Basic facial care – what should it include?

Don't repair, but prevent!

One day you will wake up at 40, look in the mirror and find that your skin is more tired than you are after a sleepless night. You will throw yourself into the vortex of searching for the perfect and... miraculous cream , because none of them will turn back time. So take an interest in proper skin care today - you will thank yourself in the future.

How do you know if your epidermal barrier is damaged? Find out in our article .

What is proper care?

Proper care is a continuous process of observing your own skin and the changes that occur under the influence of treatments and cosmetics. It is divided into:

• cleaning,
• toning,
• nutrition,
• hydration.

Regardless of the effects you want in your skin care routine, cosmetics should always be selected appropriately for your skin type. Normal, oily, dry, combination skin – each of these can be vascular, sensitive or acne-prone, and each requires different care. If you have trouble determining your type, consider visiting a dermatologist or cosmetologist who will help you with this.

It is worth emphasizing that care takes time , there are no instant solutions. Each product needs 2 to 6 weeks to be effective.

If at any time redness, irritation , burning or a feeling of discomfort appears on the skin, stop using the cosmetic and consult a cosmetologist or dermatologist.

The correct order of care is:

• make-up removal and cleansing,
• peeling (exfoliation): 1 to 2 times a week,
• toning,
• serum,
• eye cream,
• moisturizing and regeneration,
• photoprotection.

Makeup removal and cleansing

It's a bit of a butter, because make-up removal is included in "cleansing", but I've broken it down to emphasize that make-up is removed separately, not just when washing the face . To remove make-up, we use a delicate milk, oil or micellar fluid. The most important thing is to apply a large amount of the product to the cotton pad, so that when applied, it removes make-up from the eyes and there's no need to rub them. Currently, there are also pastes and butters that we apply with our fingers, then wash off with water and smoothly (nomen omen) move on to the next step.

What is micellar fluid?

This is a make-up remover that contains cleansing substances, so it should be washed off with a water-based product each time . Micellar fluid contains micelles that attract all skin impurities - so it removes even waterproof make-up.

Washing

We wash our face with foam, emulsion or face wash gel twice a day to remove accumulated impurities from the skin surface. Remember that thorough washing is a key step in the entire care routine.

Exfoliation = peeling

If the peeling contains cleansing substances, you do not have to wash your face before using it. These substances include, for example: Cocamidopropyl Betaine , Coco/Decyl/Lauryl Glucoside , Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate , Sodium Lauroyl Sarccosinate , Sodium Myreth Sulfate , Sodium Coco-Sulfate , SLS ( Sodium Lauryl Sulfate ) or SLES ( Sodium Laureth Sulfate ) [source:Piggypeg ].

What does this step in care do?

Exfoliation supports the natural skin renewal process, cleanses and stimulates microcirculation . Thanks to peeling, the skin is ready to draw full handfuls of the benefits that you will soon apply to it. It is important not to exfoliate more than once, maximum twice, a week - this can damage the epidermis. And the point is to get rid of only what our skin no longer needs!

We can choose between mechanical, chemical or enzymatic peeling – they should be selected according to the skin type. Sensitive and problematic skin will prefer enzymatic peeling. However, no skin will like abrasive ingredients or crushed walnut shells. Ouch!

Toning

This is a gentle restoration of the proper pH on the skin's surface (which changed from acidic to alkaline during washing). Facial toners available today have nothing in common with those used in the 80s - those were supposed to deeply cleanse (or rather disinfect!), so they contained alcohol, which dried and tightened the skin.

Today's toners are like a nutrient bomb . Support before the big concert of nourishment and hydration. It is good to apply them with clean fingers so as not to waste the product on the cotton pad. Besides, your skin deserves active ingredients first! You can also use the toner like a mist, spraying it directly on your face.

Open pores? Let's get to work! We're bringing out the heavy artillery, namely rich-composition cosmetics.

Nutrition = serum

In simple terms, serums provide the skin with higher concentrations of active ingredients . Well-chosen, they respond to the needs of the skin and are an ideal complement to care. This is an ideal option for people who do not like masks. There are also essences to choose from - equally concentrated, but slightly thinner.

Dark spots? Wrinkles? Show me your skin and I'll tell you what you need. Hyaluronic acid binds water well, preventing moisture loss. Vitamin C brightens discolorations, brightens the skin. Retinol and vitamin B3 prevent skin sagging, reduce wrinkles. Niacinamide and colloidal sulfur soothe irritation, reduce redness, and have anti-inflammatory effects.

What is important is the fact that not everything can be combined . The combination of retinol and vitamin C can irritate the skin and does not bring results. For this reason, vitamin C is recommended for use during the day, while retinol will work well at night .

