Basic facial skin care

A woman’s face is a kind of “showcase” of appearance. That is why it is necessary to take into account the stages of facial skin care when performing daily cosmetic procedures. After all, the face is exposed to external and internal conditions.

Malfunctions in the functioning of the body, sleepless nights, exposure to wind or, on the contrary, the rays of the sun, all this is reflected as a carbon copy on delicate skin. For this reason, caring for her must be systematic, competent and step-by-step.

There are some basic, universal rules that apply to absolutely any skin type (this includes the stages of applying some cosmetics). But the rest of the care needs to be tailored strictly to yourself.

We will help you understand what your skin requires!

Rules for facial skin care

For complete, and most importantly, high-quality facial skin care, you should choose everything you need and need for each type of skin from the list. The care list, in general, is small and includes only a few items for everyday facial care. Although at first glance this entire complex may seem numerous and difficult to implement, there is nothing complicated about it. The main thing is to outline the steps necessary for a particular woman’s skin and move in a given direction purposefully and systematically.

Keep it regular

The main law of beauty is the need for daily facial skin care. Fatigue, lack of time, banal laziness should not stand in the way of beauty and grooming. Makeup must be washed off, skin care products applied to the skin, peelings and masks are carried out at certain intervals. This is the base. The foundation, without which the appearance of the dermis will never become well-groomed and pleasing to the eye. That is why step-by-step care should be practically “hammered” into the daily routine of every self-loving woman.

Apply skincare products correctly

The application of cosmetics during the day and during evening care must certainly be done along the massage lines. This will help the cosmetics absorb faster and avoid stretching of the dermis, which can occur if the fingers are moved incorrectly. The main massage lines are:

1. from the chin to the earlobes;
2. from the corners of the lips to the earlobes;
3. from the bridge of the nose to the temples;
4. from the outer corners of the eye to the inner (movements along the upper and lower eyelids);
5. from the collarbones to the chin up the center of the neck;
6. from the earlobes to the shoulders on the sides of the neck.

Basic stages of facial skin care

The main stages of facial skin care are as follows:

1. cleansing;
2. toning;
3. hydration;
4. applying cream.

Facial skin care at home involves the use of peelings and masks. But these steps are considered periodic because they are not performed daily.

Skin cleansing

The primary stage of complete daily facial care is skin cleansing. Dust, cosmetics, sebum, toxic substances of the modern environment readily clog the pores of the face almost every minute. Of course, all excess accumulated during the day must be removed. Otherwise, comedones (blackheads), acne, inflammation and other minor and major troubles will most likely appear on your face. For this reason, cleansing of the dermis must be thorough and regular.

Toning

Following the care sequence, the cleansing is followed by a toning process. Toners remove remnants of cleansing cosmetics from the face and give the skin a fresh look. The tonic helps narrow pores, cellular renewal, restore acid balance and relieve inflammation.

Moisturizing your face

A facial will not be considered complete if the face is not moisturized. This can be achieved by using moisturizing creams, sprays and lotions. They will help restore the skin's water balance.

Find out more about the stages of facial skin care:

How to apply cream on your face?

The cream, selected taking into account your skin type, is suitable as a skin care product for every day. It is very important to apply cosmetics correctly. Then it will have a better effect. Having completed the remaining preliminary stages of basic care, you can begin to distribute the cream over your face.

A small amount of cream is squeezed onto the palm. Distribute the product with careful movements. Leave the cream until completely absorbed. The remains are rubbed over the surface of the hands.

Important! You don’t need to skimp on the amount of product, but you shouldn’t apply too much of it either.

Sequence of facial skin care in popular questions

Modern man is very mobile. We are constantly striving somewhere, running, walking - to the bus, up the career ladder, towards our goals. So why not start taking steps towards amazing, youthful skin? Moreover, these steps will not require any excessive effort.

So, step-by-step instructions for daily facial care look like this:

Step 1: Wash your hands. Touch your face exclusively with clean hands.

