Being homebound has become a necessity. But it is also the ideal time to show some love to your skin and health. The skincare market is booming at present as many of us regularly dedicate more time to skincare. We have highlighted some skin concerns which are specific to women of colour and the different ways to deal with them here.

1.Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation or uneven skin tone is a very common concern among those of colour. Melanin is present in every skin tone, but the darker tones have an excess of it. Often the melanin-producing cells either produce excess or lesser melanin, thus leading to hyperpigmentation. It also occurs from sun exposure, hormonal imbalance and even during the prepartum and postpartum phases.

Treatment

The best way to treat hyperpigmentation is to use a combination of Vitamin C and Sunscreen, according to research. If you are looking to introduce these two powerful products in your skincare routine, look no further and grab our Anti-Ageing Duo, now! This duo can reduce blemishes and target hyperpigmentation along with protecting your skin from sun damage.

2.Acne

For many of us, acne contributed as a major terror in our teenage years and it continues to be so for some adults too. Excess sebum production, dirt and pollution, hormonal changes, hair follicles clogged by oil and dead skin cells are aggravators of acne.

Treatment

To minimize acne, keeping the skin thoroughly clean is the key. If it is not treated in time, eventually it can lead to acne scarring which is even more difficult to remove. Here’s what you can do:

• Use a gentle cleanser in your AM routine and double cleanse your skin at night. Our Daily Duet Cleanser is your one-stop destination for something like this!
• Use a lightweight yet hydrating moisturiser that is suitable for your skin type
• The diet and lifestyle significantly affect the appearance of acne. Avoid fast food and anything too oily or sugary. Instead have more fruits and other vitamin-C, D and E rich food. Dairy can also be the reason for your acne, according to studies
• Drink at least 2-3 litres of water daily

3.Dark Circles

Under-eye dark circles affect every age group and the appearance is even more prominent among women of colour. The skin underneath the eyes is thin and fragile and hence, cannot cover the hyperpigmentation. Staying up late, poor blood circulation and too much screen time majorly impact the appearance of dark circles. For some people, it is a genetic occurrence.

Treatment

To get rid of dark circles, there are a few tricks that you can implement. Targeted skincare is the key to diminishing the appearance of dark circles. The following are the different approaches you may take:

• Changing your lifestyle, getting more sleep, letting go of addictions like smoking or alcoholism are the most effective ways to slowly but surely reduce dark circles
• You can also use under eye creams to massage around the eyes which improve the blood circulation and eventually the under eye dark circles

4.Pollution

Pollution is unavoidable in India and it is also a major cause of damaged skin. The dirt and grime combined with sebum lead to many skin problems like acne and inflammations. Thus, one cannot deny that pollution is a major aggravator to adverse skin issues.

Treatment

The only way to prevent skin damage caused by pollution is a thorough cleansing, moisturizing, and protecting routine daily with products from Foxtale, that can reverse the impact of pollution damage on the skin.

Moreover, when you go out, cover your exposed skin as much as possible. In the present situation, this is a viable option as you have to wear face masks on a daily basis.

5.Stretch Marks

Stretch Marks occur mostly among mature women, but they can also occur at any age for many reasons. Rapidly gaining or losing weight over a short period is a major reason behind the stretch marks. They are not harmful, but many women feel they affect their overall beauty and such feelings often trigger insecurities and body dysmorphia in extreme cases.

Treatment

• Using retinoids, and collagen-rich creams and products dedicatedly can somewhat reduce stretch marks
• There are surgical and cosmetic treatments like skin firmly which also give instant results
• Regular exercises to tone the muscles and skin also helps
• Drinking a lot of water also keeps the skin hydrated and eventually improves the elasticity and thus reduces the stretch marks

6.Razor Bumps

Razor bumps are very common among Indian women of all ages. Getting rid of body hair is a common practice and shaving with a razor is the quickest solution that comes to mind due to the convenience. Unfortunately, it leads to ingrown hair which is especially common among women of colour. It has been witnessed that hair shafts of women of colour are curved, which primarily leads to the problem. Again, it is not harmful but at times, razor bumps can get inflamed and can cause itchiness too.

Treatment

• A safety razor is a good solution to prevent razor bumps
• Also, practice shaving in one direction with shaving cream to avoid this problem
• Laser treatment is a permanent solution to ingrown hair but it may have certain side effects

Thanks to the internet, many cosmetic treatments and dermatological elements have become familiar to us these days. We all love the radiant, glazed airbrush look on models and actresses, and many of us even crave to achieve that perfection. From home remedies to expensive cosmetic treatment, there are ways to achieve this. One such treatment is dermaplaning. It is often confused with face shaving, owing to the methods implemented. But in reality, they are quite different. Let’s find out what sets dermaplaning apart from face shaving.

