Do Wonders for Your Skin - Cycling Your Regimen Around Your Internal Clock.

Do Wonders for Your Skin - Cycling Your Regimen Around Your Internal Clock.

In the mornings, like most women, you'd probably wash your face and apply some moisturiser, and then dutifully remove your makeup, cleanse and moisturise at night. Guess what? If this is all you're doing, you're missing out on many opportunities to boost your beauty potential throughout the day. Working around your internal clock can do wonders for your skin. Here are some booster tips for you!

Morning

Your skin and lips lose moisture when you're sleeping, and what's left hanging around tends to puddle in the most unfortunate of places - around your eyes, where the skin is thinner and more delicate.

However, your body temperature, blood pressure, and hormone levels will begin to rise around 4 a.m., kicking your skin's ratio of oiliness to dullness up a notch. This adds a bit of hydration, but your skin still needs help.

  • Even if you rest your face on a freshly laundered pillowcase, build-up of dead skin cells, bacteria from your saliva and oils from your hair are easily transferred to your face and eyes. Washing with a moisturising, the non-foaming cleanser will remove the impurities that result from natural cell metabolism and hydrate your skin.  A clean and fresh skin allows for the best absorption of the other skin-care products you apply. Just as long as you're not over-stripping the skin with harsh, drying cleansers.
  • About 20 minutes before you head outdoors, slather on moisturiser and sunscreen SPF 30 (or more) onto your face. Why at least 20 minutes? That way, it has time to get absorbed and start working—and so you don't get UV exposure for those first few minutes when your skin is vulnerable.
  • It is advisable to use moisturiser and sunscreen separately instead of a moisturiser with sunscreen elements (2-in-1 product). "Many of these 2-in-1 products tend to comprise the level of protection or quality", explains Alice Ng, Group Procurement and Training Director of BMF BMF.
  • Use a moisturiser that contains ingredients such as glycerin or ceramides, which help trap moisture in skin cells and keep their structure strong, and antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, green tea, or lycopene, which studies show increase the effectiveness of sunblock.
  • It's not just a marketing gimmick: Face sunscreens are different from body sunscreens. Facial skin is generally more sensitive and delicate to irritation than body skin, so face formulations have been tested to cause less irritation and not trigger acne. Plus, face sunscreens are usually designed to be cosmetically elegant, able to sit well under makeup, without the excessive white cast. Look for a product that has UVA and UVB mineral filters. These offer the ultimate shield from daily sun exposure, preventing any undesirable effects from the harmful rays.

Noon/Late Afternoon

The hormones hit their peak between noon and 4 p.m. One, in particular, cortisol, may cause your T-zone to be oily (forehead, nose, and chin). Then at around 4 p.m., your body temperature cools, and blood pressure lowers, causing you (and your skin) to look drained and sleepy.

  • Keep oil in check and reboot your SPF.   
  • Invigorate your complexion! Spritz on a light moisturising face mist; the cooling blast of hydration will be energising. Plus, some sprays contain skin-healthy antioxidants.

Night

This is a crucial time as your body's prime recovery happens while you are sleeping. So, it's not wrong to say you are getting your "beauty sleep" because growth hormone, which is necessary for skin repair, peaks during sleep, helping you maintain collagen and fight wrinkles. Increased blood circulation to your skin helps it to release impurities and accept nutrients. It is also when your body is hard at work, repairing weakened muscle fibres and regenerating skin cells.  This is why a big chunk of your 24-hour routine should be focused here.

  • No makeup. Now, this is serious. We understand that you are a busy lady and have tons of work on your shoulders. But going to bed with makeup on is like sending a cordial invite to skin problems. Your skin starts repairing itself when you are asleep. The skin pores open up, and a dermatological patching-up happens. But when you have your facial skin shrouded under thick inches of cosmetics, you are only asking for trouble. This may result in spots and acne breakouts, amongst the many other catastrophic problems.
  • You probably know the perils of falling asleep with a full face of makeup (i.e. acne and dullness). Another thing to note: Your cleanser shouldn’t double as your makeup remover. Many makeup brands are smudge proof or waterproof, so basic cleansers will not remove them thoroughly. For this reason, it's essential to use a gentle makeup removing wipe, micellar water, or oil-based makeup remover before you wash—especially when removing long-wear makeup.
  • So, we cannot stress enough the importance of cleaning your face before you sleep but it is equally important that you use the right cleanser for your skin type. This is why so many skin-care companies create product lines for every skin type and skin concern.
  • Deeper exfoliation twice a week will rid your skin of dulling dead-cell buildup. Use a scrub and buff gently in a circular motion. Beware! Over scrubbing and scrubbing too harshly, can quickly lead to irritated and red skin.
  • After washing and drying your face, smooth on a treatment serum containing essential growth factors, "The EGF, regulates cell growth, rejuvenates skin and stimulates collagen synthesis and anti-ageing. While Hyaluronic Acid Complex repairs and hydrates your skin's cells, sealing in much-needed moisture by reinforcing the skin's top layer," says Alice. Try Renew Essence by BMF BMF.
  • Pat an eye cream/serum with collagen-boosting peptides over crow's-feet and brow bones to firm and tighten the area around your eyes.
  • se a night cream with glycerin or hyaluronic acid (to protect against moisture loss) and peptides. Spread the cream between your hands, and then gently massage it onto your face. It is vital to ensure that the cream is fully absorbed into the skin.

While You Were Sleeping

The best thing you can do for your skin is to get a solid eight hours of shut-eye a night. These tips will encourage a good night's sleep.

  • Sniff lavender essential oil or spray some onto your pillow. Studies show the scent induces relaxation and helps you nod off.
  • Place a cool-mist humidifier in your bedroom. Not only will the soothing noise lull you to sleep, but it will also increase the humidity in the air, so your skin will absorb it and become more hydrated.
  • Also, make sure to shut down all electronics before you sleep. Mobile phones or television are a big no-no inside your bedroom.