It’s time for a new skin care routine. The problem is, you have no idea where to start, and the sheer amount of products available is overwhelming. Will that serum actually do anything? Is this toner even necessary? Does moisturizer go before or after sunscreen? Before you give up in defeat and throw out all your old products, take a look at this chart.
You should think about your skin type as well as your specific concerns when choosing products. If you’re oily, for example, you may still want to use a cream-based moisturizer if you have dry patches. A good rule of thumb is to consider your face as a whole when making product choices rather than focusing on individual issues in isolation.
If you want to mix and match products from different brands, the rule of thumb is to apply thinnest-to-thickest. For example, if you’re using an astringent followed by serum followed by moisturizer, apply them in that order. On the other hand, if you’re layering two serums or two moisturizers (not recommended), then it doesn’t really matter which product goes on top since they’ll both be absorbed into the skin anyway.
If there’s one step everyone should do morning and night
What’s the difference between a serum, an essence, and an ampoule? (And why do you need all three?) How do you know which product is right for your skin care concerns? What ingredients should you look for based on your skin type? When it comes to Asian beauty products, there are a lot of questions to answer.
Let’s start with the basics: essences, serums, and ampoules are basically liquid-y treatments that you apply after cleansing and toning your face. Essences are the thinnest in texture, so they go on first. Serums come next because they’re thicker and heavier. Ampoules are the thickest and heaviest of all, so they go on last. And all three can be used at the same time — just don’t layer them on top of each other. Apply one at a time until it’s fully absorbed, then apply another one.
Now that you know how to use them (and why), here’s how to find the right ones for you.
Understanding the different skin types and what products are best suited for each.
Dry Skin- This type of skin is lacking in sebum, although it may at times produce too much. It is usually due to genetics, excessive bathing, dry weather or endocrine disorders. Dry skin feels tight and itchy after washing, and if left untreated, can lead to deep cracks that cause bleeding and infection.
Normal Skin- This skin has a good balance of moisture and oiliness. It generally has pores of small size, no blemishes or blackheads, no dryness or oiliness. If a person is lucky enough to have normal skin, he or she should consider themselves fortunate as this type is most ideal for any kind of care regimen.
Oily Skin- This type of skin produces an excess amount of oils called sebum due to overactive oil glands. This produces a shiny look on the face and makes the pores appear larger than normal. Oily skin is prone to acne flare-ups, blackheads and other problems related to oily skin including enlarged pores, dull complexion and age spots.
Combination Skin- Combination skin consists of both dry and oily areas on the face at the same time. The forehead, nose and chin are typically oily while
The dermis is a layer of skin that sits below the epidermis and above the subcutaneous tissue. It is made of:
– Collagen – provides strength and structure to the skin.
– Elastin – allows the skin to stretch.
– Ground substance – holds everything together.
In the dermis you can also find sweat glands, sebaceous glands, hair follicles, muscle fibers, nerve endings and blood vessels.
Acne: What is it and how do we treat it?
Acne is a very common skin condition characterised by comedones (blackheads and whiteheads) and pus-filled spots (pustules). It usually starts at puberty and varies in severity from a few spots on the face, neck, back and chest, which most adolescents will have at some time, to a more significant problem that may cause scarring and impact on self-confidence.
How does acne form?
Acne forms when the ducts of the sebaceous glands become blocked. Sebaceous glands are small glands on the skin that produce an oil called sebum. This oil helps keep your skin supple and moist. The sebum is normally carried along the duct to the surface of the skin. Hair grows out of tiny follicles in your skin. When you have acne, these follicles can become blocked with dead skin cells and oil from the sebaceous gland. Bacteria can then grow in this blocked follicle causing inflammation.
Treating acne
Although there is no cure for acne, there are many treatments available to help reduce its appearance.
These include:
Benzoyl peroxide gel – kills bacteria in blocked pores
Antibiotics – kills bacteria
The skin is the largest organ in the body. It protects us from microbes and the elements, helps regulate body temperature, and permits the sensations of touch, heat, and cold. It is a multi-layered structure; the two main layers are the epidermis (upper or outer layer) and the dermis (lower or inner layer). The epidermis itself has five sub-layers.
The deepest layer of the epidermis contains melanocytes: cells that produce melanin, the natural pigment that gives skin its colour. Other cells in this layer are responsible for replacing older cells as they move up towards the surface of the skin where they are shed into the environment. In this way, fresh cells are constantly being created, making their way to the surface of the skin over a period of around 28 days.