Archives July 2024

Dry facial skin can be uncomfortable and unsightly, leading to flakiness, redness, and a tight, itchy feeling. Understanding how to treat and care for dry skin is essential for maintaining a healthy, hydrated complexion. Here are effective strategies to manage and prevent dry facial skin.

Understanding Dry Skin

Dry skin, or xerosis, occurs when the skin lacks sufficient moisture. This can be due to various factors, including environmental conditions, lifestyle choices, and underlying health conditions. The skin’s natural barrier may be compromised, leading to moisture loss and increased sensitivity.

Causes of Dry Facial Skin

Several factors can contribute to dry facial skin:

1. Environmental Factors: Cold weather, low humidity, and exposure to harsh winds can strip moisture from the skin.
2. Hot Showers and Baths: Prolonged exposure to hot water can deplete the skin’s natural oils.
3. Harsh Soaps and Cleansers: Products with strong chemicals or fragrances can irritate and dry out the skin.
4. Aging: As we age, our skin produces less oil, leading to dryness.
5. Medical Conditions: Conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and hypothyroidism can cause dry skin.
6. Dehydration: Not drinking enough water can affect skin hydration.

Daily Skincare Routine for Dry Skin

A consistent skincare routine is crucial for managing dry facial skin. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Gentle Cleansing

Choose a mild, hydrating cleanser free of harsh chemicals and fragrances. Avoid hot water; instead, use lukewarm water to cleanse your face. Hot water can strip the skin of its natural oils, exacerbating dryness.

2. Exfoliation

Exfoliating once or twice a week can help remove dead skin cells and improve skin texture. Use a gentle exfoliator to avoid irritation. Avoid over-exfoliating, as this can damage the skin barrier and increase dryness.

3. Hydration

Apply a hydrating serum containing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or ceramides. These ingredients help attract and retain moisture in the skin.

4. Moisturizing

Use a rich, emollient moisturizer to lock in hydration. Look for products with ingredients like shea butter, jojoba oil, or squalane. Apply moisturizer while your skin is still slightly damp to enhance absorption.

5. Sun Protection

Protect your skin from UV damage by using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Even in winter, UV rays can dry out and damage the skin.

6. Nighttime Routine

Incorporate a nourishing night cream or overnight mask into your routine. These products provide intense hydration and help repair the skin barrier while you sleep.

Additional Tips for Managing Dry Skin

1. Humidifier

Using a humidifier in your home, especially during the winter months, can help maintain moisture levels in the air, preventing your skin from drying out.

2. Hydration from Within

Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your skin hydrated from the inside out. A balanced diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts, can also support skin health.

3. Avoid Irritants

Steer clear of skincare products containing alcohol, sulfates, and artificial fragrances. These ingredients can further dry out and irritate your skin.

4. Gentle Toweling

After washing your face, pat your skin dry with a soft towel instead of rubbing it. This helps prevent further irritation.

5. Regular Skin Check-ups

If your dry skin persists despite following a proper skincare routine, consider consulting a dermatologist. They can provide personalized recommendations and identify any underlying conditions contributing to your dry skin.

Conclusion

Caring for dry facial skin requires a combination of gentle skincare practices, adequate hydration, and protection from environmental factors. By following a consistent skincare routine and making mindful lifestyle choices, you can achieve and maintain a healthy, hydrated complexion. Remember, patience and persistence are key, as it may take some time to see significant improvements in your skin’s condition

These are the characteristics of acne stones and effective ways to prevent them – Stone acne is generally characterized by a large lump filled with pus, which at first glance looks like a boil. This acne is often painful and causes scars on the skin. Know the characteristics of stone acne and find out how to prevent it.  

Acne can appear due to bacteria, oil, or dead skin cells stuck in the pores of the face. When bacteria infect an area that is far below the surface of the skin, this is what is called stone acne.

Radiant White Skin with Natural Masks – Having white, clean, and glowing skin is the dream of almost everyone, especially women. To make it happen, you don’t have to spend a lot of money. There are several natural ingredients that you can use as a mask to make your skin white.

You can get white and glowing skin by using natural ingredients, such as fruits, spices, and yogurt. These various natural ingredients can be used as natural face masks .

