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Summer Lip Protection: 9 Tips You Need To Know

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Summer Lip Protection. Summer can be brutal on your lips. We’re talking chapped, dry lips that hurt so bad when you touch them. Caring for your lips is not tedious. Having a curated lip care routine is a great way to start a fantastic summer. Consider this article as your ultimate rule book for caring for your lips this summer.

Why Should You Care For Your Lips?

Unlike other parts of the skin, your lips don’t have oil glands and cannot keep themselves moisturized. This means your lips are unprotected from drying out and becoming chapped once the weather allows it. In the winter, you have to deal with the lack of humidity in the air, while continued exposure to the sun in summer makes your lips dry. 

The skin on your lips is also much thinner than anywhere else on your body. It’s also constantly being touched, picked on, or licked. This constant assault makes it prone to chapping, but engaging in the tips below would ensure your lips stay healthy in any weather.

Here are summer lip protection tips to consider:

  1. Don’t forget your SPF
  2. Exfoliate weekly
  3. Stop with the licking and picking
  4. Moisturize daily
  5. Treat your lips to a massage
  6. Say hello to your new best friend – Petroleum Jelly
  7. Skip the matte finish
  8. Clean your lips
  9. Don’t forget to stay hydrated

1. Don’t Forget Your SPF

Skincare gurus always preach that you need to protect your skin from the harsh effects of the sun. Just like your skin needs protection from the sun, so do your lips. Moving about in the summer isn’t only damaging to your skin. Your lips are also excessively exposed to the sun – especially the bottom lip – causing them to dry, crack, and even sunburn!

Your lips lack melanin and oil glands, meaning they are a delicate part of your body that needs special attention during summer. So, what do you do? Start by getting a lip balm with an SPF of 15 or higher. The least irritating sun protection ingredients for your lips are zinc oxide and titanium oxide. Check if your lip balm has either with an SPF of at least 30.

Protecting your lips does not stop at applying your SPF lip balm. Ensure that you reapply your sun protection lip balm at least every two hours. This is especially important after eating or drinking. Carry your lip balm around in your purse or pocket; keep one by your desk and by your bed so that you never forget to apply it.

Note that using sunscreen when you have damaged and chapped lips could irritate sensitive skin. Exfoliate, moisturize, and heal first before jumping on the lip SPF train.

2. Exfoliate Weekly

Your lips are covered by skin too! While they may not require exfoliation as regularly as your face or body, they produce dead skin cells that you need to remove. 

Exfoliating the accumulated dead skin cells allows your skincare products – moisturizers and lip balms – to penetrate the skin effectively. Get your hands on a gentle lip scrub and gently massage it on your lips for 30–40 seconds. If you can’t find a lip scrub, you can make one at home. 

Mix a tablespoon of honey, sugar, and olive oil. Voila! Your DIY lip scrub.

Alternatively, you can do a more gentle exfoliation by using a damp washcloth to rub your lips in a circular motion. Do this two to three times a week for the best results. You can also try brushing your lips in the morning while brushing your lips. This will remove dead cells and improve blood flow to your lips.

It’s essential to exfoliate your lips when you’re not planning to go outside immediately. Your lips are usually hypersensitive after exfoliation.

3. Stop With The Licking and Picking

Licking and picking your lips is a notorious culprit for chapped, unhealthy lips. Avoid licking your lips as a quick fix for dry lips or any other reason. As the saliva evaporates from your lips, it leaves the skin even more dehydrated than it was. The lips don’t have a layer of protection, so you must keep your fingers away from your lips – no picking, no tugging, biting, and no licking.

4. Moisturize Daily

When you moisturize your face, it’s easy to forget that your lips need moisture. We wrongly assume chapped lips only come in the winter, but with excess exposure to heat and sun, your lips need some extra care too. To keep your lips supple, moisturize them daily with hydrating lip moisturizing products – lip balms and moisturizers- every day. 

5. Treat Your Lips To A Massage

Enhance your lip care routine by massaging your lips regularly. You can apply moisturizer before the massage, milk cream, or yogurt to lighten your lips. It’s normal for lips to darken in the summer, so using either of these while massaging can help you maintain and improve your natural lip color.

6. Say Hello To Your New Best Friend – Petroleum Jelly

In the last few years, petroleum jelly has had a bad rap in skincare. Regardless of your thoughts on petroleum jelly on the skin, many dermatologists recommend it to help heal chapped lips. Contrary to popular belief, petroleum jelly is not a moisturizer for your lips or skin. Instead, it works as an occlusive – a thick substance that seals in moisture. 

Most lip balms and moisturizers add moisture to the lips, making them supple and smooth. They, however, do not lock in this moisture, leaving it prone to evaporation. When you add petroleum jelly, you’re locking in the water and adding a healing and protective barrier to your lips. 

You can incorporate petroleum jelly for more summer lip care by first using a hydrating lip balm and then with a light layer of petroleum jelly. Petroleum jelly may not moisturize your lips, but you can find natural humectants in honey, aloe vera, and shea butter. The only downsides to using vaseline in your lip routine are that it can feel heavy or slippery and may stain your pillowcases.

