Regular skin care is important to improve the texture, tone, and appearance of your skin. Products that help your skin involve a wide range of cosmetics, exfoliators, sunscreens, serums, microdermabrasion, and peels. With so many over-the-counter skin care products in the market, it could easily be one overwhelming trip. The first and foremost step to choosing the right product for yourself is to determine your skin type.
You can perform either of the two tests yourself to find out your skin type.
Gently pat a blotting paper on different areas of your face. Hold the sheet against light to see how much oil is visible.
Wash your face with a cleanser, apply a good toner and then wait for 15 to 30 minutes and see how your skin responds.
There are four basic types of skin – oily, dry, normal, and combination.
Dry skin – If you experience tightness in the skin or if there is little or no oil visible, then your skin is dry. Dry skin tends to be rough, scaly and dull. The pores are invisible. Such a skin is often dehydrated, so drink a lot of water and reduce intake of caffeine products. Exfoliation with gentle, non-abrasive ingredients will make the skin ready to absorb moisturizers and serums with velvety textures.
Combination type – If your T-zone seems to be oily while the cheeks and jaw area is moderately dry, or if it shows more oil from the forehead and nose areas, then it is a combination type. This skin combines areas of oily with dry skin. A mild, exfoliate to keep the t-zone in check and moisturizers with gel-like textures will help.
Oily skin – If the paper turns out to be largely greasy or if you start seeing oil diffused on your face, your skin type is oily. The pores are large and visible. There is a shine on your skin, which is prone to blackheads, acne, and other blemishes. An enzyme exfoliator with gentle texture to prevent sebum build up and to promote cell turnover will do wonders. Do not use emollient products as it will make the skin oilier. Instead, choose products that have a thin and liquid texture.
Normal skin – If the skin has no significant sensitivities and there are small pores that are barely visible, then you have normal skin. You may need to use skin care products, which are a mix of both.
Check if you have sensitive skin. In that case, you may need to use beauty products that are specific for sensitive skins, hypoallergenic, and free from dyes and fragrances. Sensitive skin is one that breaks out in rashes or itches when you use certain beauty products.
Always patch test on your inner forearm, if you are trying out a new formulation and more so, if you have sensitive skin.
Look for skin care products with active ingredients that are proven to be effective clinically. Such ingredients are Vitamin A, B, C, and E.
You can break your skincare routine down into some basic steps. Be sure to follow your skincare routine for at least six to eight weeks for it to show some significant results. Irrespective of the product type, the active ingredients must be there, but the texture is what differs based on your skin type.
Besides deciding about your skincare regime, it is essential that you also determine the amount of money you want to spend on this. Prices of skin care products can range from few dollars to hundreds of dollars or more. One should figure out their budget and specific needs to buy the right one.
Makeup application techniques have evolved over the years. And if you are a beginner trying makeup for the first time, there are chances you may end up making common mistakes in the process. This can range from not using the right shade of eye shadow, using the wrong brush, or even something as simple as misapplying the foundation. However, with the right products and a few makeup tips, one can achieve the perfect look with healthy glowing skin.
Over-washing the face
Washing or cleansing the face is one of the most important steps in the makeup application process. However, each person has a different skin type. Moreover, with age, the skin may undergo various changes. So, when one applies foundation and notices dry and flaky skin, it’s a sign of over-cleansing. Hence, experts suggest washing the face twice daily – morning and night. This process can help retain the skin’s moisture in the form of natural skin oils.
Skipping a skin preparation routine
One of the biggest makeup mistakes people make is applying makeup products directly on the skin. This can often make the face look cakey. Therefore, it is important to apply hydrating skin care products like moisturizer, serum, primer, and toner before makeup application. You can follow the cleansing-toning-moisturizing routine before going in with the makeup process. This can make the makeup application look good while maintaining skin health.
Applying makeup in the wrong lighting
Lighting is the key element while applying makeup or choosing the right products. It is important to test the products on the skin in natural lighting. Trying to buy makeup products in dim-lit stores can lead you to buy the wrong shade of products. A wrong shade of foundation can make your face look ashy, leaving a gray cast on the pigmented areas on the face. To prevent this situation, it is best to swatch the products in a natural light setup.
Using too much concealer
Concealers help to cancel out pigmented/dark areas like dark circles on the face. However, incorrect use of the right products or the right shade of concealer can highlight fine lines, darkness, and pigmented spots. Therefore, it is advised to use a small amount of the concealer on the under eyes and blend it well with your finger or a brush. If required, you can add another layer of the product. Ensure you set it with a translucent powder to prevent it from setting into fine lines. Additionally, experts suggest avoiding thick and creamy foundations or concealers and using liquid and hydrating options to achieve a healthy and natural look.
