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1. Double cleanse the face, neck and décolleté.
2. Apply a masque, liquid or sheet, and remove after 10-20 minutes. 3. Tone the skin. 4. Apply your serum of choice to the face, neck and décolleté. Look for serums containing salicylic acid, Vitamin C and/or AHAs/BHAs. 5. Apply an overnight masque over moisturizer. Massage until absorbed and rinse off upon waking. Retinoids are derivatives of vitamin A compounds that treat acne & reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. However, they often come with side effects including dryness, redness, flaking & irritation. Gentler, over-the-counter retinol can be found in cosmetic skin-care products like night creams, serums & moisturizers. Adapalene, a synthetic retinoid, is available as the over-the-counter drug Differin. Prescription-only retinoid acid (Retin-A) is more effective, yet harsher on the skin & available in different strengths.
Get started with retinoids by using an over-the-counter product it three times per week to see how well your skin tolerates it. If you can use it that often without any issues, you can increase your usage to three to four times per week. If you need something stronger, due to severe acne or signs of aging, consider using Differin or a prescription retinoid. Experiment with using lower-strength formulations once or twice a week, then consider adjusting upward in strength and frequency. When using a prescription product, you must follow your dermatologist’s instructions. In general, using just a pea-sized amount on dry skin in the evenings after cleansing will keep the product from causing too much irritation. Follow that with your moisturizer or mix your retinoid with the moisturizer to help buffer it. Experts caution against exfoliating and using retinoids together because both can cause irritation, especially when used one right after the other. If you want to use both, try exfoliating and using your retinoid on alternating evenings, or exfoliating in the morning and using the retinoid at night. Also, because retinoids increase your sensitivity to the sun, make sure you’re always using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least 30 SPF. Lastly, avoid retinoids if you’re pregnant. Raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar possesses amazing natural healing and soothing properties.
Mix raw apple cider vinegar and filtered, distilled or bottled water in these proportions: For sensitive skin: 1 part vinegar with 4 parts water For normal/dry skin: 1 part vinegar with 2 parts water For oily skin: 1 part vinegar with 1 part water Mix the ingredients together, and store in a glass or plastic bottle with sprayer. There is no need to refrigerate the toner, as the vinegar makes it shelf-stable. Mist onto cleansed skin before applying moisturizer, or spray on skin to freshen throughout the day. Oatmeal is a great solution for sunburn pain relief. Just mix it with cold milk as a compress to soothe sunburned skin. Use soy milk, because it’s a natural anti-inflammatory that soothes the skin post-sun exposure. After you combine the oatmeal and milk, just put the paste on some gauze and apply gently to your sunburn. The oatmeal’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties prevent itching as well. Apply the oatmeal-milk compress to the affected area for 20 minutes, two times a day.
A must-have product, sunscreen helps protect the skin from the sun’s UV rays, which may cause skin cancer and signs of aging. Apply every day after cleansing and exfoliating, and before makeup. Apply to cleaned skin at least 15 minutes before going outside (30 minutes before going in water), and reapply every two hours if you remain outside. Physical sunscreens (consisting of zinc or iron oxide or titanium dioxide) physically block UV rays from damaging the skin while chemical sunscreens (usually ending in -ate or -one) absorb the ultraviolet light, then break it down. Be aware that physical sunscreens are less likely to irritate the skin, but can be thicker and pastier.
Moisturizers help draw & seal moisture into the skin, strengthening the skin’s protective barrier. Moisturizers should be applied after cleansing and exfoliating,. To make things easier, you can use a moisturizer with at least SPF 30 and broad-spectrum protection (for daytime use), then layer makeup on top. If you plan to moisturize in the evening, you can use the same product. You can also try a formula with other ingredients, like retinol or antioxidants. All you need is a small amount, covering the forehead, nose, cheeks, chin, and neck.
Exfoliation removes the outer layers of dead skin cells, helping to brighten and smooth the face, even out pigmentation, unclog pores & reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. There are two ways to exfoliate: physical (manual) and chemical. With physical exfoliation, you use a tool, such as a brush, a sponge, or a face scrub, to mechanically remove the dead skin cells. Meanwhile, with chemical exfoliation, chemicals (including lactic, glycolic & salicylic acid) gently dissolve the cells.
When you’re ready to exfoliate, do it right after cleansing, either in the morning or evening. If you’re new to exfoliating , start with once a week, working up to twice or three times per week over time. If you find physical exfoliation is too intense, you can opt for a gentler chemical exfoliant (like lactic acid) instead. 1. Always wash hands thoroughly with cleanser & water for at least 20 seconds before applying makeup or skin care products.
2. Use a clean cosmetic spatula or cotton swab to scoop out product from a jar. Do not share products with others or use the public product testers. 3. Consider adding in a mid-day facial cleanse as an extra precaution in light of the coronavirus risk. The skin under your eyes is thinner than everywhere else. For this reason, it’s a good idea to have an eye cream on hand for daily use: The long-term benefit is that the skin around your eyes becomes firmer, shows fewer wrinkles and is as bright as the rest of your skin. Many of your regular skincare products will be sensitive around the eyes, too, which is why it’s wise to invest in a standalone eye product.
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