Step 2. Remove eye makeup. For this purpose, a special product (hydrophilic oil, micellar water) is suitable, which must be applied to a cotton pad and lightly moved along the eyelids, removing any remaining makeup.

Apply cleanser to face and neck using fingertips. After a minute, rinse with warm water.

Step 3. Moisten a cotton pad with toner. Gently rub the skin along the massage lines.

By the way. If a tonic is used in the form of a spray, it is sprayed over the face and gently driven into the dermis with light movements of the fingertips. The product can also be distributed with a cotton pad.

Step 4: Apply moisturizer. This process is carried out twice a day - morning and evening, distributing the product along the massage lines.

Important! Day cream is applied half an hour before going out into the air (an hour in winter) so that it has time to be absorbed. Night cream is applied about an hour before bedtime.

What kind of water should you wash your face with?

It is recommended to tidy up your facial skin with cleansers and water. But is all water suitable for such a delicate procedure? What water is best to use?

Ideally, use filtered water free of chlorine. But it is also acceptable to wash your face with tap water. Its contact with the dermis when washing lasts no longer than a few seconds, and the tonic applied afterwards neutralizes the effect of all “unhealthy” substances.

Is it possible not to wash your skin with water at all, but to do it with micellar liquid or milk?

Yes. Can. But after such a procedure, you need to wipe the skin with a cotton pad soaked in water or tonic. This will remove any remaining cleaning products.

How often should you wash your face?

When caring for your delicate facial skin, you shouldn’t forget about washing your face every day. Complete facial skin care involves at least two washes - morning and evening. This approach will allow you to cleanse your skin after sleep or a day of work and prepare it for subsequent skin care stages.

Is it necessary to use night cream?

The subtleties of the facial skin care process depend on the woman’s age. Very young girls do not need to apply night cream. All you have to do is cleanse your face and apply toner.

Having crossed the twenty-five year mark, ladies are recommended to perform all skincare procedures without exception.

Is the procedure for caring for your skin different in summer and winter?

Seasonality in facial care also plays an important role. Facial care in summer differs from the same procedure in winter. Although the basic sequence of stages is usually preserved. In winter, it is worth using protective products that protect your skin from negative weather influences. Moisturizer is applied exclusively at night. It is unacceptable to go outside immediately after applying the product.

Summer care is aimed at moisturizing the dermis. In warm weather, it is recommended to apply natural-based masks more often: fruit, clay, vegetable, etc.

Does everyone need to use a toner?

Many girls doubt the advisability of using tonic in facial care. But it is preferable for everyone to use the tonic. It is preferable to choose a product for your skin type that performs suitable functions. Thus, according to functionality, tonics are divided into moisturizing, refreshing, astringent, exfoliating and others.

The sequence of actions in facial skin care is a mandatory condition. Three main steps - cleansing, moisturizing, toning - a woman should do every day, moving towards well-groomed and youthful skin. Regular care procedures in tandem with high-quality cosmetics will help achieve stunning results.

Today there are a lot of trends in makeup, but the main thing always remains the same - clear, glowing skin, which everyone, without exception, can have if they take care of themselves correctly and regularly.

Cosmetic companies offer a large selection of all kinds of creams, serums, lotions, masks, and tonics. Among this diversity, you can easily get lost and confused. Today we will talk about a basic set of facial care products.

Makeup remover

Many women do not separate makeup removers from face washes, using one or the other. Meanwhile, this practice is not only ineffective, but also dangerous, as it can provoke various inflammations, clogged pores, pimples and blackheads. The fact is that makeup removers are aimed only at removing decorative cosmetics from the face, while cleansers cleanse the skin of makeup residues, from possible film that makeup removers can leave behind, and they also clean much better. pores and prepare the skin for the next stage of care.

