Can you imagine leaving your home without brushing your teeth or taking a shower? If that thought seems preposterous, then so is bracing the scorching sun without any sunscreen! It’s 2019 and everyone (including men) should have some sort of skincare routine as part of their daily regime. But if you can’t differentiate between serums and toners or just need proper guidance, let this article be the holy grail for you.
Step 1: Cleanser
Imagine your face as a blank canvas, and before you start applying the good stuff onto your face, it is best to give it a good wash. Now, here is the science-y part… our skin’s PH value is typically on the lower end of the spectrum – more to the acidic side (5.5) and we all should stay away from cleansers that are alkaline. With harsh cleansers, they mess up your skin’s PH value, resulting in dry and blotchy skin. Low PH cleansers such as Fresh Soy Face Cleanser and Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser, keep the skin balanced and moisturised.
Step 2: Toner
Now that you have washed the city’s grime from your face, it is time to prep it. Think of it as warming up your skin, before it kicks into full workout mode. Toners help to remove any excess dirt and dead skin cells, while soothing the skin. It is best to get toners sans alcohol, if you don’t want to feel as if your face has been through a tumble dryer.
Step 3: Moisturiser
Moisturisers are the cornerstone of any skincare routine. To combat fine lines that are reminiscent of arid lands, it is good to get moisturisers with hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid are moisture magnets it helps your skin retain water. If you have oily skin, opt for gel moisturisers such as Tata Harper’s Hyaluronic Gel Moisturizer.
Step 4: Eye cream
The eye contour is very delicate and is probably the first area to show signs of ageing as it has the thinnest skin on the face – so it is best not to rub your eyes. If you’re prone to under-eye bags, it doesn’t hurt to get a good night’s sleep. To stave off crow’s feet, puffy eyes and dark circles, moisturisation is key. Mineral 89 Eye Contour Repairing Concentrate by Vichy is a one-stop solution in a bottle. This hyaluronic-based product helps to plump up the skin under the lower eyelids, giving a youthful look. Eyes are the window to the soul, amirite?
Step 5: Sunscreen
Sun damage is irreversible, let that sink in. Now, it can be quite unnerving when you see terms like ‘UVA’ and ‘UVB’, but always look out for these acronyms when shopping for sunscreen. The former can penetrate deep into the skin layer causing premature ageing and the latter causes superficial burns – all in all, both are bad for your skin. Also, don’t stress out on whether SPF 50 is better than SPF 30 as the difference is minimal.
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