Tag: skin

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The Post-Workout Skincare Routine

Doing sport causes a lot of benefits to the human physical and physiological state. Regular exercises not only keep people well-shaped but also make them more stress-resistant, decrease anxiety, and help fight depression. And these are just a few reasons we regularly visit gyms and fitness clubs.

Although sport is beneficial for our mind and body, sweat can cause multiple problems for our skin. It tends to clog pores and result in breakouts, acne, and eczema if proper post-workout skincare is not applied. Thus, it is essential for skin health to take care of cells after a sweaty workout. So, below, we’re going to consider how to treat the skin after exhausting workouts to keep it clean and healthy and prolong youthfulness.

The Positive and Negative Effects of Workouts on the Skin

First of all, let’s consider how workouts affect your skin. The positive effect of doing sport on the skin includes:

  • the blood flow is increased since the heart pumps blood quicker, resulting in better oxygen and nutrients supply to cells;
  • the skin renovation and rejuvenation processes are improved, preventing premature skin aging and reducing wrinkling;
  • workouts activate the lymphatic system, which causes skin purification due to increased waste disposal (toxins, dead cells, and other pollutants are removed quicker);
  • sport also copes with skin puffiness perfectly.

As for drawbacks, sports can influence the skin negatively. The cause is sweat that clogs pores, so people with oily and sensitive skin are the most affected. As a result, inflammation and breakouts may appear.

Still, with proper post-workout skincare, it is possible to minimize these effects and enjoy workouts without nasty consequences. The main thing is to know what and when to do. So, let’s get down to the key tips.

Workout

How to Treat the Skin before and after Workouts?

Firstly, note that the best skincare practice starts before a workout. Wash your face before doing sport. If you wear makeup, clean it to open pores and remove excess contaminants. In this case, you’ll reduce the level of pore-clogging with sweat. Moreover, makeup products contain chemical toxins that can congest pores and cause further redness and inflammation. So, don’t do sport with makeup to keep your skin clean and healthy.

As for the post-workout skincare routine, make sure to wash your face ASAP after a workout. Sweat mixes with dirt, oil, and germs during the workout, creating the perfect breed for bacteria growth. Such a favorable environment for microorganisms leads to acne, eczema, and breakouts.

While face washing comes as the first thing to do after the workout, a comprehensible post-workout skincare routine comprises much more steps. So, let’s highlight them and list the best products for each stage.

Cleansing

When washing the face, it is advisable to use cleansing foams and liquids to remove dirt and sweat more effectively. Cleansing products act on all sorts of pollutants, open pores, prevent congestion, and prepare the skin for further treatment.

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Do’s & Don’ts Before, During and After Laser Hair Removal?

If you’re wondering whether you should shave before laser hair removal, or you’re looking for ideas on how to speed up shedding after laser hair removal, you’re in the right place. In this blog, we’ll unearth the secrets to getting the results you want with laser hair removal.

Before: What to Do and What Not to Do

The time before laser hair removal is important. This is when, if you’re not fully clued-up about the laser hair removal process, you could start making some serious errors which will have a negative effect on your treatment results.

Whether you’re having facial hair laser hair removal or you’re looking to target symptoms of hirsutism, it’s vital to follow the correct do’s and don’ts.

What to Do Before Laser Hair Removal

Wondering what to do before laser hair removal, we’re here to tell you. In order to get the best results from your treatment, you should –

