Being a woman in a fast-paced big city has many advantages. However, the fast-paced life, the traffic, the pollution, and the late hours bring with it, their own set of challenges.
The first place it starts to show is on your skin!
Women, especially those in professional roles, put in a lot of effort into presenting a well-groomed, well put together persona. But even the best clothes and makeup cannot hide the ravages of time and environmental stress on your skin. Ask any well-put-together woman you admire and you will learn that having a great skincare routine is an inherent part of her morning or evening.
Knowing what products work together, how they benefit your skin, and the order in which to use them is incredibly important when selecting the best skincare routine for you. Depending on your skin type, and condition, you may have multiple skincare concerns.
With a more advanced routine, some experimentation is needed to discover which method and frequency of application works best. But the most basic routine that works for just about everyone with any skin type is this:
- Cleaner
- Toner
- Serum
- Moisturiser
How you apply these products is just as important as the products themselves. There is, actually, a right way to apply skin-care products to get the most out of them. Follow these guidelines for glowing, healthy skin.
Cleanser
Unbelievably, there is a proper way to wash your face. This depends on the type of cleanser you prefer. If you use a cleansing gel or foaming wash, it’s best to apply the product with your fingertips directly to damp skin. Never apply a cleansing gel directly on a washcloth, as it will absorb too much of the product, causing unnecessary waste. If on the other hand, you use a cleansing lotion, you should apply it to dry skin because if your skin is wet, it will dilute the product, which then will not perform as well.
Whichever type of cleanser you choose, massage it into the skin in a circular motion, rinse well when finished, and then give your skin a final swipe with a facial sponge or a washcloth (we recommend a gentle baby washcloth) to ensure makeup, dirt, and oil are thoroughly removed.
Although it is essential to cleanse at night, it’s just as important to wash your face in the morning to remove any natural oils that built up on your skin while you slept. Moreover, you want to gently wash away the products you applied before bed so you start with a clean surface before applying your daytime lotions and potions
Toner
Toners are designed to remove cleanser residue as well as salts, chlorines, and chemicals found in tap water that may dehydrate the skin. Spritzing a toner onto skin may only dilute tap water’s chemicals, while wiping will remove them. Make sure to use an alcohol-free toner (alcohol-based toners are extremely drying and irritating) and wipe it over the skin with a cotton pad, for the most effective results.
After cleansing the pores open up and toner helps in closing the pores without allowing any particles to clog them. Therefore giving you an even and clean skin tone.
Serums
Serums are the unsung heroes of skin care. Since they contain a higher concentration of active ingredients, they increase product performance as well as maximise the benefits of the other products we are using. It is important to use a serum only on damp skin. Moist skin is many times more permeable than dry skin, so when a serum is applied to damp skin, the active ingredients in the serum will penetrate the skin at a deeper level. Serums offer many different benefits depending on the formula and what your skin needs, but they can truly change your skin for the better by clearing clogged pores, fading brown spots, and softening lines and wrinkles.
Moisturiser
A common mistake most women make with their moisturiser is with where they do not apply it! A moisturiser should be applied to the face and the neck, since the neck and throat area is an extension of the face and is equally exposed to the elements. Apply moisturiser evenly, otherwise you will end up with clogged pores around the hairline and near the ears.
When you apply from the middle of your face pushing outward, moisturiser settles more abundantly at the perimeter of your face. The layers may clog the pores, leading to excess oil production and eventually breakouts.
Finally, don’t make the mistake of applying extra layers of moisturiser in an attempt to heal dry skin. Using thicker coats of moisturiser may result in clogged pores and definitely product waste; the skin can only absorb so much.
This guide is brought to you by QNET’s exclusive skincare brand, Physio Radiance.
Enhance your skin’s radiance while diminishing the visible signs of ageing with our exclusive selection of revolutionary anti-aging skin care products. To get the best results, follow the quick and easy four-step Physio Radiance skin care routine every day to see a positive difference after only three to four weeks of daily use.
