Have you ever tried reading your cream’s ingredients and felt like you were back in chemistry class? Don’t worry, you’re not on your own. Everything these days is driven by actives, agents, and beauty-boosting chemicals, from foot powders to hand washes.
Sakina Mustansir, founder of Amali by Sakina—Pure 28 Multi-Corrective Face oil, states, “What’s crucial is applying the proper amounts and harmonising the various components.” Of course, certain components are more popular than others, just like they are in life. Mustansir outlines the top eight components, as well as the reasons why they are beneficial to your health.
Why focus on skincare?
Your skincare routine is just as good as the products you use. While high-quality cosmetics can help your skin look better now and in the future, low-quality products can be ineffective and even dangerous.
- Proper skin care is essential for the reasons listed below:
- It maintains the health of your skin: Because you lose skin cells throughout the day, it’s critical to maintain your skin shining and in good shape. A good skincare routine may help avoid acne, cure lines, and make your skin look great.
- Your skin will seem younger: Your skin’s cells change over more slowly as you age, making it appear duller and less luminous. Using a high-quality skincare line can assist in the removal of dead skin cells, allowing your body to replace them with fresh, more youthful cells.
- Prevention is less difficult than correction: Preventing skin issues is easier — and less expensive – than trying to cure them afterwards.
- Your self-esteem would improve: If your skin’s good, you’ll feel much better about yourself and possess greater self-confidence.
1. Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA)
The citric acid found in citrus fruits, glycolic acid found in sugarcane, malic acid found in apples, and tartaric acid found in grapes, to mention a few, are typical acids found in foods that are beneficial for skin texture.
“Products containing alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) make exfoliation easier and aid in the removal of dead skin cells. They’re most often used to treat skin problems including dryness, ageing, and acne. But, as Mustansir notes, “overuse or incorrect use of alpha-hydroxy acids can cause skin irritation, redness, swelling, itching, and discolouration.”
2. Copper peptide
Even though it has been available since 1997, this one is still considered the finest skin healing product. The explanation behind this is as follows. “Studies have shown that copper peptide promotes the formation of collagen and elastin, acts as a cell reinforcement, and promotes the formation of polyose (a skin lubricant),” she explains.
“The ingredient aids in the firming, smoothing, and mellowing of skin, and it does it faster than most other anti-ageing products. Copper peptides have also been found to remove used up collagen and elastin from the skin and scar tissue in clinical studies.”
3. Retinol
Retinol is found in almost all high-end cosmetics, making it one of the most sought-after chemical components in the beauty business. “It’s become a key part of women’s deluxe skincare regimens throughout the world since it helps battle acne and prevents wrinkles while also helping to boost collagen,” adds the expert.
However, Mustansir cautions that retinol should not be taken for an extended period since it can cause peeling, irritation, and extreme dryness, which can lead to skin thinning.
4. Hydroxy acid beta
These are mostly used as an exfoliator. “It appears that beta hydroxy acid is less irritating than alpha hydroxy acid. “However, it can still cause skin irritation, such as redness, burning, itching, discomfort, and scarring,” she explains.
In skincare products, beta hydroxy acid works best at a concentration of 1-2 per cent. “Because these exfoliants can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight, anyone who uses them should apply a decent sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection,” she says.
5. Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone-containing skincare products are sometimes referred to as fading creams or easing up experts. These skin-care items are being used to treat hyperpigmentation. For example, pregnancy or chemical treatment might cause age spots and faint spots (melasma or chloasma).
6. Propolis
It minimises skin imperfections and is found in certain skin healing serums. Its anti-inflammatory properties not only treat but also prevent acne on the skin. “Propolis is a tar-like substance obtained from honeybees with antibacterial, relaxing, cell strengthening, antifungal, and antiviral characteristics,” Mustansir explains.
7. Sulphur
It helps to keep excess oil (sebum) from contributing to acne outbreaks by washing away germs on the surface layer of your skin. “It also aids in the unclogging of pores by drying off dead skin cells.” “A few products include sulphur together with other anti-inflammatory ingredients like resorcinol,” Mustansir explains.
8. Yeast
It has grown in popularity as a result of its ability to produce smooth, bright skin. “It is gentle enough for all skin types and is made with filtered grade lactic acid, which tries to cleanse the skin and generate regular collagen,” Mustansir explains.
Some important tips for skincare
- Make sure you’re using the right cleansers for your type of skin.
Dermatologists recommend a salicylic gel or benzoyl peroxide wash for oily or acne-prone skin. Use a moisturising or milky cleanser for dry skin. Regarding skin having dark spots or melasma, use a lightening cleanser, like an alpha hydroxy acid cleanser.