There are different types of makeup removers:

Micellar waters. This type of makeup remover is very gentle and suitable for the most sensitive skin. The consistency of the product resembles ordinary water, so it does not leave behind any uncomfortable sensations (stickiness, oily sheen, etc.). Such products contain micelles that dissolve decorative cosmetics and help quickly remove them from the surface of the skin. Micellar water is easy to use. To do this, moisten a cotton pad with liquid and wipe your face. Read more about micellar water in our article: “Micellar water for makeup removal: 5 best products.”

Hydrophilic oil. Recently, hydrophilic oils have been gaining more and more popularity among girls. This is a very gentle product for cleansing the skin of oil-based decorative cosmetics. Hydrophilic oil copes with any cosmetics, even waterproof ones. You can see a selection of products in our article “Cleansing the face from cosmetics: hydrophilic oils.”

Milk, gels, foams. Makeup remover can also be purchased in milk, foam and gel consistency. Usually these are 2 in 1 products, i.e. With their help you can immediately remove makeup and cleanse your skin. But in this case, it is advisable to wash your face 2 times: the first time you remove makeup, and the second, final time you directly cleanse the skin.

Cleanser

In addition to the fact that you need to remove makeup every day, you must wash your face with special products in the morning and evening. In the evening, we cleanse the skin of makeup residues that we may not have removed using makeup remover, and in the morning, we cleanse the skin of sebaceous fat and sweat that have accumulated on the skin overnight.

Thermal water

Thermal water, although optional, is a very useful and necessary thing. Firstly, it can be used instead of tonics and lotions, and secondly, it can be used to refresh your face and additionally moisturize throughout the day. This product is based on healing mineral water from underground sources and contains a large number of useful minerals and trace elements. For the most effective remedies, see our article: “Thermal water - saving your skin from conditioner.”

Many girls and women neglect these products, but in the meantime they play an important role in the daily beauty ritual. When you wipe your face with a cotton pad soaked in tonic (or, as it is also called, lotion), the product performs several functions at once. It removes the remnants of poorly washed off cosmetics and cleansers, tones, restores hydrolipid balance and prepares the skin for further care.

Scrubs/peelings

Scrubs and peelings are an important component of skin care. They help remove dead cells from the surface of the skin, thereby stimulating its further renewal. There is a huge range of scrubs and peels, when choosing which, pay attention to the abrasive particles in the composition. It is very important that they are not too hard and sharp, otherwise they can injure and even scratch your skin.

Serum (activators, serums)

Many women mistakenly believe that serums should only be used after 30 years. This is not entirely true. Serums are designed to solve specific problems, for example, fight against skin aging, against acne, saturate the skin with vitamins, moisturizing components, etc. Therefore, if you have ideal skin, which is extremely rare even among 20-year-old girls, perhaps you should skip this stage in facial skin care. But as practice shows, even young girls, especially in the cold season, lack hydration. In this case, it is recommended to use moisturizing serums in a course.

Day and night cream

Day and night cream is a classic in care. These two jars should be on every woman's boudoir table. It is important to remember that the day cream must contain a high SPF factor, and the night cream should be chosen with a richer consistency with nourishing and restorative functions. In all other respects, when choosing a cream, be guided by your skin type and its needs.

Eye cream

The skin around the eyes is very delicate. It is even several times more delicate than the skin on the inside of our wrist, through which the blue veins are visible... Therefore, you need to buy eye cream designed specifically for this area. If you use your regular face cream under your eyes, you may encounter problems such as puffiness, allergies, etc.

Face masks

If you want your skin to look 100% under any conditions, you need face masks. The content of useful and medicinal ingredients in them is several times higher than any creams. In addition, the effect of the masks is visible literally after the first use. Face masks, like serums, are designed to solve specific skin problems and needs: moisturizing, nourishing, cleansing, lifting, etc. It is recommended to use them 1-2 times a week.

SOS tools

In addition to all the tools listed above, your arsenal should definitely have so-called SOS tools that will help you quickly cope with small troubles on the eve of an important event where you need to look great. Read about the most popular and effective SOS products in our material “Instant Beauty: SOS Products”.

