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More and more people, especially women, are becoming concerned about the state of their skin’s health. In a recent study, women’s attitudes toward beauty and ageing have undergone radical changes over the last century. Moreover, they have become more conscious and aware of the aesthetic appearance of their skin as they age. Young women are mainly concerned about signs of fatigue and dark circles around their eyes, while older women complain about unwanted fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of natural smoothness in their skin.

Our skin is always exposed to the ever-changing environment and even harmful chemicals that can rapidly age our skin/face.

Speaking of an ever-changing environment, the intense heat that comes from the ultraviolet rays of the sun can cause major skin damage. The facial skin loses elasticity and becomes dry when it is directly exposed to the sun. Its collagen fibres and elastin fibres break down and would not be able to hold the moisture of the skin. 

Additionally, UV rays speed up the facial skin ageing process because of dehydration, lack of proper nutrients, and an unhealthy lifestyle. On the other hand, sunburn can also occur when the facial skin is exposed to the intense scorching sun rays for a long duration of time.

Modern women would seek out cosmetic methods and cosmetic products that would help them to look younger, rejuvenate their skin and slow down the effects of ageing. It is estimated that nearly 50% of women consider the possibility of having a cosmetic procedure. Others would resort to an active and healthier lifestyle to help their skin maintain its natural appearance and glow, while there are some that would require only the right diet and sleep.

The most noticeable part of your body is the face. It is typically the first thing that people notice. Your face may reflect your emotional state and also your age. As time passes by, signs of ageing become more visible because of unwanted fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging of your skin.

However, there are other parts of your body that also need your attention for you to take care of them as you age. Here are the other three main parts of your body that may reveal your age:

Wrinkled Hands Is One Key Reason That Reveals Your Age!

Your hands play an important role in your daily life. It is one of your body parts that are critical when it comes to knowing or guessing your age. An ordinary person could easily guess or identify your age range by simply looking at your hands or by merely touching them.  It is self-evident that a woman is getting old when she shows some signs of fine wrinkles and sagginess.

Aside from natural ageing, there are factors that may accelerate the process of ageing in your hands. Household products such as cleaning products, ultraviolet rays (UV rays) from the sun, and smoking can contribute to the deterioration of the aesthetic appearance of your hands’ skin.

What Causes Wrinkled Hands?

• Household products 

Household products such as dishwashing soap and detergents contain chemicals that can be harmful to your hands’ skin. Unwanted wrinkles may appear when you use these products over time because the skin will become rougher and more wrinkly due to the strong chemicals. In order to protect your hands, it is advisable for you to use a pair of rubber gloves when you are washing dishes or doing your laundry. The gloves will act as a barrier between your hands and the chemicals found in those products. 

• Ultraviolet rays 

The sun’s rays are one of the major contributors to your hands’ ageing process. The changing temperature affects your skin’s moisture level and may lead to dryness. Direct sunlight can damage your skin, causing wrinkles or sunburn, since the UV rays are responsible for the direct depletion of the elastin in the skin of your hands.

• Smoking

A recent study shows that smoking affects several biophysical characteristics of the skin. Moreover, tobacco smoking may have a negative impact on the skin’s density and thickness.  

We must remember that nicotine is one of the harmful chemicals that can be found in tobacco and e-cigarettes. When a person smokes or inhales this chemical, the nicotine travels within the blood vessels. At the same time, nicotine constricts the blood vessels in your body. Thus, there would be a reduction in blood flow in your body, making oxygen less available. The lack of oxygen in your body will impair its function and may cause unwanted diseases including other skin diseases like cancer, warts, increased skin pigmentation, and premature ageing. 

Neck Lines Are Signs Of Ageing

It is undeniable that the genes in your body play a big role when it comes to the appearance of your body, including the skin on your neck.  Some people may have won the genetic lottery and may have firmer and smoother skin on their necks as they grow old. Other people may have more wrinkled and saggy skin, even if they are young.  It’s also important to keep in mind that one of the reasons their skin tends to flake and sag, or to show more wrinkles, is because the skin on their neck is far thinner in comparison to the skin on their face and other parts of their bodies.

Did You Know That Your Improper Posture Is One of the Main Reasons Causing Your Neck to Look Older?

A common posture like bending your head downwards to use your phone or reading a book may actually cause your neck’s skin to crease and degrade.It is able to create wrinkles and undesirable fine lines when it is done over a long period of time. Gradually, you will also feel a sense of uncomfortable ache or soreness around the neck area.

Furthermore, gravity is responsible for the drooping and sagginess of the neck’s skin. As the skin loses its firmness, it becomes easier for gravity to affect the skin’s physical structure. It is impossible for you to take control of gravity. 

However, you may still have to take care of your neck’s skin to lessen the effects of wrinkles and skin sagging. You may use anti-ageing skincare to minimise the effects of ageing while opting for a more active and healthy lifestyle in order to keep a smooth blood flow in your body that helps your skin to become healthier and slows down the process of ageing. 

Ageing Is The Reasons To Care For Your Décolleté (Neck to Chest Area) 

For those who are unfamiliar with the word “décolleté,” it is a French word that literally means “low neckline of a woman’s dress,” but it can also refer to the skin area that can be found in the chest, neck, and shoulders of a woman, including the upper back. 

The décolleté is fragile and produces less oil. Its oil glands are very few, and the skin thickness is also thin, making it prone to becoming dry. Eventually, unwanted wrinkles and dark spots will appear as a result of prolonged exposure to heat, pollution, poor sanitation, and direct sunlight over time.

Compared to your hands and neck, the décolleté is less noticeable as most clothing can cover this part of the body. So why is it such a contentious area?

Let’s say you’re attending a glamorous party. You would want to wear the best dress that truly expresses your style and personality. There are garments which are designed to reveal some parts of a woman’s body to emphasise their figure such as their legs, arms, and décolleté. You wouldn’t want yourself to not wear the desired outfit just because of these wrinkles and unwanted fine lines right? 

To help you fight the effects of ageing, you may need to avoid direct exposure to intense sunlight.  It would be better if you use cosmetic products like sunscreen if you’re going to go out and this will protect your skin and lessen the effects of sun rays. The use of moisturisers and other serums will help you slow down the skin’s ageing process while at the same time allowing it to repair it because of the nutrients it contains.  As much as possible, you may need to apply these cosmetic products to your décolleté, religiously, otherwise, the results might not be visible. 

How To Treat Existing Wrinkles?

For you to get a better understanding of how wrinkles form on your skin, here is an example.  Imagine, you are holding a piece of cloth. Think for a moment that you are holding a piece of cloth in your hand. When you stretch that cloth, it transforms into a flat, smooth, and tight surface. This mimics what the skin looks like when you are still young. The skin is capable of doing this simply because it has enough proteins and natural compounds that help the skin repair itself while keeping its moisture. 

However, when you do not stretch out the cloth, it creates uneven wrinkles while the rest of it seems to go down as if being pulled by gravity.  This is similar to what happens to the skin when you age because of the lack of collagen and other proteins that support it. Unwanted wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging would start to appear. 

With the help of innovative cosmetic products, the skin will be healthier and able to restore back to its youthful state.

HY6AA Injectable treatments: Hyaluronic Acid-based With Amino Acids Fillers for wrinkle repair 

With the advent of modern cosmetic technology,  professional cosmetic manufacturers came up with injectable treatments that enhance the natural aesthetic features of the skin by improving the quality of the skin, restoring deep hydration, regenerating collagen, elastin and type IV collagen naturally, and reducing wrinkles. 

It can help patients address wrinkles and other unwanted outcomes of skin-ageing in delicate areas of the body like the face, neck, and décolleté.  Yet, not all injectable treatments are capable of targeting those areas. 

On the bright side, there are innovative injectable treatments that are currently available in the market that contain a patent-protected mixture of hyaluronic acid as well as a blend of amino acids, collagen and elastin precursors (HY6AA). This type of combination promotes the regeneration of the extracellular matrix, which leads to dermal biogenesis. 

Moreover, these kinds of injectable treatments help the skin to maintain its moisture not only to its surface level but also significantly enhance your skin’s ability to stay hydrated and keep its moisture deep within for a longer period of time that can span up to 6 months. 

Without a doubt, these types of injectable treatments are truly game-changers in the field of anti-ageing cosmetic treatments. It allows the patients to regain their skin’s aesthetic not only at the surface level of their skin but also at a deeper level. Thus, these injectable treatments help them boost their self-image and confidence in themselves. 

How To Prevent Skin Ageing?

The benefits of a daily skincare routine could help you to minimise visible signs of skin ageing such as wrinkles, dark spots, fine lines, and psoriasis. However, it may not be possible to reduce these wrinkles and other signs of ageing when they start to appear in different parts of your body, especially your hands. This is why you may choose to opt for cosmetic treatments such as dermal fillers because they can help you to reduce these unwanted signs of ageing in different areas yet at the same time rejuvenate your skin deep within.

At the end of the day, the quality of your skin depends on how you take care of yourself and how you treat your skin while using cosmetic treatments.  Always remember that everyone is able to acquire perfect-looking skin as they age with the right methods. There will always be the chance of imperfections and wrinkles on their skin. The best thing you can do is to learn to accept these minimal flaws in your skin but at the same time focus on how you can attain high-quality skin that is healthy and safe. 

Do you know that well hydrated and moisturized skin can keep your skin looking young and healthy? That is why many skincare products used for anti-ageing purposes target hydration and moisturization. Incorporating items such as serums and moisturizers are a great way to keep the moisture and hydration in your skin intact. 

With that said, a skincare routine should be tailor-made based on the condition of your skin. A method that works for one person may not be as effective for another. If you’ve been wondering why other people at a very mature age still manage to have young and glowing skin compared to yours, maybe you should reconsider your current skincare routine regarding hydration and moisturization. Also, do not be afraid of finding alternative solutions such as hyaluronic acid fillers to achieve more immediate yet equally effective results.

So, what does hydration make any difference to moisturization? Does each require a different skincare routine? Have you been doing it wrong?

What’s the Difference between Hydration vs Moisturization

• Hydration

Hydration with regards to complexion means having a healthy amount of water in your skin. The lack of water or hydration results in dry, dull, and flaky skin. Hydrated skin is very obvious to people who deeply understand proper skincare, in terms of proper skin hydration and moisturization. A hydrated skin usually appears to be smooth, radiant, and has an even tone.

• Moisturization

Moisturization is about trapping and locking in the moisture to build a natural protective barrier to the skin. Though our body can produce natural oils, also known as lipid cells, not everyone is lucky enough to have enough of this mentioned component on their skin. This is when moisturizing products come. 

Moisturizing every day can reduce the chance of developing extreme dryness or oiliness, which are both the primary reasons for having acne. 

Speaking of hydration and moisturization, there are two misunderstood skin issues: dehydrated skin and dry skin. Some may think that dehydration is the cause of dry skin, so better know its differences. Dry means it lacks moisturization, while dehydrated means lack of skin water. Here are some of the signs that determine whether you have dehydrated or dry skin:

• Dehydrated skin

1. Dark looking skin
2. Dark Circles
3. Itchiness on some areas of the skin
4. Dry mouth
5. Puffy eyes
6. Wrinkles

• Dry Skin

1. Flaky Skin
2. Redness of the skin
3. Irritation of skin
4. Flaky skin

Therefore, both hydration and moisturization have important roles in your skin. Both help your skin fight the early signs of aging like wrinkles and saggy skin. The only difference between these two is how to achieve the results. This is also important because the absence of the other cannot achieve the young and healthy skin you are going for. 

