What is your current Skin Phase?

For every client who comes for a facial treatment, I am gathering information that helps me to better understand any issues that are currently being experienced. Mainly four areas – observation (what do I see?), what age are they at biologically? What is their current skin phase? What is their current skincare regime? With this, I am better able to offer skincare and wellbeing advice for effective results.  Notice that I’m not using the term ‘skin type’?  This term is quite rigid and not what is actually happening.  For example, think about how your skin changes over the years through the seasons, through visits to other climates, hormonal changes or after a night of disruptive sleep or illness. It may be that your skin feels sensitive at the moment, or dry, or oily or a combination of these but this may change over time due to various factors.  Our skin is continually changing in response to our environment (internal and external).  This is why it’s better to think about the phase you are currently in today and acknowledge the changing nature of our skin.  Whatever phase you are currently in, I can help to guide you on the best product to meet your needs in the Weleda Shop.

This simple, short explanation aims to provide you with enough knowledge to better understand what is meant by the term skin phase. I briefly explain the difference between your actual age and the age of your skin. There are further links for extended reading listed at the end.

Firstly, I’ll begin with your biographical stage which indicates where you currently are on the path of life. This may be different from your actual age as you will see later on. From the diagram above the stages progress every seven years to the next life stage. Seven is an important number as it symbolises completion. This completion in relation to our bodies means that our cells have been renewing themselves for a period of seven years from beginning to completion. At the seven year marker, our bodies have been compeltely replaced ready for the next stage! Truly amazing. Bear in mind though, that the renewal phase can be disrupted by internal and external stressors. So we can’t always rely solely on your age as a marker. It may be that on the graph you are in your late twenties, that is, biologically in the building up and growing stage, but biographically you are showing signs of being in your mid 30’s where the processes of cell renewal begin to slow down. By identifying the reasons for this accelaration, it is possible to make adjustments to bring your body back in to balance. The green line on the chart shows the body flowing in and out of the phases, being similar to the earth’s cycle through the seasons. Therefore, it makes sense to also adjust our skincare regime to align with the seasonal changes also to better support our skin.

Looking at the diagram below shows the progressive age stages from being born to the latter years which flows in two stages shown in pink to blue. The pink symbolises the growth stage from baby to the midway point around 40 years and onwards which symbolise the slowing down phase. The green, wavy line, is showing that we flux in and out of these phases.

Biological science shows us that from the moment we are born to around the mid way mark at around 40yrs, our cells are actively BUILDING, growing and renewing.

Beyond the mid-way mark, our cells slowly begin to slow down and this is classed as the BREAKING DOWN phase.

Whether BUILDNG or BREAKING DOWN, the skin can be supported better if we acknowledge these stages and adopt routines that interfere as little as possible with the natural processes.

For example, in the BUILDING stage, the cells are very actively in the creation mode, which makes sense when you think about the newborn’s delicate, sensitive skin which is in the process of taking a more solid form on this earth so that it is more resilient. Therefore the processes that are dominant are cell growth with active oil glands and blood flow constantly pushing new cells to the upper skin layer where they die and shed making way for new cells. It is important to keep the skin hydrated and clean to not disturb this process. Aggressive treatments that strip the outer skin layer, such as, peels, acids, excessive scrubbing and other harsh products will disturb the natural balance which the skin will then work hard to bring back to balance. It is good to remember that our body is always attempting to bring balance and not working against us which can be your conclusion when issues arise. Using harsh methods, results in the deeper skin layers reacting with the aim to bring back balance.

Let’s say you use a product that claims to remove the outer layer to clear up blemishes, oilyness or redness. Stripping the outer layer can result in a ‘moment’ where the skin looks improved but repeated use of the product is necessary to maintain the effect. This is due to the skin rapidly aiming to bring back balance to the damaged outer layer by ramping up cell renewal, oil production and blood flow. It appears at the time that the harsh products are working, but not really, because the problem is still there and repeated use of these harsh products is necessary to maintain what appears to be working. What is the long term solution? It is better to identify the reason for the skin’s response to internal and external environmental factors and then support the skin’s processes as opposed to aggravating them. This is discussed in my facial treatments in depth with step by step adjustments to what products you are using, how you are using them and other lifestyle factors, including the change of seasons.

Once the mid-way mark has been reached around 40yrs, the cells revert to a BREAKING DOWN process gradually. It doesn’t happen instantly! This is when the cells become less active in cell renewal with the beginning signs of light wrinkles or creases and uneven skin tone, as an example. Don’t panic! Once again, it’s important to not use harsh products which claim to regenerate or stimulate the skin to retain it’s youthful appearance. I can help you make adjustments which don’t necessarily mean changing your skincare products but could be adapting how they are used along with changes here and there to lifestyle habits, facial exercises and other wellbeing tips that fit in with your life. It is within the realms of possibility to age gracefully with beautiful looking skin.

Now that I’ve briefly covered the biographical phase, let’s take a quick look at the biological phases. This simply refers to the age you are on the calendar. You have probably guessed by now that your biological age may not be the same as your biographical phase. As we are all individual, with different life circumstances and experiences, our biological age may not match up with the biographical phase. It may well be that you are in your late 20’s which is within the BUILDING UP phase on the chart, but due to stresses and other lifestyle factors, you are showing some of the signs of BREAKING DOWN i.e. dull, lifeless skin or wrinkles or uneven skin tone.

A conversation during a facial treatment with myself will cover any concerns that you are having about the health of your skin. We can then discuss what your biographical phase is and if necessary, make adjustments to slowly bring the skin back in to balance with a routine for you to follow ongoing which you can easily manage.

Further reading: Natural Wellness Every Day by Emine Rushton