Thursday, May 22, 2008
Topic : Skin Care Regimen
I think my blog is more likely to be a beauty blog. Do more research on skincare stuffs is also a very good thing to do so too. Right?Oh yeah, I realised my blogging post had been increasing.Skin care regimen is a general guide for deep cleansing your facial skin - your personal "facial sequence of events". The care you give to your skin depends to a large extent on the type of skin that you have. However, we will discuss the basic skin care principles first. Then we will go into specific skin care regimen recommendations based on your age and skin type. A basic skin care routine requires no more than ten minutes and requires only three simple steps each morning and evening. CLEANSETONEMOISTURIZE
Follow each step in sequence and allow the recommended time for each step. Daily Skin Care Regimen Practicing a skin care regimen is one of the best ways to keep your skin looking its best. If you get in the habit of practicing your skin care regimen daily, you will get the best results and avoid skin problems like acne or dryness.- Let's understand more about cleanse, tone and moisturize -CLEANSE:
Cleansing is the cornerstone of an effective skin care regimen. It is important for the long-term health of your skin - reducing bacteria, keeping pore ducts open and exfoliating surface skin cells. If waste is allowed to accumulate, it can block the pores thus blocking the secretion of the glands from coming to the top of the skin providing it the weapons it need to fight against infections, toxic agents etc. In addition, the circulation is stimulated which improves the blood supply to your skin and nourishes it. It also gives a healthy glow to the surface of your skin.
The best way to cleanse your face is the gentlest way; use a rinse-off Cleanser and forget about soap - its pH is too high. A high pH (alkaline) soap will dry the skin and diminish its life expectancy. The skin's surface is mildly acidic, having a pH of around 5. Most soaps are well over 7, and some as high as 10. Soaps with a high pH will not only dry the skin but also eliminate its acid mantle (coating on the surface). Unlike soaps, Cleansers remove makeup and dirt, but leave the skin feeling silky and supple. Cleansers basically consist of oil, water and surfactants. The oil dissolves the oil on the face; the surfactants dissolve everything else; water washes it all away. The best Cleansers also contain natural botanical extracts to soothe, protect, nourish and moisturize the skin.Begin by washing your hands first, otherwise you will merely be working additional dirt into the skin. Then, splash your face generously with tepid to slightly warm water. Spread a nickel-sized dollop of Cleanser into your palm or onto a soft cotton washcloth. Using fingertips or washcloth, gently wash face using circular and upward motions. Wash for approximately 30 seconds for Dry skin, 60 seconds for Normal or Combination skin and 90 seconds for Oily skin. Then rinse, rinse and rinse again with tepid to slightly warm water. Any residue left behind can have a drying affect. It's not too much to splash your face 21 times and drench the sink in the process – your face will thank you for it! Pat (do not rub) face dry with a clean towel. Cleanse face daily in the morning and evening. TONE:
Toning is the most misunderstood step in most skincare regimens & also the most neglected.
Toners perform 4 very essential acts that no other skin care product on the market can do: 1. A Toner DEEP CLEANSES and purifies your pores, making sure that all pores are totally clear of leftover makeup, cleanser residue, dirt, dead skin cells, waste by-products, toxins and other hazardous elements. A TONER CANNOT CLOSE PORES AS PORES DO NOT HAVE MUSCLES CONTROLLING THEIR OPENING. Pores can only appear smaller, if deep cleansed and there's good collagen/elastin support. It's especially important for clearing the skin of impurities found in tap water. Analyze tap water and you'll discover fluoride, chlorine and sodium which clog the pores and are very dehydrating. If this debris is not removed, you are only forcing it deeper into your pores as your apply moisturizer on top, TRAPPING the debris that can cause bumps, blackheads, enlarged pores, improper absorption of the moisturizer, rough texture and even acne.
2. A Toner BALANCES the pH level or the natural acid mantel that protects your skin from the environment. It can take your skin up to 30 minutes to rebalance itself after cleansing without using a toner because the sebaceous or oil glands are confused - oily skins keep pumping out oil and dry skins stop producing oil. 3. A Toner HYDRATES tissues for proper cell function. Skin can be oil dry and/or moisture dry and the moisture content is more crucial to skin health. A toner is a very NOURISHING form of moisture that even a moisturizer cannot provide. Not too dry, not too wet. Also, the environment is CONSTANTLY ROBBING your skin of hydration, especially during forced heat season and while traveling. This is why we so strongly recommend spritzing with a Toner a few times a day!
4. A Toner assists PENETRATION of Serums and moisturizers which means complete absorption of the potent nutrients in these products. So if you truly are interested in seeing results from your Serum and moisturizer, tone before using them.
A Toner also sets mineral makeup, misting right after application makes a very soft and set makeup. Especially with some of the mineral makeups that can look almost dry, the hydrosols finish off the application with a hydrating setting action that allows the makeup to feel moist without any shine.
