Sunscreen Obviously this step can be skipped at night , but it ’ s important enough to get its own little spot here . In your moisturiser , in your make-up , or as its own product : wear sunscreen with SPF30 or higher every day , in every season .
THE GAPS
These are more area-specific treatments that a lot of us tend to skip . Stop skipping them ! To make this the year of your skin , pick a few — or all — of these and make them part of your regular routine .
Toner The humble toner gets so overlooked ! Applied right after cleansing and before serum , a toner can tighten pores , restore your skin ’ s pH balance , moisturise and refresh your skin .
Retinol Usually found in serums or moisturisers , Retinol is a small miracle worker . It ’ s been found to stimulate new skin cells , reduce the appearance of fine lines , and even out discolouration ( from , for example , hyperpigmentation , scars , hormones ). It ’ s much gentler than using a Retinoid , but you should still do a patch test for two weeks before committing fully .
Eye Cream The delicate area around your eyes is like its own island , prone to puffiness , fine lines and dark circles . A good eye cream typically contains ingredients like Vitamins C and B3 , peptides , caffeine and Retinol to help boost collagen production , hide dark circles and de-puff the puffy . Just remember , Eye Island requires extra-gentle application .
Exfoliant Twice a week , take your cleansing up a notch . Exfoliants take on dead skin cells , uneven tone and blocked pores — leaving your skin smoother , brighter and clearer . Your skin type helps determine if you should go physical ( with beads , grains or particles to scrub away those skin dulling cells ) or chemical ( using the dissolving power of acids to do the trick ).
Lip Therapy Are you remembering your kisser ? Whether your lips are chapped , flaky , thin or just a little lifeless , your smile needs more than just a sassy pop of colour . Products designed for lip repair and protection use ingredients like Vitamin E , Hyaluronic Acid , Shea Butter and antioxidants to protect against external damage and inflammation while making your lips softer , fuller , hydrated and smooth .
Overnight Mask You already know about conventional masks that you spread all over your face , wait patiently as it dries , walk around making funny faces at family members , and then rinse away . ( By the way , are you using those occasionally too ?) But you might not know about overnight masks , which you can apply before bed and leave on until your morning cleanse . They give your skin ( especially dry skin ) a much-needed night of indulgent hydration and restoration . Is your checklist complete ? If not , today is the day to fill those gaps and fully embrace your 2018 face .
ISSUE # 06 | 2018 | SkinHealthMagazine . com 19