Nowadays, skincare has become a need rather than an indulgence. Be it protecting your skin from the UV rays of the sun or the toxins present in the air, if you live in a developing or industrial city/town, there is a lot you have to shield your skin from. Your skin – especially your face – can suffer from several problems like acne, dryness or irritation. However, with a little extra care every day, you may be able to get rid of all the pollutants on your skin and keep it healthy and glowing. Even though the products one uses differ according to one’s skin type, here is a list of five basic skincare tips that can help keep your skin looking young and fresh all the time.
Use a non-foaming cleanser
A foaming cleanser will help you get rid of dirt no doubt but it will also leave your skin dry and in need for immediate moisturizing. And this constant feeling of tight and irritated skin after every wash is not good in the long term, especially if you are already prone to dry skin. Therefore, it’s better to invest in a non-foaming cleanser with added moisturizing properties. Also, whenever you choose a cleanser look for ingredients that can help you fight your skin problems. For oily or acne prone skin, a salicylic gel or benzoyl peroxide wash works great and for dry mature skin, use either a moisturizing glycolic or milky cleanser. Similarly, for skin with brown spots or melasma, using a brightening wash like an alpha hydroxy acid cleanser is recommended. You should take the time to gently massage your products into your face before rinsing in order to boost circulation and create a fresher-looking complexion.
Tips to Keep Skin Soft and Glowing In Winter
Exfoliate a couple of times a week
Many of us have heard of exfoliation and know that it’s important but we are not quite sure what it exactly does. Exfoliation involves the removal of the oldest dead skin cells on the skin’s outermost surface. When you rub away built-up dead skin cells, your complexion will look more radiant. However, too much of exfoliation may lead to excessive dryness, irritation, redness, and sensitivity. Therefore, exfoliate only once or twice a week and whenever you do, do it gently. Keep in mind that if you feel like your skin is looking dull, the last thing you want to do is scrub hard. This can be damaging to your skin and won’t get you the results you’re looking for.
Find the right spot treatments
Spot treatments are the quickest ways to get rid of acne and blemishes. Whenever a blemish appears, the goal is to get it to heal quickly. One thing that people get wrong about spot treatments however is that applying it generously the moment a blemish pops up in hopes of drying it out may do you more harm than good as most spot treatments actually make the blemish stick around longer when used in this way. So, it’s important to know how and which type of spot treatment is needed for your skin condition. If you are using essential oils, for example tea tree oil for acne treatment, you must remember to dilute it with water before applying it to the spot otherwise it may cause redness and irritation. Therefore, we recommend you use spot treatments in the form of a gel or an essence to fight the blemishes.
Give facial oils a try
While many of us regularly use cleansers and moisturizers, we may not have paid that much attention to facial oils. However, the benefits of facial oils are too good to ignore. Natural oils, such as coconut oil, shea butter oil, and olive oil, have been used for skincare and hair care for centuries. Many people have realized that they are essential for for various moisturizing, protective, and antibacterial reasons. However, for maximum benefits one has to make sure that the oils they are using are fully organic: extra-virgin, cold-pressed, unrefined oil is good for one’s hair and skincare versus more refined products. If you are experiencing dry skin thanks to the weather, or if you typically have dry skin, facial oil can help boost your moisturizer’s hydrating efforts.
Layer your products from thinnest to thickest
As layering your serums and essences from thinnest to thickest helps the skin to absorb each layer most efficiently, most dermatologists recommend that you apply your skincare products from lightest to heaviest. For example, you can start your day with a lightweight serum or toner, followed by a thin moisturizer and lastly apply broad spectrum sunscreen to lock it all in. While you may make some adjustments in the layers with respect to your skin type, it’s important to keep the hydrating products beneath the heavier dryness inducing products like foundation, concealer (if you are doing makeup) etc. And so, don’t forget to put on a thin layer of aloe gel, rose water or a product with salicylic acid before applying anything else.
