What happens when you fill a room with beauty bloggers and skincare experts ?
Its a "Skincare" party with the latest skincare wisdom flowing in from all corners ! It was a delight to be part of the Skin awareness month by Galderma India recently which had the city's celebrated dermatologists & influencers on panel to discuss all things skincare. And just so you don't miss out, grab a cup of your favourite beverage and keep reading for all the skincare tips , hacks and general reminders that will be shared throughout this post . (All skincare tips from Dr.Khan & Dr. Suraj Shetty )
Before I begin with the tips, I have to share this exciting news about our favourite skin saviour CETAPHIL . For any one who's ever suffered from Acne, Cetaphil has been the number one cleanser of choice suggested by dermatologists . In my teenage years, Cetaphil was a constant . My acne was inflammatory and quite painful. With all treatment creams stripping off moisture , this cleanser was the most soothing touch on my face . Growing up in a small town , I was unsure if the best products were available for skincare. But when i used Cetaphil , it gave my teenage self so much hope! When they invited me for the Skin awareness month , it was a sweet moment that brought back all the memories.
Now, the news? They have taken their already fantastic formulations a notch up by adding gentle ingredients like Glycerine for hydration , Niacinamide for brightening and Panthenol for moisturising . OMG, what !!!
When the best things get even better, it calls for a happy dance ! I have already got my hands on the newly designed packaging and new formula and no surprise - I am loving it ! There is a product for every skin-type from cleansers , moisturisers to Sunscreens.
If you are already a skincare enthusiast, you know your skin type. But if you're new to the skincare game, keep reading because the doctors shared a simple test to find out your skin type :
HOW to find your SKIN-TYPE?
Step 1: Wash your face with a gentle cleanser.
Step 2: Observe face after 30 minutes .
👉If its shiny all over - Oily skin
👉If its stretchy and feels parched - Dry Skin
👉If the nose and forehead is shiny and remaining face feels stretchy - Combination Skin
👉If the face feels hydrated - Normal Skin
WHY is knowing your SKIN-TYPE important ?
Selecting the right skincare products starts with knowing your skin-type. Not all products are created equal. An oily skin produces too much sebum and hence needs sebum-regulating formulations while a dry skin needs a different approach . Skincare is effective only when we use the appropriate products for our kind of skin.
Did you know, skin type can change ? Oh yes ! Younger individuals have normal skin type until puberty hits and changes the game. As for me, I noticed my skin was very oily during my teenage acne days . Now into my 30s , I am a combination -skin type ! Phew! This means i have to constantly observe my skin and listen to its needs .
And now, lets move to the most frequently experienced skincare Woes- BREAKOUTS/ACNE . Some myths that were busted :
ACNE MYTH - Busters :
💥 Makeup causes Acne - If a makeup product is dermatologically tested and approved , it will not cause acne . What can cause acne however , is using unclean brushes , makeup sponge to apply makeup or not taking it off before sleeping !
💥Acne is normal. It can be treated at home - A Big no ! Skin is the biggest organ of our body and just like every other organ , it is susceptible to diseases. Acne is a skin disease and can get worse if not treated . Therefore , always reach out to your dermatologist . As Dr.Khan mentioned during the panel discussion , there's no acne that cannot be treated ! So , don't wait and start your treatment right away. Even though it takes long, never be disheartened . I know I was rewarded with clear skin with all the patience and discipline with treatments and so can you ! Also , clean eating habits and an active lifestyle incorporating regular exercise is the best way to beat Acne along with medication. I have written about this earlier and you can refer to my earlier posts.
Now, that we have tackled the most common skin disease - acne , lets move on to the next bit which is post-acne care or just ageing signs like HYPERPIGMENTATION, uneven skin tone & dull skin .
The house of Galderma which makes Cetaphil has a recent entry "BILUMA" that caters to just these skin situations . The name Biluma means Be Luma ( Luma= Light ). Currently available in India , Middle East and South Africa they use gentle formations in their cleansers, moisturisers and lotions for a glowing and youthful skin . Their products work to balance the circadian rhythm of our skin. Sounds alien? Let me explain.
WHAT IS OUR SKIN's CIRCADIAN RYTHM?
The skin functions differ from daytime to night. During the day, the skin functions to brighten and protect while during the night it rejuvenates and nourishes.
WHY IS THE SKIN's CIRCADIAN RYTHM important ?
An imbalance in the day and night skin cycle due to internal and external factors leads to early signs of ageing like Hyperpigmentaion , uneven skin tone, wrinkles , laxity & dull dry skin !
This is where the Biluma range comes handy - it balances the skin's rythm and actively promotes a glowing , radiant skin. I will be incorporating their day and night cream into my routine as it claims to lighten dark spots in 3 weeks of usage. Whats the best part - their night cream has my favourite ingredient Kakadu plum ( A source of vitamin C ) & hyaluronic acid that have given me great results recently.
They also have a very unique cream meant for treating pigmentation in underarms, neck and inner thighs which i am keen to try . Stay tuned on my instagram as I update you about the usage . Its interesting to see pharma brands including naturally derived ingredients in skincare and this brought in another round of myth busters . Read on ...
MORE SKINCARE MYTHS:
💥NATURAL INGREDIENTS CAN BE DIRECTLY APPLIED ON FACE. We don't need a skincare product containing same natural ingredients for that .
No. Using natural ingredients on face directly can lead to more adverse reactions than benefits Also, the molecular size of natural chemicals present in the fruit/spice is generally not ideal for the skin barrier . For example , turmeric. The molecular size of curcumin thats the main chemical in turmeric is very large and cannot be absorbed by our skin for its ideal benefits. Hence a laboratory derived extract will be more effective .
There is so much more that we can talk about skincare, so lets keep the discussion rolling in the comments and on my instagram post. But , if we have to sum it up :
6 RULES TO A HEALTHY SKIN :
1. Always remove makeup , before sleep
2. Use a gentle cleanser for your skin type that feels hydrating
3. Always wear sunscreen - indoors or outdoors
4. Use a gentle day cream for your skin-type. Yes, oily skin needs hydration too.
5. If you notice any skin irritation , always stop skin care actives and visit your doctor .
6. Don't forget to drink 3-4 Litres of water, exercise and eat well .
Till , next time, CIAO!