What is Face Shaving?

Face shaving is the simple act of using facial razors to remove the hair. The result is a slightly cleaner and brighter appearance. The process removes a few dead skin cells as well but not near enough precisely like dermaplaning.

You can easily perform face shaving at home, with a few tricks here and there. However, note that the results are short-termed, and they last only as long as the hairs do not grow back.

What is Dermaplaning? 

Dermaplaning is a professional cosmetic treatment focused on exfoliating facial skin and removing dead skin cells. The tools and methods of wielding them require trained expertise that cannot be performed at home. It helps clean the facial skin at a much deeper level and even remove oil and dirt build-up in the process.

The result is beneficial in many ways. When you go for professional dermaplaning you get:

• Visibly softer and smoother skin
• Brightening of the skin tone as excess dirt, dead cells and other build-ups are removed
• Superficial hyperpigmentation is minimized
• Minor scars are also faded to some extent
• Wrinkles and fine lines are softened

How are these two different?

The primary confusion between the treatments arises as to how the tinkle razors for face shaving look similar to the tools used in professional dermaplaning. In reality, they are very different.

Dermaplaning is performed to scrape off dead skin cells and tiny hair very precisely. The scraping is done only at certain angles to maximize the effectiveness. On the other hand, no such precision is required for face shaving. Also, you can easily shave your face at home, but dermaplaning is only done by professionals.

At home Face Shaving tips

Quite contrary to the myth, face shaving does not make your hair grow back thicker and fuller. If you are trying to get rid of those upper lip hair and other areas of facial hair growth, face shaving is a wise choice. Moreover, it is safe for all skin types.

To get the maximum results here are some tips to follow:

• Use aloe vera gel or any facial oil before you start shaving as a barrier. This makes the razor glide smoothly and limits the chances of cuts
• After shaving, apply a generous amount of moisturizer all over to soothe the skin
• Scrape the razor in the opposite direction of hair growth for maximum result
• Do not keep scraping on the same area multiple times to prevent irritation and wounds
• If you have active acne, scar or inflammation, do not shave at all

Post-shaving and in general, use a high SPF sunscreen whenever you go out

Let’s just agree that Airplanes, although convenient and quick to get around, come with a few challenges. And one of the challenges is dealing with dull, dehydrated skin afterwards. If you don’t protect your skin and take proper measures, you will experience dehydration because of the low humidity levels in the cabin. Research has shown that in long-distance air travels, humidity levels can drop to a whopping 10 per cent, whereas your skin is comfortable within 40-60 percent of humidity levels! This is why ensuring hydrated skin is essential. Here’s how you can do it:

Keep your skin Hydrated and Nourished on a flight with these tips

1 Cleanse well

Although this seems a very obvious and basic thing to suggest, cleansing the right way matters a lot. You must avoid anything drying or stripping that can disrupt the natural oils of your face. Instead, opt for something creamy, gentle, and hydrating.

We highly recommend you to pick our Daily Duet Cleanser which will get all the dirt and grime off your face without being harsh and stripping. Its skin-loving ingredients like Hyaluronic acid, Panthenol, and Red algae deeply clean your skin and leave it feeling softer and brighter without much effort!

2 Keep your skin barrier healthy

The low humidity leads to dryness, dehydration, even inflammation, and this results in disruption of the skin barrier. Hence, it is necessary to use products that have ingredients targeted to support your skin barrier. Incorporate products that have ingredients such as Ceramides, Centella, Panthenol, and Peptides that help support barrier health.

3 Amp up your antioxidants levels

You never know what kind of air you would be dealing with up there, right? So it’s always a good idea to prep and protect your skin beforehand from all the environmental damage. And you can easily do that with the help of a nourishing Vitamin C serum that is enriched with antioxidants.

If you are looking to up your antioxidants, you must check out our C For Yourself Vitamin C Serum. It has a silky, smooth, very hydrating texture that will plump and brighten up your skin, keeping it healthy and protected.

4 Pack a nourishing moisturizer

Since flights have dry air and it can suck out all the moisture from your face, it becomes a necessity to apply topical moisturizer in between. Make sure to pack a travel-friendly moisturizer like our Ceramide Supercream and just slather it whenever and wherever you can to retain moisture. Apart from this, you must also hydrate your skin from within by drinking plenty of water throughout the journey!

