Don't we all wish for beautiful skin? But truth be told, it is no easy task. To keep your skin looking young and healthy, you need to take care of it. Because the skin is constantly exposed to harmful sun rays, pollution, dirt and grime, there are various skin issues that pop up quite often. Other than leading a healthy lifestyle and following a balanced diet, you also need to add in a basic beauty routine to look after your skin. The skin repairs itself from the day's stress during the night, so it is necessary to give your skin equal attention before you go to bed so that it looks rejuvenated the next morning.
Here's a basic seven-step beauty routine that can help you keep your skin gorgeous. With inputs from Aanchal Budhiraja, beauty trainer at Innisfree India and Anuj Mishra, education manager at Kiehl's India:
1. Double cleansing
This is highly recommended. Double cleansing consists of first cleaning your skin with a cleanser such as a cleansing oil or cleansing cream. This cleanses oil-based impurities such as makeup and pollutants. Then follow it up with a cleansing foam to remove any leftover impurities before sleeping. The motive here is deep cleansing while being gentle on the skin.
2. Exfoliate
Exfoliate your skin with a scrub, gommage peel or a clay mask, depending on the skin type. This should be done to get rid of dead cells. Exfoliating your skin can really help in rejuvenating your skin. You should do it at least twice a week using the appropriate products according to your skin type.
3. Toning
Use a gentle hydrating toner according to your skin type to refine pores and restore pH level. Always use a good toner as it will prepare your skin for the next step of your routine by minimising the pores to normal size.
4. Sheet mask
At night, applying sheet mask on cleansed skin can be very relaxing, and will help in taking away stress from your skin. Sheet mask provides essential nutrients deep within the skin.
5. Treatment and repair
At night your skin is naturally regenerating, repairing and restoring itself. Rejuvenation is at its peak as cell turnover increases at night. Use of repairing serum such as salicylic acid or Vitamin C for brightening and reducing pigmentation, and peptides with AHA salt for peeling and increasing firmness should be applied at night. It is best to avoid these ingredients under sun rays. A blend of essential and botanical oils can also help in skin restorative night treatment. It's best for those who prefer natural repair and rejuvenation of the skin after the damaging effects of the day.
6. Intense cream
Use a hydrating and repairing night cream to nourish and seal all the essential nutrients from previous steps. A cream should be applied to strengthen moisture barrier. Use a good but gentle eye cream for hydration around your eyes. One should never ignore this step as your skin around the eyes is the thinnest, and it needs special attention. Lock all the nourishment from the above products by applying a good moisturiser according to your skin type and needs.
7. Sleeping mask
Sleeping masks are applied preferably three to four times in a week. It is applied at the last stage or the cream stage of the night routine. Sleeping masks are generally gel or cream based, and they should be massaged into the skin until absorbed and washed away with water next morning. It provides intense nourishment and dewy, hydrated skin in the morning.
Take care of your skin and keep it beautiful.
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(Also read: 3 Amazing Beauty Remedies For Oily Skin)
