The Art of Skincare
Tips for a Glowing and Youthful Look
1. Lifestyle changes
The best and most effective skincare is oddly enough not what we APPLY on our skin but what we consume from WITHIN. The skin is the largest organ of our body and any and every activity which improves our overall health, also improves our skin health. Uninterrupted adequate sleep (it’s not called beauty sleep just like that!), adequate mixture of strength training and cardio exercises, balanced and nutritious diet and lack of pollution and stress. In my experience, although these modifications and lifestyle changes are the most difficult to make in our routine but they are also the most rewarding. There is no point wasting time and money on expensive skincare products if we are not going to sort out our overall health. The analogy to this is that a liver transplant surgery is useless if one is going to drink alcohol every day.
2. Know Your Skin Type
This is the most basic step since all products are formulated for different skin types. Oily skin may not be able to tolerate heavy, cream-based products – it will get lots of breakouts and acne due to blockage of the pores. Similarly, fluid based or gel-based moisturisers will barely be able to hydrate dry skin and it will always feel dehydrated/stretched out/flaky. Thus, identifying the skin type is important so that appropriate products – serums, gels, creams, lotions, ointments etc can be used.
3. Cleansing
The purpose of a cleanser is to just…cleanse. It’s unfair to put so much pressure and expectation on a cleanser to do magic and cure ailments. It’s only goal is to remove dust, dirt, debris, sweat and any residual skincare product/makeup. Use an appropriate cleanser that is suitable for your skin type.
4. Moisturiser
People living in tropical climates and with extremely oily skin may be averse to using even light gel-based moisturisers. On the other end of the spectrum, people with extremely dry skin living in dry, cold climates, may need to use heavy cream-based moisturisers multiple times in a day. For dry skin, look for richer creams with ingredients like hyaluronic acid or shea butter. For oily skin, lightweight, oil-free moisturizers can still provide hydration without clogging pores.
Don’t forget about hydration from within—drinking enough water throughout the day can also improve your skin’s overall health and appearance.
5. Sunscreen
This is often the most highly debated ingredient. Now although brown skin has abundance of “natural sunscreen” i.e., melanin – which is why we are able to step out without getting sunburnt, sun damage is still one of the leading causes of premature aging, contributing to wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots.Use a sunscreen as the last step, after moisturizing but before makeup.
6. Exfoliation
Exfoliation is needed for showing fresher, younger-looking skin that is underneath. However, it's important not to over-exfoliate, as this can cause irritation and damage your skin’s protective barrier.
Avoid physical exfoliators as they literally scrub away and damage the skin’s protective barrier. Chemical exfoliants are safer.
7. Antioxidants
Antioxidants are help protect our skin from environmental stressors like pollution and UV rays. In terms of return of investment, oral antioxidants are far superior than topical antioxidants since they will also have effects on all our other organs. Vitamin C is one of the most popular antioxidants, known for brightening skin and reducing dark spots. Other antioxidants include vitamin E, resveratrol, curcumin, carotene, astaxanthin, polypodium…the list is endless!
8. Visiting a Dermatologist
Over the counter ingredients have limitations. They come in weaker % and are good for preventing/maintaining healthy skin. None of them are curative. If you have specific skincare conditions, such as acne, hyperpigmentation, or fine lines, there are targeted and stronger treatments that work. Retinoids are great prescription ingredients for treating signs of aging, boosting collagen production, and reducing wrinkles. A good dermatologist shall give you suitable guidance.
By Dr. Agni Bose, Consultant Dermatologist and Dermatosurgeon