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The main goal of modern skin care is to replenish the lipids and ceramides of the water-lipid mantle and maintain the physiological (weakly acidic) pH of its surface. For special care and correction of age-related changes and pathological skin conditions, special “basic” care products are used. Modern care for any skin type should include two main effects: gentle cleansing and adequate moisturizing.

Skin cleansing in cosmetology has the following goals:

1. Remove external contamination, scales, and excess sebum from the skin surface without increasing its further secretion.
2. Avoid “delipidation” of the skin during cleansing
3. Carry out disinfectant, keratolytic and other effects depending on skin type.

Cleansing can be achieved in different ways: with the help of cleansers. emulsions, solutions (lotions), soaps and syndets.

Cleansing emulsions (cosmetic milk, cosmetic cream) are emulsion ointments (creams) in form; they are usually used for severe dry skin, its increased sensitivity to water and detergents. Such products can be recommended for persons with dry, dehydrated, sensitive skin, as well as patients with atonic dermatitis, allergic dermatitis, eczema, ichthyosis, and perioral dermatitis. Cleansing emulsions do not require rinsing with water. May include mild detergents.

Solutions (lotions) are widely used to cleanse facial skin in cosmetology, in particular for acne, rosacea, and perioral dermatitis.

Solutions, soaps and syndets include detergents, or surfactants (surfactants). The following types of detergents are distinguished:

Anionic (anionic) detergents are surfactants whose molecules dissociate in water to form surface-active long-chain anions. Alkaline, metallic and organic soaps obtained by alkaline hydrolysis of fats are classified as anionic detergents. The raw materials for the production of soaps are vegetable oils, animal fats, synthetic fatty acids, soap naft, lard, rosin, waste from the refining of fats and oils. The process of producing soap (soap making) consists of saponification of the original fats with an aqueous solution of alkali by boiling. So, when fats are saponified with potassium alkali, liquid soaps are obtained, and with sodium alkali, solid soaps are obtained.

Cationic (cationic) detergents are surfactants whose molecules dissociate in solution to form a surface-active cation with a long hydrophilic chain. Cationic surfactants include amines and their salts, as well as quaternary ammonium compounds. Cationic detergents are less effective than anionic ones, since they reduce surface tension to a lesser extent, but they can interact chemically with the surface of the adsorbent, for example, with bacterial cellular proteins, causing a bactericidal effect. This is why cationic detergents are used as antiseptics (for example, chlorhexidine digluconate). Included in shampoos.

Nonionic (nonionic) detergents (syndets) are surfactants that do not dissociate into ions in water and do not create a charge on the surface of the skin. Their solubility is due to the presence in the molecules of hydrophilic ether and hydroxyl groups, most often the polyethylene glycol chain. They are less sensitive to salts that cause water hardness than anionic and cationic detergents, and are also well compatible with other surfactants.

Amphoteric (ampholytic) detergents are surfactants containing in the molecule a hydrophilic radical and a hydrophobic part that can be either a proton receptor or a proton donor, depending on the pH of the solution. Conventional amphoteric detergents are used as an emulsifier in the manufacture of creams (emulsions).

The detergent composition of the cleanser creates a specific environment on the surface of the skin. Thus, anionic detergents create an alkaline environment (pH 8-12), nonionic detergents create a slightly acidic environment (pH 5.5-6). Many companies produce pH neutral detergents (pH 7), the acidity of which is caused simultaneously by two types of detergents (soap and syndet) included in their composition.