How to Remove Facial Hair Safely and Effectively – Hair that grows on the face often makes a woman less confident. To overcome this, there are several ways to remove facial hair that can be chosen, both naturally and through medical procedures. Each of these methods has its own benefits and risks.

Facial hair growth is a natural condition that can be experienced by anyone, both men and women. However, this condition is generally more common in men.

Thread Implants, Know the Procedure, Risks, and Level of Durability –Thread lifting is a skin care procedure that aims to make facial skin look tighter and younger. This facial skin rejuvenation method is cheaper than surgery, but has risks that should not be ignored. 

Unlike plastic surgery , skin rejuvenation with thread implants does not require much action on the skin tissue. The threads only need to be planted in the skin area that you want to tighten, for example the forehead, brow line, under the eyes, cheeks, jaw, and nose.

9 Correct Night Skincare Sequences for a Smooth and Bright Face – The correct night skincare sequence will optimize the benefits of the products used. Night skincare products themselves function to repair skin damage and provide nutrition so that the skin looks fresh, bright, and free of dullness when you wake up in the morning.

After a day of activities, dirt, sweat, oil, or makeup will stick to the skin of the face. If not cleaned properly, the skin of the face cannot “breathe” and finally various skin problems appear, ranging from large pores, dull skin, to acne.

Well , therefore, you need to use a series of night skincare products in the right order, so that the products used work effectively. Don’t let it be expensive to buy skincare products , but there are no results because the order is wrong.

The Right Night Skincare Sequence

Skin cell repair and regeneration occurs at night when the body rests. To optimize this process, facial skin must be in a clean condition and ready to then be able to apply facial care products that are appropriate for the type and skin problems in the right order. Here are the right night skincare steps for a clean and healthy face:

1. Makeup remover

If you wear makeup , the first night skincare routine that must be done is to clean it with makeup remover . One technique that is claimed to be able to clean makeup residue maximally is double cleansing . This technique is especially recommended for users of heavy makeup or waterproof makeup .

Choose a makeup remover that suits your needs and skin type. Micellar water is usually used to remove light  makeup and is intended for those with oily or acne-prone skin.

Meanwhile, oil-based makeup removers , such as cleansing balms , are intended to remove waterproof makeup and are generally more suitable for dry or sensitive skin.

2. Facial soap

The next correct night skincare sequence is to clean your face with facial soap to complete the double cleansing technique . That way, there will be no more makeup and dirt that is not removed by the makeup remover .

For the product, adjust it to your skin type. For normal, dry, or sensitive skin, choose a facial cleanser that contains moisturizer. For oily or acne-prone skin, choose a facial cleanser that contains salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide , or glycolic acid .

3. Toner

The right night skincare routine is certainly not complete without using toner . Toner has many purposes, from lifting excess oil on the face, fading spots, black spots from acne, shrinking pores, moisturizing the skin, to maintaining the pH (acidity level) of the skin. Therefore, adjust it to your skin’s needs and one that is alcohol-free.

Some ingredients that are usually found in hydrating toners are aloe vera , hyaluronic acid, ceramide , or cica ( Centella asiatica ). While the ingredients in exfoliating toners are generally acidic substances, such as lactic acid, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid.

4. Serum

The night skincare sequence after toner is facial serum . Serum contains high concentration of active ingredients designed to nourish and address various skin problems.

Serums containing retinol or bakuchiol are known to reduce signs of aging, including wrinkles or fine lines on the face. While serums containing vitamin C, glycolic acid, kojic acid, or lactic acid can make skin tone more even, bright, and not dull

However, it should be remembered that not all types of serum can be used together, for example, avoid combinations of retinol and AHA serum , retinol and vitamin C, and retinol and salicylic acid , because they can cause irritation or make the serum function less than optimally.

5. Spot treatment

Spot treatments can be added to your nighttime skincare routine if you have certain skin problems, such as acne or blemishes.

Spot treatment products are available in the form of liquids, gels, or creams that are applied only to the problem area. There are also spot treatments in the form of patches or small plasters, which are usually used to treat and protect acne from infection. This product is used by sticking it to the acne.

