How to Create a Skincare Routine for Yourself

It is not only our genes that contribute to good skin, but also our daily habits. In fact our skincare regimen plays a major role in our overall appearance. But with so many product reviews and opinions, when it comes to our skin care routine, it’s hard to know what to do or how to do it. Besides there is so much information available on different products, that it's often difficult to discern what would be best for our skin. For many of us clean and healthy skin is our goal, but how we achieve that ideal skin care routine can be confusing. Experts agree that a lot of the problem with our current skincare routines is due to lack of knowledge about the correct way to take care of our skin. Let’s start by learning a little history behind skin-care products: In the past, before modern science came into existence in the 1930's, individuals depended on their family doctors or town doctors to help them with their health problems. Doctors would often prescribe a medicine that was made from natural ingredients such as plants and herbs because they often contained healing elements within themselves. However, with the evolutions and scientific developments, it was only during the mid-19th century that synthetic/chemical-based drugs came about. The term "cosmeceutical" was coined during the 1940's when an ointment with a chemical ingredient (urea) was used for female hormone replacement therapy. 2021 is all about going back to the basics: All-Natural, Ayurveda Products For Skincare All-natural, Ayurvedic, cruelty-free products for skincare are gaining popularity in the world today! More and more people are becoming aware of how important it is to incorporate organic/all-natural products into their daily routine because many chemical substances found in skincare products can harm your skin over time. It may not be immediate but they eventually cause long-term damage by causing irritation and breakouts on skin. Harmful Substances in Skin Care Products The most common harmful synthetic substances that you will probably find are paraben, sodium lauryl sulfate, artificial coloring and fragrances, and many more. All of these things are toxic to the skin in the long run because they dry it out and can even cause cancer! So instead of waiting for your skincare product to damage you over time, why not just use an organic/all natural product that will nourish your skin from the very start? Here is a simple, 5-step Ayurveda-based skincare regimen 1. Cleanse You can cleanse the skin for both morning and night skincare routine. Cleanse your face with a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser or mild soap. If you have oily skin, avoid soaps that contain large amounts of sodium lauryl sulfate and opt for those with glycerin instead; they will leave your skin feeling clean but much less tight than harsher products. If you have dry eczema-prone skin, use a soothing cream cleanser containing organic ingredients as calendula extract, cucumber extract etc. Just Herbs Cleanser/Face Wash Product Recommendation: Try our Silksplash Rehydrant Face Wash, a gentle Ayurvedic face wash with a faint herby aroma to remove the last traces of dust, grime and make-up residue, yet retaining the inherent moisture of the skin. 2. Toner You can apply toner for both morning and night skincare routine. A lot of women skip toner because they think it will dry or irritate their skin, but it actually helps prevent those things by keeping pores clear of dirt, so more moisture can get in. Not only does toner remove leftover dirt and residue, it also makes skin look brighter, tighter, and more even in tone. We recommend you to choose an Ayurvedic toner as it maintains the pH balance of the skin resulting in glowing and nourished skin. This helps you look younger for a longer time period without looking exhausted due to over usage of cosmetics and ageing process. What is an Ayurvedic Toner? Ayurvedic Toner is prepared using selected herbs which are gently crushed to make a paste. These herbal extracts when blended together are very beneficial for the skin as they contain anti-ageing ingredients How to apply a skin toner? You may spritz it on or apply it to a cotton ball and then swipe over your face. We recommend patting the skin with the excess liquid on the round so you don’t waste the product! Patting helps the moisture sink in more effectively without leaving the surface of your skin feeling greasy. Just Herbs Toner Recommendation: We recommend “Steam Distilled Rose Water Facial Mist”. It is a liquid that is steam distilled to make it 100% natural, pristine and pure rose water. It has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce the redness of irritated skin, get rid of acne and clean clogged pores. 3. Serum You can apply serum for both morning and night skincare routine. A serum is a water-based skincare product that contains higher concentrations of active ingredients than a lotion or cream, but lower than an oil. It works well on oily, acne prone skin as it doesn't clog pores. A face serum targets specific concerns and offers concentrated benefits in a lightweight formula making it the perfect anti-aging treatment for any time of year! How to apply face serum? Apply serum after cleansing your face with ayurvedic toner. Using one pump of serum, gently massage the formula starting from the center of your face moving outward. The idea is to let the product absorb in so that it can do its magic on those fine lines and wrinkles. Serum can be applied either AM or PM and before moisturizer. Just Herbs Face Serum Recommendation: We recommend “Gotukola Indian Ginseng Rejuvenating Beauty Elixir Facial Serum” a synergistic blend of treasured Indian herbs and acts as an excellent botanical replacement for a traditional chemically derived Vitamin C serum. 4. Moisturizer/Face Mask Use Moisturizer during the day and face mask at night. A moisturizer is basically a daily essential beauty product that hydrates the skin. It helps to restore water content back in the skin and keeps it hydrated throughout the day. Once you apply a generous amount of face serum on your skin, then follow it up with a rich anti-aging moisturizer (or lightening/brightening cream) for added moisture and protection against environmental pollutants which cause premature aging of skin. The purpose of a moisturizer is to hydrate the skin and keep it soft, supple and smooth. But that's not all; they can also help reduce fine lines, reverse sun damage, reduce acne marks etc. but remember using them consistently for a few months to get any results. Benefits of moisturizer include: - Hydrates skin - Helps with anti aging Prevents dryness (especially during winter) Soothes irritated, red and sensitive skin It is recommended to use moisturizer for the day skin care routine. You may use a face mask instead of moisturizer for the night skin care routine. A face mask is a product that goes over your normal moisturizer to give you extra care for your skin. Our skin produces sebum all over the day but night is the time for our body/pores to rest and revitalize itself therefore allowing our face mask to work its magic. Just Herbs Moisturizer Recommendation: We recommend “Cascade Moisturizing Day Care Lotion”, an all-in-1 light-textured moisturizer that can be used on the face as well as hands. 5. Sunscreen Protection Do this step in the morning only. When you use sunscreens, it's not just about shielding your face from the harmful UV rays. The ingredients in them like Oxybenzone acts as a photosensitizer which makes your skin more vulnerable to acne by decreasing the amount of Vitamin D3 produced by our body! ( source ) Using Natural Sun Protection Gel during day time instead of sunscreen is another way to minimize the amount of acne-causing agents on your skin. Also use an under eye gel for reducing the fine lines or wrinkles near the eye area. Frequently Asked Questions: Is a face serum better than an anti-aging cream? If you have oily skin and are looking for anti-aging benefits without adding too much richness to your already oily complexion, then definitely consider using a face serum instead of an anti-aging cream. Face serums penetrate faster into the skin's surface compared to creams which makes it more effective. How to moisturize the skin naturally? Drink at least 1-2 liters of water daily to improve blood circulation and moisturize the skin from inside! Finally, your daily skin-care routine can be as sophisticated or as easy as you choose. As long as you follow those basic procedures and avoid doing anything that irritates your skin, you should be fine. Consult a dermatologist if you have any questions about the best method to set together a routine that works for your skin.

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