7. Skip The Matte Finish

Matte lip products have a lot of appeal—they have a smoother finish and last longer. While a nice matte lip may give you a classic, clean look, matte products are generally bad news for your lips. Matte lip products dry out your skin, leaving it chapped and highly hydrated. No matter how moisturizing that matte lippie claims to be, matte formulas are the most drying lip products out there. Your lips won’t get the moisture and protection they need.

If you can, go for hydrating lip formulas instead to avoid chapping and drying out your lips. If you’re a loyal matte lip lover, ensure that you properly take off your matte lip products. You should also cleanse, exfoliate, and moisturize your lips regularly to ensure they’re always in good condition. 

When choosing lip products, avoid fragrances and flavors. Lip balms, lip glosses, and lipsticks with aroma and flavors may cause allergic reactions or make your lips hypersensitive to sunlight and damage.

8. Clean Your Lips

Always remove all makeup from your lips before you go to bed. Then apply a moisturizing lip balm to keep them moisturized through the night. Makeup products on your lips are known for being very dehydrating. Your lips also gather dust, bacteria, and sweat throughout the day, so even when you don’t wear makeup, cleanse your lips at night.

Avoid using facial cleansers on your lips by applying lip balm before washing your face. This is important because facial cleansers can dehydrate your lips because of their drying ingredients, e.g., salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. Use a nourishing and mild cleanser instead.

9. Don’t Forget to Stay Hydrated

You have probably heard this repeatedly, but you need to drink water! What you eat and drink affects every part of your body – your skin, your lips, your hair, and everywhere else. Ensure that you stay hydrated, especially in the hotter months, to have healthy, supple, and kissable lips.

Summary

So, there you have it: summer lip protection made easy in just nine tips. While the tips above may seem relatively straightforward, the secret to real results lies in being consistent. If you’re consistent with the points shared above, you’re well on your way to having beautiful, supple lips. 

Get out there and have a fabulous summer!

Frequently Asked Questions

What Do You Do If Your Lips Are Bleeding?

Gently pat your lips with a clean cloth for several minutes. Once it stops bleeding, wash your lips with mild soap and water. Avoid scrubbing the lips and pat dry. Use moisturizing lip balm without SPF – SPF could irritate wounds or cuts.

How Do You Heal Chapped Lips?

Gently cleanse and exfoliate your lips frequently. Apply a non-irritating lip balm with SPF before heading out and reapply every few hours to keep your lips moisturized and protected. Use vaseline or any other ointment to seal in moisture. 

A Guide to Removing Makeup Without Damaging Sensitive Skin

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Makeup can accentuate your natural features and help you feel confident and authoritative. While it may be enjoyable to put on makeup, removing it is less so, especially if you have sensitive or delicate skin. To help you, we will list several methods of removing makeup without damaging sensitive skin.

Makeup Removal Methods

There are multiple ways of removing makeup without wipes. Despite their convenience, makeup wipes can cause damage and irritation to your skin. You may benefit from using other methods that use natural ingredients to remove your makeup.

  1. Cleansing Oil Products 

Oil cleansers have become popular in recent years due to their effectiveness in removing makeup and cleaning your skin. They also help strengthen your skin and prevent moisture from escaping. They are typically plant-based and have ingredients to soothe and hydrate your skin. They can also absorb dirt and the natural oil on your face.

Some types of cleansers may be detrimental to your skin. Cleansers that contain lighter oils such as grapeseed or lavender tend to be suitable for oily skin. Sunflower oils have proven effective for dry skin.

Using Cleansing Oil Product to Remove Your Makeup

Step 1: Wash your hands thoroughly and ensure that your hair is tied or contained. You must also remove any eyelash extensions, fake eyelashes, or other forms of eye decorations.

Step 2: Pour the oil cleanser onto your hand and rub your hands together to coat your fingers and the top parts of your palm.

Step 3: Place your fingers on your cheeks and massage downwards in a circular motion. Make sure that you rub the oil across all parts of your skin with makeup. Ensure that the oil cleanser you use is not harmful to your eyes.

Step 4: Wash the oil off your hands and use your clean, wet hands to rub most of the oil away. Massaging your face with water will help to break down the makeup further.

Step 5: Rinse your face with water until you remove oil residue, and then use a clean and dry towel to pat your face until it absorbs the water. Make sure you do not wipe as this could irritate your skin.

  1. Baking Soda and Honey

Baking soda and honey have non-toxic and natural ingredients. Both ingredients should be readily available in a standard kitchen, making it convenient for makeup removal. With anti-inflammatory and hydration properties, the ingredients can also help your skin feel more moisturized and give you a glowing complexion. 

Using Honey and Baking Soda to Remove Your Makeup

Step 1: Wash your hands and make sure your hair is out of the way. You should remove any eyelash extensions or other eye decorations.

Step 2: Create a mixture using one tablespoon of raw or natural honey and half a tablespoon of baking soda.

Step 3: Pour water onto a clean cloth to feel damp to the touch but not soaking.

Step 4: Dip your cloth into the mixture and place it on your face. Massage the mixture onto your face in a circular motion until you cover all the areas with makeup. 

Step 5: Remove any honey or baking soda on your hands and wash the mixture off your face with clean water.

Step 6: Once your face is clean, use another dry towel to pat away the water.