6. Moisturizer

After using serum or spot treatment , wait a few seconds until the skincare is completely absorbed, then continue with the next night skincare sequence , which is facial moisturizer . In addition to moisturizing the skin, this facial care product functions to lock the serum in the skin.

For dry, normal, or combination skin, choose a cream moisturizer. Meanwhile, for oily skin, use a liquid or gel moisturizer because it absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave an oily impression on the skin.

7. Eye cream

To maintain moisture and tighten the skin around the eyes, include eye cream in your evening skincare routine. This product can prevent and treat fine lines, eye bags or panda eyes , depending on the ingredients contained in it.

If you want to overcome eye bags due to puffy eyes or sagging eyelids, you can apply eye cream containing caffeine, collagen, or antioxidants . To prevent and reduce fine lines around the eyes, you can use eye cream containing retinol, hyaluronic acid , or ceramide .

8. Night cream

Using a night cream that suits your skin type and needs can also complete your night skincare routine . There are various types of night creams, ranging from those that serve a similar purpose as moisturizers to those that can help repair and speed up skin cell replacement.

If you have skin that is already showing signs of aging, such as wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots , choose a night cream that contains anti-aging ingredients, such as retinol, vitamin C , and even natural ingredients such as royal jelly.

9. Sleep mask

In fact, a sleep mask does not have to be included in your nighttime skincare routine because it works in a similar way to a moisturizer, namely maintaining the moisture of your facial skin while locking in all the ingredients from the skincare products used previously.

However, there is nothing wrong with including a sleep mask in your night skincare routine to maximize the effects of your skincare at night. A sleep mask will provide extra moisture to your skin, so your facial skin will feel more supple and fresh when you wake up.

You can also try slugging as a final step. The trick is to use petroleum jelly at the end of your skincare routine after all other skincare products have been used.

The night skincare sequence above can be used as a general guide. However, still pay attention to how to use each product because it is possible that the skincare product you use has special rules of use.

Some night skincare products also cannot be used in the morning or afternoon. An example is a product containing retinoids. This ingredient makes the skin more sensitive to UV rays, so the skin becomes more easily red, sore, and burned when exposed to sunlight.

If you are still unsure about the right order of night skincare for your matauang facial care product series, for example because you use a variety of products or your facial skin is sensitive, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor .

Beware of the Dangers of Skin Whitening Products Containing Mercury – Mercury is often misused as an ingredient for facial whitening products. Although it can brighten the skin in a short time, the mercury content in beauty products can have a negative impact on health.

Mercury is one of the chemicals that is sometimes used in soaps and skin whitening creams . Not only that, some cosmetic products, such as mascara and eye makeup removers, also often use mercury as a preservative in their products.

Mercury Content in Skin Whitening Products

Mercury is used as one of the ingredients to whiten the skin because it can inhibit the formation of melanin or skin pigment, so that the skin looks brighter in a short time. Although it can provide instant results, its impact on health cannot be underestimated.

In Indonesia, the use of mercury in beauty products, such as facial cleansers , moisturizers, and day or night creams, has been banned. However, for eye makeup and cleansers, it is still allowed with a level of no more than 0.007%.

However, the use of mercury other than in these beauty products is considered misuse and is prohibited from being marketed. Even though there is a ban, the public still needs to be more careful because many unscrupulous manufacturers sell mercury-based beauty products online .

These products are usually not registered, do not list BPOM numbers, do not provide clear instructions for use, write product ingredient information in a foreign language, or even do not list any information at all. If you find a product like this, it is best not to buy it.

Health Risks Due to Mercury

The use of mercury in beauty products has been proven to be dangerous and is banned in many countries. This is because this chemical can be easily absorbed by the skin and enter the bloodstream.

Mercury is also corrosive, so its use can make the skin layer thin. In fact, not only does it affect the skin, high mercury exposure can also cause damage to the digestive tract and nervous system.