How do you Hydrate your Skin?

• Drink an adequate amount of water

One of the literal ways of hydrating your skin is by consuming ample amounts of water every day. Hydrating your body means a lot, especially for the quality of your complexion. Aside from keeping a healthy metabolism it also keeps your skin healthy. Like what your parents and teachers often remind you as a kid, always drink 8 glasses of water a day.

• Avoid long hot showers

Taking a bath is undoubtedly essential to wash away dirt accumulated on your skin. However, taking long hot showers is not recommended. It can destroy the barriers of your skin and cause flaky dry skin over time. It can also reduce or even lose moisture and oils in your skin that are necessary to keep your skin both hydrated and moisturized. 

• Use of hydrating skin products

There are tons of products available that can help you gain good hydrated and moisturized skin. With that said, it also helps to check carefully on the products that you use to make sure they apply to your desired results. There are some specific and important contents you should look at the labels of the product. 

1. Glycerin

Glycerin acts as a magnet for your skin, it attracts moisture from the environment from the surface of your skin. Glycerin is known as a humectant or the ability to retain moisture. 

2. Urea

Urea is a component of the Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF) that is naturally produced by the skin. Same as glycerin, urea is also a humectant that can help absorb moisture from the environment which helps soften and smoothen the skin. 

3. Ceramides

Ceramides contribute as a barrier to lock in the moisture of the skin. It helps you prevent losing skin water and keeps the moisture of your skin present.

4. Panthenol

Panthenol is a chemical substance produced by pantothenic acid or vitamin B5. It is commonly used as a moisturizer for cosmetic products and can also heal wounds. It protects the skin to reduce possible dehydration and dryness. 

5. Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is popular on skincare products that are opting to provide hydrated skin. It helps maintain the elasticity of your skin which is very significant in fighting early signs of aging. It increases the production of collagen, which lessens the visibility of thin wrinkles and uneven skin tone.

What are Hyaluronic Acid Fillers?

Hyaluronic acid fillers are dermal fillers designed to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This is also popularly known as sugar or sugar molecules called glycosaminoglycan that are present in the dermis. It is a major component that naturally exists in the skin and is a key component in the skin’s ability to retain water for a plump, hydrated complexion. This component is famous on cosmetic products because of its ability to attract more water since hyaluronic acid is also a humectant like glycerin and urea that helps provide natural-looking plump skin.

Unlike serums and lotions, hyaluronic acid fillers’ results appear faster. It rapidly adds volume, smoothens the texture of the skin, and stimulates the production of collagen. 

Who are Good Candidates for Hyaluronic Acid Fillers?

Fillers are commonly one of the best options amongst those who are looking for a safe and non-surgical way to reduce the appearance of deep creases, loose cheeks, and saggy skin. Fillers are the best solution to avoid going under the knife yet effective and have fast results.

Most individuals interested in acquiring fillers are in the age of mid-to-late thirties. These are patients who think they are about to get into the age where wrinkles and thin lines are close to possible. With that being said, there are also people in their twenties who receive dermal filler treatments to correct minor deformities that are naturally present since childhood.

Generally, anyone can seemingly become a good candidate for hyaluronic acid fillers. Though there are ideal candidates that best fit to acquire fillers. Smokers for example are needed to lessen or quit smoking. Cigarette smoking patients lessens the ability for the skin to heal immediately compared to non-smokers. Also, because cigarette smoking initially is a common cause of some skin damages.

Even though ideal candidates are healthy and are not exposed to cigarette smoking, there can be other concerns that dermal fillers can address, such as:.

• Thinning or sunken cheeks caused by a loss of volume
• Thin or unevenly shaped lips
• A receding chin
• Minor nose deformities
• Deep nose to mouth lines
• Lines around the mouth

Additionally, allergies may also be present in some patients. They may be ideal patients in terms of health, but not with allergies. A skin test is usually provided before injecting hyaluronic acid fillers to examine if the body will show unnecessary skin reactions to the component. However, since hyaluronic acid is already present in the human body, there is a minimal chance for a patient to have an unwanted skin reaction towards hyaluronic acid.

Sunekos: Hyaluronic Acid-based Fillers for Skin Hydration

Sunekos 200 is a non-surgical treatment. It is an injectable treatment that promotes youthful, natural features through ECM homeostasis improving facial volume loss, reducing wrinkles, and hydrating the skin. The patent-protected formula contains hyaluronic acid and a combination of amino acids, precursors of collagen, and elastin (HY6AA). This combination helps to stimulate extracellular matrix regeneration, leading to dermal biogenesis. Sunekos 200 is a Class III medical device, available for both needle and cannula format.

Sunekos 200 determines the production of new Extracellular Matrix (ECM) by stimulating the production of collagen and elastin which are the main structural elements of the matrix. Sunekos is a specific patent-protected combination of Hyaluronic Acid and amino acids to stimulate ECM)regeneration.

Because it helps decrease the possible loss in the elasticity of the skin, it allows your skin to prevent expression lines and thin wrinkles which are a common sign of skin aging. 

In clinical trials, results showed that after 10 days after the first treatment session with Sunekos there is a significant improvement in deep skin hydration and skin surface hydration, which remains present, even after 6 months.

To sum up everything, it is clear how hydration and moisturization act differently, yet, are significant to each other. Some may have mistaken that both are the same, which leads them to do a routine that works for only one of the two functions. 

Now that you have the idea of how hydration and moisturizing differ from each other, you might want to take a look at the product you have right now, and rethink how you’ve been doing your skincare mantra. Including your daily water intake, and bath time. Also, again, there are alternate solutions out there that you can opt for alongside your current skincare regimen. Finally, always remember to do your research to make sure of your action, especially when it involves your health or your skin. Sometimes, DIYs are not safe and might only cause further skin problems. 

Ageing skin is a nightmare for anyone who gives importance to their complexion. However, as skincare has grown in popularity- not only in Asia but worldwide-, the fear of going through the skin’s ageing process has subsided a bit. There are various products out there that you can add to your regimen. Also, several online sources, whether it’s articles or videos, suggest different ways to approach your anti-ageing skincare routine.

At the same time, the number of available skincare products and tutorials makes it confusing to choose which one will work the best for you. It is important to remember that there is no “correct” way in an anti-ageing skincare routine. Every person has different needs for their skin at different age and skin conditions. For instance, a person with dry skin would need a different regimen from someone who has oily skin. It also speaks to the type of product that will give you the results you want. One should tailor the skincare products they use depending on the type of skin that they have and the age that they are at. 

With that said, regardless of the difference in considerations for each person, a thing that every routine should think about is the order you apply the products. Every product has its purpose to achieve anti-ageing. That is why you need to give enough time for the skin to absorb each application. Otherwise, it may not be as effective or even give the opposite result from what you are expecting.

It is safe to say that skincare is a 24-hour operation. We need to prepare our skin with protection for the activities during the day, while pampering it to let it rest at night. For this reason, you need to, again, adapt your skincare routine depending on whether you do it during the day or night. It then involves different products or approaches in the application.

To win the battle against skin ageing, you need to start taking care of your complexion as soon as possible. To get you started, here’s everything you need to know about morning and evening anti-ageing skincare routines.

Why Are Morning and Evening Skincare Routines Different?

One may ask what difference having a separate morning and evening skincare routine makes. Is it necessary to treat your skin twice in one day?

The simple answer is yes; it is necessary to treat your skin twice a day, using different routines day and night. As implied earlier, the skin has separate needs during the day and night. Getting your skin ready for the day is completely different from preparing it to go to bed.

During the day, your skin is subjected to a high level of stress. It is exposed to elements such as dirt, oil production, makeup, UV rays, pollutants, and bacteria. All of these damage your skin cells and the skin’s collagen. That’s why your morning routine is all about prepping your skin to make it through the day, protecting it against the harmful external factors that can affect it.

On the other hand, a part of your night routine is about cleaning the surface of the skin from all the dirt and pollution that might have accumulated during the day. Again, the skin does not stop working to keep its youthful complexion. The skin repairs and recuperates itself during the night, recovering from any potential damage that may occur throughout the day, which gives another reason for our anti-ageing skincare routine to be done at night as well.

Having a good day and night skin regimen eventually becomes crucial in preventing premature skin ageing, especially in the early 20s. It should not come as a surprise that as you grow older, your skin ages with you. The relationship between your age and your skin condition plays out in various ways. 

First, as you live longer, you are more exposed to more elements every day. If you do not have a solid skincare routine, the incremental damage caused by these pollutants accumulates, which then causes your skin to show signs of ageing.

Second, our skin, specifically in the face, is highly linked to the muscles we use for expressions. Habitual expressions may lead some muscles to adapt to tension, while letting others relax into sagging. In other words, making contorting facial expressions a habit leads the skin to wear and tear over time. Moreover, lifestyle habits such as skincare, diet, sleeping patterns, hydration, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption greatly affect your skin’s condition.

Finally, skin ageing is somewhat inevitable. Our skin simply can’t stay fresh and youthful-looking throughout our life. The regenerating ability of our skin gets slower as we age. Our skin does not recover from damage as fast or as effectively as it would have when we are younger. Also, the production of new collagen slows down, making it harder to have your complexion stay evenly hydrated. As a result, signs such as dull skin, fine lines, wrinkles, dehydrated lacklustre skin, and pigmentation become more apparent.

What Should I Do for My Morning Skincare Routine?

Now that we have established the importance of a separate day and night anti-ageing skincare routine, what exactly do you need to do for each regimen? Again, the goal of your skin regimen during the day is to give your skin protection from harmful external factors. Furthermore, as mentioned earlier, the order in which you do your routine is vital in whether your regimen will do its intended job. 

For your morning routine, the basic steps to take include:

1. Cleanse

Cleansers are used to remove the grime and residue that may have built up in the skin. Many people might think that cleansing is only important during the night, as it is the time when dirt accumulates more often as we go outside. Yes, cleansing is vital during the night, but it is as important to do it in the morning. The skin sheds all the time, making cleansing crucial during the morning to clear away cellular debris. Furthermore, cleansing helps remove excess oil, impurities, and cosmetic residue that may not have been fully cleared from the night before.

Cleansers usually come in two forms, either water-based or oil-based. Water-based cleansers are used to remove water-based impurities such as sweat and dirt. It comes in either foaming or non-foaming variants. On the other hand, oil-based cleansers remove oil-based impurities including sebum, sunscreen, and makeup.

As both cleansers serve different purposes, double cleansing is usually recommended. It includes using an oil-based cleanser, then followed by a water-based cleanser. Excess sebum acts as a glue that traps other pollutants, and the accumulation leads to congested pores. An oil-based cleanser helps to draw out those impurities. At the same time, sweat and dirt can also cling not only on the surface of the skin but also deep in the pores. Water-based cast out these elements. 

Every skin type can tremendously benefit from double cleansing- or cleansing in general- especially oily, acne-prone, and sensitive skin types. Oily skin types benefit from using oil-based cleansers, as it removes excess sebum without causing your skin to dry out. With that said, it is important to be cautious about which cleanser you add to your routine. Not all cleansers are created the same. Read the label and stay away from ingredients you are allergic to. Also, avoid heavy artificial fragrances, comedogenic, mineral oils, parabens, PEG as it tends to be irritating on the skin and cause blockage.

