Let It Glow

Back to Basics Skincare Routine
by Sunshine Flores

Some would say that we are living in simpler times. The mandatory shutdown has forced many of us to manage with the bare necessities and it’s been eye-opening, to say the least. A lot of the things we used to consider “essential” have taken a back seat, giving us a whole new meaning for the word altogether.

In a market saturated with too many products, it’s easy to forget what’s really important. We asked fellow momma, Sunshine Flores, to walk us through the fundamentals of skincare basics. A somewhat refresher course, if you will. No fuss and straightforward- perfect for busy and tired moms alike, looking to keep it simple and just don’t have the time to slap on 30 different night creams on their face before bedtime.

Genetic, environmental and lifestyle choices all play a significant role in our skin’s condition. Understanding the science behind our skin care routine will save us the confusion of choosing which products to use. There are only two things we need to focus on: how to keep our skin hydrated and moisturized.

There is a distinct difference between dry and dehydrated skin. Dry skin is characterized by a decrease in oil production, and dehydrated skin is a condition wherein the top layer of the skin has less water content than it should. By understanding the correlation between these two factors, we can isolate the products that our skin needs.

Whether one wears makeup during the day or not, it’s of the utmost importance to thoroughly wash your face at the end of the day.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW, STEP BY STEP

1. Start with a makeup remover to remove dirt and oil residue. Then, a hydrating facial wash.
2. Follow with a toner. Toners are sold for a reason. It helps bring skin’s pH balance to approximately 5.5, making it the perfect canvas for our skin care products to effectively penetrate the dermis (layer of our skin next to the epidermis, or the outer layer).
3. Next is a serum for skin hydration.
4. Follow up with Hyaluronic acid for water retention, and then moisturizer.
5. Last, is facial oil, to seal in all the layers of products. All of us can benefit from the use of facial oils, even if you are naturally an “oily” person. By using a facial oil, your skin will naturally inhibit the production of more oil. Facial oils contain all the vitamins, minerals and amino acids needed for cell regeneration and collagen production.

Use the same products for the under eye area with 10-15 minute intervals between each application.

*Featured Image by: illustratedpeople.com