- Use a limited number of products.
Applying numerous skincare products at the same time is a no-no. It might irritate the skin, resulting in outbreaks and clogged pores.
- Moisturize frequently throughout the day and at night.
Once you’re out of the shower and before you go to bed, the optimum times to moisturise are soon after you get out of the shower and right before you go to bed. Avoid lotions with strong scents and look for a moisturiser that is mild enough to apply every day without causing discomfort.
- Keep your hands away from your face.
It’s crucial to avoid touching your face. In addition to disseminating bacterium and creating breakouts, it may lead to scarring, wrinkling, as well as flu or other infections.
- Stay hydrated on the inside and out.
The significance of hydration is stressed by every skin specialist when talked with. According to Dr Mona Gohara, a dermatologist in Connecticut, “a lack of hydration implies less brightness and greater sag.” She recommends using hydrating formulations in all of your products (cleaning, moisturising, and anti-ageing). In addition, consume at least 8 glasses of water each day.
- Direct heat exposure should be avoided.
Avoid going too close to heaters and fires as it causes inflammation and collagen degradation.
- Exfoliate once or twice a week.
We lose 50 million skin cells every day, and if we don’t give them a little more shove, they’ll linger around and make the skin appear sad. To combat this, select a pH-neutral product that will not dry out as it exfoliates. Exfoliating the skin on your body is equally as important as exfoliating your face.
- Vitamins must be administered on the skin as well.
Although a very well diet remains important, there are many other methods to give your skin vitamins. Topical antioxidants are serums and lotions having nourishing nutrients for the skin. These can significantly aid in the healing of sun-damaged skin.
Are you unsure how to put them to use? These work great when applied shortly afterwards cleansing to enable the skin to absorb it, but you can also apply those over the sunscreen for further coverage.
- Eat green veggies
Though it’s easy to reach for a cup of coffee as soon as you wake up, selecting the proper drinks may make all the difference. To brighten, oxygenate, and moisturise your skin, take a shot of chlorophyll every morning. Through stimulating the lymphatic system, chlorophyll assists with the reduction of swelling, rendering it useful for cellulite.
Chlorophyll tablets are available in most local pharmacies or health food shops. Green juices with a lot of vegetables in them will drastically improve the appearance of your skin in only a few days, and it also helps to oxygenate the skin and stimulate lymphatic drainage, making it de-puffing.
- Maintain a nutritious diet.
The omega-3 fatty acid is vital to your skin’s natural barrier to maintain moisture. Incorporating flax seeds in salads and walnuts in daily diet may quickly boost overall omega-3 levels, boosting the skin’s ability to retain moisture. Also, consume a diet that is low in items with a high glycemic index (simple and complex carbohydrates).
- Clean your makeup brushes frequently.
Clean concealer as well as foundation brushes every week to prevent infection or congested pores. Do this twice a month for brushes used around your eyes, and once a month for all other brushes.
To do so, place a drop of mild shampoo in the palm of your hand and using lukewarm water, wet the bristles. Afterwards, using your hand, massage the brushes to distribute the shampoo evenly. The adhesive will degrade as well as the bristles may come out when the metallic element of the brush becomes wet, or whether the bottom of the brush hair grows damp. Use a towel to squeeze off the excess liquid after rinsing off the shampoo. Place the brushes on their sides, with the bristles dangling over the counter to dry.
- Use sunscreen every day of the year, be it rainy or sunny, indoors or outdoor.
Many individuals believe that they only need to use sunscreen on sunny days or while going to the beach. However, even when driving a car, travelling on an aeroplane, or running errands, we need to protect our skin. UV exposure regularly leads to obvious indications of ageing. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that has at least an SPF of 30 and reapply it every 2 hours.
- Sunscreen isn’t the only way to protect yourself from the sun.
We’re talking broad-brimmed hats, SPF cosmetics, and sunglasses. It is a million times better for your skin to prevent sun damage than to cure it after it has occurred.
- Reducing the number of stages in your skincare routine is a good idea.
Fad goods and exotic ingredients are entertaining to try, and they can work effectively in some cases, but they generally fly off the shelves as fast as they appear. Keep a cleanser and moisturiser that you know work for you at the forefront of your skincare regimen.
- Sleep more wisely.
It’s more than just getting eight hours of sleep every night. Using clean silk pillows regularly will also improve your skin. The cloth is smooth to the touch and resists creases and wrinkles. Silk is also gentler on the hair, preventing knots and damage. Is it possible to have better hair and skin when sleeping? Please accept my request.