  1. Aloe Vera and Oil

Whether you have dry, oily, combination, or sensitive skin, aloe vera is an excellent ingredient due to its protective and hydrating properties. By containing antioxidants and vitamins, it can reduce irritation and the appearance of pimples. It is also a natural ingredient, free from harsh chemicals that can damage your skin.

Using Aloe Vera and Oil to Remove Your Makeup

Step 1: First, clean your hands and tie or constrain your hair. You must then remove any eyelash extensions or eye decorations.

Step 2: Mix around 32g of aloe vera gel and the same amount in the oil of your choice.

Step 3: Pour the mixture onto your clean hands and rub your hands to coat your fingers and palms.

Step 4: Massage the aloe vera mixture onto your face in a downward circular motion until you cover all the areas with makeup. Leave this on your face for 1 minute.

Step 5: Use a towel to remove most of the mixture and rinse your face with water to remove any other residue.

Step 6: Once your face has been thoroughly washed, use a dry towel to pat away the water.

Removing Eye Makeup

It is easy to remove eye makeup using suitable cleansers. When removing eye makeup safely, you can use a cotton pad or clean washcloth. You should refrain from using cotton balls as they often contain tiny fibers that easily wipe onto your eyelid. 

  1. Wash Your Hands and Prepare all Items

Start removing eye makeup by washing your hands and ensuring that your hair is tied. Use a hair tie to ensure no stray hair gets on your face. Next, prepare the necessary equipment: a cotton pad/washcloth and your choice of cleanser.

  1. Remove Extensions or Fake Eyelashes

The second step is to remove all detachable accessories near your eyes. Remove any eyelash extensions or fake eyelashes to clean your natural eyelashes thoroughly; this will help you prevent buildup and potential infections.

  1. Add Your Cleanser Onto the Cotton Pad and Place on Your Eyelid

Pour chosen cleanser onto your cotton pad. Ensure that it does not soak the pad entirely and that its back is dry or damp. Place it over your eyelid and keep the cotton pad on top for a few minutes.

  1. Swipe in a Downward Motion

Once a few minutes have passed, swipe the pad downward until the top part of the pad reaches your eyelashes. Then swipe upwards in a ‘J’ shape over your eyelashes.

  1. Repeat Steps 3 and 4

Discard your cotton pad and repeat steps 3 and 4 on your other eye. Continue with this step until you see no visible makeup on your eyes. Once no makeup is present, use water to remove the cleanser and any residue from your eyes.

Why Forgo Makeup Wipes for Sensitive Skin?

Makeup wipes should be the last option as a makeup removal for people with sensitive or delicate skin. Makeup wipes break down the components in your makeup; they do not cleanse and clean your skin. As a result, makeup wipes can leave a residue that causes irritation, pimples, etc.

For those with delicate skin, makeup wipes can remove the natural oils on the surface of your skin, thus worsening your complexion. Many brands can also be exfoliants due to the harsh texture and chemicals on the wipes, thus creating small tears on your skin.

Conclusion

Makeup removal is essential in your nighttime routine, lest it causes breakouts, larger pores, rashes, and even infections. Luckily, you can remove your makeup using cleansers, soap, water, and other natural ingredients. Consider some of the effective methods above to help clear your makeup and keep your skin cleaner.

FAQs

How to Remove Makeup Naturally?

Several methods and ingredients can help you remove makeup naturally. Some swear by coconut oil in breaking down makeup. Another natural way is to use steam. Add hot water to an empty bowl and place your face above the water. Cover your head with a light towel to trap the steam.

What Should I Do After Removing Makeup?

After removing your makeup and ensuring that you’ve washed your face thoroughly, you can begin your nighttime skincare routine. A routine can involve moisturizer, toner, and other products for your skin type. A moisturizer can hold moisture in the outer layer of your skin, thus protecting it and preventing it from drying, and a toner can help balance the pH level of your skin.

Is Makeup Wipes Necessary?

No, makeup wipes are not necessary when removing your makeup. On the contrary, makeup wipes can cause skin damage and irritation due to the chemicals and alcohol contained in the wipes. As an alternative, there are natural cleansers that would work to remove all of your makeup and ensure that no residue remains on your skin.

What Happens If You Don’t Wash Your Makeup Off?

Not washing off your makeup before sleeping can cause bacteria and dirt to seep into your pores. Increased exposure to germs can cause your skin to break out. Leaving makeup sitting on your skin can also cause the development of more noticeable pores, resulting in pimples and blackheads.

Boost Your Confidence with a Good Skincare Routine

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When you look good, you feel good! The skin is a prominent feature that says a lot about a person. Following a proper skincare routine improves your beauty and health and ultimately affects your self-confidence. Just as fine lines, blemishes and dull skin tone can undermine your self-confidence, glowing skin positively impacts your mental well-being. This article details how proper skincare improves confidence.

Skin Care and Self Confidence

A mind-body connection exists regarding appearance and self-confidence. Study shows that more attractive people are more self-assured. How does beauty build confidence? Here are a few ways that flawless skin can affect your self-esteem:

Helps You Feel Beautiful

Beauty is indeed more than skin deep. However, feeling beautiful and attractive can be difficult with skin problems as there’s only so much makeup can conceal. Cosmetics, though helpful, cannot effectively hide structural blemishes. 