  • Cleanse and exfoliate your skin – For the laser to work its best, it’s important to have skin that’s been cleansed and exfoliated. This will help ensure the laser has an easy obstacle-free route to the hair follicle. Try to exfoliate three days prior to your treatment if possible. That way, any dead, loose skin will be removed and the hair will be more easily targeted
  • Bathe – It’s a good idea to ensure your skin is clean before your treatment, but if you’re wondering, ‘can you moisturise before laser hair removal’, the answer is no. Moisturisers will limit the laser’s ability to reach the hair follicle
  • Wear loose-fitting breathable clothes – when you’re coming in for your laser treatment, it’s important to come dressed in comfortable clothing. Think loose-fitting, non-irritating fabrics such as cotton jersey. Your Este skincare specialist will apply a calming topical cream after your treatment so it’s wise to consider this when choosing what to wear
  • Double-check your laser clinic’s credentials – one of the main ‘what to do before laser hair removal’ must-do’s is to check you’re happy with your choice of laser removal clinic. Check out reviews, look at before and after pics, just dig a little deeper than surface level
  • Shave before laser hair removal – this is the only method of hair removal you should be doing prior to treatment because it leaves the hair root in the hair follicle so the laser still has something to target. Shaving before laser hair removal should be done 24 hours before treatment

What Not to Do Before Laser Hair Removal

Now you know what you should be doing, here’s what you shouldn’t:

  • Don’t get a tan
  • Don’t bleach your hair
  • Don’t pluck or wax
  • Say no to caffeine-based drinks – it can heighten your sensitivity

During: What to Do and What Not to Do

So, you’ve started your treatment, maybe you’ve had a session, or a couple, and you’re wondering what’s actually ok to do between treatments. Let’s answer some questions:

Q. Can I wax during laser hair removal?

This is a definite no. If you’re midway through a course of treatment, you need to avoid waxing or plucking hair out. Once you’ve completed your treatment it’s fine to wax. As laser hair removal is considered the most permanent form of hair removal, you may not need to.

Q. Can I tan during laser hair removal?

We advise not to tan between treatments. This is because the more you tan the closer your skin colour will be to that of your hair. For laser to work well, there needs to be a decent amount of contrast between the skin and hair pigment.

Q. How can I deal with ingrown hair during laser hair removal?

The great news is that laser treatment is the best way to actually avoid and deal with any ingrown hairs you may have. The laser can get to the root of the problem and stop ingrown hairs from occurring. Laser does not cause ingrown hairs so you shouldn’t see any further problems develop, and in actual fact you should see an improvement in any ingrown hairs you currently have.

Q. How to reduce pain during laser hair removal?

If you’re worried about pain, try taking pain relief before your treatment, avoid scratching your skin prior to your session, and make sure you drink plenty of water. At Este, we use lasers with built-in cooling technology so our clients are as comfortable as possible.

Q. Is laser hair removal safe during pregnancy?

No, hair removal treatments such as laser and electrolysis are not considered safe during pregnancy.

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Why is Jojoba Oil Good for Your Skin and Hair in Winter?

Do you ever feel like your skin is—how should I put this—extra “naked” during winter? When your skin is being exposed to the cold, harsh weather all day without a coat of protection to lock in the moisture, it makes a brutal case for itchiness, flaking skin, or even severe peeling. That’s when facial oil comes in and rescues your skin from the wintry woes. Jojoba oil, in particular, is giving us main character energy this season in terms of its intensely hydrating, ultra-nourishing power for both our skin and hair. So whether you’re new to the oil game or a skincare veteran looking for a buzzy ingredient to switch things up, jojoba oil is the suit of armor your dry winter skin (or hair too) needs! Keep scrolling to learn everything you NTK about jojoba oil and how to introduce it to your daily routine!

What is jojoba oil?

Jojoba oil is a natural oil derived from the seed of Simmondsia chinensis plants, also known as jojoba plants, which can be found in the South America region. Not only is jojoba oil a great source of hydration that nourishes, softens, and smooths the skin, it also does a great job at balancing natural oil production and reducing acne. It harnesses potent antioxidant power with great anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, as well as vitamin C & E, protein, and minerals. Jojoba oil can be applied topically to treat acne, eczema, psoriasis, sunburn, and chapped skin. Research has also shown that it can be applied to the scalp and hair to help boost hair growth and improve hair health.

How to use jojoba oil?