Once you find the right cleansers, make it the first step in your anti-ageing skincare routine in the morning. Apply a small amount to your skin and gently massage it throughout the surface. Most people spend only about 20 seconds on cleansing, and that would not be enough for proper results. The step should take at least two minutes of circular motion to be effective. After doing so, rinse thoroughly with water and dry it with a clean towel.

2. Tone

Toners are designed to replenish the skin through hydration and remove dead cells and dirt left behind by cleansers. Many toners available out there are astringent, meaning it’s an alcohol-based product. Astringents are effective in combating excess oil. 

However, toner with alcohol can cause drying, especially for those who already have dry or sensitive skin. So, alcohol-free toners are the way to go. It is milder on your skin than an astringent, though it still gives the desired result. Toners cleanse dead skin cells that can accumulate overnight and add antioxidants to keep the skin healthy. They can be used every day to finish the cleansing part of your routine. 

Use the toner straight after cleansing. You can either apply it directly onto the skin and tap it using your clean fingers, or you can use a cotton pad and swipe it over the face in an outward motion.

3. Antioxidant

If you have dabbled in skincare in recent years, you might have heard of the term “free radicals”. Free radicals are unstable molecules responsible for breaking down the skin’s collagen. Every day our skin goes through a process of oxidation where harmful free radicals are released. The process results in unflattering signs of ageing like wrinkling, dark spots, inflammation, fine lines, and loose, saggy skin. Free radicals can be found through external environmental factors like UV rays, pollution, and smoke. That’s why it is vital to combat that in your anti-ageing skincare routine, especially in the morning.

A way to do so is by incorporating an antioxidant serum into your regimen. Serums contain a high concentration of particular ingredients. The antioxidant-based serums protect the skin from damages by neutralizing the free radicals. Formulations with antioxidants like Vitamins C and E help reduce the formation of lines and wrinkles and improve the texture and firmness of the skin. It can also assist in brightening your complexion. Other combinations of antioxidants like Vitamin A, C, and E, with ferulic acid, niacinamide, resveratrol and coenzyme q10 can also be powerful ways to combat free radicals.

To add it to your routine, pat a few drops of the serum onto your face and neck.

4. Moisturize

Moisturizers help soothe and soften the skin. When the skin maintains a proper balance of moisture and hydration, it reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

Although, various skin types usually have different needs when it comes to moisturizers. Dry skin types should opt for a cream or balm. Thicker creams work best on normal or combination skin. On the other hand, oilier skin types may skip using moisturizers if their toner or serum gives enough moisture to their skin. If not, they may opt for fluid and gel variants. Regardless, moisturizing is a step you shouldn’t skip as much as possible for an effective anti-ageing skincare routine.

During your regimen, take a slightly bigger than a pea-sized amount of the moisturizer and warm it on your hands. First apply it to the cheeks, then to the rest of the face using upward strokes. 

Effective ingredients for moisturizers include glycerine, ceramides, antioxidants, and peptides. There are also available moisturizer formulas that come with SPF to avoid sun damage.

5. Sunscreen

The final, and very crucial step, of your morning routine is applying sunscreen. Too much exposure to sunlight can cause wrinkle formation, premature skin ageing, and, at worst, skin cancer. It is because of the number of UV rays that the skin is exposed to. Two types of UV rays usually cause skin damage: UVA and UVB.

UVA rays penetrate the middle layer of your skin. It leads to premature ageing skin, including wrinkle formation, skin texture changes, and uneven pigmentation. On the other hand, UVB rays mostly affect the outer layer of your skin. Exposure to too many UVB rays causes sunburn.

To give your skin protection when going outside, make sure to purchase a sunscreen that is ‘broad-spectrum’. It is a type of sunscreen designed to block both UVA and UVB light better than the typical SPF variants, which only protects the skin from sunburn. 

When purchasing, check the SPF level of the sunscreen, designed to block both UVA and UVB light better than the typical SPF variants that only protects the skin from sunburn. A higher SPF gives stronger protection. For example, an SPF below 15 gives low-level protection, while SPF 15 to 29 has medium protection (filtering about 93% of UVB rays). A minimum of SPF 30 to 50 is recommended for high protection against the sun (filtering 97% to 98% of UVB rays). An SPF of over 50 gives the highest level of protection (filtering up to 99% of UVB rays).

To apply sunscreen, spread a liberal amount over your face and massage it. Make sure to apply it around 15 to 30 minutes before going outside. Furthermore, do not apply any skincare products on top of it as it can dilute the sunscreen. However, sunscreen can be the final layer before putting on makeup.

What Should I Do for My Evening Skincare Routine?

We have established how an evening skincare routine is as important as a morning regimen. It can be as tedious as the earlier routine, but it serves a vital purpose in preventing skin ageing. Your focus is on neutralizing antioxidants and regenerating and renewing the skin tissue. In other words, it’s all about restoring and repairing the skin’s condition, replenishing itself from its exposure to pollution and UV radiation during the day. Your night regimen may take similar steps as with your morning routine, but with a completely different purpose.

For your night routine, the basic steps to take include:

1. Cleanse

After a long day of oil accumulation, makeup wear, and exposure to harmful external factors, your skin has gone through a lot, making washing your face an integral part of your night routine. That’s why cleansing is as, if not more, important during the night than in the day.

To get a deep clean, double cleansing is still recommended targeting different types of epidermal debris, allowing your skin to breathe. Oil-based cleansers are effective in breaking down the oily ingredients found in makeup and SPF. It also removes dirt and dissolves the excess natural oils produced by your skin. If you don’t wear makeup or have oily skin, you may opt to skip oil-based cleansers and use water-based products instead. Use a water-based cleanser to get rid of the sweat and bacteria from the surface of the skin. It also reacts with makeup and dirt that allows this debris to be rinsed away with water. 

During application, follow the specific product instructions. Some makeup removers are either applied on wet or dry skin. Massage the product on the skin gently and then rinse it with water. Do the same with the water-based cleanser. You can use the same formula as your morning routine, or opt for a new one specifically suited to your skin type. For a few times per week, you can swap in an exfoliating cleanser to remove dead skin cells that have built up on the surface of the skin. It is very important to remove your makeup properly 

2. Tone

It is crucial to exfoliate your skin during the nighttime, especially as you grow older. When we are younger, our skin takes four to six weeks for cell renewal, while it becomes six to ten weeks as we age. As a result, your skin starts to look dull because the dead cells are not eliminated. So, exfoliation is important to assist the skin with the process.

A way of doing so is using acid toners. Take note that you need to find a combination of acids that can work on your skin type. For instance, glycolic acid is advisable for anti-ageing, sun damage and pigmentation. Salicylic acid, on the other hand, can be used several times a week for acne and blackheads. It helps clear the pores and remove excess oil, eliminating the possibility of build up. Other acids like lactic acid and polyhydroxy acid are good for anti-ageing and sensitive skin, respectively.

Furthermore, you can assert further hydration to your skin through toners. Ingredients such as lactic acid, hyaluronic acid, and glycerine can give the skin a moisture boost. 

Using toners mark the end of the cleansing part of your night routine. Much like during the day, you can apply the toner using a cotton pad and swipe it over the skin.

3. Antioxidant

Again, your skin is busy working to repair the condition of your skin even at night. So, it is important to feed your skin with proper nourishment. The way to do so is using serums.

Antioxidant serums should also be applied during the nighttime to neutralize all the free radicals from exposure to the sun, pollution, and stress during the day. Serums are effective way of nourishing because it delivers powerful ingredients directly to the skin. Vitamin E is recommended for dry skin, while antioxidants like green tea extract can be used on dull complexions.

Retinol is specifically used for nighttime routines. It is considered the gold standard when it comes to anti-ageing. Retinol is known to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots from both environmental and natural ageing. However, it can only be used during the night as it’s photosensitive, meaning it breaks down in UV light.

If you haven’t tried retinol before, carry out a patch test for 24 hours to see if your skin can tolerate it or not. You can also start with lower concentrations of it two to three times a week. Then you can gradually increase the percentage of use depending on your skin’s condition. 

4. Moisturize

The final step in your nighttime skincare regimen is moisturizing, again. It is important to put hydration back during the night. Instead of using a moisturizer with SPF, apply a night cream formulated with anti-ageing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, lipo-hydroxy-acid, and/or retinol.

Ceramides are also advised for moisturizers. Ceramides are fatty acids maintaining the skin barrier, retaining moisture, and keeping the skin hydrated. It is essential as it holds the skin barrier together, making up 50% of the uppermost layer of the skin. 

Apply it similarly to your morning moisturizer, by dabbing small amounts on your skin.

Those are some tips that you can follow to have an effective anti-ageing skincare routine 24/7. It may sound like a lot of time and effort, but promise that it will be worth it. Remember, prevention is better than cure, which also speaks true to our skin. Although, skincare may take time before it yields obvious results. There are also alternate solutions like injectable skincare that you can do alongside your existing regimen for more immediate results. Regardless, it is never too early or late to start investing in your skin’s condition.

If you are interested or dabbled in skincare, the term “hyaluronic acid” is not something new for you. To some, hyaluronic acid, more commonly referred to as HA, sounds like something you do not want to put anywhere near your skin. However, it is the complete opposite. It is something you want to apply to your skin regularly; in fact, it is naturally found in the skin. HA is beneficial to your skin’s moisture, helping you achieve that dewy and glowy effect. There are a ton of skincare products in the market that contain hyaluronic acid, from serums, sheet masks, moisturizers, and there are even injectable options.

With that said, there’s more to hyaluronic acid than just a standard moisturizing component in skincare. There is a reason why it is very popular among skincare enthusiasts. Some people even refer to it as a golden ticket to long-lasting youthful-looking skin. That’s why you need to add it to your everyday regimen.

What is hyaluronic acid? How does it work? We will give you the lowdown on this skincare wonder and how it can benefit your complexion.

What is Hyaluronic Acid (HA)?

Hyaluronic acid is a clear, gooey sugar molecule naturally found in the body. It has various functions, such as lubricating the joints, keeping them strong and flexible, and carrying toxins out of cells. Although, it is most prominent in helping retain water and keep moisture in the skin. It works similarly to a magnet, where it attaches itself to water in the cells, making the skin feel and look hydrated, plump, and healthy.

Again, hyaluronic acid is naturally produced by the skin, and roughly 50% of it is found in the skin. Other areas of the body like your connective tissues, joints, and eyes also contain certain amounts of HA. It is known to work like a sponge as it can attract and retain 1000 times its weight in water. A single gram of HA can hold up to six litres of water, keeping the skin hydrated and plump. 

However, much like collagen and elastin, ageing affects the natural production process of hyaluronic acid in the body. As you grow older, the natural production of HA slows down and its concentration and molecular weight substantially decreases. Although it is a byproduct of the natural ageing process, decreasing HA may also happen prematurely due to several factors such as exposure to UV radiation, tobacco smoke, and pollution. The slower production leads to wrinkle formation and dry skin.