In addition, it is refreshing to know that you have healthy skin underneath your makeup. So, it would be better to treat skin blemishes with a proper skincare routine than constantly covering them.

Helps You Become More Social

Having healthy skin makes one less self-conscious when integrating with social components. This is a significant confidence boost, as you focus less on how you look and more on socializing and having fun experiences!

Receiving compliments on your flawless skin further boosts your skin confidence as you relate with others, especially if they come from people you care about.

Helps You Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

Frequent breakouts, age spots, fine lines and other skin issues can be symptoms of an unhealthy lifestyle. Starting a skincare routine motivates you to invest in other areas of your health to maintain your new, clear skin.

Eating healthy, getting sufficient sleep, exercising regularly, and drinking enough water, will become part of your lifestyle. When you maintain such habits, you’ll experience numerous physical and mental health benefits. A skincare routine is an easy way to stay healthy and be happy.

Reduces Stress And Anxiety

A boost in self-confidence causes a reduction in stress and anxiety. You become less worried about a poor self-image and can focus on other things. It enables you to ward off stress or anxiety, which plays a massive role in keeping your skin healthy. 

The Skin-Ego Theory

This theory explains the science of skincare and self-confidence thoroughly. It deals with the relationship between our emotions and how our perception of our skin controls whether and how we accept our identity. 

The skin ego is the physical and emotional part of us by which we contact nature and other living things. A person’s appearance determines whether they are more likely to impress or gain attention from others. In connection with the skin-ego theory, one’s appearance is also a means of captivating others, influencing their impressions and judgments and exercising power over them. 

Our skin is part of our identity. It influences our outward look, affecting our feelings of internal confidence. A person who feels positive about their skin and appearance exudes attractive confidence. A proper skin care routine builds confidence, facilitating how you feel about your appearance and what you project to others. 

Creating a Simple Skin Care Regime

One of the easiest ways to get healthy skin and boost your confidence is incorporating a proper skincare routine. Good skincare doesn’t necessarily need to be complex. It is better because you are more likely to follow a simple plan than a complex one. A routine that involves 15 to 20 steps and makes you wait several minutes between each step is very likely to be abandoned along the way. 

The general rule is that less is always more when it comes to skincare. To help you better, the steps below will guide you through a simplified skincare regime:

1. Start With a Cleanser

Cleansing your face should be the first step in your skincare routine. Cleansing is necessary to wash away dirt and pollutants built up overnight or throughout the day. However, we should be careful, as too much washing can break down the skin’s protective barriers. 

You should cleanse twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. If you have dry skin, you can try just water in the morning, then cleanse at night. If you have oily skin, look for an oil-free cleanser. 

When choosing your facial cleanser, you should prioritize products with ceramides and glycerin as they help restore and maintain your skin’s protective barrier. The product must also be a gentle hydrating cleanser with no fragrance and few ingredients. 

2. Use Antioxidant Serum

Antioxidant serums are powerful skin allies with active ingredients that protect your skin from free radicals, which is crucial to repairing and protecting the skin. You do not need to tackle specific issues to use an antioxidant serum; it comes in handy at least twice a day to keep you protected from daily aggressors. A few antioxidant serums you can use to handle specific issues include:

  • Vitamin C: It helps to brighten dull skin and remove dark spots.
  • Hyaluronic acid: This serum locks in water on the skin to keep it hydrated.
  • Retinol, Vitamin B3: Increases the production of collagen, elastin and proteins to prevent fine lines, wrinkles and skin sagging.

3. Moisturizers

The next step is to use a moisturizer. You should apply your moisturizers twice a day, once in the morning and at night. The skin loses its moisture throughout the day, and moisturizers help with rehydration leaving your skin healthy. 

Your moisturizer should contain essential ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides. Unless you have dry skin, go for a light moisturizer to soak in quickly. People with dry skin should explore thicker formulas. 

4. Sunscreen

The next step is to protect your skin from ultraviolet damage. UV rays damage the skin all year round and are one of the leading causes of skin cancer. You can prevent these and more by concluding your morning routine with sunscreen. Cloudy or sunny, you should not leave the house without sunscreen. 

It is not enough for your moisturizer to be SPF-rated. You need to purchase actual sunscreen SPF 30 rated or higher. You should apply daily, 30 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every 2 hours for the best results.

5. Facial Exercises

Facial exercises stretch the face and neck muscles and boost blood circulation, leaving you with youthful skin. You should add simple facial exercises like smiling, lifting your eyebrows, and pulling your eyelids to your daily routine. 

Conclusion

Note that your skincare journey is one of self-improvement, not perfection. Perfection is not attainable and is ultimately a myth. Self-care is a path towards improved appearance. Trust the process (and your skin), and be patient as you consistently follow this simple routine. As you begin your skincare journey, you are on your way to getting healthy skin, skin confidence and the benefits that follow.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does Good Skin Mean?

Healthy skin encompasses so many things; a supple, hydrated and balanced skin are some descriptors. Ultimately, it means having confidence in your skin.

How Often Should You Moisturize Your Face?

Your skin type is an essential factor in determining how often you should use a moisturizer on your face. Generally, all skin types should moisturize twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. Dry skin might require a more frequent application, and blemish-prone skin a less rigorous routine.

Is Vitamin C Tablet Good For The Skin?

