Skin Diaries
Everything you need to know about Hyaluronic Acid
Scientifically Hyaluronic acid (HA) is humectant - a natural substance that attracts and retains moisture. It acts as a cushion around the joints and other tissues in our body. Aesthetically, it is the holy grail that gives your skin the structure, plumpness and natural glow especially for your face. Along with other active ingredients and acid, the million dollar question is if HA is worth the hype? External Hyaluronic Acid found in skin care products is primarily made by bacteria in a lab via a process called biofermentation. Essentially, hyaluronic acid promotes hydration and has the unbelievable ability to retain moisture. Hyaluronic acid is a key ingredient for people with dry skin and dehydrated skin (Yes, there is a difference according to our previous blog post). People with dry skin, are recommended to use moisturizers or serum containing HA for a more hydrating look on the surface. Do bear in mind that topical HA will provide hydration on a surface level, not deep within the skin. Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid: Naturally well tolerated as it is also found in our body; Usually does not cause allergic reactions Does not irritate sensitive skin; Promotes anti-aging Smooths skin texture Helps treat wounds and reduce risk of infections Safe to use on the skin during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Furthermore, the production of key substances in the skin like hyaluronic acid decreases as we age. As a result, our skin is more susceptible to wrinkles and sagging if not taken care of properly. Times like these, individuals start searching up for collagen, but hyaluronic acid is the safer bet for the hydration, volume and plumpness you would want in your skin. HA isn’t just a fad ingredient, but a staple for your skin care routine. Here are some products integrated with Hyaluronic Acid for your skin care routine : Thankfully, The Mineraw has just the products you can use with HA properties:
Learn moreDehydrated vs Dry Skin
The road to channeling your inner skin enthusiast is to learn the difference between dehydrated and dry skin first. (They are not the same!) Dehydrated skin can happen to anyone regardless of their skin type be it oily skin, combination skin or dry skin. It is the literal definition of your skin lacking water. Dehydrated skin often makes an individual’s face look dull and symptoms of ageing. How to figure out if you have dehydrated skin? Look out for signs as stated below: darker under-eye circles, or tired eye appearance itchiness skin dullness more sensitive fine lines and wrinkles On the contrary, dry skin is associated with the oil producing glands across the face and the amount of sebum produced that isn’t enough, leaving the skin dry and flaky. This causes the skin barrier to fail in retaining moisture and fight against aggressors. Dry skin is a skin type which can be easily identified with a tight and flaky appearance. scaly appearance white flakes redness or irritation increased incidence of psoriasis, eczema, or dermatitis DEHYDRATED SKIN DRY SKIN Caused by external factors such as weather Caused by internal factors such as oil glands Occurs to all skin types Is a skin type Short term remedy in order to store hydration back to the face Long term skin care routine as we are addressing skin type concerns Combatting dry and dehydrated skin is necessary and requires ingredients to help retain moisture and hydrate your skin. Here are a few recommended products for you to try : DEHYDRATED SKIN DRY SKIN Get your products now and protect your skin barrier with us:
Learn moreSkin Purging - It's not all bad
According to many people, one of the reasons they fail to start a skincare routine or revamp their current routine is because they experience skin purging. It is usual for one to sometimes experience an adverse reaction like an increase in breakouts or dry, flaky skin when introducing new products to the skin. Although our natural instinct is to stop using these products at times, these products may also lead to a positive skin result. Thus, it is significant to recognize the difference between skin purging from other breakouts. A skin purge refers to the reaction some skin has commonly to products containing retinols and acids. These specific ingredients are known to speed up the natural process of exfoliation and cause your skin to shed off more dry skin cells than its usual rate, regenerate new skin cells sooner than they would on their own, which can bring blockages to the surface and cause irritation and breakouts. Here’s how we differentiate skin purging from other breakouts : Skin Purging Breakouts Duration Lasts up from 4-6 weeks It could go on for months Location Appears on regular breaking out areas At random, sometimes at new areas of the face Symptoms Whiteheads, blackheads, papules, cysts, dryness, peeling, or flaking Whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules, nodules, cystic lesions Ingredients Glycolic acid Lactic acid Salicylic acid Retinol Acetylated Lanolin Algae Extract Benzaldehyde D&C Red Could vary for individuals according to skin sensitivity It is vital to identify the reactions on your skin and choose your ingredients wisely before applying them to your face. Just like watching your food habits for a healthy diet, the skin care products ingredients and indicators help us understand our skin needs to treat them better. If you do realise the products are causing a regular breakout, do take necessary action and consult an expert before trying another product. We would also recommend the skin buffer method as a cherry on top for those of you introducing special ingredients like retinol to your skincare routine. It is advised for individuals to start from the lowest concentration when getting retinols in order to test it with your skin sensitivity with minimal reactions. The skin buffer method encourages you to slowly phase in new products by using them on alternate days for 2 weeks. As time goes on, you can identify the products compatibility with your skin and alter the usage amount accordingly. It is also advised for individuals to use retinols after applying your moisturiser as it would control the absorption rate to your skin instead of direct application to your face. Here are some recommended clean & vegan skin care products for you to start right:
Learn moreLove Your Skin
Oftentimes, we forget our skin is the largest organ that acts as a mirror reflecting our inner self. The foundation to an effective skin care routine does not start from a wide range of expensive products or a one-size-fits all routine that is similar to the models and influencers out there, if only it was that simple :)
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