5 Don’t forget to carry your SPF

We cannot stress the importance of SPF enough already, and when it comes to skincare while flying, it is the most important. Since you are already closer to the sun while flying, it becomes all the more important to carry your SPF and reapply it every 2 hours. Our Cover Up Sunscreen is a lightweight, feather-like formula that provides broad protection and moisture without any greasiness. It has Vitamin E and Niacinamide to further prevent any free radical and pollution damage.

Skin, the largest organ of our body, is exposed to all the natural as well as artificial adversities around us. Most of us live in cities and have busy lifestyles that demand exposure to the surrounding environment. The rapidly increasing pollution of Indian cities has become a major concern for all as a result. Soot, dust, smoke, and pollutants too small for the eyes to detect, not only harm the skin but also trigger various allergies and health issues.

But skincare practices together with a healthy lifestyle can significantly minimize the effects of pollution on the skin. Read on to find out how it is made possible.

How does pollution affect the skin 

Ever noticed how the texture and overall health of skin vary from one part of India to another? This owes largely to the weather as well as to the pollution level of the region. Moreover, lifestyle and habits also affect the texture of the skin considerably.

 Pollutant particles penetrate the skin layers and cause oxidative stress that can weaken the skin and trigger inflammation. It also accelerates hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone, premature ageing, and wrinkling. In extreme cases, skin problems can take the course of a disease like eczema.

Ways to counteract effects of pollution

A healthier lifestyle along with simple yet healthy habits can significantly counteract the effects of pollution. Here are a few things that work well: 

1.Deep cleansing

You cannot skip the daily, deep cleansing routine if you are largely exposed to urban pollution. Invest in a quality cleanser that is suitable for your skin and capable of deep cleansing. You do not want your skin to be stripped of natural oils either so the cleansing product must be carefully chosen. And this is why our Daily Duet Face Wash is the perfect pick for you. It is meant to unclog pores, remove the dirt along with being very gentle.

2.Incorporate barrier-friendly products

Your skin has a natural moisture barrier that must be nourished to maintain the overall health and suppleness of the epidermal layer. Pollution strips off this moisture that eventually makes the skin dull and even flaky. Using a moisturizer that strengthens the natural moisture barrier is the key to maintaining the balance of your skin.

A product rich in ceramides can prevent environmental irritants from affecting your skin. Our Ceramide Supercream moisturizer is a must-have in your skincare stash to make sure your skin gets all the love it deserves.

3.Include antioxidants in your skincare

Did you know that oxidation leads to premature ageing of the skin? Moreover, it is accelerated when your skin gets exposed to the environmental pollution around you. Antioxidants in your skincare are vital to prevent this deterioration.

A great way to boost up antioxidants in your skincare routine is by including our C For Yourself Vitamin C Serum. It acts as a preventive measure against such damages when used daily. It prevents hyperpigmentation, slows down the effects of sun damage, and also fights off free radicals in the environment, thus brightening the skin.

4.Wear sunscreen

Irrespective of the weather, sunscreen is a must in all seasons. Unlike popular belief, sunscreen should be used indoors, outdoors and even during cloudy weather. The UV rays of the sun can penetrate deep within the skin and lead to various skin troubles even when the sun is not visible.

Our CoverUp Sunscreen that has a high SPF value is ideal for the average Indian weather. It helps to reduce hyperpigmentation and even out the skin tone. Daily use even helps to reverse the effect of pollution over the years.

5.Eat right food

Diet and lifestyle play a vital role in your overall health and beauty. The condition of your health reflects externally on the skin and hair. From stress to digestive trouble, the first sign of the adversities is witnessed on your skin in the form of pimples, dullness, dehydration, and so on.

Omega 3 fatty acids from fish oil, flaxseed, lentils give ultimate protection from air pollution and its effects. The skin is hydrated and refined from within thus gets negligibly affected by the pollutants. Different types of seeds and nuts are also nutritious, especially to counter the effect of pollution. They help to fight the oxidative stress caused by inflammation that results from pollution.

6.Mintain a consistent skincare routine

Last but not least, imbibe skincare like a daily indispensable routine. Keep it short and minimal but use quality products daily. Do not skip the cleansing, moisturizing, and protecting routine under any circumstances.

You will be surprised to notice the difference it makes over the months. Moreover, your regular skincare routine provides the nourishment your skin needs to recover from the damages caused by the environment.