That’s why hyaluronic acid is popular among skincare enthusiasts in the form of serums, moisturizers, and even injectable skincare. Moreover, hyaluronic acid doesn’t have the stripping quality that is commonly associated with exfoliating acids. It does not wipe off dead skin cells or go deep into pores to push out dirt. Instead, HA, as established, is more known as a water-attracting molecule, helping the skin stay soft and hydrated. When skin cells are full of water, it results in more supple skin, reducing the formation of fine lines and wrinkles.

Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid (HA)

We have mentioned the functions of hyaluronic acid in retaining the youthful and healthy complexion of our skin. However, as established, there is more to the molecule that does wonders for the quality of your skin. Here are some of the benefits of adding HA to your skincare regimen:

• Retains Hydration

As the name suggests, hyaluronic does wonders in keeping your skin hydrated. As mentioned, HA can hold up to 1,000 times its molecular weight in water. It penetrates the skin and binds water to skin cells, rejuvenating all layers of skin with additional hydration. 

With that said, HA mainly functions to add hydration to the skin, not moisture. Although many people lump them as the same thing, hydration and moisturization are completely different. To simply put it, hydration means water, while moisture means oil. When the skin is dehydrated, it lacks water. If the skin is dry, it lacks moisture. HA helps rejuvenate dehydrated skin.

Moreover, hyaluronic acid does not need additional ingredients to be effective. That’s why experts make HA a case point on how limited ingredient skincare can deliver great results.

• Stimulates Skin Cell Regeneration

As established, the quality of our skin deteriorates as we age. It is because the production of hyaluronic acid and skin cells slows down as we grow older. HA addresses that problem from the inside out.

Hyaluronic acid targets deep layers of the skin by promoting skin cell regeneration. Although, it does not speed up the cell renewal process, which slows down because of natural skin ageing. By targeting the skin’s inner workings, HA offers extra hydration and barrier protection to the skin. The natural process leads to healthier skin cells and a more vibrant complexion.

• Reduces Appearance of Wrinkles

Hyaluronic acid helps decrease the formation of fine lines and wrinkles by retaining moisture in the skin, creating a plumping effect. When your skin is protected and hydrated, more skin cells are produced because your skin isn’t busy fighting dehydration. As a result, you have smoother and plumper skin cells.

The eye area is one of the prominent areas with HA. That’s also why it’s common for fine lines and wrinkles to first show in the area when you age. Much like your goals with skincare, you can start with HA as early as you’re twenty to benefit your skin in the long run. 

• Tightens Sagging Skin

Saggy skin is caused by the lack of elastin in our skin. As we age, elastin breaks down, making the skin lose its tightness and bounce, causing it to sag. A quick trick to diagnose if you are lacking in elastin is to pinch the skin on top of your hand. If it snaps quickly back into place, then your skin still has a lot of elastin. Older people may notice that the skin does not bounce back as quickly. 

Hyaluronic acid does not replace the lost elastin in your skin. Rather, it fills the skin with moisture, helping with the appearance of tightness in the skin by creating a more firm facial contour. Regular HA application may result in an overall tighter complexion and a more youthful appearance.

• Creates Smoother Texture

In relation to a tighter skin tone, hyaluronic acid also aids in creating a smoother skin texture. Consistent HA application can lead to a silky, smooth finish on your skin that you can see and feel.

For people who have visible scars caused by acne, hyaluronic acid cannot fill in those scars. With that said, if you combine hyaluronic acid with using a derma roller, it can make skin look smoother over time. 

• Serves as Humectant

If you are deep into learning about skincare, it may not come as a surprise if you heard of the term “humectant”, as it is tossed around a lot when talking about skincare. 

A humectant is a substance used to reduce the loss of moisture. To put it simply, it acts similar to a sponge, where it draws in and holds onto moisture after it is collected. Humectants allow hydrogen bonding, attracting water to skin cells. Popular examples of humectants in skincare products include glycerin, sorbitol (sugar alcohol), hexylene and butylene glycol, and of course, hyaluronic acid.

As mentioned, hyaluronic acid infuses the top layer of the skin with moisture. HA acts as a humectant, continuing to draw moisture from the surrounding environment. As a result, it provides long-lasting hydration for the skin.

• Enhances the Lipid Barrier

The skin is the largest organ in our body. Its main function is to protect our internal organs, muscles, bones, from various environmental factors. In the process, our skin is exposed to harmful toxins daily. Specifically, the outermost layer of the skin is the most vulnerable target of these harmful external agents. Factors such as UV rays, environmental pollution, negative lifestyle choices, and smoking can cause great damage to the skin. Excessive exposure to such damage causes signs of skin ageing such as fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots, and drier skin.

As we grow older, the lipid barrier in the top layer of the skin slows down. Lipid barrier refers to the fatty acids that trap in water and prevent external irritants from entering the skin. Hyaluronic acid fortifies your skin’s natural barrier by helping it lock moisture in, creating an even more prominent hydrating effect. It also helps your skin in the long run as it slows down the deterioration of the lipid barrier, protecting and fortifying it.

• Gives Protection to Skin

Again, hyaluronic acid helps your skin become more resilient. When the skin’s lipid barrier is further enhanced and protected by HA, it is given additional protection to fight off environmental pollutants and even natural age factors. It is because the skin is not distracted from fighting toxins. As a result, your complexion becomes brighter, bouncier, and wrinkle-free for a long time.

Remember that not all skincare products give protection to your skin. Some preservatives used in many products can break down the lipid barrier by killing off the good bacteria that defends the skin surface against toxins. Furthermore, some products even make you lose moisture and cause irritation and infection. When looking for products to add to your regimen, choose one that has limited ingredients (including HA) and not a lot of preservatives.

• Improves Skin Pigmentation

One of the additional benefits of using hyaluronic acid is that it prevents skin discoloration and dark spots. The discoloration is caused by the difference in melanin levels, mainly due to sun damage. As HA adds protection to the skin, it helps reduce and prevent age spots and pigmentation issues. Pair it with a vitamin C serum and vitamin C booster product, it can give you your desired results.

• Results in Clear Skin

For people with oily or acne-prone skin, they might find harsher chemicals to “strip” the skin of oil. Most acne-prone skin does not have a strong lipid barrier, which usually leads to inflammation and irritation. That’s why there’s a big misconception that oily skin types do not need hydration, and rather focus on exfoliation. However, when the skin is stripped of hydration, it overcompensates to hydrate the skin with more oil. Adding hyaluronic acid to your regimen adds hydration and helps protect the skin barrier, especially for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin. Adding proper hydration and moisture to the skin through HA prevents the over-production of oil that may clog the pores and cause breakouts.

Hyaluronic Acid in Sunekos 

Due to the benefits stated above, many skincare products in the market are adding hyaluronic acid to their formulation. We have also touched on how not necessarily all applications of HA produce the intended results. One way to secure the penetration of the molecule into your skin is through injectable fillers. One brand that is gaining popularity in Asia market due to its innovative use of HA in its formulation is Sunekos.

Sunekos is an Amino Acid-based injectable treatment that reduces signs of skin ageing. Unlike other dermal fillers, it combines amino acid’s biological diversity and synergy with Hyaluronic Acid (HA + HY6AA) to restore your natural youthful-looking skin even after months from the last treatment! 

HY6AA is the combination of six specific types of Amino Acids: Glycine, L-Valine, L-Proline, L-Alanine, L-Leucine, L-Lysine. The said amino acids compose the building blocks of collagen and elastin, which are proteins preventing wrinkle formation. The combination of these specific amino acids helps bring back the loss of volume in your skin during the regeneration process.

Sunekos makes use of the HY6AA formula in their fillers and combines it with Hyaluronic Acid. Here, HA acts as the carrier of these amino acids to the deeper layers of the skin, penetrating the skin structure with the molecule. It makes a more holistic skin rejuvenation process. The patented HA + HY6AA formulation is unique to Sunekos, meaning that a slight change in the formula produces varied results. 

Furthermore, the formulation stimulates the fibroblast activities inside the Extracellular Matrix (ECM) in the dermis, which may have slowed due to ageing. Extracellular Matrix (ECM) (Here for in-depth reading) is a three-dimensional network consisting of minerals like collagen, which is key in a healthy skin complexion. HA helps stimulate the production of elastin and collagen, specifically Type 4 Collagen, which is the hardest to produce.

Sunekos comes in two variants: Sunekos 200 and Sunekos 1200. 

Sunekos 200 contains 0.2 Mio-Dalton of Hyaluronic Acid + HY6AA. It specifically utilizes Low-Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid. Smaller weight HA helps the essential amino acids to seep into the deepest layers of the skin in a shorter period, delivering instant results. 

On the other hand, Sunekos 1200 is a booster, used alongside Sunekos 200. It is known for its antioxidant properties for severe wrinkles and damaged skin. It consists of 1.2 Mio-Dalton of Hyaluronic Acid + HY6AA. Furthermore, Sunekos 1200 incorporates Medium High-Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid. Larger weight HA tends to work its way into the skin a bit longer, though it has anti-inflammatory properties that have lasting benefits to the skin.

Facial fillers may have a polarizing reputation, but hyaluronic acid filler like Sunekos is a safe way to boost your skin complexion. It is a great way to gain immediate natural-looking results. However, do not expect to have long-lasting healthy skin by relying on hyaluronic fillers alone. A consistent skincare regimen with positive lifestyle is still vital in keeping your skin looking and feeling healthy. With that said, do not be afraid to incorporate more HA into your skin and enjoy its benefits.

Minimalism has been a trend for quite a while now. From home interior to clothing style, many people, across different facets, have subscribed to the age-old ethos of ‘less is more’. But have you ever heard of “skinimalism”?

The trend has been making rounds in the year 2021. As the name suggests, it takes the general idea of minimalism- using small amounts of something- and adapting it to your skin care routine. Skinimalism focuses on using a minimum number of products to your skin yet gives a greater result. It doesn’t talk about budget or creating your cosmetic product, but it only means using fewer products that will help you lose the idea of using more. In other words, minimalism for the skin.

The idea of skinimalism is being beautiful in the simplest way. You lessen skin products on your usual skin care routines and acknowledge more of your natural beauty or the natural glow of your skin. It focuses more on seeing the bright side of common skin issues like pores, wrinkles, freckles, and pimples.

The trend grew in popularity because of the pandemic, when work-from-home and lockdowns became prominent all over the world. Because all people had to stay at home and wear masks, make-up kind of became unnecessary for many. Instead, more people chose to go bare face or apply minimal sunscreens when going out and attending virtual meetings, which have the cameras disabled most of the time anyway.

Also, for others, rather than buying makeup products, new shades of lipstick, or the latest makeup brand, they would rather invest in skin products. Some say that because of the pandemic they had more time to attend to and give some love to their skin.

Minimalist Skin Care

Your usual skin care routine surely comes with a lot of steps and products. You tend to layer different products to achieve different goals for your skin. Doing so is not a bad thing. Skinimalism does not discourage you from doing so. It only suggests that more is not necessarily better. By downsizing your skin care routine to a few steps narrows down the focus of your regimen, eliminating any distraction from your skin goals. That way, you are targeting specific areas that you want to improve. 

If you want to try a more minimalist skin care routine, here are the steps in a skinimalist routine and the most essential products you need to include.

Cleanser

Of course, cleansing your face will always be a crucial part of your routine. Start with a mild cleanser to remove dirt and unnecessary toxins at the primary layer of your face. You do not have to over-cleanse your face as long as you are using the right cleanser that fits your skin type.