The most important task at present is the selection of modern detergents. Long-term and frequent use of conventional detergents and cosmetics with a pH > 7.0 significantly disrupts the barrier properties of the skin. Conventional alkaline detergents increase the alkalization of the stratum corneum of the skin, which leads to cell swelling and, accordingly, predisposes to maceration. This, in turn, increases the permeability of the epidermis, including for potential allergens. Long-term use of aggressive detergents causes transepidermal water loss and dry skin. The consequence of this is microcracks, which can serve as an entrance gate for secondary infection. In addition, cleansers with a high pH cause compensatory hypersecretion of sebum. In order to reduce the irritating effect of the cleanser, various lipids are included in its composition to create a protective film on the surface of the stratum corneum - fatty acid esters, wax esters, ceramides.

The ideal detergent should not cause skin irritation or be allergenic. Due to the fact that only detergents containing synthetic non-ionic detergents (syndets) not only do not damage the skin, but also help restore its barrier function, only representatives of this group can be recommended for washing for persons with sensitive, dehydrated skin, patients with atopic dermatitis, pen and oral dermatitis, eczema, acne.

The goal of daily skin moisturizing is to adequately hydrate the skin and prevent transepidermal water loss. For this purpose, three groups of substances are used: humictants, film-forming substances, and keratolytic agents.

Humictants allow water found in the stratum corneum to be introduced deep into the skin. Modern humictants include the following:

1. Natural moisturizing factors (NMF): pyrrolidonecarbolic acid, urea (at a concentration of up to 10%) and lactic acid (at a concentration of 5-10%).
2. Polyols are low molecular weight hygroscopic compounds, these include glycerol, sorbitol, and propylene glycol.
3. Macromolecules (glycosoaminoglycans, collagen, elastin, DNA) and liposomes.

Skin hydration is also achieved by reducing transepidermal water loss. This is possible by applying a film consisting of lipids to the surface of the stratum corneum. Film-forming substances include substances that make up the oil phase of any emulsion (cream). Vaseline, perhydrosqualene paraffin, various silicones, natural oils rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (fish oil, primrose, grape seed, etc.), wax, lanolin, and some fatty alcohols are currently used as the oil phase. The use of film-forming substances is the oldest method of humidification.

The use of various keratolytic agents (salicylic acid, hydroxy acids, urea - in concentrations above 10%. propylene glycol) is an additional way to moisturize the skin. As a rule, these substances are used for hyperkeratosis accompanying skin xerosis, photoaging and other conditions. Currently, keratolytics are widely prescribed in cosmetology for skin peeling procedures, one of the goals of which is rejuvenation.

As a rule, moisturizers are added to emulsions (creams). For skin with pronounced sebum secretion (oily), oil-in-water emulsions are recommended, and for dry, dehydrated skin - water-in-oil emulsions.

A fairly new product in cosmetology, serum, also has a moisturizing effect. The serum is applied to cleansed skin under day or night cream. It comes in the form of an emulsion or solution. The light, unsaturated texture of the serum allows you to apply cream on top of it, which enhances the moisturizing effect.

Additional skin care products also include tonic solutions and masks.

Toning solutions, or toners, were originally created to normalize the surface pH of the skin after cleansing with soap and water. It is known that the alkaline environment on the surface of the skin after using soap lasts up to 6 hours, therefore, its negative effect lasts just as long. The use of tonic in such cases allows us to “balance” the effect of exfoliating detergents. Tonics are aqueous or, less commonly, alcoholic solutions with the addition of various acids, humicants, and lipids; Depending on the skin type and the dominant aesthetic problem, they include disinfectants, whitening, and keratolytic agents.

Masks are the most traditional skin care products in cosmetology. In fact, a mask is not a specific form, but rather a special method of applying it to the surface of the skin, characteristic of cosmetology. The main purposes of masks in cosmetology can be the following:

1. Improves the surface texture and appearance of the skin by removing horny scales and dissolving and absorbing sebum.
2. Skin moisturizing.
3. Reducing skin porosity.
4. Creating positive feelings, etc.

Depending on the mechanism of action, masks are divided into drying, cleansing, disinfecting, moisturizing, nourishing, etc. The choice of a particular mask depends on the skin type.