Vitamin C is legendary skincare essential. It is an incredible antioxidant known to reduce aging signs, hydrate the skin and give a healthy skin tone. 

Ingredients to Look for in a Quality Facial Moisturizer

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Face moisturizers are vital for healthy skin. They increase the skin’s water content, balance your skin tone, and keep your face blemish-free. This article compiles a list of facial moisturizer ingredients to look out for and why.  

Top 5 Facial Moisturizer Ingredients

Whether trying to make your moisturizer or buying one from the store, your moisturizer should contain these five ingredients. Here are the top five ingredients you should look for when selecting the best face moisturizer.

1. Hyaluronic Acid

This ingredient has soon become a trend in the beauty world. The humectant ingredient holds water to the skin’s surface, hydrating it. It is one of the many substances produced by the body that depletes with time making it crucial for people to get moisturizers containing this compound, especially so for the elderly.

2. Glycerin

Glycerin, also called glycerol, works like hyaluronic acid. It is a sweet-tasting lipid found in all fats. As a humectant, it works to absorb water from the atmosphere and draw water from the dermis to the skin’s surface. It keeps the skin hydrated, and this reduces dry and flaky skin. 

In 2016, a review held glycerin as the most effective moisturizer ingredient. Many face moisturizers now include glycerin, but before you get one, check the labels to confirm that your choice of moisturizer contains a healthy amount of this ingredient.

3. Petrolatum

Petrolatum, also known as petroleum jelly, is occlusive and emollient. As an occlusive ingredient, petrolatum works to prevent skin dehydration. It builds a protective coating over your skin, preventing water from evaporating. Vaseline, a wildly standard petrolatum, has become a staple in many cabinets. 

If you struggle with dry and flaky skin, get a moisturizer with both glycerin and petrolatum. This combination helps draw water to your skin surface and bind it to the skin keeping it hydrated, smooth and supple. As an emollient, petrolatum keeps the rough dead cells on the skin surface hydrated.

4. Ceramides

Ceramides are natural proteins found in the outer layer of the skin. They are the skin’s biggest weapon against aging and sun damage. Ceramides help keep moisture in the skin and protect the skin from environmental toxins and pollutants. Adding this to your skincare regimen helps to enhance and strengthen your skin’s natural moisture barrier. 

The skin stops producing these ceramides over time, and dry and scaly skin is believed to be responsible. Such deficiency makes the skin more vulnerable to environmental factors like dirt and pollution.

5. Dimethicone

This ingredient helps the uneven texture and fine lines on the skin, leaving you with smooth and flawless skin. Dimethicone is the main ingredient in most oil-free facial moisturizers, perfect for people with oily skin. As a light emollient, it forms a protective layer over the epidermis and helps to hydrate the skin by keeping the moisture in. 

Emollients like dimethicone also help heal damaged skin and hide skin defects like flaky and scaly skin. They also make your skin look younger and smooth.

Types of Facial Moisturizer Ingredients

The best face moisturizer combines three kinds of ingredients. Most times, your skin type, age, and other factors will determine what combination of the trio your skin needs.

Here is a breakdown of these elements and how they function in your moisturizer:

1. Humectants

Hyaluronic acid, Glycerin, Aloe Vera and Propylene Glycol work as humectants and are the dominant ingredients in most moisturizers. The humectants attract water to themselves and bind water on the skin to keep it hydrated. They draw water from the atmosphere and deep layer of the skin (Dermis) to the outer layer of the skin (Epidermis), increasing the water content in the epidermis.

2. Emollients

These ingredients stay on the skin’s surface and act as lubricants. They help soften the skin leaving it looking lovely and smooth, and they work by filling in skin cracks with hydrating oils and lipids. They are perfect for dry and combination skin as it helps hold down the humectants. Ingredients like Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Shea Butter, Grape Seed Oils, Ceramides, Rosehip function as emollients.

3. Occlusives

Occlusives include ingredients like petrolatum, cetyl alcohol, and lanolin. They seal in moisture and stop water from evaporating. Occlusives are perfect for mature, dry and dehydrated skin. 

Many facial moisturizers contain all three elements. However, the best facial moisturizers have fewer occlusive ingredients.

Tips to Get the Best Out of Your Facial Moisturizer

After choosing the right moisturizer for your face, take note of these tips to get the best out of your facial moisturizer:

Apply Moisturizer on Damp Skin

A widespread assumption is that you should apply moisturizers on dry skin. This isn’t true. To maximize your facial moisturizer, you should use it on your damp skin. After washing your face, wait a few minutes, apply your moisturizer to your face, and then pat dry. This allows the moisturizer to penetrate quickly and lock in hydration. You can also use this technique for your body.

Get a Double-duty Moisturizer

Applying sunscreen should be part of your skincare routine; however, this could be a burden. Get a moisturizer with a broad spectrum SPF of 15 or higher, so you do not need to bother with a moisturizer and sunscreen. It would help to prioritize moisturizers with vitamin a, alpha-hydroxyl and retinol components as anti-age boosters or tinted moisturizers to brighten your skin tone. 

Don’t Ignore Your Neck

Facial moisturizers target wrinkles and fine lines, which you can also find on the neck, chest and arms. When applying your facial moisturizer, don’t stop at your jawline.

