Why to know the nuances of Skincare?

Our Skin is our best outfit, we proudly wear it everyday. We just can’t change it on the go. Skin demands the love and care to cope up with daily wear and tear.

Just like every skin is unique in its own way, similarly skincare too is very unique and personal according to each individual. Mimicking or coping all that you see on the internet might not really help you to improve your skin and achieve the results that you desire. To gain the wished results for your skin, it is essential to understand, identify and diagnose your skin first then get onto the skincare regime that truly suits it.

Know the Skin :
As there is global skin diversity, it is necessary to know the skin well, only then it is easier to identify the required skincare products to add in your regime.

Now, the complex big question comes - What all is there to know about The SKIN?

Let’s get into the easy way to understand skin:

Skin is the body’s largest organ that serves as the outer covering. From head-to-toe its all breathing, regenerating and protecting organ !
Pretty interesting how it works all in our favour , and all we want from it is to look good !!

Skin is primarily made up of three layers and the top most layer that we see, touch and feel is The Epidermis.
All the skincare products and regimes are focused on improving the appearance of this very first layer i.e. Epidermis.

Furthermore, the epidermis has another five layers; each layer having its own importance and functioning. The outermost layer that you actually see, touch and feel is The Stratum Corneum, also known as the Horny Layer, made up of dead skin cells.

General skin services like- Facials, Peels, Bleaches, Waxing, Threading etc. and all skincare products are focused on this Horny Layer. Some products are meant for tropical application only, with less absorption, whereas some products are meant for deeper penetrations with concentrated formulations, depending on the requirement and the need of the skin.

Select your Products by :

* Understanding Skin Diversity : We all have different skin types and different skin conditions —

Skin Types that we know —

- Normal Skin- that is healthy, supple and glowing, consider yourself blessed if you are the one to own it.

- Oily Skin- that has excess natural oil (sebum) on the surface, it is always shiny, sometimes sticky and comparatively more prone to acne build-up.

- Dry Skin- opposite to the above, it has less or no shine at all, because of obvious reason of less natural oil, this skin is more prone to early signs of ageing and maturing.

- Combination Skin- as the name suggests it is the mix of both, some parts are dry, mostly the cheeks and some parts are oily, mostly the forehead, the nose and the chin.

Skin conditions are specific, everyone may not have them, but it’s important to know if you have them!

- Dehydrated Skin :
Dehydrated Skin lacks moisture. There is less water on the skin and skin mostly feels stretchy and sometimes may feel little irritated after face wash. Unlike dry skin which lacks oil, dehydrated skin lacks water that is the moisture of the skin. This means even oily skin types can experience dehydration if they’re not properly hydrated. This skin appears flaky, rough in texture and prone to skin discolouration and premature ageing.
At least now you know, why you must check on your daily water intake and why to NEVER skip on a good hydrating moisturizer + SPF !!
However, it’s necessary to note there are various internal and external factors which may result in dehydrated skin condition.

- Sensitive Skin :
Sensitive skin condition is a reactive skin condition. Skin gets triggered by various - both internal and external factors. And, the trigger results in Irritation, Redness, Rashes, Burning Sensation, Swelling etc.
Sensitive Skin condition can occur due to genetic predisposition, hormonal changes, harsh or extreme weather conditions or simply by choosing and using wrong skincare products and regime for a longer period of time!

Now, after knowing the skin types and skin conditions, it must be clear to identify the required product category you fall into. Still understanding every skin completely can be tough for some, but it’s essential to know your own skin and to choose the products accordingly.

Product Categories —

- Cleansers — they are available for all kinds of skin types. Always read labels and ingredients before purchasing any product.

• Gel Cleansers: These are typically water-based and work well for most skin types, including those with acne-prone or dull skin. They cleanse without causing irritation or dryness and do not strip the skin of natural oils and moisture.
• Foaming Cleansers: Ideal for oily, acne-prone, and combination skin types. They work on deeply cleaning the pores and to remove the excess oil deposition from the skin to minimize the clogging of pores and avoid acne build-up !
• Cream Cleansers: Also known as milk cleansers, they have a thicker consistency and are great for sensitive, dry, and mature skin types. They are gentle and kind to the skin.
• Cleansing Oils and Balms: Suitable for all skin types as part of a double cleansing routine. They effectively remove make-up, sun blocks, and excess sebum without stripping the skin’s natural oil.
• Sensitive Skin people- must check for labels that say- ‘alcohol-free’ and ‘SLS-free’. The less foaming, the better.

- Moisturizers — they come in various formulations, each designed to cater to specific skin needs :

• Lotions: Lotions are lightweight and primarily water-based. They absorb quickly into the skin without leaving a heavy or greasy feel. Lotions are ideal for normal to oily skin types and are great for daytime use or in humid climates.
• Creams: Creams are thicker than lotions and usually contain a higher concentration of oil. They provide more substantial hydration and create a protective barrier on the skin. Creams are suitable for normal to dry skin types and are often used at night for deep moisturization.
• Gels: Gel moisturizers have a gel-like consistency and are water-based. They are light, non-greasy, and absorbs quickly in the skin, making them perfect for oily or acne-prone skin. Gels often contain humectants like hyaluronic acid to draw moisture into the skin.
• Ointments: Ointments are the most occlusive and provide the highest level of hydration. They have a greasy texture and are best for very dry or damaged skin. Ointments can help to repair the skin barrier and lock in moisture.
• Serums: Serums are very common these days, they are lightweight moisturizers that contain a high concentration of active ingredients. They are designed to penetrate deeply into the skin to deliver targeted hydration and treatment for specific concerns.
• Balms: Balms are rich, thick, and typically oil-based. They are excellent for extremely dry skin or areas that need extra care, such as elbows and heels. Balms can provide intense moisture and help to heal cracked or chapped skin.

- Sun Protection — The well known king in the skincare category is no doubt the SPF ! There are sunscreens and Sunblocks available in the market.
Do we know the difference, which one is better for you ?

Yes ! Sure we do !!

• Sunscreen: Contains chemicals that absorb UV rays before they can damage the skin. It’s often referred to as chemical sunscreen. It is mostly in a cream or a lotion form, which makes it not so convenient for oily skin people !
• Sunblock: Acts as a physical barrier that reflects and scatters the UV rays away from the skin. It’s also known as physical or mineral sunscreen. With advanced formulation — they come in variety of forms like cream, lotion, spray, gel and also in powder !

These are the basic steps for skincare-
C-Cleansing.
M-Moisturising.
P-Protection.

Anything extra that you add to your routine is for additional benefits and to serve the desired purpose, a part from those these basics steps of CMP is something everyone should follow.

In the next article we will continue further how to understand the skincare products and there ingredients.

To summerize, understanding and knowing the skin is the first step to start the skincare journey. And then keep walking with a purpose to maintain the healthy skin with the steps of skincare.

Thanks for reading. :)