Last Friday, Singapore finally entered into Phase 2 of the Circuit Breaker measures, and this means easing back into meeting friends and family, dining out and even shopping in malls. While we all get ready to go out into the world and to acclimatise back in the new normal (again), it is easy to forget that our Stay At Home skincare routine just simply won’t do it for Singapore’s harsh sun, heat and the pollutants in the air. If you’re freaking about what to do, we took it upon ourselves to break down the essential skincare routine from start to finish, in sequence! Here’s how to prep your skin so you’re ready for Phase 2.
If you’re still planning on staying home, check out our previous article about how to pamper your skin at home!
According to Dr. Heather Rogers, a board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon, applying your skin care products in the proper order ensures that your skin receives the full benefits of each product.
“The order of application is incredibly important,” says Dr. Rogers. “The skin’s job is to keep things out, but many of the skin care products we use have ingredients we want to get in. Only a very small amount of these key ingredients can penetrate the skin, even when perfectly formulated and perfectly applied. If you don’t apply products in the correct order, you will not see the best results from your skin care regimen.” If the sequence has got you all flustered, just remember: thinnest to thickest! Start your application with the products with the thinnest consistency and work your way up.
Cleanser
Cleansers can be tricky because you want something strong enough to get the nasty gunk out your skin but also want something gentle that won’t irritate your skin too much. This is why it is crucial to know what skin type you have! If you have an oily skin type, opt for a slightly stronger cleanser like this one from proactiv. It is oil free and refreshes your skin after use.
For the folks with dry skin, you would be more prone to flaky skin, or skin that is really sensitive. Unfortunately, aging skin is also on your radar so a cleanser like Estée Lauder’s Nutritious Radient Energy 2-In-1 Foam Cleanser would really help negate those effects.
If you have combination skin, you are prone to, you guessed it, a mixture of the two. A hallmark of the Combination Skin type is oily skin along the T-Zone and dry, flaky skin around the cheeks. For this skin type, pick a cleanser that gently cleanses and also purifies your face. Can you say two birds one stone?
Toners
People often skip toners but it is so important because it actually balances your skin’s PH levels after using any kind of soap on it. Many different toners have different effects and benefits so pick one that best fit your needs and add them to your skincare routine!
Proactiv’s Revitalizing Toner is a light oil-free treatment contains finely milled prescription-grade benzoyl peroxide to treat blemishes and help prevent future breakouts.
BEVY C.’s Oil Control Balance Toner does exactly that – reduces up to 55% of sebum secretion, purify pores with herbs, and improves oily and acne conditions.
Moisturiser
A common misconception is that if you have naturally oily skin, you should avoid using moisturiser. In addition to that, putting on moisturiser in Singapore’s humidity feels pointless and frankly speaking, uncomfortable, but what you don’t realise is that without moisturising aid, your skin will overproduce oil and sebum. We want to avoid that at all cost so here are some lightweight moisturisers to add to your skincare routine.
Apart from helping control your face’s oil levels, moisturisers also provide regular hydration, something that helps protect your skin against aging. With regular hydration, your face will be more equipped to slow down fine line and wrinkle development. When your skin is properly moisturised, it is generally healthier, plumper and more radiant.
While SK-II‘s products are generally more on the pricey side, their effects make them great investments. Packed with nourishing ingredients, this velvety moisturiser restores skin suppleness and elasticity with intense hydration.
Sunscreen
At least an SPF of 30 is usually required if you’re spending time outdoors and it is crucial to reapply every 2 hours. To achieve the SPF reflected on a bottle of sunscreen, you should use approximately two milligrams of sunscreen per square cm of skin. We know that that sounds like a chore and the idea of putting more stuff on your face in our humidity can be a turn-off but sunscreen is so paramount to having healthy skin! Here are some lighter options that will protect your skin without weighing it down.
Another one from SK-II, this is an airy-light texture sunscreen with SPF30PA+++ protection that prevents skin surface damage from environmental aggressors like UV and IR.
This one from ORIGINS is a non-chemical sunscreen that helps shield skin against harmful UVA/UVB rays, ward off skin-damage, and strengthen skin’s barrier. It minimises the negative impact of pollution on skin and defends it against future aggressors and discolourations.
It may seem like spending on skincare is a luxury and while some products may be pricey, they make for great investments. After all, our skin is the largest organ in our body and we should definitely be treating it with love and care! With hoolah’s buy now and pay later program, you can pay for these crucial items in instalments (interest free!) and get them so you’re all prepared for the outside world.
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