You Glow, Girl!

MOD goes into deep on the evolution of skin care. Plus, tried-and-tested secrets to at-its-cleanest-and-brightest skin.

By Katherine Sy Cancio

CLEAR skin has a roster of benefits that may make dealing with life’s daily complexities easier.  In the real world, feeling good does have something to do with looking good. The right amount of proper skin care can give an instant boost to your confidence not because you’ve succumbed to your need for vanity, but because fabulously healthy skin shows you know how to take care of yourself. 

SKIN DEEP

THE first human attempts to protect and care for skin go back to the 4th millennium B.C. Herbs, roots, and leaves were the earliest forms of organic skin care products. These plants were easily accessible and it was only logical that our ancestors made use of these natural resources to treat skin problems.

The oldest methods of skin care came from the Egyptians. They concocted beauty formulas from ostrich eggs, milk,   olive oil, bullock’s bile, rose hips, jojoba (a shrub grown  for the liquid wax in its seeds), and witch hazel (an ornamental plant). The famous Queen Thuthu used Egypt’s local herbs  and oils in her beauty regimen. In her tomb, a box was found containing a pumice stone for smoothing rough skin, a bronze dish for mixing ingredients for her eye shadow, and three cosmetic pots for making her own skin care, henna, perfumes, and creams. It is said that Cleopatra took frequent milk baths, which render skin softer and smoother because of lactic and alpha hydroxy acids.

Egyptians were also believed to have experimented with sandpaper for smoothening scars, and used arsenic on the skin to kill cancer, making them the first civilization to use chemical treatment.

Ancient Greeks learned from their Egyptian counterparts. They were the first society to ever link beauty to physical well-being. The great Greek physician and father of modern medicine, Hippocrates of Kos, developed the science of dermatology. Another renowned Greek physician, Celcius, introduced the use of aloe vera as soothing lotion and natural acne treatment. Nowadays, aloe vera is still a popular beauty ingredient that can be found on today’s latest beauty labels.

The Romans, too, practiced the earliest methods for beauty and skin care. They used myrtle (a plant with leaves that contain fragrant oil) and walnut husk to dye their hair. For eye makeup, they used kohl, and rubbed roots on their cheeks for a rosier appearance. Galen, doctor to Emperor Marcus Aurelius, invented the first cold cream.    

    Filipinos took to kalamansi to lighten their skin. With its acidic and soluble qualities, kalamansi, also known as Citrus microcarpa, penetrates the skin and loosens the bonds that hold the dead skin cells together, revealing fresher and smoother skin. Aside from being a good exfoliant, it’s also a good acne remover. The kalamansi is cut into two and applied directly on acne or acne scar.

THE ADVENT OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY

Dermatologists in the 1800s started to use chemicals to remove facial wrinkles and scars. By 1900s, Phenol peels came to be known as an acne scar treatment. Trichloracetic acid peels became a trend in the ‘50s and ‘60s, as well as lasers that use light to treat skin conditions. Dermabrasion was introduced in the ‘70s and ‘80s, followed by chemical peeling through combining alpha hydroxy acid and other chemicals.

Today, there are more options for women who want more radiant skin. Recent breakthroughs include lasers for skin tightening, scar revision, stretch marks, and other rejuvenating systems.

skinsmarts

• You are what you apply. What goes on your skin is as important as what goes into your diet. Take extra caution when choosing products for your skin. Not all brands out there can live up to their promises. Consult your dermatologist on your specific skin care needs and the best options.  

• It pays to be smart. Try to learn more about ingredients the products claim to have. It never hurts to do some research on formulas you intend to slather on your skin.

• Save some bucks. There are natural home remedies that may save you time and money. Recipes for organic toners and exfoliants are widely available on the Internet, and books about natural skin care solutions have long been on the shelves.

• Health is wealth. Nothing beats a healthy lifestyle for attaining beautiful skin. Eat right and don’t underestimate the power of water and enough sleep.

• Have the right attitude. You may have all the beauty products in the world to treat every skin flaw. But having the right attitude exudes positive vibes inside and out. As they always say, beauty is more than skin deep.

NO-FAIL HABITS TO A FLAW-FREE FACE

Every woman deserves to get the most beautiful complexion. She just needs to know how.

Here are the top keys to a clean and clear face:

Cleansing. Ideally, this should be done twice a day: once in the morning, and once before bedtime. Never sleep with the makeup on. Choose the appropriate sort of facial cleanser for your skin type. Facial skin cleansers are available for various skin types. A product line can have a specific solution for oily, dry, normal, or sensitive skin. Use only the tips of your fingers when cleansing the face. Be gentle and use upward circular strokes.

Toning. It helps remove residual dirt on your face. Doing so also restores the skin’s PH level or measure of acidity. Not only does it clear the face, it may also even out skin tone and help minimize pores. Toners come in assortments. Most toners are called astringents or facial lotions, which contain water, alcohol, witch hazel, and benzoyl peroxide.

Exfoliation. Your skin renews at a regular pace, but it requires help with sloughing out the dull outermost layer. Simply put, exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells to keep skin looking young. This may be done chemically or mechanically. Facials, microdermabrasions, and chemical peels all include exfoliation.

With mechanical exfoliation, dead skin cells are rubbed off with an abrasive-like microfiber cloths, adhesive exfoliation sheets, sugar, salt crystals, and pumice. Chemical exfoliation, which may be done at home, involves formulas that have salicylic acid, glycolic acid, fruit enzymes, and citric acid. High concentrations should be applied by medical professionals, while those in low concentrations are available as over-the-counter products. It’s best to seek medical advice to help you decide which kind of exfoliation suits you. There are natural ingredients like oatmeal and muscovado sugar that have exfoliating properties and are safe to use at your convenience.

Moisturizing.  Moisture is a beneficial component in skin care. Treatment of dry skin, protection of sensitive skin, and improvement of skin tone and texture are the usual indications for moisturizing. Daily moisturizing keeps your skin hydrated, soft, and supple. For oily skin, water-based moisturizers that are noncomedogenic or won’t cause acne are recommended.