In addition, mercury also risks disrupting the function of various organs of the body, such as the brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, and the immune system. This is because the entry of mercury into the body can cause mercury poisoning with symptoms including:

• Insomnia
• Decreased cognitive function and memory
• Tremor
• Emotional changes
• Sensory disturbances, including vision, hearing, and speech disorders
• Decreased sense of taste
• Decreased body coordination function
• Numbness and tingling in the hands, feet, or around the mouth

The use of mercury in skin whitening products is also carcinogenic or triggers cancer. Therefore, it is not surprising that the use of mercury can also increase the risk of skin cancer .

In addition to affecting adults, babies and children are also at risk of exposure to mercury and its side effects. When parents use mercury-based products and then come into contact with their children, mercury can stick to their hands and be swallowed when the child sucks their fingers.

Specifically, mercury poisoning in children is called infantile acrodynia or also known as pink disease . This condition can be recognized by the appearance of pain and pink color on the hands and feet.

How to Protect Yourself from Mercury Exposure

As a consumer, you need to be careful in using beauty products, including skin whiteners. Don’t be easily tempted by instant results. Well, so that you don’t get caught in cosmetic products containing mercury, here are things you need to pay attention to:

Check BPOM number

Beauty products are considered safe if they have obtained BPOM permits. So, if the beauty product you buy does not include a BPOM number, do not use the beauty product. If a BPOM number is listed, try to check its validity again through the official BPOM website.

Check the packaging label

Avoid using products with foreign language labels that are not common or that you do not understand. If the packaging label states mercurous chloride, calomel, mercuric , or mercurio , do not buy it or stop using it immediately because it means the product contains mercury.

If you feel exposed to a product containing mercury, immediately wash your hands and wash other areas of your body that were also exposed to the product. If necessary, consult a doctor.

Before disposing of products containing mercury, it is recommended that you put the product in a plastic bag or sealed container and ensure that it does not leak.

You should be careful with skin whitening products that promise white skin in a short time, because it is possible that the whitening product contains mercury. You also need to know the characteristics of a face affected by mercury . Remember, the dangers of mercury cannot be underestimated so you should avoid using it.

For those of you who want to have white skin, you should consult a doctor first to find out and get the right treatment that will not endanger your health.

6 Long-Lasting Makeup Tips for Oily Facial Skin – Long-lasting makeup tips for oily facial skin, the key is using the right skincare before makeup. In addition, makeup techniques also affect the durability of makeup.

For those with oily skin , make-up that fades easily is a common occurrence. You may have to reapply your make-up often to keep it lasting and your face looking fresh. However, this problem can actually be avoided by knowing the tips for long-lasting make-up for oily skin.

Long-Lasting Make-up Tips for Oily Facial Skin

Oil on the face can be hidden by using the right make-up products that suit your skin condition. To make your makeup last longer and be shine-free, make sure the products you use have a special formulation for oily skin, such as matte , oil -free , or shine-free .

Here are some tips for long-lasting make-up for oily facial skin that you can try:

1. Use a primer for oily skin

Before starting make-up, it is better to apply a cleanser with an oil-free label on your face first. After that, use a special primer for oily skin that is oil-free and shine-free ( anti-shine or matte ) on the T-zone of the face, namely the forehead and nose. This step can help make-up stick better and last longer on the face.

2. Choose a moisturizer with a light texture

Long-lasting makeup tips for oily facial skin that are also important is the use of moisturizer. Choose an oil-free moisturizer with a gel texture or water-based that feels light on the skin. Moisturizer in the form of serum can also hydrate the skin without making it look oily.

3. Use sunscreen

Using sunscreen is important to prevent skin damage from the dangers of ultraviolet (UV) rays . Make sure the sunscreen you use is specially formulated for oily skin.

There are also long-lasting makeup tips for oily facial skin in using sunscreen . The method is, after the sunscreen is applied and absorbed into the skin, press the surface of the face with a tissue to absorb the remaining product. After that, you can start using make-up products.

4. Avoid too much exposure to powder

Many people assume that the more powder they use, the more oil-free their face will be. In fact, too much powder can stimulate the pores on the skin to produce more oil and cause clogged pores.

So, if you want to use powder, apply powder only to oily areas and choose the type of powder that has a matte translucent formula .

