With a wide array of products promising to turn back the clock, melt away cellulite, and reduce wrinkles, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. To avoid the fads and find your routine, stick to House of Aesthetix.
Try a hydrating double-cleanse with a formula that uses rice granules to loosen flakes and nourishing ingredients like bakuchiol and squalane. For oiliness and breakouts, opt for a retinoid to smooth fine lines and even skin tone.
The skin comes into contact with a wide array of impurities throughout the day, from environmental pollutants to cosmetic products and excess oil. These irritants, along with dead skin cells, can clog pores and lead to breakouts, dullness, blemishes and premature aging. Cleansing removes these unwanted particles and helps prevent clogging so that the skin can remain clear, radiant and healthy.
Cleansing also prepares the skin for other skincare products. It is important to cleanse the skin each evening to remove any makeup, sunscreen, and environmental debris that has accumulated during the day. A cleansing routine is also essential in the morning to ensure the removal of any residual oils and to prevent clogged pores.
A cleanser should be free from drying, irritating and damaging ingredients, such as fragrances, mineral oils, sulfates, parabens and phthalates. It should contain a balanced blend of mild surfactants (the ingredients that are responsible for the cleaning action) and hydrating ingredients to avoid dryness. Ideally, the pH of the cleanser should match that of the skin (4-6.5) so that it does not cause damage to the lipid barrier.
In addition, a good cleanser should have an exfoliating action to help remove the build-up of dead skin cells from the skin’s surface. This is particularly important for a skin type that tends to have excess oil production, as this will help prevent the formation of blackheads and acne. If you have sensitive skin, look for a gentle cleanser that contains natural extracts like white willow bark (source of salicylic acid) to help prevent blemishes and sugar cane to gently resurface the skin. This will also ensure that the cleanser is gentle enough to use on a daily basis.
The skin is a dynamic organ that is constantly renewing itself by bringing new cells up from the lower dermis layer to replace the dead ones on the surface (the epidermis). Getting rid of the old, dull layer of skin by exfoliating helps give your daily glow a boost.
It also helps prevent clogged pores that can lead to blackheads and pimples, as well as improve the appearance of uneven skin texture and tone. And it allows skincare products like serums and moisturizers to better penetrate the skin—and work their magic!
Exfoliating can be done in a few different ways, but it is best to start slowly and see how your skin reacts. Some methods can be too harsh for some skin types, and over-exfoliating can cause redness, sensitivity and even dryness and irritation. Adding an exfoliant to your routine is easy and can be done both at home and by visiting a trained aesthetician or dermatologist for chemical peels and other professional treatments.
The most common method of exfoliation is by using a scrub, either homemade or store bought. You can use it on the face, arms and legs. The body skin tends to be thicker and more resistant than the facial skin, so it may be able to handle stronger physical or chemical exfoliants without irritation, but be careful with any sensitive areas, such as the armpits or bikini area.
The frequency of exfoliation depends on your skin type, but most experts recommend it at least once or twice per week. It’s a good idea to follow up with an SPF after exfoliating, as the newly exposed layer of skin is more susceptible to sun damage.
Cleanse, tone and moisturize—these three steps have been non-negotiable basics in many skincare routines for decades. But with the recent proliferation of products that tout skin-clarifying ingredients, are toners really necessary? We consulted two experts to get their take.
Traditionally, toners were astringent products that used alcohol to remove excess oil from the skin’s surface and help reduce pore congestion. While these were useful, they often contained a high concentration of alcohol that can be harsh and drying. Today’s toners and facial mists are a different breed—they’re formulated to nourish and replenish skin while providing a smooth base for serums, moisturizers and face creams.
“Toners are useful for restoring your skin to its natural pH level after cleansing, and removing impurities like dirt and makeup residue,” says New York-based dermatologist Arielle Kauvar. They can also help decongest pores, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and even out skin tone. The best toners are free of irritants such as alcohol and chemical fragrances, and contain botanically sourced ingredients such as aloe or rose water. They should also be free of salicylic acid (a common ingredient in acne-fighting toners) and benzoyl peroxide (which can be too harsh for many people).
For the best results, use a cotton pad soaked in your chosen toner to apply all over the face immediately after cleansing. Then follow with your favourite moisturizer and sunscreen. You can use a toner on all skin types but it’s especially important for those with greasy or oily skin because it helps to keep your complexion in check. Plus, it helps prevent your cleanser from stripping your skin. You can also use a toner with exfoliating properties as part of your daily exfoliation routine (physical, enzymatic and chemical exfoliants). Just be sure to use a gentle one that doesn’t include alcohol or salicylic acid.
Moisturizing is a vital part of a skincare routine because it protects your skin against external aggressors. These include the sun, wind, and extreme temperatures that can be very drying for your skin. The lipid barrier that is created when your skin is moisturized helps keep these harmful elements from entering the skin.
Moisturization also allows for the skin cells to regenerate and replace dead ones. It’s important to have a consistent skin care regimen that includes a cleanser, exfoliator and moisturizer at least twice per day. Moisturizers help balance the skin and are good for all skin types, even oily skin.
Moisturizers vary in their thickness and potency. Some are lighter and contain more water and can be used on all skin types, while others are thicker and are intended for specific skin types and conditions such as acne or dryness.
For example, a moisturizer for dry skin may contain an exfoliant such as lactic acid to help with the removal of dead skin cells that clog pores and cause flaking and peeling of the skin. Some moisturizers for oily skin are designed to help block out excess sebum while reducing inflammation and helping to reduce breakouts.
Another benefit of moisturizing is that it can make makeup application easier. When the skin is hydrated, it creates a smooth canvas for concealer and foundation that can be applied with ease to cover up fine lines and blemishes.
It is recommended that you moisturize your skin twice a day, in the morning and at night, to give it the best chance of preventing common skin problems such as dryness and oiliness. If you have sensitive skin, be sure to avoid any products that contain harsh ingredients that can cause a burning or itching sensation. For example, if you have sensitive skin and are pregnant, do not use any products that contain hydroquinone, as the safety of this ingredient has not been thoroughly studied in pregnancy.
Choosing a moisturiser with SPF or using a sunscreen primer/base with SPF is an essential daily skin care step that optimizes your skin health and appearance. It is especially important to layer your sunscreen with other anti-aging products that contain antioxidants, such as our skin-refining serum with coffee fruit extract and our face oil-free moisturizer.
The SPF number on sun creams indicates how long it takes for a person to get sunburnt when they have applied the sunscreen. This only applies to UVB rays, which cause sunburn and skin cancer. It does not indicate a product’s protection against UVA rays, which are less common but also contribute to skin damage. For this reason, it’s best to look for products labeled with “broad spectrum” and have an SPF of 30 or higher.
Unfortunately, many people misunderstand SPF, which can lead to unhealthy sunscreen use. For example, many people believe that SPF 15 is twice as strong as SPF 30, which is not true. The SPF number only tells you how long it may take for your skin to burn when using sunscreen compared to when not using it at all.
Other factors influence SPF numbers, including the starting tone of a person’s skin, the intensity of sunlight and other environmental factors. Also, the testing method companies must use to determine a sun lotion’s SPF is imprecise. It requires an evaluator to measure how much skin reddens after the product is applied, and this measurement can vary by evaluator, test equipment and participants.
Besides SPF, the most effective way to protect your skin from sun damage is to cover exposed areas with clothing, such as a hat and sunglasses. Also, avoid tanning beds. The most important thing is to always apply a broad-spectrum SPF and reapply it every two hours and more frequently after swimming or sweating.