Compared to other types of oil-based beauty staples, Jojoba oil products generally have a lighter texture and higher permeability that helps purify the pores and nourish the skin from deep within. You can find it in a wide range of products from skincare, and body care, to hair care since it is applicable on the lips, face, body, scalp, and hair—basically any part of your body that needs that extra TLC. So if your chapped lips or flaky skin begins to act up during winter, take it as a sign to finally introduce jojoba oil to your daily routine. Scroll down for the complete beauty roster and thank us later *wink wink*!

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Why is Skin pH Balance So Important & How to Maintain It?

Okay, so you might’ve learnt the concept of pH in chemistry class in high school but, besides changing colors on a litmus test paper, what do you know about skin’s pH balance? Skin pH level is actually a good indicator to tell if your skin is in a healthy balance. And currently a lot of Korean skincare brands are trying to put the “low pH” or “pH balancing” label on their products and claim they are the better options for healthier skin. So how about we take this as a sign to learn all about the skin’s pH balance and maybe “ace” this chemistry refresher course—for the sake of our skin?

What is the optimal skin pH?

Basically, pH measures how acidic or alkaline a surface is, ranging from a scale of 1 – 14, with 1 being most acidic and 14 most alkaline (anything below the neutral 7 is considered acidic). So when it comes to our skin’s “acid” mantle, the magic number should be a solid 5.5 within the normal range of 4.5 – 6.

As our skin’s natural defense system, the acid mantle has antibacterial properties to keep an optimal pH level for skin’s natural flora to thrive. Its acidity also drives our normal skin cell function to renew skin and shed old, dead skin. Having a pH balanced acid mantle is key to a strong protective skin barrier. That’s why there are more and more Korean skincare products formulated with a pH-balancing or low-pH formula to imitate the acid mantle to protect the skin and keep the skin functioning properly.

Factors that might affect our skin acid mantle

It’s hard to keep track of our skin’s pH level all the time. The best we can do is pay attention to the potential (mostly external) factors that might affect the acidity of our skin surface so we can be prepared. Factors like our age, sun exposure (wear your SPF every day!), pollution, medication, change in season or weather, and even our own sweat or our skin’s moisture level and sebum can affect the pH level of our skin acid mantle.

How to maintain a healthy, balanced skin pH?

Although our skin can naturally restore its own acidic pH and fix the acid mantle on its own, the external damages our skin faces every day surpass its natural capacity to fix the damage, which may result in dry skin, flakiness, and skin irritation. That’s when pH balancing cleanser or pH balancing toner comes in for the rescue.

Wash your face with a gentle, low-pH cleanser that has a pH ranging from 5 – 6.5 to neutralize the pH balance of the skin acid mantle. Etude House’s Soon Jung pH 6.5 Whip Cleanser is a trusted favorite in our book

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How to Fix Cakey Makeup on Dry Skin During Fall?

No one should suffer through a cakey makeup look just because they are born with dry skin. Unfortunately, when dry season rolls around and you’re wearing a full face of makeup, things can get a little bit… “flaky” and cakey. And if you’re on your way out the door, you may not have a lot of time to take it all off and redo it. Thankfully, all hope isn’t lost. There are simple, quick fixes that’ll bring you back to your A-game. Read on to learn how to fix cakey makeup without starting your application process from scratch!

Makeup Tip #1: Hydrate your under-eye.

So you’ve been piling on concealers in your under-eye to hide those dark circles but it’s starting to look crusty and chalky… Well, you might wanna add a bit of hydration back into the skin. We heard it through the grapevine—aka our favorite makeup artists—that the trick is to use a face mist or toner and spritz it right onto your clean makeup sponge. Just remember to dab it a few times on the back of your hand to tap off the excess, then lightly press it over your cakey concealer to hydrate those fine lines and dissolve powdery residue.

Take this as a sign to add the Sioris Time Is Running Out Mist to your beauty squad. This multitasking, hydrating face mist combines toner, mist, and serum with 78% organic green plum water for instant hydration, which makes it the best face mist for dry skin type. The oil-rich skincare formula (with macadamia, jojoba, and sunflower oil) delivers long-lasting nourishment to leave your skin refreshed and recharged all day.

