Dry and itchy skin, dermatitis, acne, inflammation and skin irritations can actually be avoided by religiously applying moisturizer right after the cleansing step. It will help your skin look soft and supple, prevents the formation of fine lines and wrinkles and helps improve your skin’s texture and appearance. It’s important to note that your moisturizer should be suited to your particular skin type.

3. Sunscreen

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Arguably the most essential part of any skincare routine, a high protection sunscreen (SPF 30 or above) is a non-negotiable item. It’s the single most effective way to prevent the dreaded skin cancer or to have prematurely aged skin, age spots or leathery-looking skin!

 Your skin is all set with just these 3 essential products, but you can always supplement with more as you see fit. Serums, exfoliators, anti-aging creams, facial masks or acne spot treatments, the list can get quite big! In the end, going right back down to the absolute bare-bones essentials makes your skin healthy with a lot less effort, time and money!

5 Best Teas To Get Clear, Healthy Skin

From busting acne to looking youthful, we’re spilling the tea on this healthy beverage!

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Tea is considered to be a jack of all trades when it comes to health. It helps treat a variety of health issues such as reducing bad cholesterol, lowering the risks of heart disease or calming down an upset stomach. It helps relax you or even give you a boost of energy if you’re not a coffee drinker.

But did you know that tea is a superstar in the skincare world? Teas are rich in vitamins, amino acids and nutrients that help combat common skin problems such as dehydration, inflammation, UV damage and other issues that contribute to the deterioration of our skin health.

Ready to start drinking this herbal beverage? We’ve curated 5 of the best teas and some of their essential skin benefits to help you choose what’s best for your skin.

Green Tea to give your skin a serious health boost

Generally an all-rounder for giving off numerous skin health benefits, Green Tea contains potent antioxidant EGCG known to reactivate dying skin cells, fight free radicals and reduce skin damage from harmful UV rays.  

Rooibos Tea for youthful-looking skin

Best known for its anti-aging skin benefits, Rooibos tea, also known as Red Bush Tea, has been used for hundreds of years in South Africa as a herbal drink to treat a variety of skin issues. It contains the enzyme superoxide dismutase, a potent nutrient that helps slow down the appearance of fine lines and other signs of skin aging.

Hibiscus Tea for glowing skin

Rich in vitamins, particularly vitamin C, hibiscus tea supports your skin’s natural collagen production and helps prevent skin sagging. It is also a natural source of AHA, the potent water-soluble acid that gently exfoliates and brightens the skin.

Chamomile Tea to calm irritated skin

This popular tea is a great drink to promote relaxation and sleep. The same goes for your skin. Chamomile tea’s relaxing properties help alleviate skin inflammation and irritation. It contains flavonoids that can help relieve dry, patchy skin and even pimples. Due to its soothing properties, chamomile tea is a great herbal tonic for those with sensitive skin that’s prone to rashes and inflammation.

Peppermint Tea for oily and acne-prone skin

Aside from its great minty taste that works wonders for calming down an upset stomach, peppermint tea’s acids and flavonoids help slow down the skin’s oil production, wherein too much sebum can cause acne. It also contains potent antioxidants that can be helpful in treating itchy skin conditions such as dermatitis and eczema.

These 5 teas are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to teas having great skin health benefits. But these are by far the most popular, enjoyable and delicious tonics to help you get started on your way to clear, healthy skin - try it!

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