Our skin, being the largest organ in our body, is constantly exposed to the sun and pollutants present in our environment. Apart from looking good, a healthy skin Is important for you to feel good cause once the damage is done, it is hard to reverse it and this is why we need a good skin-care routine.
Having a good skin-care routine is beneficial in many ways. For instance, it keeps the skin healthy, also boosting confidence and slowing down the signs of aging. Maintaining a healthy skin-care routine can encourage you to adopt other healthy routines for the ideal healthy lifestyle you wish to embrace.
Three basic steps for good skin care should include cleansing, toning and moisturizing.
- Cleansing – washing the pollutants off your face is essential. Washing your face twice a day, morning and night, is recommended, with the right facial cleanser for your specific skin type.
- Toning – Toners should be applied after cleansing, by pouring a few drops on your clean palms or a cotton pad and then wiping it on. Toning supplements apply added nutrients on your skin while maintaining your complexion.
- Moisturizing- the basic use for this is to hydrate and soften your skin, preventing water loss through the outer layers of the skin.
RETINOL
A fat-soluble vitamin in the vitamin A family, Retinol is used for fighting acne and decreasing dark spots and wrinkles. While boosting blood flow to the skin, increasing the production of collagen, Retinol fights acne by decreasing oil on the skin. From exfoliating dull skin and minimizing break-outs, retinol also helps in accelerating skin renewal.
Retinol can be very useful for people who experience breakouts and acne. From having an exfoliating effect that prevents pores from clogging, retinol also stops blackheads, pimples and cysts from forming. It unclogs pores enabling the skin to repair itself. When using retinol for acne, it is recommended that this should be used only every other day initially due to the possibility of skin irritation.
Retinol helps your skin make collagen which soften wrinkles and fine lines causing you to look more aged. It fades age spots to improving skin color due to the production of new blood vessels while bolstering skin’s thickness and elasticity.
SIDE EFFECTS
Retinol is a powerful ingredient which can cause the face to peel if used too often in the skin care routine. The skin takes a little time to adjust to retinol, hence causing it to dry and form break outs.
Side effects may also include
- Burning
- Redness
- Itchiness
- Dryness
- Increased sensitivity to the sun
Things to keep in mind:
It is important to check with the dermatologist first to make sure you don’t mix retinol with other ingredients that may overdo its effects.
Some products may already contain retinoid, hence adding more retinol may just irritate the skin.
After moisturizing, it is recommended to apply broad-spectrum sunscreen as retinol increases the skin sensitivity towards the sun.
Vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide and AHA/BHA acids should not be mixed with retinol. AHA/BHA acids can cause further irritation on the skin as it already contains retinol, while benzoyl peroxide and retinol just cancel each other out.
Experts recommend pregnant women and breast-feeding mothers to stay away from retinol as high doses of vitamin A can prove harmful to the child by causing birth defects and negative effects to the child.
Retinol should be applied on the face as part of your night time skin care routine.
- Start with cleansing your face
- Apply toner
- Squeeze a tiny amount of retinol on your finger before putting spots on your face and gently rubbing the product in
- Complete the routine by applying moisturizer.