Apply skin care products properly.
The efficacy of a skin care product varies, depending on the  type of the skin itself. For instance, the degree of aging, underlying fat tissue, elasticity, pigmentation and the amounts of secreted sebum are important factors that can affect the result of a skin care preparation usage. Dietary habits, psychological or hormonal backgrounds and hereditary characteristics can affect the quality of the skin and compromise or not the effectiveness of a skin care course as well.
Another very important matter is the way a skin care product is applied. Since most of the above factors are not changeable, correct usage of a topical preparation is perhaps the only means for a person to maximize the benefits from it.
Every skin care product includes natural or synthetic substances that may be chemically inactive or active. The inactive ones give the characteristic viscosity, whereas the latest provide the properties of the preparation. Thus, the result depends on the biochemical action of the active ingredients. Apparently, the deeper into the skin they are absorbed the more effective they can be. In many cases, how deep this delivery can be depends on the temperature and the moist of the skin itself.
Below, we will try to give you some simple, general information on how to prepare your skin and when to apply a topical product, in order its penetrative ability to be maximized.
 It is important to cleanse your skin, before you apply any cream, ointment or lotion. Cleansing will increase the absorption of the active ingredients and it is necessary, if you have already used some
cosmetic
preparations, such as mascara or eye shadow. Cleansing is also needed, perhaps twice a day or more often, if the skin is oily, in order to prevent any acne occurrence. However, you have to remember you have to do this in moderation. Otherwise you may end up with dry skin. You can use any soap-free products or special cleansers.
While cleansing your face, remove any previous cosmetic stuff by using cotton balls for the areas around the eyes and thicker cotton pads for the rest of the skin dipped in cleansing lotion. Alternatively you can use cleansing milk and soft wipes.
After that, apply plenty of cleansing cream on the skin and do a thorough and gentle massage using your fingertips. If you treat face and throat, start with the lower parts and finish with the upper ones. Avoid any contact with your eyes.
Finally, rinse with lukewarm water, dry gently and apply a toner. The later, although it is not absolutely necessary, will restore the correct pH of your face skin.
Our skin can absorb the maximum amount of active ingredients after a shower or bath, when it is warm and properly moist. Even without having a shower, you can apply on your skin a slightly warm and damp towel to facilitate absorption. Remember that lukewarm is far better than hot water and prolonged bathing can damage skin  because of the excessive exposure to the chlorine, contained in water, unless neutralizing bath salts are added.
Once or twice a week, do some skin chemical peeling by using alpha-hydroxy acids. Mild chemical peeling removes the uppermost part of the very thin epidermis layer called stratum corneum which contains plenty of declined or dead cells. The latest prevent the active ingredients to penetrate the skin deeply. Chemical peeling boosts the absorption of these substances and maximizes the beneficial action of them.
Remember that any use of exfoliators requires a simultaneous application of a good sunscreen, since skin may get sensitive to sunlight exposure.
Spread the any skin care cream, lotion or ointment gently. Do not stretch, rub or fold your skin. Do some very gentle massage by using the hands from the chin towards the cheek bones. Alternatively, do some tapping by using your fingertips only. Do massage with circular and slow movements on the forehead. Cary on for about one minute or until the topical skin care stuff is absorbed.
When you apply a cream on the neck or décolleté, stretch the skin with the other hand but make sure you do this gently. Spread the cream by massaging the treated skin area from the bottom to the top until it is absorbed.
|