Exfoliate

Exfoliating is important, especially when you need to remove dead skin cells and clogged dirt on your pores. By exfoliating, you get the best benefits of the product that you will apply after. 

Exfoliating also helps in balancing your skin texture and boost rejuvenation of the skin. There are a ton of exfoliating acids or serums available out there, but remember to do some research because some exfoliating products might be too harsh for your skin.

Moisturize

Never forget to moisturize! Moisturizing is essential in your skin’s daily routine. Aside from keeping your skin hydrated, it also helps you achieve that plumped and healthy look. Additionally, moisturizing also smoothens your skin by covering up pores that are visible in your face.

Look for moisturizers that are best for your skin, whether you have an oily, dry, or combined skin type.

Sunscreen

Sunscreens are not only for beach parties, but also an important product you need to apply daily. You have to make it a habit. Add sunscreens as a part of your morning routine, even when you’re at home. It doesn’t mean that you are not out, that you don’t attract UV rays. 

Sunscreens will benefit you a lot when you get used to them. It prevents early signs of ageing like wrinkles and dark spots.

Those are some steps in a minimalist skin care routine. Again, with skinimalism, it aims to take out the best from using less. Some may think that more products can give better results. The truth is, you only need to find the right product and stick to the routine. 

With that said, taking care of your skin doesn’t stop on face value. It also matters what gets into your skin. Read the label of your skincare products to make sure you have the following in your regimen:

Retinol

Retinol causes your skin to speed up its normal cell-turnover process. In other words, it quickly removes dead skin cells, preventing common skin problems like fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, and acne. 

Some experts also say that retinol can also help build collagen production, which is one of the key factors to lessen skin ageing.

Salicylic acid

If you are an avid skincare enthusiast, salicylic acid may not be anything new to you. Salicylic acid has been famous for acne treatment for years. But do you know that it also treats signs of aging by exfoliation? Unlike other exfoliants, salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can get into greasy pores or oily skin. 

Glycerine

Glycerine is a humectant that attracts water from your environment, keeping your skin hydrated and moisturized. It is beneficial especially to those with dry skin. Glycerine increases the ability to produce a skin barrier to improve hydration. 

Amino acids

Amino acids help the natural moisturization of the skin. Many brands have already used amino acids as one of the highlights in advertising their product. 

Collagen’s most important compound is amino acids. Moreover, amino acids are divided into different variants, each having an important role to provide healthy skin. It maintains skin hydration and protects the skin from free-radical damages. 

Hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid is popular in skincare products that are opting to provide hydrated skin. Its contribution is to maintain the elasticity of your skin, which is essential in fighting skin ageing by increasing the production of collagen. When the skin is protected and hydrated, increased skin cell production can take place, helping the skin to have enough time to maintain its hydration.

Benefits of Minimalist Skin Care

As mentioned, minimalist skin care’s technique is to use less to get the best benefits of every product. With that said, there are more benefits in doing so than just the aesthetic side. You may be surprised how much more it will be beneficial to you. Some of its benefits include the following:

• Too much product on your skin can cause irritation, be overly dry, and lead to breakouts. Also, without proper knowledge and research, the products you might be using don’t work well when used together at once, causing you to have more skin issues and irritation.
• It decreases your expenses. Skincare products are usually expensive. Most products are branded and use compounds that are said to be more effective than other products. Those who are keen on their products usually go for brands that are known for their skin services. 
  Why choose 10 different costly products rather than using only 4 different products that can give you the same benefit. 
• Certain skincare products contain ingredients unable to absorb to the skin such as activated charcoal. The ingredient initially became popular in the food market and eventually became a hit on skincare products. Based on some research, activated charcoal is best for the stomach to absorb poison or drugs, but not for cosmetic purposes. If you wish to remove dirt from your face, you get rid of dirt and bacteria by simply cleansing with a mild facial wash. 
• Products such as cocoa butter, shea butter, and coconut oil are usually incorporated in many skin care routines. These three products were said to be useful in removing acne. However, since they are oils, it doesn’t always give you the results you expect. It can worsen your skin condition because it can clog your pores. Instead, you may eliminate them from your regimen and use products that contain salicylic acid.
• Scrubs are often misunderstood as exfoliators. If you want to get rid of dead skin cells, face scrubs are not advisable to use every day, especially for those with sensitive skin. It can cause skin irritation and may lead to unwanted breakouts.
• Face mist is common to refresh your skin, but it doesn’t work for everyone and every time. Face mist is not the best way to moisturize your skin. Also, not all face mist can moisturize. Get rid of mist that contains fragrance and alcohol, it may dry your skin and cause irritations. 

Skin Care and Lifestyle

Skinimalism is not only about the product. It is also best effective when you also care for your body. Your body requires sleep, a healthy diet, and exercise. When missed, it may also affect your skin. When you are stressed, fatigued, inactive, and eating too many calories, even though you are careful with your routine, you may not be able to achieve the young-looking skin you are going for. 

First, make a habit of maintaining a proper diet. Nutrition is very important to your body, and whatever happens to your body also affects your skin. 

Have you experienced having a crappy stomach from eating a lot of oily food throughout the day, then you get a pimple on certain areas of your face? Or suddenly you see zits under your jaw after a week of not drinking enough water? That’s how tightly linked your skin condition is to your eating habits.

Remember that a good diet affects your entire lifestyle. It affects your mental health, physical health, and, especially, your skin’s health. 

For a good complexion, eat more food that is rich with the following nutrients:

Antioxidants

Fruits and vegetables are the best suppliers of antioxidants, such as blueberries. It helps in providing cell renewal, prevents free radicals, and protects from sunlight that can damage the skin. If you may have noticed, antioxidants are a popular ingredient when promoting skin renewal on some skin products and supplements.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is famous for healing the skin by assisting the production of collagen. Eating vitamin C not only improves your immune system but also improves healthy skin. 

Protein

Protein is not only for building muscles, but it also helps repair damaged skin. Lack of protein in your body can reduce the ability of the skin to heal quickly. Some foods that are rich in protein include fish, eggs, yogurt, and tofu.

Lastly, remember to always drink water to keep your body hydrated.You might also want to add a physical exercise routine to keep your body active and have healthy blood flow, which can also become beneficial to have great skin.

Skinimalism for Skin Damage

As you are only using limited amounts of products, it is normal for minimalist skin care to have its limitations. Most of the steps involved in it are great ways to improve the quality of your skin and prevent any future skin issues. However, it may not be enough to treat pre-existing skin problems such as wrinkles or dry skin.

For those who need a quick fix to heal skin damages, it is okay to incorporate additional products to your regimen to address such issues. Sometimes, face serums, lotions, and other skin products may work in solving your skin problem. However, not everyone has the same experience. Other products may not be as effective in some people compared to other users. 

With that in mind, do not hesitate to find alternative solutions that can give you optimum results. One thing that you can try are dermal fillers. Dermal fillers were invented to help people with varying skin issues to provide better and faster results. Fillers contain all the good things you need to help improve your skin. 

Furthermore, if you are concerned about eliminating products from your current regimen, dermal fillers can be your first step in transitioning to a minimalist skin care. You are already getting immediate results through fillers that would normally take you so much time and products. It is also not something that you necessarily need to do regularly. After completing your procedure, you can apply a minimalist skin care routine to sustain your results.

There are many dermal fillers available to treat your skin problems. Although, there are only certain products that can provide all the necessary content your skin may have to gain. One of these products is Sunekos.

Sunekos for Skinimalism

Sunekos is an injectable skincare treatment that can stimulate collagen regeneration, which can lead to less wrinkle formation and slow down skin ageing. Its patented formulation consists of six essential amino acids, HY6AA (Glycine, L-Proline, L-Lysine, L-Alanine, L-Leucine, L-Valine), with Hyaluronic Acid. The combination of these ingredients is clinically proven to help in the regeneration of skin cells and collagen. 

Ageing reduces the number of fibroblasts and metabolic activities in your skin. As a result, there’s a lower fibroblast activity in Extracellular Matrix (ECM), which causes skin ageing. Sunekos achieves the production of the new ExtraCellular Matrix (ECM) by stimulating the cells and increasing the production of collagen and elastin, the main building blocks of the matrix. More specifically, its unique formula of essential amino acids boost the production of hyaluronic acid, collagen fibers, and elastic fibers, including Type 4 collagen, which is the hardest to produce.

Sunekos is a good choice when you’re hoping for your skin to get better. It contains most of the ingredients that you mostly see on cosmetic products you use daily, yet, it has a greater effect because it is treating your skin from inside out. 

Skinimalism may be a perfect choice, especially for the fact that you don’t need to extend into different products to have healthy and young skin. Aside from that, it is time-saving and budget-friendly. 

With that said, if there are still concerns that may not be treated by skin products you decide to leave in your routine, it is best to consult a professional dermatologist for better treatment. 

In recent years, more and more people have become cautious about maintaining their skin’s beautiful condition due to the exposure of social media. As a result, skincare has witnessed a massive boom among beauty and cosmetic enthusiasts so to look good. And also, more and more people are becoming open about pursuing alternative options that can give them optimum results for their complexion. 

One of the alternative solutions that have grown in popularity is injectable skincare, or the use of facial fillers. Facial fillers have a polarizing reputation. While a lot of people are now accepting of it as a viable option, there is still some stigma that surrounds it. With that said, facial fillers are excellent alternatives that can immediately create positive change to your complexion. Today, we shall share one of the popular fillers that have popped up for its optimum result: Sunekos.

What is Sunekos?

Sunekos is an injectable skincare treatment known to result in less wrinkle formation and ageing skin by stimulating collagen regeneration by itself. It uses a unique patented HA + HY6AA formula, consisting of six essential Amino Acids (HY6AA; Glycine, Proline, Lysine, Alanine, Valine, Leucine) with Hyaluronic Acid (HA). The combination of these ingredients can help in the natural regeneration of collagen, elastin and Type 4 collagen. Sunekos uses a specific patented formula because any slight change to the formula can give you a different effect or lead to a different outcome.

Sunekos comes in two variants, Sunekos 200 and Sunekos 1200. 

Sunekos 200 is a dermal filler containing low-density Hyaluronic Acid with HY6AA that stimulates collagen and elastin production due to the ability to penetrate deeper into the skin and trigger the production of fibroblast. On the other hand, Sunekos 1200 is a booster particularly used in combination with Sunekos 200. It has antioxidant and ‘volumizing’ properties that reduce severe wrinkles and damaged skin.

Sunekos can be applied to different problem areas in the body, such as the face, forehead, under eye area, neck, hands, and arms. Its results address various skin problems, such as severe wrinkles, skin ageing, fine wrinkles, loss of hydration, dark eye circles, acne scarring, and sagging.

Sunekos Review in Japan

Sunekos is commercially distributed to 25 countries around the world. The brand is relatively new in the field of facial fillers in Asia. Despite that, it has been making a name for creating natural results in reducing wrinkle formation and skin regeneration. The amazing results brought by Sunekos injectable skincare are now available to whoever is interested in Japan. 

With that said, not all are willing to undergo such a procedure just by reading some materials regarding the products online. That’s where research comes in. As mentioned, there are cosmetic and beauty clinics in Japan that are now offering Sunekos. It may also help to look at reviews of people who have gone through the process that you are interested in the same experience. As Sunekos is a newer brand in Japan, there is still somewhat scarce material out there for you to compare and contrast. 

