EST. 2010

Skintillating: 5 Steps To Beautiful Skin

Step 1: Clean It Right

5 Steps To Beautiful Skin
Clean skin is the core of beautiful skin.And if you think cleaning simply means washing your face then you're wrong.Cleaning is a more exhaustive process than just washing your face and cleaning it right is the first step towards achieving a glowing skin.Here's how you should go about it:
  1. Remove all traces of make-up by using a good quality cleanser to avoid damaging your skin.I recommend Liz Earle Cleanse And Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser.
  2. Avoid using too hot or too cold water.Instead use lukewarm water.It will not only help open the pores for deeper cleansing but also loosen up dirt and oil. 
  3. Use mild cleansers or face washes that are soap free and non-comedogenic.My favourite cleanser these days is the L'oreal Hydrating Gel Face Wash and Cetaphil.
  4. Avoid harsh rubbing or massaging.Use a light hand.
  5. Rinse face thoroughly to remove all residue of cleanser which might clog your pores.  
  6. Always pat dry with a soft, non-abrasive towel instead of rubbing. 
Step 2: Moisturize As If Your Life Depends On It

5 Steps To Beautiful Skin
A well hydrated skin speaks volume and you cannot expect your face to be moisturized automatically.Obviously you will have to make efforts to ensure that your skin is well moisturized and supple.Most people with oily or combination skin think that they don't need to moisturize since their skin will automatically secrete oil to moisturize itself.Well they are wrong.Moisturizing is very important irrespective of your skin type.And here's why:

While cleansing helps in removing dirt, grime, oil and dead skin cells, it also strips the skin of it's natural moisture and natural oil.Plus exposure to the sun causes the skin to dry, discolour, freckle, and wrinkle.Moisturizers help to not only increase the skin's water content, but they also help in protecting the skin and encourage an orderly skin shedding process that makes the skin appear more smooth.

So now that you know the importance of moisturizers in your skin care regimen it's essential to understand which kind of moisturizer you need.If you have dry skin use moisturizers that are rich in emollients.My favourite being Johnson's Baby Cream.It's gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin but packs a hell of a moisturizing prowess too.

If you have combination/ oily skin look for the words light, water-based, oil free on the moisturizers.Since the humid season triggers my oil glands to the max I prefer using water based moisturizers like Emolene or Emoderm.They are great at replenishing the lost moisturize without being too oily.

Always apply moisturizer to clean damp skin.Apply small dots all over and then massage the moisturizer into your skin using gentle circular motions.Wait for 5 minutes and wipe off any excess using a tissue.And remember sunscreen is not a substitute for moisturizer.Both have different purpose and such should be applied separately and not substituted for each other. 

Step 3: Pamper Once In A While

5 Steps To Beautiful Skin
Your skin takes in a load of crap in the form of sun exposure, skin treatments not to mention crazy experiments, so it's always a good idea to show your appreciation by pampering your skin once in a while.And by pampering I don't mean expensive spa session.Whip up tasty skin treats in the comfort of your home or try the plethora of face packs available in the market.

You could also try various chemical peel treatments using natural ingredients at home.Read these DIY tips on Chemical Peels at home:

 Chemical Peels At Home Part 1
Chemical Peels At Home Part 2: Glycolic Acid Peels
Chemical Peels At Home Part 3: Salicylic Acid Peels

A well cared, rested and pampered skin always shines through.

Step 4: Don't Overkill


Too much of anything is almost always bad and that includes skin care.Cleansing, scrubbing, toning, moisturizing are essential parts of your skin care but don't go all overboard.Too much cleansing can strip your skin of natural oils leaving skin dry while vigorous scrubbing will definitely help you get rid of the dreaded dead skin but at the cost of scraped skin .Excessive scrubbing can actually wear away your skin the same as if you took a sheet of sandpaper to it.

Toners though great at helping to tighten pores can also dry out your skin if not used in moderation because they contain alcohol, astringents and other drying ingredients.And though I did say moisturize as if your life depends on it, too much moisturizer will clog your pores trapping dirt, grime and bacteria leading to acne.

So don't get too carried away with your skincare regime and, by all means, don't overkill.

Step 5: Steer Clear Of The Unnecessary

 
The market is flooded with a plethora of unnecessary skin care products that are a nothing but beauty scams.And the biggest of these is the fairness cream.Skin colour is genetic and no product can change that.The moment you embrace this simple fact, you are one step closer to achieving beautiful skin because you learn to love and respect your skin for what it is.Most of these so called fairness creams and lotions contain bleaching agents which might harm your skin.Instead invest in good quality sunscreen.

Another farce in the name of miracle skincare products is Age Reversing Skincare products.I mean common who the hell are they kidding.Aging is an irreversible process and no cream can change it. Which brings me to the king of the unnecessary: cosmetic procedures.

Blame it on the evergreen lust for beauty which will make us females go to any and all lengths, often trading in common sense for dangerous procedures to look more beautiful.To be honest these do work but to a certain extent.And the dangers of such procedures far outweigh the advantages.Chemical peels done using harmful and dangerous chemicals can most often lead to infection, scarring, pigment problems and redness. Scientists found that popular anti-wrinkle treatment with Botox can pose serious health risks as the toxin may spread from face to the brain.
Beauty has been and will always be skin deep.So respect your skin and steer clear of the unnecessary.

I hope this post proves helpful in your quest for beautiful skin.Please comment and tell me your secrets to beautiful skin.
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