Your skin's needs will fluctuate throughout your lifetime. A number of factors influence these changes, including but not limited to: the time of year, hormones, your diet, and the environment. No matter what your skin’s individualized needs are, the process of finding the right skincare routine can be challenging, but the time you spend caring for your skin can also create an opportunity for a moment of relaxation and nourishment. Your skin is a reflection of your health, and nurturing it is a deep act of self care.

Part of caring for problematic skin, is understanding what products to use, as well as when and how to use them. There are many great options that claim to clear-up your skin, but too much of a “good thing” can have an adverse effect. By choosing to use Zyderma’s Clarifying Cream, you have opted for an incredibly gentle and versatile product to help improve the appearance of your skin, one that can work harmoniously with other elixirs and salves that you know and love. Knowing how to effectively blend it into your routine will also help save you time and money. We can help by answering some common questions we get, and breaking down how to incorporate the Clarifying Cream into your skincare regimen.

Product Overview

The Clarifying Cream - a gentle union of nature and science - is formulated with a large particle silver called, microsilver, that works to protect the skin from harmful microorganisms, bacteria, and germs that cause or worsen the majority of skin ailments. Silver ions emitted from the particles bind to these harmful pathogens and deactivate their ability to feed and reproduce. This creates a barrier that supports the skin’s microflora, while aiding in its natural healing process - without penetrating the skin’s surface. 

Our gentle formula works double duty providing all day cleansing and a light moisturizing action. Better still, it can be reapplied as often as needed throughout the day without the risk of irritation.

Building a Routine

When first trying the Clarifying Cream, we recommend only using a gentle cleanser for at least a week to see the benefits of the cream; and, then gradually adding your other products back into the routine one by one, giving your skin time to adjust. This process encourages you to take your time and monitor your skin’s appearance for signs of improvement and irritation. Often we are not aware that our favourite products can be the source of some skin issues.

We should note, if you work with a skincare specialist such as an esthetician, naturopath or dermatologist who has created a set routine for you, we recommend you follow their treatment plan. Your specialist has your best interests at heart, and is able to assess your skin while getting to know you- allowing them to create the ideal personalized skincare regimen. If you are not currently working with a skincare specialist, no worries! The Zyderma team can help guide you as you develop your own unique routine, while incorporating the versatile Clarifying Cream. 

What Cleanser Should I Use?

The first step in your routine should involve washing with a gentle cleanser. It could be a one of our FAT9 Complexion soaps, an oil, a cream or our Gentle Foaming Cleanser, it’s truly a matter of preference. Either way, it’s important to choose one that does not contain active ingredients such as salicylic acid (or any derivative), glycolic acid, lactic acid, tea tree oil, benzoyl peroxide, etc. These ingredients are designed to increase cell turnover and many of them come with a risk of side-effects. While our Clarifying Cream is hypo-allergenic and a non-irritant, the mesh-like layer that is created on the skin could hold these ingredients to the skin for a prolonged period of time - possibly leading to irritation. If you prefer a cleanser with active ingredients, to help treat your skin, we recommend alternating between them and the Clarifying Cream on different days and times, to avoid potential product interaction. 

What Moisturizer Should I Use?

If light serums and oils are a regular part of your routine, these are best applied before the Clarifying Cream to amplify the level of moisturizing. You may discover that the cream is most effective when simply applied to clean skin, followed then by your serum/oil. Don’t be afraid to experiment a bit.

The Clarifying Cream is formulated with hydrating ingredients; however, if you need to add more moisture to help dry, dehydrated skin, especially during the winter months, apply your favourite moisturizer (oil or cream) on top, followed-up of course with an SPF. With regular use of the Clarifying Cream, you may find less of a need for additional moisturizers as your skin begins to function normally and gradually become more balanced.

What Exfoliator Should I Use?

Exfoliation is an important step for your skin because it sloughs away dead skin cells that can impede the effectiveness of your skin care products. The removal of these cells allows all your products to function as designed and will help you see the results you desire. However, for people with sensitive and/or sensitized skin, exfoliating should be done in moderation. Overuse of scrubs and acids can lead to additional long-term skin issues and thinning of the skin. The goal is to reclaim healthy looking skin by supporting its natural function. If you choose to use a chemical exfoliator, try selecting one day a week when you’re not using the Clarifying Cream.

An amazingly gentle and effective option for exfoliation, perfect for the most delicate skin types, is a Konjac Facial Sponge with Tourmaline. These are safe for daily use on their own or with your favourite cleanser and can be used with the Clarifying Cream because there is no product residue left on the skin.

Treatment Products

If you are targeting specific issues, like blackheads, you may be using products that contain BHAs (salicylic acid) and/or anti-aging spot treatments, products with retinols and AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids). Again, we recommend using the Clarifying Cream for the bulk of the week and choosing a treatment day/night for these products. The same can be said for products with niacinamide, citric acid, apple cider vinegar and vitamin C that are generally associated with evening out and brightening skin tone. This tip will maximize the benefits of our cream to support your skin's natural healing process, and will minimize the potential of overusing products that could potentially irritate delicate skin.  

Medicated Treatments

We recommend avoiding topical acne treatments and medications, such as Tretinoin with our product. 

Best Practice

If you do choose to use products with any of the ingredients listed above, it’s important to proceed slowly and monitor your skin. Try alternating days and even times of the day (morning and night) for brightening, anti-aging, and chemical exfoliators - where you don’t use the Clarifying Cream. When figuring out what works best for you, don’t be afraid to tweak and experiment. 

As with any change in your skincare routine, there are certain things that could come up, when incorporating the Clarifying Cream. While purging (breaking out) is not a normal occurrence, it is a possibility when weaning off conventional acne products, or it’s an indication that an unknown irritant such as a fragrance is affecting the skin. Often people don’t realize the source of their irritated skin until they use our product. Applying the cream over top of a product that seems gentle but contains fragrance, could amplify the unknown irritants, highlighting the source. This is a signal to find a new product, one without fragrance.

Another possibility is a change to the level of sebum production by your skin. While the Clarifying Cream is formulated with skin nurturing and hydrating ingredients, the feeling of dryness reported by some can be attributed to the normalization of sebum production as bacterial influence is regulated. With continued and regular use of the cream, this feeling should subside.

We understand the frustration that can come with modifying a routine to help normalize and improve the appearance of your skin. This can be an emotional and time consuming process. One that takes patience, and a deep examination of your health as a whole, to understand other factors that may be contributing to your skin imbalances. The frequency of which you use other products will depend on your results. If bacteria is a factor, and your skin improves, then you may decide to switch-up or reduce your products with active ingredients, to only once per week, or as needed.

Here at Zyderma, while we cannot assess your skin or comment on medical issues, we are here to support you throughout your journey. Harmonious, balanced and healthy looking  skin is absolutely within your reach.