Active Ingredients in Facial Cosmetics – What Do They Do?

Here are some of them:

• Aloe: soothes, relieves irritation, moisturizes.
• Antioxidants: remove excess free radicals, protect against premature skin aging.
• Cetearyl Alcohol : skin softening emollient.
• Emollients: lubricate the skin and maintain its proper hydration.
• Glycerin: humectant, increases the hydration level of the epidermis.
• Clays: absorb excess sebum, cleanse, nourish, tighten the skin and even out the skin tone.
• Coenzyme Q10: reduces wrinkles, has anti-aging properties .
• Caffeine: stimulates microcirculation, reduces swelling and evens out skin tone.
• Collagen: smoothes and moisturizes.
• Hyaluronic acid: moisturizes, has anti-aging properties.
• AHA acids: eliminate fine wrinkles, exfoliate, improve elasticity and lighten discolorations.
• BHA acids: have anti-acne, antibacterial and exfoliating effects, regulate sebum secretion, stimulate collagen production.
• Shea butter: regenerates the lipid layer of the skin, moisturizes, soothes irritations.
• Niacinamide: soothes, moisturizes, strengthens the protective barrier, reduces redness, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
• Argan oil: emollient, lubricates, soothes irritations.
• Jojoba oil: emollient, lubricates, soothes irritations.
• Tea tree oil: antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory.
• Colloidal sulfur: when applied topically to the skin, it has antiseptic and bactericidal effects.
• Vitamin C: brightens skin tone, reduces discoloration, has antioxidant properties.
• Vitamin E: protects the skin against free radicals.
• Green tea: strongly moisturizes, reduces acne, has anti-aging properties.

Moisturizing the skin around the eyes

Why are the first wrinkles you discover on your face around your eyes? Why is this where sleepless nights and hours spent in front of a computer accumulate?

Because the skin in this area has poor microcirculation, and is also thin, sensitive, and quickly loses firmness - so it is easy to dry out. This area is also poor in sebaceous glands, which results in poor lubrication. So it is worth supporting the skin and applying a moisturizing cream. Apply, i.e. pat in gently - no rubbing!

And can you do without eye cream? You can, you can do anything. It's just an option. The only question is whether your eyes aren't asking for support. Discoloration, dryness or swelling - if you see them in yourself, act.

For bags under the eyes and inflammation, caffeine , peptides and hyaluronic acid can be great . Avoid strong retinols (which can sting and cause redness) and heavily perfumed products to avoid eye irritation.

Hydration

This is a very important step, necessary for every type of skin . Thanks to this, the skin on the face remains firm, radiant and fresh.

Skin naturally loses its ability to retain moisture as we age, and everyday activities (including washing) can further weaken the epidermal barrier.

Complementing your daily water intake (because you do, right?) is a good moisturizer . It protects against excessive water loss and the harmful elements that your skin is exposed to. It can also replenish building blocks in the skin, such as ceramides. Experts recommend using this product year-round for all skin types.

What is the difference between day and night cream?

Day cream protects your skin from the harmful environmental factors that you will be dealing with when you leave the house. It may contain antioxidants to minimize the harmful effects of free radicals, as well as sunscreens that protect against ultraviolet radiation . They usually have a light consistency.

Night creams, on the other hand, focus on repairing any damage . They may contain retinol to speed up epidermal regeneration and reduce skin discoloration. These creams also replenish moisture levels with emollients, which often create a rich, thick consistency.

Sun protection

Applying sunscreen to your face is not only anti-cancer prevention, but also protection against free radicals, discoloration or skin photoaging (visible as sagging, loss of firmness, wrinkles and furrows). It is recommended to apply at least SPF 30 to the skin. The filter should protect against UVA and UVB rays (remember that UVA radiation penetrates the dermis in a similar dose at any time of year, even on cloudy days).

Applying sun protection

Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before sun exposure and reapply at least every 2 hours. Chemical sunscreens should be applied directly to clean skin, while physical sunblocks can be applied last in your skincare routine, before applying makeup.

Proper Facial Care. What You Need to Remember?

Remember that taking care of your skin also means good habits: a balanced,healthy diet , an appropriate amount of exercise, regular changes of bed linen and towels (use only disposable paper or cotton towels to wipe your face).

Skincare Mistakes You Might Be Making

• You don't wash off your makeup before going to bed or you don't do it thoroughly.
• You have poorly selected cosmetics for your skin type.
• You are confusing the order in which you apply the products.
• You are drying out problematic or oily skin.
• You're popping pimples (brr!).
• You exfoliate your skin too often (you exfoliate more than twice a week).
• You are not applying a filter.
  
  

So, when do you start PROPER care?