Beautiful skin requires commitment not a miracle

Almost a decade ago, with the advent of Facebook, the Grandfather of modern social media, we were introduced to a whole new world unknown to us until then. Almost around the same time, with Twitter as the latest fad, people found a new platform to voice their opinion, and often, a chance to get back to their exes and frenemies (Ariana Grande anyone?) ;) This is when I heard of a line that pretty much gave me a sneak peek of what the future held for us ladies...! “Thirties are the new Twenties” someone posted on Twitter and gave style and beauty lovers across the globe a new mantra to live by..!

For so many years, many of us debated the mysteriously preserved youth of screen goddesses like Jane Fonda, Madonna, Sandra Bullock and our very own style divas Rekha and most recently, Malaika Arora Khan. Their skincare regime almost became the Holy Grail of beauty world and with the lack in authenticity of many articles and blogs that floated around over the years about their beauty secrets; it became a Sophie’s Choice to pick the right ones that would suit individual needs.

Although skincare brands have come a long way since and have done a great job in providing ‘excellence in a bottle’ to everyone who wishes to hold on to the youthful radiance beyond the corresponding years, it becomes our job, as beauty bloggers and makeup artists to reveal the real face of the age reversal and how, with careful selection and health regime, all of it can be achieved to solve this perpetual mystery of youthful skin and luminescent charm.

One of the universally accepted facts about aging state that mid-twenties is the first stage where skin aging process begins and once we hit our 30s, the process takes a more formidable cycle. Compounded by slowing down of growth hormones that are responsible for natural skin repair in our 20s, the emergence of dark spots, acne scars and fine lines make it imperative for all of us to bring a beauty health regime into our lives. Another important aspect of skincare is to first get an in-depth comprehension of your own skin. Unlike some general rules of thumbs, many don’t work for you as they may do so for others. So a unique skincare regime, incorporating the best for your skin works wonders in the long run.

So pick up a glass of wine and sit back as I give to you the tried-and- tested habits to integrate with your skincare regime for elegant and graceful skin, now and forever.

The good old rule of cleansing toning and moisturizing wasn’t just for your twenties; it also works wonders in your thirties. However, significant tweaking in this regime brings in the best results. It’s time to say goodbye to the makeup wipes and replace them with good quality cleansers like MAC Cleanse-Off Oil, Kiehl’s Cleansing Oil and Bio Derma Sensibio H2O Micellar water. With your enhanced 30s paycheck comes responsible 30s spending too, and spending generously on good cleansers will pay off big time in the long run. For acne prone skin, Salicyclic based face washes like Rejuglow Vitamin E and Aloe vera Face wash, Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Face Wash in alteration; at least three times a week can help break the bonds that hold together dead skin cells.

Day end CTM procedure includes dual cleanse off, which is a Korean treatment for fresh skin. In fact, cleansing is the most viably recommended routine for acne issues. Keep the home remedies at bay and see a doctor immediately, as mostly the reasons behind acne breakouts are hormonal imbalance or pollution that our skin endures on daily basis.

So immediately after makeup removal with a cleanser, you must wash your face, followed by toning which not only balances the PH levels but also removes any left out cleanser residue and refreshes your skin. Good anti-oxidant based toners help bring the PH level of your skin to an optimum 5.5. A good toner also tightens pores and eliminates toxins for an overall healthy skin. I personally swear by chilled rose water which tones my skin perfectly and leaves it refreshed. You should finish off the night ritual with a good night cream like Estee Lauder or Sesderma night creams to ensure the revitalizing and repair of the skin happens the best way possible.