Use an Eye Cream

Do not use facial moisturizers on or around your eyes. The skin around your eyes is thinner than the rest of the skin on your face; you should give those sensitive parts more attention. Eye creams are ideal to use around the eyes, and using them will reduce your chances of puffy eyes and skin irritation.

Apply Moisturizers in Upward Strokes

Over time, gravity pulls the skin downwards, and this causes wrinkles and sagging. Skin experts recommend applying the moisturizer in an upward stroke. Though this might do little to reverse the situation, it makes the situation better.

Conclusion

Buying a facial moisturizer will no longer be a hassle. Now you know what ingredients to look for before getting your facial moisturizer. These ingredients are perfect for all skin types, and you can even combine them to boost efficacy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Toxic Ingredients?

They can be hazardous to your skin. Ingredients like Aluminium, Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS), Siloxanes, and Synthetic fragrances are toxic. You should ensure your moisturizer does not contain these ingredients.

What is the Most Hydrating Ingredient?

All humectant ingredients work to keep your skin hydrated. Glycerin is the most effective ingredient for hydration for dehydrated and scaly skin. In addition to retaining water on the skin surface, it also draws moisture. 

What to Use Instead of Face Moisturisers?

The best replacement for your facial moisturizer is natural moisturizing agents. Coconut oil, Olive oil, Almond oil and Aloe vera gel are effective moisturizers. They also help with skin blemishes like scars, sunburns, wrinkles and stretch marks. Though perfect for dry skin, they are not effective for oily skin. When concentrated, they could clog the skin pores causing other skin problems.

What is the Best Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin?

Ceramides and Glycerin-based moisturizers are the best options for sensitive and dry skin. They provide natural proteins to the skin that repairs and protects it from environmental toxins. 

Are Face Serums Better Than Moisturizers?

Serums are lighter than moisturizers, more concentrated and very potent. You can use them with your moisturizers as they have more active ingredients. It is recommended that you consult your specialist before you try one. 

How To Remove Makeup Without Wipes

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There’s nothing more frustrating than returning home from a long day or night out and taking off your makeup…or, worse, with wipes. The beauty industry has repeatedly emphasized how bad it is to take your makeup off with wipes. So, if you’ve been waiting for it, here’s how to remove makeup without wipes.

Why Should You Ditch Makeup Wipes?

If you’ve been on the beauty side of the internet long enough, you might know of the infamous “Wipes or No Wipes” debate. It’s been going on for quite a while. For so long, makeup wipes have been the go-to beauty item for removing makeup, prepping the skin, smoothing out lines or creases, etc. It wasn’t until recently that the tables turned. Skincare gurus, enthusiasts, and the skin-centric YouTuber channels started churning out literal campaigns against them. What happened?

They Aren’t Even Made For Removing Makeup

Face wipes or baby wipes are not made to clean your face, and they often leave behind lots of dirt, oil, and grime on your skin. Sure, they may remove some of your makeup and the surface stuff. Still, they just aren’t made to effectively break down the components of makeup, oil from your skin, and dirt accumulated throughout the day.

They Are Too Harsh

Experts say that makeup wipes or baby wipes are not made for this particular purpose. Wipes are harsh on the skin – all that rubbing and scrubbing can’t be good for you. Using wipes to rub off your makeup can lead to irritation from residual grime, increased breakouts, and sensitivity.

They Make Your Skin Age Faster

Using face wipes for a long time will severely dehydrate your skin by stripping it of its natural oil content and compromising its pH. Secondarily, pulling and tugging at your skin using wipes can cause your skin to age a lot faster. All of this happens without any effective cleansing whatsoever. Avoid this by using the proper cleaning methods and incorporating facial exercises into your skincare routine.

They’re Not Good For The Environment

Thankfully, the beauty and skincare industry is slowly moving past the chaotic era of environmentally harmful products and practices. Disposable makeup wipes do not fit in with the movement, as we have reached that point where recycling isn’t enough. Reducing waste is the next cause.

Makeup wipes are one of the industry’s most-used single-use products that are hard to decompose and end up in landfills for many years. It can take at least a hundred years for one single wipe to decompose fully to put things in perspective.

Wipes Alternative 

Micellar Water

Micellar water isn’t a newbie on the skincare block. It has solidified itself as one of the most popular go-to items for removing makeup, and rightfully so. Micellar water is a gentle cleansing agent containing suspended surfactant molecules -molecules made to break up oil and dirt. The science behind this is simple: surfactants are like oil molecules suspended in water. Water can’t break down oil, but oil can do just that. This makes it easier to remove makeup, and it’s much more effective than using wipes.

What’s more, using micellar water can be sink-less. So, you’re strung out from a busy day and need to take off your makeup before bed without getting up? Pour some micellar water onto a cotton pad and gently wipe over your skin—no need to rinse off. You’ll wake up with clean and hydrated skin and no regrets.

Oil Cleansing

We have all done questionable things in the name of skincare. However, oil cleansing is not as bad or uncomfortable as it sounds. No, it won’t leave your skin oilier and dirtier. Using oil cleansers has become an increasingly popular practice in the past couple of years as it’s pretty logical and practical. Again, oil melts down oil and breaks down makeup.