To help you, we found one woman, through Instagram, who underwent a “Sunekos Challenge”. A woman, with the Instagram handle @382_20210216, documented her experience of having the Sunekos injectable skincare, detailing everything that happened throughout the process. She specifically had the treatment on her forehead and under-eye area. The procedure was done in Akasaka Stella Clinic in Tokyo, under the administration of Dr. Yu Yanagishita.

For photos and videos of her journey, you can visit her own Instagram account, where she shared everything about her experience. However, all the posts are in Japanese. No worries, as we will detail everything that you need to know about her Sunekos journey, according to her posts. This may serve as a guide as you scroll through the photos and videos on her personal account.

The information presented in this article is purely for sharing purposes, there is no intention of providing medical advices in treating skin issues.

“Sunekos Challenge” Results in Japan

The woman’s treatment did not happen in just one sitting. Sunekos was carried out in specific doses across 4 treatments. She shared how she consulted her doctor and medical staff for an option that will suit her thin skin. That’s when she’s introduced to Sunekos, and she went on to have her first treatment.

For her first treatment, she had Sunekos applied to her forehead and the area next to her eyes. Immediately after the injection, she noticed how the area became bumpy. She described it as a “reptile-like texture” and “like a bubble wrap used for packaging”. Soon enough, the bumps in the area around her eyes subsided, making it look almost flat. Two hours after the procedure, there was a bit of internal bleeding that remained, but she was permitted to go home. She also noted how people did not notice anything peculiar about the areas she got treated.

Treatment with Sunekos is an outpatient procedure. It means that there’s no downtime and the patient can immediately continue with her routine right away. Moreover, slight swelling and bleeding may be a normal occurrence after the injection, though it subsides eventually, as the woman referred to in her post.

On April 21, two weeks after the first session, the second treatment was administered. Here, she noted that was yet to see significant changes on her face. After injecting her forehead, similar bumps appeared in the area. The eye area, which was first injected, became reddish, but the injectable skincare was absorbed later on.

During the follow-up of her second treatment, the woman described the tension around her eyes. She clarified that it is not swelling. Rather, it is a small sign of how Sunekos was taking effect. There aren’t instant changes, as said, but changes are slowly becoming prominent. To display the progress, she also posted a photo that shows the absence of fine wrinkles under her eyes.

The woman came back for her third treatment on May 5. To monitor her progress, Dr. Yanagishita examined her skin’s changes before the injection. Here, her doctor pointed out changes that she hadn’t noticed herself, such as her skin’s volume number was approaching zero, which means her condition is improving. They then proceeded to administer the injection. Again, bumps appeared on her face. She shared how her face looked and felt good three hours after the session. The bumps had flattened a bit. There was slight point-like bleeding, but nothing that foundation or concealer can’t cover.

For her third treatment follow-up, the woman revealed that she had internal bleeding. However, she did not feel pain and felt normal. With that said, the internal bleeding stands out after the day of the injection. She advised her followers to avoid scheduling important dates close to your session to avoid having people noticing it. If can’t be avoided, again, foundation and concealers can help cover it up.

She again made another follow-up a week after her third session. The woman measured the wrinkles near the corner of the eye, the area she was most worried about. She shared how the size, depth, and width of her wrinkles were reduced. As a result, skincare became a more soothing experience for her.

Her final treatment happened on May 11, one week after the last session. Dr. Yanagishita pointed out changes that even she noticed, the woman said in one of her posts. She also mentioned the joy of seeing the changes reflect on the images she documented. There were time constraints for her last session, so the anaesthesia time was shorter than the previous, though she stated that the eye area was easy to anaesthetize. Moreover, she felt the tension and water retention around the eyes due to the procedure.

In her final follow-up, the woman reflected on the results of her “Sunekos Challenge”. The internal bleeding from the third session has subsided and is most likely to disappear with the fourth internal bleeding within a week. Comparing her photos before and after Sunekos, she noted that wrinkles under her eyes had improved. Furthermore, her complexion enhanced, and she noticed a newfound firmness in her skin quality. Finally, the feeling of dryness has decreased due to the hydrating properties of Sunekos.

That concludes her Sunekos review. The woman we have spoken about is only one of the growing number of people who have witnessed the benefits of injectable skincare, not only in Japan but all over the world. There are other Sunekos reviews in Japan that you can search. It might be tedious to find this information, but it is worth it if you want a glimpse of what it’s like to undergo the procedure. There are other reviews outside Japan that you can read. 

With that said, every person has their individual needs when it comes to their skincare. The best way to find out if Sunekos is right for you is to consult a cosmetic professional near you that offers the treatment. So if you want to combat wrinkles and other signs of skin ageing, you can start as early as now!

As skincare has become popular, it would be no surprise if you hear about free radicals. It may be in online articles or information about skin products, antioxidant properties and ‘free radicals’ have become a buzz term among skincare enthusiasts.

Based on science, free radicals are any molecular species capable of independent existence that contains an unpaired electron in an atomic orbital. They function as a donor of electrons to other molecules and vice versa. It may be difficult to understand what free radicals are, but, in layman’s terms, it is as simple as unpaired electrons or electrons without a partner, hence calling them “free” radicals.

But how does it affect your skin? Why is it so important to be aware of what it is?

What Are Free Radicals?

As mentioned in the first part of this article, free radicals are unpaired electrons. These unpaired molecules may be harmful to the body. They are naturally produced by the body, though they can be increased by outdoor sources like pollution, dust, smoke, smog, and household cleaners.

Free radicals are also known as Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), molecules that have highly reactive oxygen. A human’s body relies on oxygen, but, normally, these molecules split paired oxygen molecules into two single atoms with unpaired electrons. Think of it as losing a pair of your socks. You then choose to use a different sock from another pair, which leaves you with another pair-less sock. Free radicals work similarly. These unpaired electrons scavenge around the body looking for another electron to form another pair, which is why they are described as reactive. As they do this, they cause damage to cell membranes, proteins, and DNA.

Aging is linked to the increase of free radicals. As people age, the body doesn’t have enough ability to fight the growth of free radicals. This results in more oxidative stress, the imbalance of systemic manifestation of reactive oxygen, and more damaged cells, which eventually leads to degenerative processes and aging.

Your environment can also trigger skin-damaging free radicals. People who live in places where dirt and pollution are more likely to develop the problem. The reason is that pollution is always present, increasing the amount of oxidative stress. Pollutants such as cigarette smoke, metal ions, radiation, and household cleaners or toxic chemicals can worsen the effects of free radicals. Aside from pollutants, an unhealthy diet and alcohol consumption can also accelerate free radicals.

Why Are Free Radicals Harmful to the Skin?

Free radicals are molecules looking for a pair, and, without a pair, these electrons become chemically unstable. These free radicals that are present in the air search for another electron and find its pair from another atom. Similar to how it does inside your body, it finds another pair from other atoms present in your body.

Oxidized oxygen atoms must take electrons from anywhere that is present within their reach, so they can be balanced. They can be compared to a magnet that can attract other atoms. In some cases, steal electrons from healthy cells.

As a result, it can affect the health of your skin. When free radicals are unable to take an available electron from other atoms, they may start finding their partner from the cells that are available inside your body, causing a breakdown in the DNA of your skin. The damage then appears on the skin, wherein wrinkles, sagging, dryness, dullness, age spots, and broken blood vessels occur.

The best example that most studies show that can relate to this matter is an open apple. If you leave it out open, the apple will turn brown. Similar to what your skin will experience when it’s continuously exposed to free radicals.

How to Protect Your Skin From Free Radicals?

The best way to protect your skin from free radicals is to take antioxidant-rich foods seriously. Overeating unnecessary food, especially food that is high in carbohydrates and sugar, can spike free radicals in your body. When you eat, the body’s mitochondria release more activated oxygen than normal during energy consumption, resulting in higher levels of free radicals and more possibility to gain risk of oxidative stress.

Below is a list of food tips that can guide you to protect your skin and prevent increasing the number of free radicals on your body.

• Reduce eating processed meats such as sausages and bacon. It contains preservatives, which are high in producing free radicals.
• Stop reusing cooking fats and oils. Heating fats and oils during cooking oxidize them, generating free radicals.
• Avoid foods that are rich in refined carbohydrates and sugars.
• Eat foods rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are found in a variety of plants in the form of vitamins A, C, and E, selenium, and certain phytonutrients and polyphenols.
• Alcoholic drinks, especially beer, are not only high in calories but also can produce free radicals in the body.
• Look for foods with β-carotene, lycopene, and lutein, like broccoli, carrots, collard greens, corn, mango, and tomatoes.
• Eat more fruits like apples, cherries, grapefruit, kiwi, papaya, red grapes, blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries.
• Spices can not only enhance the flavour of your food, but can also decrease oxidative stress. Examples include ginger, extract, ginkgo, rosemary, and turmeric.
• Flavonoids also have antioxidant functions. Onions, eggplant, lettuce, turnip greens, endives, pears, red wine, parsley, citrus fruits, berries, cherries, plums, legumes, soybeans, milk, cheese, tofu, and miso are good examples of flavonoid-rich foods.
• Tea is also a famous drink that has antioxidant properties.

Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals by providing the missing electron. Its purpose is to stabilize free radicals that damage your DNA, cell membranes, and other existing cells in your body.  

In other words, antioxidants help break a chain reaction that can affect other molecules in the cell and other cells in the body. Yet, it is important to recognize that antioxidants are still chemical properties and not nutritional properties. 

There are also tons of products that can help fight free radicals. With that said, make sure of the components that shall be present on the product. 

• Vitamin A (retinol or retinoic acid) is an anti-ageing component, which is not only good at preventing dead skin cells from blocking the pores, but also great for acne-prone skin.
• Vitamin B3 (niacinamide) is also a powerful anti-inflammatory antioxidant that can ease irritation on the skin and signs of aging.
• Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a common component present in most beauty products. Aside from being a free radical scavenger, it also accelerates collagen production and clears dark spots.
• Vitamin E (tocopherol) has anti-inflammatory properties that work to even out skin tone, improve texture, and brighten skin.
• Resveratrol has properties that help in skin calming and contributes to reducing redness and even out skin tone.
• Green tea polyphenols can even out skin tone, clear dark spots, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Sunekos as a Free Radical Scavenger

Eating healthy is a great way to sustain healthy skin. However, it takes time before results from your hard work and food discipline start to become noticeable. If you want to see more immediate results, you may opt for alternative solutions to go along with your new diet plan. One of the solutions to fight free radicals are injectable skincare like Sunekos.

Sunekos is an injectable skincare treatment that can stimulate collagen regeneration, which can lead to less wrinkle formation and slow down skin aging. Its patented formulation consists of six essential amino acids, HY6AA, (Glycine, L-Proline, L-Lysine, L-Alanine, L-Leucine, L-Valine) with Hyaluronic Acid. The combination of these ingredients is clinically proven to help in the regeneration of skin cells and collagen. It is well known that natural Hyaluronic Acid over 1 Mio Dalton (the density of hyaluronic acid) protects fibroblasts and structural elements of the dermis, as a free radical “scavenger.”

