Self Care Edition: 9 steps for a professional cleanse at home

Products you need to relax at home

These strange times don’t seem to get to an end, the weather changes and it gets colder outside with the day. More than ever people need to take care of their mental health.

On the internet you can find many options that fits your needs, but one option that nobody can live without is a pampering moment!

 

Invest time in yourself

Being mindfull while taking your makeup off every evening is already a pampering moment.

Put your phone away, play a calm song and enjoy cleansing your skin.

Also plan one moment every week to have an EXTRA BIG pampering moment with scrubs, masks, candles, etc. Whatever your heart desires!

 

| Picture from Pexels |

Use the correct skin care products

Follow the right skincare routine

Some people apply the first product they see on their skin. No judgement from me, but if you do so, realise you won’t have the desired effect.

See yourself as a painter and your skin as a wall. Would you apply your primer or your topcoat on your wall first? Does your wall only need one color layer, only the primer or only the top coat?

No, absolutely not. If you would do so, your client (aka your future self) won’t be happy with the result!

That is why the painter has a chronological order to follow: first the primer, 2 layers of color and at the end the top coat.

Ofcourse in no way, the application of products on your skin goes in the same order as painting your walls. Read further for the correct chronological skincare routine!

Also did you know that the skin is the biggest organ of your body? Which means it needs the biggest care, in the most thoughtfull way with the best products fitting to your skin type.

 

Let’s start with taking care of your beautiful self:

 

1) Cleansing

First off start with the cleanser, even if you didn’t applied any make-up.

You would be surprised how many dirt and toxic substances collected in your pores and on your skin just from walking outside without makeup on!

Cleansing a full face makeup:

1. Cleanse with a gel, foam or milk cleanser

I use the 2 fase HY-ÖL cleanser of Babor.

 2. Cleanse with micellar water on a cotton pad

You will be surprised how many makeup still comes off your face. I use the micellar water of Avène. This was advised from my dermatologist when I was struggling with acne a year ago. Only been using this one ever since.

 

Important disclaimer:

Only use warm water during the entire cleansing proces.

 

Application:

Every day – morning and evening

 

Cleansing products

 

 

 

2) Tonic

Your pores are completely opened because of cleansing. The tonic will close them and repair the skins surface PH Levels to normal. Tonic also activates the products you will use after this step, it will make it easier for the upcoming products to penetrate into your skin.

Application: make a cotton pad wet, push the excessive water out between both your hands and apply the tonic on the lightly wet cotton pad. Dap the product on your skin (do not rub it on!), this will boost the pores to close.

 

 

Application:

Every day – morning and evening

 

Tonic - Lotion

 

 

 

3) Peeling/scrub

Before applying products with ingredients on your skin, you have to remove the dead skin cells. They are lying on your skin and blocking your pores from breathing.

Peeling or scrubbing every week prevents possible breakouts. The dead skin cells are blocking your pores and preventing your skin from breathing and getting cleansed properly.

 

For peeling I use the clinique cleanser.

I also have a cleanser with scrub and a mask with scrub, for skipping this step when I have less time.

Application:

1x/week

 

Scrub

 

 

 

4) Ampoule

Ampoules are different from serums. They are like a serum but with much stronger, concentrated and activated ingredients.

It is strongly advised to only use this once a month because of the strong and very concentrated ingredients. Otherwise this could have the opposite effect.

Babor has an ampoule ‘week-program’ where you need to use an ampoule every single day for seven days straight. During the summer I used two of these sets in July and August. This has extremely improved my acne skin and has accelerated my healing process.

The set also includes a special opener for the glass container, which makes it much easier and reduces the risk of cutting yourself on the glass while opening.

The liquid is very watery and needs to be massaged into the skin. Apply a few drops on your fingers and massage it into the entire face. When most product is absorbed, restart this proces until all the liquid is absorbed into the skin.

More information about the differences between ‘ampoule >< essences >< serums’ can be found on Kryzuy.com

Application:

1x/month

 

Ampoules

 

 

 

5) Mask

Next step is applying the mask. The reason why you should apply the mask after the ampoule is because the mask will enhance the absorption of the ampoule into the skin.

There are many different types of masks on the market with different functions:

hydrating, remove excess oils, clarifying, lifting, firming, brightening, illuminating, etc.

This wide range also makes it harder to choose the type you need and the brand that fits best to your skin needs. If wanted you can combine 3 masks on your skins; a clay mask on the T-zone and a hydrating mask on the cheeks.

I always go for Kedma, Rituals, Caudalie and GlamGlow.

Apply a mask with your fingers or a brush and leave it on for max. 15 minutes, except for a night mask which you need to leave on all night. Rinse it off with warm water and dap your skin dry with a clean towel.

Application:

1x/week

 

Mask

 

 

 

6) Eye cream

Once you cleansed the mask off, it’s time for the last products to boost your skin.

First start with an eye cream.  Eye creams will decrease fine lines or wrinkles and will prevent grains under the eyes. If you do have grains under the eyes, let them be removed by a beautician. This is a very delicate and precise job and beauticians are qualified to remove them.

Most eye creams contain collagen ingredients to boost the renewal process of the skin and to reduce upcoming fine lines or wrinkles.

Apply a very small amount on your finger. Apply one dot on every sleep and make circles with your ring finger from the inner to the outer corners to massage it in.

Application:

Every day in the evening

 

Eye Cream

 

 

 

7) Serum

A serum is like an ampoule but with much less concentrated ingredients. A serum still has a high level of active ingredients and absorbs really quickly into the skin. It has a more gel texture that is oil-like once applied to the skin, whereas an ampoule is more watery.

Some serums can feel greasy, only use these when you are in an environment where the air is dry. Oily skins better use a light, hydrating and fast drying serum.

Serums are made for very specific skin issues such as dark spots, wrinkles, scars, etc. which will make results visible very fast. There also exist serums to improve certain skin renewal processes with specific ingredients like Vitamin A.

Serums always come with a pump or a dropper. Only use one pomp or a few drops and softly massage it into the skin.

TIP Always wait a few minutes before moving on to the next step to have the best results. The skin needs to fully absorb the product for the best result.

Application:

Every day – morning and/or evening

 

Serum

 

 

8) Tonic

Once all the necessary high concentrated products are absorbed, it’s time for the tonic again. As I said before the tonic will close the pores again (they have re-opened because of using all the warm water and products.) Tonic will also repair the skins surface PH Levels to normal and help  the day/night cream to penetrate deeper into your skin.

Again apply the tonic on a lightly wet cotton pad as described before.  and dab it onto the skin.

 

 

Application:

Every day – morning and evening

 

Tonic

 

 

 

9) Day cream/night cream

Last but definitely not least; the cream. The consistency can vary depending on the brand. One is more creamy, more oily or lightweight. The consistency also vary depending on if it’s a day or a night cream.

Day creams are mostly lightweight. It has to absorb quickly and shouldn’t feel heavy on the skin. Night creams are often more heavy and thick of consistency, they also contain more active ingredients to penetrate into the skin all night long.

Use an amount like a small nut and massage it really good into the skin. (Always use strokes that goes away from the heart, this improves the drainage of your lymph nodes.)

TIP If you have an oily or an acne skin (acne skins doesn’t necessarily are oily), try to avoid the thick consistencies. They block your pores and prevent your skin from breathing and healing.

Application:

Every day – Daycream in the morning & night cream in the evening

 

Face Cream