It’s about time the lazy bums among us understand that the AM skincare rituals are not the same as PM rituals. Our skin is exposed to the ever harmful UV rays and environmental stressors during the day and so preparing it for such a warzone is extremely crucial. Aside from the regular usage of UV-control sun blocks, you can invest in Sesderma’s fabulous range of face serums. So your morning skincare should primarily focus on protection for healthy glowing skin all day long. The appropriate regime includes cleansing of the skin, followed by toning and then applying a good serum like Sesderma C-VIT radiance – Glowing Facial Fluid works perfectly on dull skin whereas C-VIT Liposomal Serum – Face replenishes and strengthens the skin layers to combat the effects of sun’s UV rays. Serum follows generous application of moisturizer to keep dryness at bay. In reality, drying of the skin is the setting stone of aging. So before you finish off your daily regime with sun block, you must apply moisturizer as well.

Another important thing to understand is that not all treatments are made for you. It’s time to accept that your dermatologist just as significant as your dentist ☺ so get your skincare profiling before taking your time to observe the results of a variety of skincare products.

As AM regime is all about protection, the PM regime should focus on repair and rejuvenation. Alternate-day application of retinol based creams like Sesderma Reti Age – Anti aging cream helps prevent wrinkles, fine lines and increases skin’s firmness. Another must-have in this regard is the Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate – Night care which improves skin radiance, enhances firmness of your skin and gives an overall smoothened appearance.

Aside from these, you must invest in good Alpha Hydroxy Acid based creams as well, for these help remove dead skin, reduce cell fixing for wrinkle-free skin and also prevents sun damage. Their anti-aging qualities make them a perfect night skincare staple. Similarly, Kojic Acid based creams help scars and age spots from your skin for an even tone and healthy glow.

No matter which brand or product you choose for your daily skincare regime, make sure you get a hands-on idea of what makes a good product. When choosing a product, make sure it is fragrance and parabens free as artificially induced fragrance could cause allergy on your face. Particularly for acne prone, oily skin, non-Comedogenic products are highly recommended.

If there is one skincare product I swear by, it’s my favorite sun block La Shield SPF 40. This oil-free Sun block feels light to the skin and absorbs in it quickly. The harmful UVA and UVB rays are lethal enough to cause skin damage and trigger premature aging. Besides preventing sunburns and tanning, sun screen lotions also prevent wrinkles and blotchiness to the skin that ruins the overall appearance of your face. Another surprising yet useful tip for women who consider everyday makeup an unhealthy practice is the use of foundation as an added layer of protection for the skin during the day from the harmful UV rays. UV damage is the number one cause of premature aging and serves and an extra barrier between the skin and UV light.

There are many reasons why taking care of the skin around eyes is just as, or sometimes more important than your facial skin. The eye area virtually has no oil glands which results in it being the first area on your face to show signs of aging like wrinkles and fine lines.

Regular application of good eye creams like Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye serum or Eye Concentrate Matrix visibly reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and helps keep your eye area from drying for a hydrated, healthy look. Kiehl’s Creamy eye treatment is also a good option that helps alleviate the effects of dark circles. Proper application is also the key. Stick to the orbital bone area around the eye to avoid getting it in your eyes that may cause unnecessary irritation and puffiness.

No, I’m not talking about the inner beauty here. Although, I would like to stress how significant it is in retaining your youthful appearance. What you feel from the inside translates to the outward

charm as well. ☺

And if keeping your thoughts positive 24x7 is any challenge, I recommend good skincare supplements to ensure the repair happens from deep within too.

GNC Triple Strength Fish Oil is a great supplement for good hydrated skin. It supports your heart and eye health as well. Another general health supplement is GNC Womens Hair Skin & Nails Formula to take care of your overall well-being.

Beauty sleep may sound overrated but trust me; it has practical implication in our daily lives. Nighttime is when the skin repairs itself and the longer you sleep; the more time it has to accomplish the task. To avoid sleep lines, you can bring in a satin pillow case.

And last but not the least is your daily water intake that not only ensures the toxins are flushed out from your body but also helps keep the skin clean by maintaining optimum skin moisture, reducing the risk of acne and other skin problems that only magnify with age.

In the end, as a makeup artist and as a skincare professional, I understand that every skin demands a unique care regime and it’s sometime difficult to single out the best skincare products for you. So I bring to you a comprehensive list of skincare products best suited to individual skin types.