During the aging process, there is a numerical reduction of fibroblast and the skin’s metabolic activities, which consequently leads to a reduction of Extra Cellular Matrix (ECM) component. Sunekos focuses on Extra Cellular Matrix targeting, where it restores the intake of nutrients for fibroblast and stimulates the production of hyaluronic acid, collagen fibers, and elastic fibers, including Type 4 collagen which is the hardest to produce.

Sunekos achieves the production of the new Extra Cellular Matrix (ECM) by stimulating the cells and increasing the production of collagen and elastin. These are the main building blocks of the matrix. The homeostasis, for example, of the Extra Cellular Matrix (ECM), is vital for the health of all tissues and organs. Sunekos has a unique formula of essential amino acids to boost the production of collagen and elastin. This formula is vital to produce Extra Cellular Matrix (ECM), the stimulation of fibroblast and providing the required nutrients of the skin.

Now that you are aware of free radicals, always remember to be mindful of what you digest into your body and also be aware of your environment as much as possible.

This doesn’t mean that you need to create drastic changes in your life to stay away from bad elements. This is only a guide to help you understand how to take care of your skin against free radicals that may potentially affect the health of your skin.  

In recent years, skincare has garnered a wide cult following all over the world. More and more people are now becoming interested and hyper aware about treating the health and condition of their skin. Natural beautiful skin has become the standard. Consequently, various products and articles have come out telling you how to maintain and achieve that healthy looking skin.

If you have been interested in skincare for a while, or have kept up-to-date with the latest cosmetic trends, you might have heard the term ‘skin barrier’. Several skincare experts have emphasized the importance of the skin barrier and keeping it free of damage. 

Even if the name is suggestive of its function, what is the specific role of the skin barrier in having natural beautiful skin? How can you protect the skin barrier from damage?

What is the Skin Barrier?

It is common knowledge that our skin is composed of multiple different layers. The skin barrier is another term to refer to the epidermis, or the outermost layer of the skin. The skin barrier’s function sounds simple. It prevents the loss of moisture in the skin, keeping it hydrated and preventing dryness. Furthermore, the outermost layer keeps UV rays, allergens, irritants,  pollutants, and other impurities from seeping into the other layers of the skin. In other words, the skin barrier is your skin’s natural guard against negative elements around your environment. 

However, for a holistic approach to achieving a healthy skin barrier, it helps to know more about your skin- no pun intended- on a deeper level. Like the rest of the skin, the skin barrier is composed of several elements, each with a crucial function, making a complex process of protecting your skin surface.

Components of the Skin Barrier

The Lipid Matrix

Lipid matrix is a network of healthy fats that help hold the skin cells in place. It includes lipids such as ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids. A healthy skin barrier is composed of layers of skin cells arranged in what dermatologists call a “brick-and-mortar pattern”. The “brick” refers to the skin cells, while the “mortar” is the lipid matrix. As the cells are in place, it keeps the skin hydrated and removes any bacteria, pollutants, and allergens off the surface.

The Acid Mantle

The acid mantle pertains to the protective film of natural oils, amino acids, and sweat that sits on top of the skin cells. It helps as a protective cover that shields the skin from the negative elements. Moreover, it keeps the skin’s pH slightly acidic (around 5.5). pH is a measure for how acidic or basic water is. A slightly acidic pH protects the skin from contaminants like unwanted bacteria or fungus.

The Microbiome

The skin microbiome is a term for the collection of  microorganisms that inhabit the skin. These microbial living creatures are a natural part of the skin’s health and behaviour. It has vital functions for the skin that our body cannot supply on its own. These functions include impacting our bodies’ production of fats, altering the skin’s pH by secreting acidic molecules, and affecting the immune system by directing it to either accelerate or slow down.

SALT

SALT is nowhere similar to the staple condiment on your kitchen counter. SALT pertains to the skin-associated lymphoid tissue, which is considered the skin’s own immune system. A healthy skin barrier is the result of a smart and balanced immune system. It should be strong enough to prevent infection. With that said, if the skin’s immune system becomes over-responsive or hyperactive, it can also cause damage.

Causes of Damage to the Skin Barrier

Our skin is the largest organ in our body. Just like other parts of our body, we need to keep it healthy to maintain its function. If your skin is not in its best condition, it fails to function at its best level, causing damage to your skin. Remember that the more irritated and damaged the skin barrier is, the less effective it is in keeping the moisture in your skin. As a result, it leads to dryness, inflammation, and sensitized skin.

If you notice symptoms like increased redness, flakiness, dryness, and inflammation, it’s a telltale sign that you no longer have a healthy skin barrier. It can then further to more serious conditions such as rosacea, eczema, and acne if not treated immediately. Though, before you can find the right solution to your problem, you need to distinguish what caused it in the first place.

Here are some of the possible causes of disrupting your healthy skin barrier:

Harsh Cleaners and Manual Exfoliation

Remember that your skin barrier is delicate. Manual exfoliating tools like gritty, physical scrubs, and spin brushes can easily damage the outermost layer of your skin. If you prefer using a cleansing tool for exfoliation, use a silicone cleansing brush instead as it has softer bristles. Still, be gentle and do not press too hard. The safest bet in not damaging the skin barrier is using your clean hands. Furthermore, avoid using cleansing products that contain sulfates like SLS and SLES, which takes away the skin’s essential moisture and natural oils.

Layering Multiple Products

People may think that using more products produces more benefits for the skin. With the amount of skincare products out there, it is easy to be tempted to try all of them. Sometimes, we might be even urged to layer them on top of one another. However, it is essential to take note that most of these products have powerful active ingredients. Layering them together may cause more damage to your skin than good.

Even products that have proven for their skin benefits can still, if not used properly, cause irritation, weakening the skin barrier. You can still use products with active ingredients like hydroxy acids, l-ascorbic acid (vitamin C), and retinol, though not layered on top of one another. It also helps to use more powerful products in intervals. Give time for the skin to recover by skipping these products and replacing them with hydrating nourishing alternatives.

Too Much Fragrance

Limit or avoid using products that  contain fragrance as much as possible, regardless if you have sensitive skin or not. Leave-on products such as moisturizers and facial oils usually contain fragrance in them, so stay away from those variants. Whether they are natural or synthetic, fragrances are some of the most recognizable allergens and irritants. Oils with notes of cinnamon, ylang-ylang, peppermint, citrus, bergamot, grapefruit, lemon, and wild orange should generally be avoided.

Bad Internal Health

Achieving natural beautiful skin should be approached from the inside-out instead of outside-in. Your internal health greatly affects the quality for your skin barrier. It helps to be more mindful and create more conscious decisions regarding your lifestyle, specifically when it comes to food.

Primarily, your diet has a massive impact on the quality of your skin’s condition. You may include foods rich in prebiotics such as asparagus, garlic, and onions to your meals. Also, adding omega-three fatty acids like salmon and extra virgin olive oil can help the maintenance of your skin barrier’s health and integrity. More importantly, cut out sugars and refined carbs, as these cause inflammation and other unwanted skin issues.

Ways to Maintain a Healthy Skin Barrier: To Achieve Natural Beautiful Skin

Now that you are more aware about the causes of damage to your skin barrier, it is easier to find solutions that specifically target these issues. Here are some tips to keep your natural beautiful skin:

Hydrate and Moisturize

Keeping your skin moisturized is a crucial part of maintaining a healthy skin barrier. Products containing ceramides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and petrolatum can help restore moisture back to the skin.

In particular, ceramides improve the dryness, itchiness, and scaling by a poorly functioning skin barrier. It acts like a cement, strengthening the structural integrity of the skin. Ceramide moisturizers are recommended for acne prone skin and darker skin tones, which often contain lower ceramide levels.

Furthermore, moisturizers help reduce the amount of water loss from a damaged skin barrier. These products leave a thin film on your skin, keeping in the moisture. As the skin stays hydrated, it can easily perform its function. Products with hyaluronic acid and glycerin are recommended for this purpose.

Aside from the usual skins, there are alternative options that can bring deeper nourishment to the skin. Recently, more people have become more open about the idea of facial fillers. It used to have a taboo connotation among skincare enthusiasts. However, in the hands of a great doctor and a trusted facial filler product, you can achieve great results. 

Facial fillers are becoming popular for its regenerating properties. A unique injectable skincare treatment that stimulates natural collagen regeneration is available for those we are looking for natural results and treating troubled areas. Why is it unique? Because it uses a unique patented formula consisting of six essential Amino Acids (Glycine, Proline, Lysine, Alanine, Valine, Leucine) with Hyaluronic Acid (HA + HY6AA). The combination of these ingredients can help in the natural regeneration of collagen and elastin, especially Type 4 collagen which is known to be the hardest collagen to build, the building block of the skin.

Simplify Skincare

As mentioned earlier, layering tons of skincare products further damages your skin barrier rather than nourishing it. Like how the saying goes, “less is more”. 

Limit yourself in using products with active ingredients like exfoliants, retinol, and even vitamin C. Overly exfoliating using products with strong acids strips away your healthy skin barrier or makes its condition worse. Remember that your skin is delicate. Avoid over-washing, over-scrubbing, or using random products that may damage the sensitive acid mantle layer of the skin. Be gentle and give your skin time to heal on its own. Stick to a simple regimen of cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF. With that said, exfoliating is still important to get rid of built up dirt and debris on the surface, just use a gentler method to do so.

Keep pH in Mind

Again, pH refers to how acidic or basic water is. A well-balanced pH level is crucial to a healthy skin barrier. The skin usually maintains its pH level at around 5.5 to 5.7, which is slightly acidic. Any large deviation from the ratio, whether it’s too high or too low, can throw off the function of the skin by causing inflammation and irritation.

Some skincare products’ pH level ranges from 3.7, all the way up to 8.2. To keep your skin’s pH level balance, cleanse using a product that’s close to your skin’s natural pH. Also, stay away from classic soaps as they are too alkaline, which strips your skin of its natural oils. 

Those are some information that you need to know about having a healthy skin barrier. Now that you are more conscious about that layer of your skin, it will be easier for you to avoid possible causes of damage. If your skin has already experienced damage, it is not the end of the world. As we have discussed, there are various ways you can restore the health of your skin and avoid any future damage. It may not be the easiest and hassle-free process, but putting in the effort can benefit you in the long term.

It is common for people who do their makeup to find it difficult to pull off a stunning makeup look without it going wrong and cakey. Regardless of how much you try, sometimes you make these makeup mistakes again and again. Maybe you were thinking it was just the weather or the product or your skin. Well, all of those can be a factor for having cakey makeup. That is why it is very important to know more about your skin and what product you should wear.

What Causes Cakey Makeup?

There are tons of reasons that cause cakey makeup. It could be because of how the foundation is applied, the unremoved dead skin accumulated on the surface, maybe your skin is too dry or too wet, or maybe you layered the products wrongly. 

These are the possible reasons that can cause cakey makeup to occur.

1. Wrong Skincare

Skin Care is important whether you are putting on makeup or not. It is good to practice a skincare routine that can help you have better skin and avoid skin conditions like oily, dry, and flaky skin. All of these can affect how you look with makeup on.

Exfoliating and moisturizing the face is the topmost priority during your skincare routine, but not all exfoliating and moisturizing products can help. For dry skin, it is important to consider exfoliating as a part of your skincare routine but sometimes it is also not advisable to use exfoliating products, especially strong chemical exfoliation.