Ignoring the lips
Lips are one of the key focus points when it comes to makeup. Usually, as one begins to age, the upper lip begins to slowly thin and lose its natural color and shape. Hence, it is crucial to care for the lips as much as any other body part. Therefore, experts recommend exfoliating the lips with a gentle scrub at least once a week and regularly applying hydrating lip balms. In addition, one must also opt for colors close to the natural lip color for lipsticks, glosses, and lip liners to achieve the look of fuller lips. Avoid applying products on dry, chapped lips.
Not applying blush
Nowadays, most people prefer to skip the application of blush from their makeup routine. However, this proves to be one of the biggest mistakes resulting in duller-looking skin. In most cases, blush can instantly help one look youthful since its primary objective is to mimic a natural flush of color. However, one must make sure to choose a natural rosy color that complements the skin tone. So it is considered best to avoid blushes that are either too bright, powdery, or shimmery for a more natural look.
Using the wrong blending techniques
Buying the right shades of foundations, concealer, or eyeshadows is not enough. Just dabbing these products can make the face look unnatural and out of place. So, to avoid this common makeup mistake, one must blend the products properly, as the key to natural-looking makeup is in the art of blending. It’s recommended to watch a few tutorials and videos online to get a better idea of the process. Blending with the right set of tools is also essential. Therefore, invest in good-quality brushes and blenders.
Applying heavy mascara on the lashes
A top-quality mascara achieves the objective of accentuating the edges of the eyes, giving a sharp shape to the eyes. The heavy application of mascara can lead to clumpy eyelashes, leading to droopy-looking eyes. Some people may make the mistake of applying heavy mascara on both the top and bottom lashes. However, in most cases, heavy application of mascara can bring attention to the wrinkles below the eyes. Hence, it’s best to apply a single coat of mascara to achieve a natural and lifted eye look.
Apart from avoiding the above-mentioned makeup mistakes, one must also regularly follow a skincare regimen. Good skincare ensures healthy and glowing skin. This includes using the right moisturizer, toner, primer, and exfoliant regularly. One can also visit a dermatologist to learn more about tips and tricks for healthy skin.
A moisturizer can do wonders for the skin. With many options available on the market, you may feel befuddled when making a choice. So, how do you find the right moisturizer for your skin? Turns out, your skin porosity, type, and age can play a crucial role in guiding you toward the right product. Use these strategies to narrow down your choices, pick the best moisturizer, and leave your skin feeling healthy, supple, and glowing.
Consider the skin’s type and texture
Depending on whether you have oily, dry, or combination skin, you will need to choose a product with the right formulation. Having sensitive skin, or being prone to acne will further influence your choice of moisturizer.
For instance, people with acne-prone oily skin may receive the most benefit from a non-comedogenic facial moisturizer with alpha-hydroxy acids. If you have dry skin, opt for heavier formulations with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, dimethicone, lanolin, or mineral oil to keep your skin hydrated. Those with sensitive skin, on the other hand, may want to opt for hypoallergenic and fragrance-free moisturizers.
Those with recent tattoos or skin troubles like eczema must diligently use a thick moisturizing ointment at night or whenever their skin feels dry or tight.
Opt for products with anti-aging benefits
If you are looking for products with anti-aging benefits, go for retinol-based face creams, moisturizers, and serums. Retinol is an active form of vitamin A that is applied topically to reduce the effects of aging and acne. They work by promoting new collagen and elastic fiber synthesis that can repair and reverse sagging skin. Retinol-based night creams for dry and oily skin can work wonders to diminish the appearance of wrinkly or crepey skin on the face, hands, arms, and thighs.
Look for sun protection
It is crucial to wear sunscreen, no matter what your skin type. Most dermatologists recommend using a moisturizer with SPF-30 or higher around the year. Look for a lotion or moisturizer with sunscreen qualities for your face and body to protect against sun damage.
Prioritize antioxidants
Moisturizers with antioxidants, such as green tea, chamomile, pomegranate, or licorice root extract, can improve the skin’s health. They help neutralize molecules that break down skin cells (free radicals) to keep skin looking fresh and healthy.
To get the most benefit to your skin, look for moisturizers made with skin-friendly ingredients. Avoid those with potentially irritating ingredients such as colors, perfumes, or anti-bacterial agents. Gold Bond’s range of healing lotions and creams can work wonders for your skin. Their formula contains seven essential moisturizers and three nourishing vitamins that help battle dry skin. They are dermatologist-tested, hypoallergenic formulas containing niacinamide, which is known to have a brightening effect on the body. These products also contain vitamins E and C to prevent moisture loss and protect against environmental stressors.