How To Tone: After cleansing, spritz your face with Toner to rehydrate, followed by wiping with a toner-saturated cotton pad. Lightly soak a cotton pad with toner and begin cleaning your skin gently, one small section at a time. Never try using the same toner-soaked cotton pad all over the skin in one single try. Start with your forehead, especially at the hairline where it is most neglected during cleansing. After cleaning the forehead, look at the cotton pad, if you see makeup or any other discoloration on the cotton, get new cotton and tone the same section again. REPEAT this step until the cotton comes away perfectly white, free of any residue and pore debris. Then start with the next section. Perform this procedure from the hairline all the way to the neck. MOISTURIZE:
(Optional for oily skin) Moisturizers are the final component of your skin care regimen. They work by duplicating and strengthening the role of your body's own naturally produced sebum (oil) and thus protect the skin against excessive moisture loss. Sebum emulsifies with sweat (99% water) on the surface of the skin, lubricating the upper layers of the epidermis by softening and plumping out the dry, dead skin cells producing a fine protective layer of oil to render the skin more water-tight.
Moisturizers contain varying proportions of oil, water, herbs, and other natural ingredients. They are used to lubricate, nourish, soothe, protect, and hydrate the skin. Moisturizers should leave the skin feeling supple, soft, and nourished, not clogged or greasy. Be sure to choose a Moisturizer that is appropriate for your skin type and condition.
After cleansing and toning, apply a small amount of Moisturizer to your fingertips and massage into the face. Apply your Moisturizer while your skin is still slightly moist. This helps to keep your skin hydrated. All Moisturizers can be made to work more effectively by dampening the skin first, as the top, dead layer of skin will absorb a small amount of water.
In warm weather, store your Moisturizer in the fridge. The chill feels good on your skin and helps it look firmer too. In cool weather, warm your Moisturizer between your hands for a few seconds before you apply it to your face, it will absorb better. Moisturize face daily in the morning and evening for Normal and Dry skin. Oily and Combination skin may only need one daily moisturizing treatment, or none at all (your skin's level of moisture will determine this).
In addition to the above skin care regimen, the following treatments may be performed, depending on your specific needsSERUMS:
Facial Serums are the strongest products and should be an integral part of EVERYONE'S skin care regimen. They are used to increase skin firmness, elasticity and tone; promote radiance and skin clarity for a luminous complexion; combat free radical damage, helping to prevent signs of aging; and increase the skin's natural moisture resulting in smoother, more even texture.
These potent formulations are hand-blended for targeted skin correction. The formulas are very concentrated, so you'll only need to apply a thin layer to the face and neck. The ingredients in our Serums feed skin powerful vitamins and skin nutrients that help restore skin from sun, free radical, environmental damages, and protect the hydro-lipidic layer to create a comfortable luminescent complexion.
They can be used as spot treatment for eyes, expression lines, or blemishes. They also are fantastic as an area treatment for larger areas to help control and heal the natural aging process, widespread oily T zone, tissue congestion, loss of elasticity with a sagging appearance, or sun damage with age spots and discoloration.
Apply a thin layer of Serum on the face and neck and around the lips and eyes after cleansing and toning. Always follow a Serum application by applying a Moisturizer. Use daily in the morning and evening.
In addition to the above skin care regimen, perform the following treatments once a week
EXFOLIATE:
Exfoliation, while a relatively new addition to the American skin care regimen, has been used for centuries by European and Eastern women. Healthy new skin cells push up from the lowest layer of the epidermis and move toward the surface. Once they reach the surface, the flattened and dried up cells are shed. Those that have been on the surface of the skin too long are grayish and dull in tone. They may flake and can clog the sebaceous (oil producing) pores, leading to superficial spots or blackheads and giving an uneven, patchy look to the face and body. Showers and baths clean away surface grime, but the dead zone remains as a rough, flaky layer. This layer must be removed by Exfoliating with a Glow. Exfoliation helps to speed up the flaking and shedding process, by taking off the uppermost, dead layer of cells to expose the finer, more translucent tissue underneath.
Once a week, after you cleanse your face, but before toning, take a bit of Glow into the palm of your hand. Wet it and lightly massage it gently around your face. Use the same easy pressure that you would with a washcloth. Don't over scrub, because you need some of those surface cells to protect your skin. Avoid contact with eyes. For further exfoliating effects, allow to remain on skin a minute or two without scrubbing. Rinse off with tepid to slightly warm water or remove with warm, damp face cloth.
MASKS:
Facial Masks are used to deep cleanse, nourish, restore skin tone, increase cell regeneration & moisturize or astringe the skin, depending upon what is needed. Facial Masks are made from a variety of ingredients such as clay, botanicals, fruit extracts, raw honey, oils, seaweed & herbs. They are both naturally humectant (promoting retention of moisture) and emollient (making the skin feel softer and smoother).
After you cleanse your face, but before toning, apply a Facial Mask uniformly over the face, avoiding eye contact. Leave the Mask to do its magic for 10 minutes for dry or sensitive skin, 15 minutes for normal or combination skin or 20 minutes for oily skin. Use a wet, warm washcloth to gently remove the Mask with a circular massaging motion. Facial Masks should be performed once a week for Normal and Dry skin, one-two times per week for Oily and Combination skin.
Performing the above skin care regimen on a regular basis will do wonders for your skin. Cleansing, toning and moisturizing will ensure that your skin is healthy, silky smooth and beautiful for years to come. You may also find additional benefits from performing some of the other steps like Under Eye and Serum treatments or Exfoliation and Facial Masks.
Lastly,
Forming a good skin care regimen early is the key to vibrant, clear skin
• Rei posted at 2:43 PM •
Sealed with a kiss. Deep in my heart. I'll be back.