For sensitive skin, it is not advisable to use exfoliating products that require scrubbing, as it could further irritate the skin and cause redness that is hard to cover with makeup. Finally, for oily skin, it is recommended to look for moisturizing products that won’t give that greasy feeling. It is important to understand the ingredients used in the moisturizer so as to achieve water-oil balance for your skin to prevent any unnecessary outbreaks!

You must be asking why it is so important to know what skincare routine will suit you. Skincare helps a lot to achieve your makeup desired look. It also reduces the necessity of over-putting foundations, heavy concealer, and other concealing products that is a huge factor for cakey makeup.

2. Pre-preparation mistakes

An important part of the makeup routine is having your skin prepped. After going through your skincare, a common mistake people make is starting to put the foundation on without putting any product that will hold the makeup.

Primer is a necessary product that should be used before putting on foundation. It helps reduce visible flaws that you have in your face including open pores and acne scars. A primer should be applied at least 30 minutes after your skincare to avoid mixing it with the products you had applied during your routine. You can use your hands, sponge, or a brush to apply it around your face, especially to areas that are sometimes missed like the edges near the ears and the corners of the nose.

3. Bad application of foundation

Always know what foundation will suit your skin. If you have dry skin, use oil-based or water-based foundations to give a dewy finishing. On the other hand, for oily skin, you can also use a water-based foundation to carry out a light foundation result or powder-based foundation that is oil-free. Alternatively, you can look into the ingredients used for the foundation and look out for non-comedogenic, unnatural dyes, perfumes and synthetic ingredients. Mineral makeup is one recommended foundation to use for oily skin, acne-prone skin or sensitive skin.

Remember that the way you apply your foundation is also important. It is better to use a makeup sponge for applying the foundation. Also make sure that you start with a pea-sized amount of product on the back of your hand and use a bouncing motion while gently applying it to your skin. 

Putting a lot of foundation for the first layer can make your skin wet which will not let the other products hold onto your skin well. Since you will be adding another product that will cover unwanted spots, you better stick to applying less amount of foundation.

4. Improper Concealer application

As the name suggests, concealer is a product that helps conceal areas that you want to cover like eye bags, pimple marks, and acne scars.

During application, be aware of the amount of concealer you are applying, because too much concealer can also cause cakey makeup. Only use it to conceal unwanted areas. It is best to go for light yet full coverage concealers. In application, using your fingers to dab and slowly blend them into your skin is one of the commonly used methods.

5. Too much Powder

Using powder is the final step for your makeup base, but it is important not to overdo it. There are different types of powders to choose from based on your skin or what finish you are going for. If you wish to choose a powder to prolong your makeup, you can use a setting powder or finishing powder. If you have oily skin, matte-finished, oil control, no-sebum mineral and shine control powders are the best choice.

These powders are not like your usual powder. You don’t need to be applied on your entire face. It serves different purposes depending on how you apply it. You can use a very light amount of setting or finishing powder and dust it on areas like your cheek, chin, forehead, and nose just to make sure it sets your foundation and concealer. Some use a setting powder to “bake” certain areas to highlight their features and add a glowing finish.

Ways to Prevent Cakey Makeup

1. Always remember to exfoliate properly

Flaky skin can result in uneven makeup. Exfoliating can help remove dead skin cells and smoothen the skin to avoid lumps or bumpy textures in the skin. This should be practiced often more for those who have dry skin. Exfoliants come as either physical or chemical. Generally, avoid physical exfoliants as it makes the skin susceptible to  sagging. Chemical exfoliants dissolve dead skin cells by detaching them from the surface of the skin.

2. Moisturize

Moisturizers prevent dryness and hydrate the skin that allows you to get that glow-like appearance after applying makeup. It also helps add a barrier between the skin and the product to reduce the possibility of having a cakey face.  It also helps to keep your face hydrated with necessary moisture to keep the natural glow and fullness of the skin.

If you want to avoid cakey makeup throughout the day, having different types of moisturizers at hand can help. Day-time moisturizers usually SPF in them to protect your skin from the sun. Also, most of them are designed to be used under makeup. It creates a smooth, oil-free canvas for the makeup to set on. On the other hand, night-time moisturizers focus on moisture and recovery. Your skin regenerates while you’re sleeping, so these products tend to have anti-aging compounds that penetrate the skin. If you have acne-prone skin, you should be more cautious about the type of moisturizer to use. Check the labels for oil-free and non-comedogenic products as they’re less likely to cause breakouts.

If products do not give enough moisture to your skin, there are alternative options out there. More and more people are becoming open to the idea of dermal fillers to regenerate their skin’s moisture. There are a lot of filler variants out there that give effective and natural-looking results, so you don’t have to worry. An uprising dermal filler in Asia uses hyaluronic acid- a common ingredient in many skincare products- with six essential amino acids that helps to regenerate the production of collagen and elastin, the building blocks of the skin. As it penetrates the skin, dermal fillers help keep the skin moisturized from the inside-out. To find out more, press HERE.

3. Blend the foundation properly

This is a common mistake done by many people. There are times when there are spots that still have a lot of foundation, causing it to become cakey after applying the other products. Use a damp sponge to help the foundation stick well to the skin and blend it easier.

4. Use a setting spray

After applying all of your makeup, consider applying a setting spray. The setting spray helps eliminate the residue left from the other products, giving a natural finish. It also prolongs the longevity of your makeup so that it can last you through the day and night, perfect for someone who is out for the whole day! 

5. Avoid applying too much makeup on creased areas

Creases are the lines you can see in your face. As much as you want to cover it, it is better to avoid applying too much foundation on the area. It actually has the opposite result. The lesser the foundation you put in this area, the less visible it is. The type of foundation applied (as mentioned in the beginning) plays a role in the visible creases, so do be careful on your choice of foundation!

6. Take your time

Each product applied should have a set time. It is wrong to move on to the next product without giving time for the skin to absorb the previous product. For example, after applying primer, it is good to let it set for 1-2 minutes before applying concealer or foundation. Unless you are rushing for time, otherwise, it is good to give your skin time to set the foundation right (literally).

7. Proper makeup tools

Aside from knowing makeup products, you must also make sure you know of the tools you will be using. Whether it is a sponge or a brush, the tools you use determine the quality of your application.

8. Apply every product gently

You don’t have to pound the skin hard for the product to stick. Be gentle and take time to blend the makeup. Also, do not over-apply any of the products. A lot of layers can cause the makeup to drip and become cakey.  

Products that Prevents Cakey Makeup

Face Primer

Primer is the base of the makeup. It acts similar to a double-sided tape between the skin and the foundation. Primer is the best product you can use as a base to smoothen the skin and create a poreless surface for the makeup to set on, especially to those who have big, opened pores. Usually, not applying a face primer can cause dots across the T-zone and lumps on a few areas of your face, resulting in a cakey makeup look. It’s just like applying paint on a wall without using a primer.

However, some say that primer isn’t really necessary if you have prepared your skin with the right moisturizers and serums that perfectly suit your skin type. They add that it is only best to use primers for events that will need extra hold for your makeup and for situations you are seen close up. Some examples may include photoshoots, live interviews, awarding ceremonies and other events alike. 

Translucent Powder

Translucent powder is one of the all-time favourite products of many makeup artists. Same as a setting spray, using a setting powder can help keep your makeup stay longer. 

Setting powder and setting spray differs depending on either your skin type or the way it is applied. Setting sprays are used by spraying it on top of the entire finished makeup, while setting powders are used on specific areas that need more attention like the T-zone where it is commonly oily. 

There are also different shades of translucent or setting powder based on the look you are trying to achieve. There are also colorless powders available for all skin tones and tinted shades for a warmer look. 

Lastly, remember to not overuse powders. It is a usual mistake that has to be addressed to avoid a cakey look. A light amount of powder is enough to cover the oily areas and hold the foundation for a long time.

Setting Spray

A setting spray is usually a combination of alcohol and water that is used to keep your makeup and prevent it from smudging. It may also be referred to as face mist.

Setting spray is a good product to prolong your makeup especially for long occasions like weddings, company events, business conferences, etc. 

With that said, a setting spray is not a daily skincare product and should not be used too often. Remember that it contains alcohol that can cause dryness to your skin. The best way to use setting sprays is applying a light amount of the product by distancing it away from your face upon spraying after your makeup is done. Also, applying too much setting spray at once can cause too much moisture to the makeup, which may cause your makeup to drip or smudge easily. 

Same with foundations and powders there are specific setting sprays made for different skin types like oil-control setting sprays that are composed with a matte formula. There are also alcohol-free setting sprays if you’re worried of having dry skin.

Face Foundation

Face foundation can be in liquid, stick or powder form. The purpose of foundation is to create an even surface for the skin where all the other products, including eyeshadows, blush, concealer and bronzer, can stick on. 

It covers the uneven areas on the skin to make it look smooth and clean. To achieve a perfect clean look, it is important to know what kind of foundation you need to use. 

There are different kinds of foundation made to match your skin type and skin tone. There are foundations for oily skin, dry skin, and other skin types. There are also foundations made with different tones to match the color of your skin and make it look close to natural. 

How to Select the Right Foundation

1. Know your shade

One of the mistakes that you may have done before is swatching foundation at the top of your hand to test the color. The thing is, that part of your hand is darker than your face, causing you to choose a darker foundation. It is better to try foundations on areas like your chest, or any spot at the center of the face and blend it towards the hairline to see if it matches the tone of your cheeks.

Also, keep in mind to test foundation colors under natural lighting because light can affect the shade of the foundation. For example, yellow toned lights can make other foundations look warmer.

2. Know how much coverage you will need

Coverage is knowing how dense you want your foundation to be. For people who don’t put on a lot of makeup and only use it for covering a few spots, then a light to medium coverage is advisable. Although, if you need a foundation that needs to stay longer and doesn’t need a lot of touch ups, then a full coverage foundation is best for you.

3. Know your skin type

Skin type is very important when buying products for the skin. The compatibility between the product and your skin type determines how long the makeup will stay and how it will look after a few hours after application. 

For oily skin, it is better to use satin finish, light water-based or matte foundation to make it look smooth and control the face from being too greasy. While for dry skin, choose foundations that have more moisture like liquid foundations and stick foundations that are often creamier. If you are not sure of what skin type you have, there are also foundations available that can be used for all any skin type. 

4. Identify your undertones

It is important to consider your natural skin tone, whether you have warm or a cooler skin tone. You can identify this by checking your bare skin in front of the mirror. If you can see that you have a yellow tone or a golden tone, this means you have a warmer undertone. On the other hand, if you can see pinky or rosy tones, then your skin has a cool undertone. 

These tones are important because it can help you choose a better shade of foundation. Most of the time, products are already labeled whether they are warm-toned or cool-toned foundation.

5. Ask a makeup professional

If it is still difficult for you to understand how to choose the right foundation for your skin, you can always feel free to ask a makeup professional. They will help you understand what shade and type of foundation will suit you best. It’s also not hard to find this information. There are numerous articles and videos online that teach you tips and tricks when it comes to makeup products and applications.

Now that you have all the guides to choosing the right products, make it a habit to keep this information in mind and try to practice them whenever you apply or buy your makeup. Sometimes, it will not be easy to switch products or routines from the ways you were used to, but a few changes can go a long way. After doing so, you’ll feel better with the results and be able to share your personal experiences to other people who had the same problem as yours.