The world of skincare can often be intimidating and sometimes hard to navigate around. There are so many different aspects to understanding what is good or bad for the health of your skin. In this blog, we will be giving you an insight into some of the most frequently asked skincare questions.
Q: Do I Still Need to Moisturise if I Have Oily Skin?
A: A common misconception among people who have typically oily skin is that you should avoid using moisturiser as it can make your skin oilier. This is not the case, as moisturiser should always be used daily, no matter what skin type you have.
Sebum is the substance which causes the skin to appear oily, a build-up of this may result in breakouts or Acne. However, this is not what keeps the skin hydrated. Our body requires a level of moisture to maintain the skin's elasticity, plumpness and to prevent damage from external factors such as the weather. Without enough moisture, the skin will be prone to inflammation, wrinkles, and early ageing.
If you avoid using moisturiser, the body's regulation of oil may increase to balance out the lack of hydration on the skin. This increase in oil production could result in further breakouts. Therefore, the reduction of water within the skin's surface can be and should be tackled by using a suitable moisturiser.
Using a light moisturiser rather than a thick and heavy one will provide your skin with enough hydration without being too overpowering or greasy. Opting for an all-natural skincare product can help to boost hydration without causing further irritation usually caused by the ingredients found in synthetic skincare.
Q: Should I Be Washing My Face In the Morning?
A: The straightforward answer to this question is yes, you should. There are several reasons to suggest that cleansing your face in the morning is vital in order to maintain healthy skin..
Whilst we sleep, our face gathers bacteria which can accumulate over the night. So, it is important that we wash away this build-up to prevent potential infections or breakouts.
Cleansing your face in the morning will aid in the process of removing creams or serums from the previous evening’s skincare routine. This will allow you to start the day with a clean slate (or face for that matter). Moreover, ensuring that the products are washed off before more is applied will help to reduce a build-up of products that may result in clogged pores.
I personally enjoy washing my face in the morning and I feel that it is a refreshing way to start the day, it also helps to stop me from feeling sleepy (something I’m always feeling on a morning as I am not a morning person!).
There are no negatives when it comes to washing your face in the morning. However, it is recommended that you use a cleanser that is suitable for your specific skin type to keep your skin looking and feeling healthy.
Q: How Can I Prevent My Skin From Ageing?
A: Of course, our skin is always going to age as we get older (even if we have Botox) however, taking good care of our skin can help to slow the process down.
Common causes for ageing skin are being in contact with too much sunlight or being exposed to air pollutants. Although, a large contributor to rapidly ageing skin is our lifestyle factors. This includes;
Smoking
The narrowing of blood vessels caused by nicotine will reduce the amount of oxygen which is supplied to the skin. This will then result in damage to the skins’ molecular structure which is important for the skin's health. Smoking also encourages frown lines to form around the mouth.
Consuming Alcohol
Have you ever wondered why your skin feels so dry after a night of drink? Well, the answer is that alcohol is a diuretic substance which means that it will absorb water from the body, leaving it feeling dehydrated. Consuming high volumes of alcohol may result in dry skin and sagging skin which over time will cause wrinkles.
Unhealthy Diet
If you are someone who eats lots of junk food, you may find yourself looking older much quicker. Without maintaining a balanced and healthy diet, our body will not be receiving vitamins and minerals it needs. When we lack these important nutrients, the ageing process of the skin will be sped up.
Not Exercising
It doesn’t come as a surprise to know that exercising can be beneficial to your overall well being. However, it can also be important for keeping our skin looking healthy too. When we exercise, our heart rate increases, which then causes our blood to pump around the body quicker. This means that a higher amount of oxygen will be passed around the body (Blood carries oxygen). The greater volume of oxygen will help to replenish old skin cells, keeping the skin looking fresher and appearing younger. Without the exercise, our body will just function at its usual rate, making the process of cell rejuvenation take longer and, in time, cause the body to age. Therefore, people who exercise regularly tend to keep up a youthful appearance for years.
All these factors increase free radicals (unstable molecules) within the skin which will ultimately result in some cells not working properly. Thus, speeding up the ageing process.
Q: What Skincare Is Safe For Pregnancy?
A: Falling pregnant will mean a whole load of change from what you can drink and eat to what you wear. Least commonly known is how your skincare products should change too.
Pregnancy causes an influx of hormones which can be the reason behind acne outbreaks. It is important that what you are putting onto your skin throughout this duration is taken into consideration. Many products could contain harsh chemicals which may harm you or the baby.
Ingredients like retinol which are derivatives of vitamin A, are advised to be avoided whilst pregnant by medical practitioners. Meanwhile, Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid that are used for treating breakouts are also considered as unsafe.
Here are some more ingredients which should be avoided whilst pregnant –
Hydroquinone
Formaldehyde
Spironolactone
Parabens
Essential oils - whilst not all essential oils are unsafe during pregnancy, there are some that are. For a full list of which you should avoid click here.
Avoiding products that contain SLS
Whilst we have given a brief guide on what to avoid during pregnancy, we recommend consulting with your doctor with any concerns you may have about using skincare products if you are unsure.
Q: Why Do We Need To Use Sun Cream In Our Daily Routine Even If It’s Not Sunny?
A: A common belief is that if it is cloudy outside, we do not need to wear sun cream. Surprisingly, this is not the case, and we should be applying the SPF even if the sun isn’t shining through. The UV rays that come from the sun can penetrate through the cloudiest of days, still causing damage to our skin.
Research has found that clouds only prevent 20% of UV rays from getting through whilst the other 80% can still hit the ground. Not only do UV rays cause your skin to burn and become sore, but it can also cause damage to skin cells which may result in skin cancer.
Protecting our skin from the sun should be part of our daily skincare routine and applying sun cream should come as standard every day.
Fact check – The SPF factor on sun cream does not mean how effective it is when it comes to protection from the sun. Instead, it is how long you are protected for. If you are wearing SPF 10, you should be applying sun cream more regularly than if you are wearing SPF 50.
Q: Why Should I Be Using a Toner?
A: For years it seems that using toners have been under the radar as many people don’t understand the benefits of using them. However, including toner into your daily skincare routine is important!
Cleansing your face with either a water based, or oil-based cleanser will help to remove some makeup or dirt from your face. But there will still be grime and impurities stuck deep within your pores. A toner will gently get rid of anything that is still clogged up in the pores without causing irritation to the skin.
As well as being able to draw out impurities, using a toner will help to restore the pH balance of the skin and tighten your pores at the same time. Depending on what type of skin you have should determine the toner that you use.
Our choice of toners at Sweet Cecily’s are Witch Hazel (for Problematic skin) and Rose Water (for Normal skin).
Conclusion
We hope to have given you a quick insight into the most frequently asked skincare questions on search engines.
If you ever have any questions regarding our products or about skincare in general, drop us an email over at info@sweetcecilys.com or on one of our social media platforms.
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