Makeup Tip #2: Melt it with setting spray.

After all the bronzing and highlighting, chances are your face is already caked up with powders. That’s why, to finish off the makeup look, we suggest opting for a dewy makeup setting spray over a setting powder for dry skin type to avoid furthur caking up all your face. This will help melt all that powder into your skin and lock your makeup into place while taking away any powdery residue and setting everything into your skin for a more natural finish.

FRUDIA – Re:proust Perfect Shield Make Up Setting Fixer

frudia makeup setting fixer

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand – FRUDIA

Formulated with Madecassoside Extract, Panthenol + 3 types of Hyaluronic Acid with different molecular weight, the FRUDIA Re:proust Perfect Shield Make Up Setting Fixer is a weightless makeup setting spray that is designed to leave a microfine mist veil on top of your makeup products, creating a lasting, matte finish. When the makeup setting spray hits, your skin will look slightly dewier at first. Allow the makeup setting spray to set, then you will find your makeup products— the foundation, eyeshadow, blush and highlight — setting perfectly to withstand a day-long wear.

Makeup Tip #3: Finish with a face oil.

It’s no secret that face oils can do wonder for dry skin type but they also have a secret power of making your makeup less cakey! In care your foundation looks too chalky or cakey, face oils help give it a skin-like texture and will instantly “dew” up the complexion. Simply drop a few dots of face oil onto the back of your hand, stamp your beauty sponge in it a few times, then very gently (and I mean VERY) stipple it over the dry parts of your face.

PURITO – Plainet Squalane Oil 100

PURITO Plainet Squalane Oil 100

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand – PURITO

The wow factor that makes PURITO Plainet Squalane Oil 100 one of the best face oils on dry skin type is that it’s powered by squalane 100% derived from sugarcane. This lightweight, multi-purpose face oil helps firm, lift, and recharge dull, dry skin with anti-aging care. Let this Korean face oil help marry your makeup and skin together as it penetrate instantly for hydration and helps boost skin elasticity. Not to mention the fast absorbing formula that doesn’t leave your daytime look sticky and heavy.

Makeup Tip #4: Use primer first.

Quick question for those who are still not using a primer: why though? A good face primer will help fill in enlarged pores for a smoother finish, stave off shine, and give your foundation some added staying power. BUT keep in mind that you should pair the right primer with the right foundation formula: silicone-based primers should be paried with foundations that contain silicones, while water-based primers are a little more versatile and can work with either water- or silicone-based foundations.

innisfree – Moisture Silk Makeup Base SPF34 PA+

innisfree Moisture Silk Makeup Base SPF34 PA+

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand – innisfree

The innisfree Moisture Silk Makeup Base SPF34 PA+ comes in three different colors: purple (for clear complexion), green (for reducing redness) and peach (for brightening dull skin tone). This multi-tasker not only helps color-correct your skin but also features silk sebum powder to smooth over large pores and prevent excess makeup clumping in your pores. With the Triple Sheld formula, it also provides enough sun protection and delivers 12-hour long lasting hydration.

Makeup Tip #5: Strategically place your concealer.

We love seeing natural smile lines around your happy eyes but if the creasing of concealer is giving you the heebie-jeebies, maybe it’s a sign for you to stop packing on concealer in the wrong places. Instead of smearing a large swipe of concealer under your eyes, you can try applying your concealer only in the inner corners of your eyes and blend it outward into just the hollows. This way you can achieve the perfect coverage without all the unnecessary buildup where your face naturally makes lines and scrunches.

The Saem – Studio Concealer – 5.5g (SPF30 PA++)

the saem studio concealer

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand – The Saem

Go for a lightweight concealer like The Saem Studio Concealer to achieve the perfect crease-free complexion. It helps cover up skin flaws with a long-lasting film that adheres comfortably to skin and offers brightening and anti-wrinkle effects along with UV protection of SPF30 PA++. Not to mention the extra-large doe-foot applicator also makes it easy to apply when you need more coverage.