5. Use setting spray

The next long-lasting makeup tip for oily facial skin is the use of setting spray . This is a liquid-based formula that can be sprayed onto the face after finishing makeup . The function of setting spray is to ensure that makeup remains neat, does not slide, does not fade, and lasts all day.

6. Always have oil paper ready

Oil paper is also a key in long-lasting makeup tips for oily facial skin. So, when you are traveling, make sure to always bring oil paper in your bag. This paper can be a lifesaver when the oil on your face starts to show.

The correct way to use oil paper is to press it gently on the oily area, not rub the oil paper on facial skin.

To remove make-up , avoid using micellar water or make-up remover products that contain oil or alcohol because they can stimulate the skin to produce more oil. Also, use an oil-free facial cleanser made from mild and gentle chemicals.

For facial care to reduce excess oil, you can use a face mask about 2 times a week. Choose a mask made from bentonite clay because this material can absorb dirt and oil from the surface of the face.

Those are various tips for long-lasting make-up for oily facial skin that can be followed. If you still have difficulty applying make-up to oily skin, consult a doctor about the type of make-up products that are suitable for your skin condition. You can consult quickly and easily through the Chat with a Doctor application .

How to Remove Facial Hair Safely and Effectively – Hair that grows on the face often makes a woman less confident. To overcome this, there are several ways to remove facial hair that can be chosen, both naturally and through medical procedures. Each of these methods has its own benefits and risks.

Facial hair growth is a natural condition that can be experienced by anyone, both men and women. However, this condition is generally more common in men.

However, in some women, facial hair can even grow thicker and more visible, often disturbing the appearance. To remove facial hair , there are several ways that can be tried. These methods are natural and can be done independently at home or through certain medical procedures.

How to Remove Facial Hair Naturally

There are several natural ways to remove facial hair independently at home, including:

1. Shaving facial hair

Shaving is the easiest way to remove facial hair. However, many people think that shaving can actually make hair thicker, darker, and grow faster.

In fact, shaving does not make the hair thicker or grow faster. However, shaving does cause hair to grow with blunt ends, so the hair appears clearer and rougher.

Therefore, use shaving cream or moisturizer before shaving to prevent the skin from getting cut or scratched when using a razor.

2. Removing facial hair

Plucking hair using tweezers can also be a way to remove fine hair in the pores of the face . However, this method can take longer and cause pain when the hair or facial hair is removed.

3. Do waxing

Waxing is done by applying wax or a special sugar liquid to the hairy skin surface, then attaching a cloth and pulling it so that the hair can be pulled out. This method is usually used to remove thick and long hair.

Waxing is a method that is considered effective for removing facial hair to the roots. The advantage of waxing is that the skin will feel smoother because it can also remove dead skin cells.

However, this method also carries the risk of causing skin irritation, inflammation, and infection. The waxing method can also cause a stinging sensation.

4. Using an epilator

The way an epilator works is almost the same as waxing , which is removing hair from the roots. However, an epilator does not use wax, but rather a tool that looks like an electric hair clipper.

One of the benefits of using an epilator is that it makes the skin smoother and the results are longer lasting compared to removing facial hair by shaving or plucking facial hair.

If used correctly, removing facial hair with an epilator tends to be more comfortable and less painful. However, using this tool can cause irritation and infection on the face.

5. Using a depilator

Depilatories are lotions, creams, or gels that contain chemicals that can remove facial hair. This method is quite easy to do, inexpensive, and painless.

Although practical, this product has the potential to cause irritation and has an unpleasant odor. If left on the face for too long, depilatories can cause blisters, rashes, and stinging on the face.

Before use, apply the product first on the inner arm and observe the reaction after 2 days. Those with sensitive skin should avoid depilatories because the contents of this product tend to cause irritation.

How to Remove Facial Hair Medically

How to remove facial hair or mustache, especially in women , naturally is easy, but the results tend not to last long. For permanent or longer lasting results, you can choose how to remove facial hair with certain medical procedures, such as:

Laser therapy

Laser therapy is carried out by emitting special light which will be absorbed by the pigment or coloring agent (melanin) in the fur or hair.

When absorbed by hair cells, light energy will be converted into heat so that it can damage the hair roots. After that, these hair roots will inhibit the growth of unwanted hair.

