…..Continuation

We’ve redefined skin care. The words “antiaging” and “younger” have been banished to a beauty-marketing black hole. We’re no longer suckers for every so-called breakthrough brand, miracle ingredient or 14-step exotic regimen of products. Instead, we just aim to look healthy, well rested and fresh. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for mature skin for two good reasons. First, grownup complexions — like our hair (quality, texture and color) and bodies (shapes, sizes and proportions) — do differ. Second, your complexion’s not shy now about revealing the effects of genes and your history of sun damage, smoking, poor diet and lazy skin maintenance. Here are 10 things for all to know, get into and avoid

3. Sandwich sunscreen after all skin care and before makeup

If you’re using a moisturizer-sunscreen hybrid, see item 1. If your day moisturizer does not have a sunscreen, apply one after serum, eye cream and moisturizer but before primer (if you use one), foundation and the rest of your makeup. FYI: A physical sunscreen with zinc or titanium oxide (aka mineral or natural sunscreen) blocks UVA/UVB rays and deflects them; a chemical sunscreen (with ingredients like oxybenzone, octinoxate, octisalate and avobenzone) absorbs rays like a sponge. Which one to use requires some experimentation on your part. Choose a sunscreen that feels compatible with your other face products, is undetectable on your skin (regardless of skin tone), and doesn’t cause makeup to separate, streak or slide off.

 

4. Cleanser should never leave skin feeling tight, greasy, sticky or dry

That’s where we often slip up, and it affects the efficacy of all your skin-care products and makeup. Select a cleanser that makes your skin feel soft, supple and clean. It might be a bar soap, liquid, milk, foam, gel or cream. Trendy micellar water contains tiny balls of oil molecules suspended in water and, in my opinion as a beauty expert, is better for a light cleanse and for those who wear minimal makeup or have sensitive skin. At night double cleanse using a separate makeup remover (wipes are great) to kindly but thoroughly get makeup and sunscreen off and out of pores. You’d be surprised how much residue is left if you don’t. It’s essential if you wear any combo of full-coverage face makeup, concealer blush, bronzer, waterproof mascara, eye shadow and liner and sunscreen.

 

To be continued .