Oil cleansers are also formulated to penetrate your pores and attract and lift away other impurities. The steps are simple: apply an oil cleanser to your face until your makeup is melted, then wet your hands and rub gently. The cleanser will start to foam, and then you can towel dry or rinse. Follow up with a facial cleanser for a deeper cleanse.

Gel Cleansing

There’s only one significant downside to gel cleansing: it won’t work for eye makeup. So, if you’re looking for how to remove waterproof mascara or any other eye makeup, skip this one. Gel cleansers are generally oil-free and work by gently buffing away makeup and impurities. They’re also impressively hydrating and leave a smooth finish after. Remember to wet your face slightly before applying the gel. Rub gently until it starts to lather and massage for a few minutes.  

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is as natural as they come. Good ol’ Aloe isn’t only good for soothing wounds, inflammations, and the occasional sunburn. It has many antioxidants and moisturizing properties that make it gentle and effective in removing makeup. This is especially recommended for people with sensitive skin. Aloe vera is an excellent alternative to wipes and oil-based removers. Plus, it’s gentle enough for your eye area.  

Cream Cleansing

If you often worry about dehydration, cream cleansing might be the best way to remove makeup for you. Cream cleansers are pretty similar to gel cleansers specially formulated for dry skin that feels tight after cleansing. These cleansers leave your skin feeling super hydrated and are easy to use.

Pat some onto your face and slather it until the makeup melts. Let it sit for a bit, then rinse off and pat dry.

Coconut Oil/Olive Oil

Don’t have a dedicated oil cleanser on your dresser? No problem. Coconut oil, olive oil, and other summon household oils are excellent for removing makeup. Again, science saves the day. You may worry about these oils clogging your pores, but double cleansing with oils is about as spot-on as you can get, especially when you’re in a pinch.

You have to warm up some oil with your fingertips and wipe it all over your face. Your makeup will melt quickly, leaving you ready to follow up with a mild cleanser or face wash.

Cleansing Balms

So, if you have found yourself in front of your mirror thinking of how to take off waterproof mascara, here it is. Cleansing balms are best incorporated into a double cleansing method. You start with a cleansing balm and finish with a facial cleanser. These balms deeply purify your skin and lift makeup and dirt right off without harshly stripping your skin.

Balms often have a smooth, silky feel and leave your face feeling calm and clean. The second step of the double cleanse may include a gentle foaming cleanser to take off any residual makeup.

Soap and Water

Ah, soap and water, the ever-reliable classic. Sometimes, your alternative is as simple as gently lathering on a gentle soap to cleanse and rinsing off with water. Nothing fancy. While this may sound a little off in the world of skincare gurus and beauty experts, soap and water can still work out fine for you. Depending on what type of makeup you’ve got on, using a gentle, fragrance-free soap bar and rinsing it off with water could do the trick.

Avoid using strong, harsh, or fragrance soaps and any hand soap. Wet your hands, rub the bar between your hands to form a nice lather, then gently scrub your face before rinsing off with water. Easy, makeup is gone.

Eco-friendly Makeup Removers

So, we’ve heard it all. Makeup wipes are bad for your skin and the environment. Here’s how to remove makeup without wipes with a different type of wipes. A little confusing? Hopefully not. You can now swap out your disposable wipes for environmentally friendly wipes that are reusable, washable, and biodegradable.

These are often made of cotton, microfiber, or bamboo fabric, which are easy to wash and effective for removing makeup without traditional disposable wipes.

You’ll always need a trusty makeup remover to come to your aid at the end of the day. Sometimes, the process can be so tedious that some of us take the lazy way out and go to bed without attempting. We do not recommend that. Instead, take a look at the list above, make your choice and make your skincare regimen easier to keep up with. Your skin will thank you for it. Find more tips on removing makeup without wipes here.

Can I do Facial Exercises After Botox?

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The society we live in views youthfulness as a sign of beauty. However, we can’t evade the effects of aging. Despite our efforts to live healthy and stay young, years of sun exposure, age, and gravity soon take their toll, and the wrinkles set in. Botox, one of the most popular non-surgical solutions to aging, has been around for decades and keeps providing consistent results for patients.

Getting your Botox treatment for the first time can leave you nervous and conscious about your facial movements. While it is natural to feel concerned about your facial expressions, so you don’t end up with an awkwardly frozen face, this concern is unwarranted. I’d be explaining why it is not only safe for you to do facial exercise post-injection but also medically advisable.

What is Botox?

The bacterium Clostridium botulinum releases a toxin branded as Botox. This toxin causes a very deadly condition known as botulism that can paralyze the muscles. When injected in minute portions, Botox works to block the nerve cells, keep muscles from contracting and thus helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and prevent new ones from coming up.

Botox treatments are also effective in treating lazy eyes, neck spasms, overactive bladder and some other ailments like migraine. It clears out fine lines and wrinkles safely and effectively, giving you a youthful appearance that lasts for months.

These effects take about four days to become evident as the process is relatively slow. Facial exercises have proven to speed up its operation and allow the toxin to work faster.

Facial Exercises Accelerates Botox Results

Botox treatments take about three to four days to become evident. In emergencies, where patients come in for a quick Botox treatment before an important event, this might be a problem. Simple facial exercises have proven to be very effective in speeding up the Botox effect. These exercises help the toxin bind up the receptor cells sooner, allowing the muscles to relax faster. 

