How to Properly Care for Your Skin?
During periods when we stay at home, our skin heals because we don't wear makeup; we don't perform aggressive cosmetic procedures in salons; we go out less, don't accumulate dust and dirt, aren't exposed to sun and wind; and we can pay attention to self-care. So how can we improve our care? Let's focus on the stages of skincare: cleansing, toning, and moisturizing. And let's analyze first.
Skin Cleansing
Cleansing products: These products are responsible for removing sweat, excess sebum, microorganisms, and dead cells from the upper layer of the skin, as well as all dirt and makeup. It is advisable to cleanse the skin twice a day. Evening cleansing aims to remove external contaminants: dust, dirt, daytime makeup, etc. And the purpose of morning cleansing is to remove internal contaminants. It is important to remember that dead skin flakes, sebum, and dust, when mixed, turn into dirt and create an ideal environment for microbes. And all this complicates the normal functioning of the oil and sweat glands. Dirt irritates the skin, makes it loose, and sometimes causes redness. In addition to daily cleansing, it is advisable to use deep cleansing agents at a certain frequency: such as scrubs, peels, special masks. The frequency depends on the skin type: up to twice a week for oily and combination types, once a week for dry types, and at most once every 10 days for sensitive skin. Cleansing agents include: AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids), abrasive particles, minerals, and enzymes. For deep cleansing, we recommend: hyaluronic peeling with fruit acids. It is the most suitable for home treatments, as it does not cause unpleasant sensations like other peeling types, such as edema, severe hyporemia, etc. However, there may be slight redness that disappears within half an hour after the procedure.
Toning
Toning helps to cleanse the skin of the chemical elements of detergent, dirt, sebum, and water at the end of cleansing. The tonic restores the pH balance of the facial skin. Simply put, the skin's pH is its acid-alkaline content. This is our natural defense against harmful factors, which helps the local immune system. The toning stage prepares the skin for better absorption of creams. Toners often contain moisturizing and nourishing ingredients. In addition, the action of the toner is aimed at:
- Activation of metabolic processes;
- Constriction of pores;
- Saturation with antioxidants that slow down the aging process of cells;
- Relief of redness and improvement of the skin;
A soothing tonic recipe to restore skin pH at home:
- 100 ml purified water
- 2 ml lemon juice
- 2 ml olive oil
- 2-3 drops of lavender essential oil
- 100 ml green tea, cold
- 1 capsule of vitamins A and E
Mix these ingredients and shake, pour into a dry bottle, store in the refrigerator for no more than 7 days. Be sure to write the date on the bottle so you don't forget.
Moisturizing
Due to aging and the unfavorable environment, our skin does not have time to synthesize the necessary amount of sebum and loses its ability to retain moisture over time. This is why you need extra hydration. Without water, wrinkles appear faster, elasticity is lost, and the skin becomes loose. All this leads to premature skin aging. Conversely, when there is sufficient moisture, the skin is better protected from external conditions. Moisturizing is also essential before applying daytime and evening makeup, as makeup can dry out the skin. The main component of moisturizers is water or components that can retain it in skin cells, such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid.
