Here’s how to prepare your skin for Valentine’s Day
The most romantic day of the year is almost here: Valentine’s Day! Just the mention of the word Valentine’s Day has some people shuddering and others leaping with joy. Whatever your plans are, it’s never been easier to keep your skin looking flawless with these tips I want to share with you.
Sheet Masks
In the run up to Christmas, we at Procoal rave about sheet masks. Hydrating, nourishing beauty. The best thing about sheet masks is that you can use them often. You can use them once every two weeks or you can be like the Korean beauty fans and use them almost every day. Try using them about 3 times a week in the run up to Valentine’s Day to really see a difference in your skin’s hydration and glow!
Stay Hydrated
We know this advice may be a little cliche, but staying hydrated really does wonders for your skin! You’ll find your skin is free of pesky blemishes and looks plump and youthful with no signs of dullness! Another benefit is that you’ll feel less bloated, so when you get dressed for date night, you’ll feel great and have more room for that delicious pudding! You can also try replacing your morning coffee with a glass of warm lemon water. It’s packed with antioxidants, a natural energy booster, and a great way to wake up your metabolism in the morning. It also boosts your immune system, perfect for those chilly mornings!
Clean
Remember to keep your skin clean. You might put a lot of effort into applying a mask or exfoliating, but all that effort won’t pay off if you start with a dirty face. They’ll just spread dirt and clog your pores. Start your routine by removing your makeup and cleansing your skin. This provides a clear base for the following products to be absorbed by the skin layers and do their work.
Avoid Sugar
We don’t want to sound preachy, but if you want a radiant complexion for Valentine’s Day, it’s best to avoid sugar. Chocolate and candy, while delicious, are terrible for your skin! Of course, there are full-coverage foundations that can save the day, but personally, a lightweight foundation with a killer glow is always the best look. If you can’t completely avoid hunger in the week leading up to your big day, try eating a little less, as even small changes like this can have an amazing effect on your skin.
Eye Cream
Eye cream can be a bit controversial, with some people unable to live without it, while others say it’s basically a facial moisturizer in a small jar with a higher price tag. Whatever you think, applying moisturizer around the eye area does help fight signs of aging or dark circles. The skin around the eyes is much thinner than the rest of the body, which is the first sign that you’re not getting enough sleep. Opt for a cream enriched with avocado to best hydrate and nourish the area.
Start Scrubbing
A facial peel is great for a variety of skin types. If you have dry skin, use it to remove any dead skin cells that may have accumulated and caused flaky patches on your skin. If you have oily skin, remove excess sebum that may be causing breakouts, and eliminate bacteria in your pores.
Facial Oil
Facial oil is a really easy way to give your skin some extra help. Rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and even anti-inflammatory properties, facial oils balance your skin’s water and oil levels, prepping it for any additional products you might want to add, and fighting off daily aggressions. All oily skin types shouldn’t miss out on using a facial oil, it can help your skin too!
Makeup
After all the care and effort you put into taking care of your skin before Valentine’s Day, you’ll notice that your skin looks beautiful and healthy. What you do afterwards is completely up to you, but as mentioned above, a light foundation and base makeup look simply amazing. If you want to cover up certain areas, use concealer for extra coverage without making your skin look too full. Try mixing your foundation with a glow-inducing moisturizer for the ultimate romantic look, perfect for a candlelit dinner.
Lipstick
The classic red lip is a must-have this time of year, whether it’s a first date or a night out with your beloved, it feels like an unwritten law. Red lipstick and Valentine’s Day makeup go hand in hand. One trick to make your lipstick look even better is sparkling white teeth! Try Procoal Activated Charcoal Teeth Whitening Powder. You’ll see the difference after the first use and it’ll add a wow factor to your Valentine’s Day makeup.
Don’t forget:
You’ve done everything you can to make your skin look flawless. You don’t have to stop now! 90% of the time your skin will look its best if you stick to this habit for the long term. You can go a step further and incorporate serums and vitamin C-rich products into your new routine for optimal results. You’ll wonder how you ever took care of your skin before!
Here are our top ten tips for getting ready for Valentine’s Day. No matter how you celebrate, we hope you have a great time! Don’t forget, you can use these tips for other occasions like weddings or birthdays, too!
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.
