Will spending a lot of money buying the best skincare products and following religiously lengthy beauty routines give us flawless skin and delay ageing?
Well, indeed, well-formulated skincare picked according to your skin type and condition can truly transform your skin, but good habits before even talking about products are essential.
In this article, we share 9 essential skincare tips without using any skincare product that will make your skin look and feel great, inside and out.
1 | CHANGE PILLOWCASE EVERY 3-4 DAYS Pillow cases collect bacteria, oils, and residue from skincare products, increasing the chance of breakouts, irritation and redness. Wash your pillowcases (and linen) with a mild detergent and change them 2 times a week. PS: pure fine cotton and silk are the best choices of pillowcases fabric.
2 | GET REGULAR BEAUTY-SLEEP Your body needs sleep to feel rested, so the skin does too. A night of good sleep will make the skin look brighter, less dull and minimize dark circles under your eyes.
3 | WASH + DISINFECT MAKEUP BRUSHES AND SPONGES Every time you use your makeup brushes and sponges, you transfer bacteria from your skin that will stay on the brushes and possibly grow. This could lead to possible breakouts and worsening of acne. Wash your brushes weekly and disinfect them regularly,
4 | DON’T PICK PIMPLES OR TOUCH YOUR FACE TOO OFTEN Squeezing pimples can push pus (aka bacteria) deeper into the skin, causing cause more inflammation, swelling and redness. It will also disrupt the skin barrier, create a new wound, and increase the risk of infection and scarring. Touching your face with unclean hands can spread dirt and bacteria from your hands to your face, increasing the chance of clogged pores and breakouts.
5 | USE LUKEWARM WATER INSTEAD OF COLD OR HOT WATER If you wash your face with hot water, the risk is to dry out your skin, which can lead to issues with your skin barrier function; if you use cold water, excess oils are not dissolved in cold water, which can lead to clogged pores and breakouts.
6 | ADJUST YOUR MOBILE PHONE SETTINGS TO REDUCE BLUE LIGHT Blue light can interfere with our sleep cycle, and can lead to changes in the skin cells, speeding up the aging process. Too much blue light could also lead to pigmentation.
Smart devices offer a built-in Blue Light (Night Shift mode) feature to change the screen’s colour temperature. The warmer the color, the more blue light is filtered. There is also a variety of apps available too.
7 | REPLACE FACE MASKS IDEALLY EVERY 4 HOURS Prolonged face mask-wearing can lead to the accumulation of oils, dirt and sweat on the skin, and these things together causing skin irritation, redness, and acne (maskne). It can also cause skin irritation on the nasal bridge, chin or cheeks.
8 | WEAR A HAT + SUNGLASSES (+SPF) WHEN OUTDOORS Unprotected sun exposure is one of the causes of accelerated skin ageing as well as it increases the chance to develop skin cancer.
While limiting the exposure to direct sun and broad-spectrum SFP are essential, getting into the habit of wearing a sun hat and UV protective sunglasses can make a difference.
9 | HAVE A BALANCED DIET, LIMIT ALCOHOL AND AVOID SMOKING Moderation and balance is the key to optimum health. Our Mantra:
More greens, more raw food, more water – less alcohol, less sugar, less dairy. And no smoking.
DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life.
What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin?
Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition.
Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes.
If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider.
What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin?
Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity.
Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C.
Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post.
Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster.
This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster.
While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin.
It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin.
Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning?
Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance.
You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather.
Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.
