Dr. Jen Newell, N.D, is the owner of the multidisciplinary skincare clinic, Connected Health and Skin. She’s passionate about helping her patients resolve their skin issues and loves to witness how a change in a person’s skin health becomes reflected in their confidence. She took time out of her busy schedule to talk with Elixuer about how to support your skin at every age.
Taking proper care of our skin is important. What advice would you have for common skin concerns in our 20s and 30s?
With “20 Somethings,” we work on preventing barrier damage, hydration, and reiterating the importance of sunscreen. As individuals start thinking about age prevention, that’s where we’re introducing retinoids, or my favorite, retinaldehyde, which is gentler and pregnancy safe.
In our 30s, we’re thinking about age management because we’re starting to see some signs of aging. If you’re not using retinoids or peptides, it’s great to start dabbling because those can help keep the skin youthful over time. As we hit 40s, 50s, and beyond, perimenopause and menopause years are happening. That’s where in-office treatments help to boost skin elasticity and tightening.
IPL and Radio Frequency (RF) are increasingly popular treatments. How do these treatments work and who they are best suited for?
I love skincare technology! IPL stands for intense pulsed light, which is essentially a controlled broad-spectrum flashlight that targets red and brown pigment, so it’s not good for all skin tones. But for some, it can be really helpful at targeting age spots and rosacea. It’s a good way to undo some of the sun damage. Radiofrequency uses a wave of heat to tighten collagen and elastin – it’s good for lifting and tightening. It’s sometimes called a “lunchtime facelift” as there’s no downtime, and you’re going to get that lifting and tightening effect, especially along the chin, jawline, and cheekbones.
Microneedling is also increasingly in popularity and demand. What should individuals know about this treatment and how it works?
Microneedling is a favorite of mine. It’s basically controlled wound healing. We use a pen-like device that creates tiny punctures in the skin. As the skin heals, this creates new collagen and elastin, which fills in lines and wrinkles to smooth the skin. It can treat acne scars and stretch marks too. After the age of 25, collagen and elastin production declines for women by about 1% a year. One microneedling treatment will replace the loss for that year. We know that by doing a series of three to four, we boost collagen and elastin production by about 400%, which is amazing!
There are many different products on the market – what are some key ingredients or considerations when finding the best products?
It depends on your goals, as well as your personal ethics and values. A lot of people will look for products that are cruelty-free. It’s about considering your goals and the ingredients that have evidence behind them for treating your concerns. A lot of ingredients work very well at low percentages, but often, everyone’s general thought is “more is better.”
That’s not always the case. It can be tricky to navigate, so working with a professional can help and reduce the time, money and energy you spend on things that aren’t going to deliver the results you are looking for.
Skincare routines can feel complicated at times. What are the best steps for a great morning skincare routine?
The trick with skincare routines is to just keep it very simple. Most people don’t need a fancy 8- or 14-step skincare routine. The best approach is choosing and curating products specifically based on your needs and then adjusting accordingly. For a morning skincare routine – if you’re dry, you don’t need to cleanse in the morning; splash your face with water or use a hydrating mist. Then, a nice antioxidant serum to brighten and protect, followed by sunscreen. Or moisturizer and sunscreen. Some people don’t need both. So, three or four steps is the most in the morning.
What are the best steps for a nighttime routine for flawless and healthy skin?
At night, cleanse. If you’re more acne-prone, or if you wear a lot of sunscreen and makeup, double-cleanse. I usually recommend an oil or balm-based cleanser, followed by a gel-based cleanser to remove the remnants of the day. Then, a healing or reparative serum which could be your peptides, retinaldehyde, or different antioxidants. Finally, add moisturizer. Three steps that can keep things simple.
We can always add in other options like masks or a spot treatment, if needed, but these aren’t necessary on a day-to-day basis. Keeping your daily routine really simple is key and it reduces being overwhelmed.
Stephanie Hawkins | Contributing Writer