The masks are applied to cleansed skin for 10-20 minutes, then washed off with water or blotted. They are traditionally applied to the skin of the face, but in recent years masks have been widely used for specific areas, for example, for the contour of the eyes, lips, neck and décolleté. Can be applied to large surfaces of the skin in body cosmetology. The form of the mask is most often an emulsion (cream) or ointment. Forms of powder, shaken suspension, and gel can be used. Modern masks, depending on the goals of the manufacturing company, may consist of a dry base and a solution (for example, hydrocolloid masks). Masks consisting of fabric impregnated with various means are popular. In this case, the fabric is wetted in the solution immediately before application. They produce masks consisting of fabric impregnated with agents and soaked in a solvent. Masks containing various acrylates that can polymerize are widely used. After exposure, the mask thickens and tightly attaches to the surface of the skin, which allows it to be removed like a “stocking.” Such masks reduce keratotic layers (for example, with age-related skin changes), as well as areas of follicular hyperkeratosis (for example, with acne). Masks can be applied in a salon or at home. Traditionally, homemade masks include various food products (berries, fruits, vegetables, sour cream, etc.).

To moisturize the skin daily, special moisturizing creams are used, made according to the oil-in-water emulsion principle. To moisturize the back of the skin of the hands and protect against adverse external influences, water-in-oil emulsions with the addition of film-forming substances are used.

Modern basic body skin care includes the use of deodorants in the form of cream, gel, solution (spray, etc.). According to the classification of E. P. J. Seits and D. I. Richardson (1989), there are 3 types of substances included in deodorants:

1. deodorizing fragrances;
2. ingredients that reduce or eliminate odor;
3. substances that prevent the appearance of odor.

Deodorizing fragrances include both perfumes and other substances. In particular, it is known that some flower oils used as deodorants themselves can give off an unpleasant odor. To enhance their pleasant aroma, various terpenes are used (a-ionon, a-methylionon, citral, geranyl formate and geranyl acetate). Flavonoid derivatives are also used, which temporarily inactivate sensitive receptors of the nasal mucosa.

Ingredients that reduce or eliminate odor include sodium and potassium bicarbonate, zinc glycinate, zinc carbonate, magnesium oxide, and magnesium carbonate hydroxide. It is believed that these substances are capable of chemically neutralizing short-carbon chain fatty acids, which are the source of the unpleasant odor. This group also includes various absorbent components: aluminum and potassium sulfate, dibutylamide-2-naphtholic acid, isonanoyl-2-methylpiperidide, zinc and magnesium salts of polycarbolic acids. Herbal agents such as tea, grapes, natural essential oils of lavender, rosemary, etc. also have an absorbent effect.

Substances that prevent the appearance of odor are represented by antibacterial and disinfectant agents. They actively suppress the vital activity of gram-positive micrococci and lipophilic diphtheroids, i.e. those microorganisms that cause the smell of sweat. Until recently, neomycin was widely used, however, due to the high incidence of allergic dermatitis, this drug has been abandoned in recent years. Traditionally include aluminum chloride, boric acid, benzoic acid, chloramine-T, chlorothymol, formaldehyde, hexamine, hydroxyquinoline sulfate, sodium perborate, zinc salicylate, zinc sulphacarbonate, zinc sulfide, zinc peroxide. Deodorants contain derivatives of undecylepic acid, ammonium compounds, triclocarban, triclosan, as well as various antioxidants (butylated hydroxyanisole - BHA, butylated hydroxytoluene - BHT). In recent years, propylene glycol, hydrogen peroxide, alkyl salicylanilides, halosalicylanilides, prenylamine, thiocarbamates, etc. have been widely used. In addition, substances with antiperspirant properties prevent the appearance of odor. Previously, tannin, glutaraldehyde and other substances were used for this purpose, and now - aluminum salts (acetate, benzoate, boroformate, bromide, citrate, gluconate, etc.). The most popular is aluminum chlorohydrate