When it comes to taking care of our skin, we often discuss the importance of removing make-up, exfoliating and applying active treatments to make it look more youthful and healthy. Marketing has led us to believe that when it comes to our skin, we must continually defend against time. It’s not surprising then, that the concept of how to be kind to skin may be overlooked. Many skincare steps are undoubtedly beneficial, but it’s important to keep in mind that it’s possible to overdo it. Using too many products, aiming for ‘squeaky clean’ and over-exfoliating can irritate and inflame your skin leading to clogged pores, blemishes and redness.
Here are 5 tips on how to be kind to skin:
- Opt For Gentle Cleansers. Stay away from fragrances and avoid harsh cleansing agents such as sodium laureth sulfate, which strip away skin’s natural oils and disturbs the skin’s acid mantle, leaving it feeling tight and dry. Our Cloud Nine Foaming Cleansing Crème is a terrific option for all skin types.
- Go Bare-Faced. Like many women I know, I rarely leave the house without at least a lick of lipstick. But, I appreciate the freedom of giving my skin a break, especially from foundations, powders and other heavy make-up. Cosmetics have come a long way in the last few years, so chances are that your makeup isn’t causing your skin great distress. However, it’s not a bad idea to skip the makeup once in awhile, especially if you are prone to clogged pores.
- Don’t Over-Exfoliate. There is no need to scrub hard when exfoliating. Chemical exfoliants like alpha hydroxy acids – AHAs – and beta hydroxy acids – BHAs – work by ‘dissolving’ dead, dry cells at the top of the skin’s surface so there is little need to scrub. If you opt for manual exfoliation, be kind to skin and stick with ingredients like jojoba beads and ditch the hard, jagged kernel shells, which can cause micro tears in your skin leading to irritation, breakouts and increased skin sensitivity. Use soft, light movements, and exfoliate no more than once every two to three days.
- Touch Gently. Don’t handle your skin roughly or rub abrasively. This means not picking at blemishes, not rubbing too hard and not being aggressive when removing eye make-up.
- Consider Silk. It may sound indulgent but there are those who claim that sleeping on silk pillowcases can benefit your skin (and hair). I have yet to come across any studies that support this claim, but the thinking is that the gentle nature of silk means less rubbing against an abrasive surface, which can lead to smoother and softer skin. You’re also less likely to wake up with sleep wrinkles, which means you could be fighting off real wrinkles for a bit longer. I’m not giving this one a firm thumbs up just yet, but in the interest of being kind to skin, it is worth considering, isn’t it?