Although effective, the method of removing facial hair using laser therapy carries the risk of causing complications in the form of redness and inflammation. In addition, lasers are also not recommended for people with dark skin tones.

After undergoing laser therapy to remove facial hair, you are also advised to avoid sun exposure and not to use other methods to remove facial hair.

Electrolysis

Electrolysis is a hair removal method that involves inserting a fine needle into the hair follicle or root. An electric current is then passed through the needle to destroy the hair root and stop hair growth.

Compared to other methods, the results obtained through electrolysis tend to be longer lasting. However, it usually takes several sessions of electrolysis procedures to get the desired results.

Electrolysis usually requires repeated treatments over 12–18 months. It also carries some risks, such as infection, keloid formation , and skin discoloration .

How to remove facial hair can be done naturally or medically. However, before choosing how to remove facial hair, consider first the advantages and disadvantages of each method.

If you have difficulty choosing a way to remove facial hair that you find annoying, there’s no harm in consulting a dermatologist about the right method, especially if you have sensitive skin.

3 Causes of Premature Aging and How to Prevent It – “There are several factors of premature aging that need to be known. One of them is the habit of smoking which can cause the skin to be attacked by oxidative stress, so that the skin becomes dry and fine lines appear.”

Jakarta – Aging is a natural process that occurs in everyone, as they get older. However, it is not only caused by natural factors alone, in fact aging can also be caused by other factors, you know .

This condition is known as premature aging , which causes a person to experience physical changes that are not in accordance with their age, making them look older. This condition can certainly affect beauty , thus reducing a person’s self-confidence.

However, it is important to know that premature aging can actually be prevented early on. Therefore, make sure to understand what causes premature aging and how to prevent it. Come on, find out the information here!

Causes of Premature Aging

There are several factors of early aging that need to be known, among others:

1. Smoking habit 

The first factor that causes premature aging is the habit of smoking. Because, the toxins in cigarette smoke will cause the skin to be attacked by oxidative stress. Keep in mind that oxidative stress itself can cause various problems in the body, including the skin. In the skin, damage from oxidative stress can be in the form of dryness, wrinkles, fine lines, and other signs of premature aging.

2. Exposure to excessive sunlight 

Some people often receive excessive sun exposure every day. For example, people who work outdoors, or those who like to sunbathe to get exotic skin. Well, this actually needs to be limited, because excessive UV rays can damage DNA in skin cells. As a result, the skin has the potential to experience various problems, such as wrinkles as a form of premature aging.

3. Genetic influence

There are some very rare genetic conditions that can cause someone to show signs of aging in childhood and early puberty, namely progeria. In addition, Werner syndrome can also cause wrinkled skin, gray hair, and baldness, which develop between the ages of 13 and 30.

Premature Aging Prevention That Can Be Done

Some factors that cause premature aging can actually be prevented, while other factors, such as genetics, cannot be prevented at all. Well, for some factors that can be prevented, here are some recommended  efforts to prevent premature aging :

• Use sunscreen. Wearing sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every day is probably the most important thing you can do to prevent premature signs of aging.
• Remove makeup. If you wear makeup on a daily basis, make sure to remove it before going to bed. Make sure you wash your face twice a day using warm water and a mild cleanser. Also, make sure your face is free of foundation and other residue before going to bed.
• Get enough sleep. It is important to sleep according to the required duration, which is seven to eight hours a day. Because, sleep is very important for the overall health of the body’s organs, including the skin. Because, enough sleep can give the skin time to refresh and renew itself every day.
• Eat healthy foods. Healthy, balanced, nutritious foods can provide all the nutrients your body needs to produce healthy skin cells.
• Stay hydrated. Dehydration can cause wrinkles to appear faster. Therefore, drink 8 glasses of water (2-3 liters) per day to hydrate your body.
• Exercise regularly. Daily exercise improves circulation, which leads to healthier skin.
• Quit smoking. Stopping exposing your skin to the toxins in cigarette smoke can give your skin time to repair itself.

Those are some of the causes of premature aging and how to prevent it. In addition, make sure to pay attention to your overall health. This can be done by checking your health condition regularly.