However, Many Doctors have questioned this conventional wisdom claiming that these exercises make no difference-making it fall out of favor.

The Benefit of Facial Exercises Post-injection 

The Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine conducted a recent study showing you the effect of facial exercises on Botox treatments. According to this study, facial muscle exercise can speed up the wrinkle-reducing effect of Botox to about one day instead of the usual three to four days.

“Patients often leave getting their Botox to the last minute,” said lead study author Dr. Murad Alam, professor of dermatology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and a Northwestern Medicine physician. “If people get their botulinum toxin right before a social engagement or important work event, they may worry it won’t start working in time. Speeding up the effects could be important to people.” He explained that since there was no well-designed study that compared the effect of the exercise and no exercise, they decided to do one. 

Dr. Alam wanted to see if facial muscle exercises helped as conventional practices suggested. Especially for those who had to wait until the last minute to get their treatment.  

The Study

Alam enrolled 22 adult women sprouting forehead wrinkles. He treated all with botulinum toxin. Half of these women underwent facial exercises. They raised their foreheads and made scowls while knitting the brows in three sets of 40 repetitions separated by 10 minutes for a total of four hours, and the other half did nothing. 

After the first treatment, the participants were observed. Both participants and clinicians discovered that fine lines and wrinkles were reduced within two to three days for those who did the exercises. The effect took as long as three to four days for those that didn’t. It showed that facial exercises gave results one day sooner than when it isn’t performed.

Dr. Alam explained, “It’s useful to know that it can be sped up. It’s pretty easy to do, not a lot of work, it doesn’t take much time either.”

The participants were studied for another two weeks, after which there was no difference in either group. There was no difference in how long the treatment lasted in both groups. The benefit was majorly how quickly the wrinkles reduced. 

To reduce bias and improve the consistency of his findings, Dr. Alam retreated the participants six months later. This time he reversed the experiment. Those who had exercised last time now avoided facial exercises, and the others are performing exercises. At the end of the investigation, 69% of the participants believed facial movement relaxed the muscles and reduced wrinkles faster. 59% found the facial exercises very easy to perform. 

 “For patients who need quick results, the exercise may be worth the effort. Patients appreciate having more control over their care,” Dr. Alam says.

Do’s and Don’ts After Botox Treatment

Facial exercises have been approved to be best after a botox session. However, there are certain things you shouldn’t do to get the optimal result. Here are some do’s and don’t’s of post-Botox treatment. 

Don’t: Do not rub your face for 24 hours.

Post-injection, you need to avoid rubbing your face or applying pressure on it for about 24 hours. Doing this could cause the toxin to move to an unintended area. This can cause unsatisfactory effects like sagging eyelids or nerve damage. 

Do: Try facial exercises.

During the first hours post-treatment, make pronounced facial expressions, such as frowning, smiling and raising your eyebrows and forehead. Facial exercises after Botox treatment boosts the Botox and make it work faster.

Don’t: Do not exercise straight away.

It is advised that patients avoid any strenuous activity for about 24 hours after Botox treatment. Such movements may cause bruising on areas injected with Botox. You risk the toxin spreading to muscles it shouldn’t be touching. So, cancel that exercise class and put your feet up.

Do: Take notes of side effects.

If you should experience any unusual side effects after your Botox procedure, seek your Botox practitioner and explain your experience. They will be able to give you the best advice.

Don’t: Do not engage in activities that put pressure on your head.

Activities like swimming, performing inversions, bending down, and any other that might apply pressure to your head should be avoided. Stress on your treated area can move your Botox around and strengthen your chances of bruising.

Do: Avoid getting overly heated. 

Avoid getting too hot for about 48 hours after the treatment. It would be best to avoid strenuous exercise, drinking alcohol, hot weather, sauna, and the steam room. Heat increases blood flow which would reduce the effect of Botox.

Don’t: Do not book any big event for the first few days.

Avoid booking any big event for the first few days. You will experience side effects like swelling, redness or bruising around the treated area. Though this varies from person to person and might not last very long for you, it is better to be prepared.

Do: Avoid strong painkillers.

Avoid strong painkillers after your procedure. If you experience any pain, consult your doctor. These painkillers are not crucial with non-invasive procedures like Botox. Applying an ice pack to the area can help reduce bruising.

Summary

Botox is an effective cosmetic procedure that helps clear out wrinkles and leaves you with younger and vibrant skin. To get the most benefits, it’s up to you to follow your doctor’s post-treatment advice.

After receiving a botox treatment, there are several things that a patient is advised to do and not do. Facial exercises have been highly recommended as study has shown it is very effective in ensuring a faster response from the treatment. Massaging or applying pressure on the skin can cause bruises and have other adverse effects on botox.

It would help if you avoided other activities like partaking in strenuous exercise for the first 24 hours after treatment. This is to protect the patient from harmful impacts to the botox or bruising of the skin. Staying away from the gym for the day might be difficult for some people, but it’s worth ensuring good results. 

Side effects of Botox treatment might include:

  • Headache or flu-like symptoms
  • Droopy eyelid or cockeyed eyebrows
  • Crooked smile or drooling
  • Eye dryness or excessive tearing

However, consult your doctor immediately if you experience severe side effects like trouble breathing, blisters, or intense swelling.