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 To achieve good looking skin, a conscientious effort to stick to the 5 steps of the regimen is encouraged. Laziness certainly does not go well with radiant skin, unless you are already well-endowed with it!

 

1. Cleanse

The foremost step of the skincare regimen is to clean the skin, and rid the skin of oil, dirt, make-up and other impurities on it.

For women who wear make-up, it is best to use a make-up remover first, before washing with a cleanser again. Make-up (especially waterproof ones) does not come off with a normal cleanser.

Pick cleansers that are mild and non-irritating to the skin. A good cleanser should not strip your skin of it moisture while working to remove the dirt and oil.

Tip: Work the cleanser into a lather before gently applying to the wet face. Avoid vigorous rubbing and pulling of the skin. Do not over-cleanse as well; twice a day in the morning and at night would be good enough.

 

2. Tone

A toner helps to remove any leftover traces of dirt and make-up from cleansing. It also helps to tighten the pores and prepare the skin for other products/nutrients applied on the skin for better absorption.

Non alcohol toners are preferred, as they minimize irritation and drying out of the skin.

Tip: Saturate a cotton ball or pad with the toner, and smooth it over the face after cleansing.

 

3. Moisturize

The most important step in the skincare regimen is to moisturize. Moisturizing regulates sebum production and keeps the skin hydrated, keeping dry patchy skin at bay. With proper moisturizing, wrinkles also become less obvious.

There are many kinds of moisturizers, some richer and more moisturizing than others. It is important to pick one according to your own skin type and needs.

For example, dehydrated skin could do with richer and thicker moisturizers, whereas water-based moisturizers are better suited for oily skin.

Tip: Moisturizers are best absorbed when the face is slightly damp and warm. Apply the moisturizer in gentle upward and outward strokes on the entire face and neck area, massage into the skin.

 

4. Spot treatments

The skin is now prepped up for spot treatment after moisturizing. Choose creams, lotions and gels according to your skin problems or areas of concern.

One essential treatment is the eye cream. The eye area is very delicate; lack of proper hydration and care for the eye area means even earlier appearance of unsightly wrinkles, eye bags and puffiness.

Other treatment options may include whitening products for overall brightening of skin or reducing appearance of spots and pigmentations; anti-aging products targeted at wrinkles, expression lines or saggy skin.

While the aim is to reduce these problematic areas, do not be over-zealous in applying the products. Less is more.

For newly acquired products, it might be a good idea to a patch test first to see if you may develop any irritation to them.

 

5. Sun Protection

Exposure to the sun causes about 80 percent of the skin changes associated with aging. So the next time you step out of the house, do not forget your sunscreen! In fact, you should apply sunscreen even when indoors, as sun rays can still peep through the windows and curtains.

For effective protection, there are two factors to consider: UVA protection and UVB protection.

Buy sunscreen that has at least Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30, for protection against UVB rays. Also, look out for PA+, PA++ protection against UVA rays.

Tip: Look out for sunscreen with ingredients like Aloe Vera, Vitamin E or antioxidants, for added benefit! Oil-free sunscreen is also available if you are uncomfortable with the ’shine’ that some sunscreen give. Or simply apply some loose powder to cover the shine!

Apply liberally at least 15 minutes before sun exposure, to the face and neck.

 

 

 

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