Joanna Czech is one of the top estheticians in the world. She studied biology and pre-medicine in her native Poland before opening her first spa there. In 1989, Joanna moved to New York City. Her individualized facial treatments, immaculately shaped brows, and exclusive LED skin therapies quickly became sought after by the city’s beauty elite.
Loyal followers include Anna Wintour, Uma Thurman, Kate Winslet, Cate Blanchett, Kyra Sedgwick, Penelope Cruz, Laura Linney, Kim Cattrall, Christy Turlington, Liam Neeson, Trudie Styler, and Sting.
When it comes to redheads, who are known to have sensitive skin, Czech breaks down the cardinal rules for perfect skin:
1. Stop popping your own pimples
“Popping your own pimples is a bad habit, let the experts handle extractions,” says Czech. “When I perform extractions, I apply pressure at a downward, 90-degree angle, which is perpendicular to the skin’s surface. This is hard to replicate yourself and you end up making the infection worse by causing it to permeate deeper.”
Joanna recommends resisting the temptation to pop and try a spot treatment like Perfect Pumpkin Peeling Enzyme Masque. It’s spicy, detoxifying and acts as a multi-functional skin treatment.
2. Stop over-exfoliating
Over-exfoliating, or using a harsh cleanser, seems like a good idea, but in reality, they can remove the skin of its hydrating oils, making your skin more vulnerable. Exfoliating should be done no more than 3 times per week, and you should always use a moisturizer afterward.
Czech says even just rinsing off with water, the residual chemical can stick around on your dermis. She recommends using REN Neroli and Grapefruit Body Wash to strip the chlorine — lather the body wash well and scrub your body. That should do the trick.
4. Your showers are too hot and too long
Extreme temps can throw off the natural balance of your skin and cause dehydration. Joanna suggests opting for warm water, or cap your steamy shower off at the 5-minute mark. To combat the dryness, Czech loves mixing La Mer Renewal Oil and La Mer Body Cream after stepping out of the shower.
5. Stop using makeup wipes religiously
Czech thinks you should absolutely nix those makeup wipes in your cabinet that are full of chemicals. Makeup remover can strip your skin of its natural oils, while makeup wipes dehydrate and spread dirt and grime all over your face. She recommends opting for a cleanser that does double duty, like Fresh Soy Cleanser, which removes the toughest makeup without removing your skin’s natural oils.
The point is: treat your redhead skin with care. It’s the only one you’ll get.