When she looks back at herself a decade ago, skinfluencer Ria Biyani (@rithink_skin) wishes she could give her younger self two major tips. First and foremost: it’s okay to have acne. Your acne doesn’t define who you are as a person. Next up? When you do, keep your hands off. “I wish I knew that picking, popping & scrubbing at my face would not make my acne disappear overnight or ever. And I wish I knew that it was a better idea to get the right kind of help from the right person instead of being my own doctor.” Now, after learning the hard way, the beauty influencer takes the same approach to the skin and portrays it through her content—keeping things real through every reel, photo and video she shares. Ria spoke to Foxtale about how she does that, why she relies on her skincare routine and what her favourite beauty wishes would be.

“For me, beauty means happiness and growth, being able to respect yourself and empathise with others and finding pleasure in the little things,” she says.

I think about __ a lot.

The impact of the unachievable beauty standards we have grown up with, about the mental & social impact these beliefs and taboos have had on young impressionable men & women and continue to have today. I also think about how I can facilitate change for the future generations so they can grow up to be kinder & more accepting of everyone around them.

What place does skincare have in your life?

Skincare is my place of solace. When I’m doing my skincare routine, it’s where I feel most connected with myself and my thoughts. Taking those few minutes out of my day to pamper and love myself gives me the confidence I need to be myself. I’ve had a full 360 degree journey with my skin, and I was ashamed of it for years. I thought I needed to hide it from the world because it made me feel ugly. So when I finally found the mental acceptance & the right combination of products that actually worked to keep my skin healthy, it changed how I perceive myself & gave me this confidence that I never knew I had.

What is your AM skincare routine?

My routine is always focused around protecting and hydrating my skin. I usually cleanse in the shower, with a gel-based non-stripping cleanser. Then I use a mist or a toner to rehydrate. Next, I apply an antioxidant-rich serum (I like Vitamin C!) because it helps with pigmentation, which is one of my biggest skin concerns and then go in with a lightweight, gel moisturiser. And I never skip sunscreen—3 finger lengths of the product to cover my face and neck, and then an SPF-based lip balm on my lips. I love using ice rollers in the morning to wake myself up. I always have one in the freezer and on days I feel puffy, tired or sleepy, I use it for 2-3 mins on my face.

Hyperpigmentation is one of the most common skincare issues faced by Indian women and women of colour – read what we have to say here!

You have just a minute to grab your 5 favourite beauty products before you leave for a month-long vacation. What are you carrying?

Sunscreen, cleanser (a 2-in-1 cleanser that removes light makeup & gives a deep cleanse), moisturizer, concealer and a lip tint.

Instagram is a treasure trove for the newest products and trends. What are you obsessing over right now?

An Instagram famous product I really want to try is the Glow recipe Niacinamide Dew Drops. It looks like the perfect mix of skincare and makeup with beautiful packaging. A trend I’ve tried—but still haven’t mastered—is the bold coloured graphic liner look. I feel like they’re simple but still so playful, and can instantly switch up a look.

If a genie could grant you three beauty wishes, what would you wish for?

A lifetime supply of sunscreen, for my skin to always look healthy and dewy, and for my hair to never be frizzy & always look blow dried with zero effort.

If you had to create a skincare product (that doesn’t exist yet!) what would it be?

I’d create an all in one hydrating tinted moisturizer/ serum/ essence which intensely hydrates each layer of your skin. It should have brightening + anti-aging + barrier supporting ingredients and must have a lot of antioxidants too. The texture would be a creamy lightweight gel-cream that absorbs easily and doesn’t feel tacky or sticky. It should have an almost non-existent but subtle fresh scent that disappears quickly. I’d choose a dual pump type packaging. One side would be tinted with SPF, and the other side would be un-tinted and could be used as an eye cream as well.

What’s your evening skincare routine like?

My evening skincare is where I like to use my actives and focus on repairing & regenerating my skin. I usually always double cleanse—an oil based cleanser followed by a water based cleanser. I examine my skin and see if there are any concerns I specifically want to target and pick products based on those concerns. Then I apply 2-3 layers of toner depending on the consistency, and next, I apply a hydrating/ barrier supporting serum. Then I apply my active if I am using one that night—usually an AHA, BHA, retinoid or acne treatment.

I only use one active on any given day to avoid overwhelming my skin. And there are days where I skip this step altogether. Next I use a thicker barrier-supporting moisturizer mixed with a lightweight oil. I like to follow some kind of weekly timetable at night, so I’ll exfoliate 2 times a week, use a retinoid 2 times a week and for the remaining days I focus on hydration & moisture.

You have just one skincare tip to share with your best friends. What are you telling them?

Wear your damn sunscreen. Everyday. Rain or shine, indoors or outdoors. It’s important to get into the habit of applying sunscreen regularly so you don’t have to think about it everyday and it just comes naturally to you.

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Want to know how to add Ria’s tips in your routine in the best way possible? Do you have more questions about how you can create a routine just like hers? Click on the WhatsApp icon to chat with us!

For different people, having a skincare routine could mean many different things. For some, it could mean a 10 step routine with a face mask, jade roller and toner, but for others, it could just mean a quick application of a lotion in the AM. The truth is that it could be both—your skincare routine is individual to you, and no way is better than the other. If you are a beginner at skincare, here is the most basic and least intimidating guide to help you create a routine

Step 1 – Cleanse

Cleansing is the very first step of creating a skincare routine, whether you are a beginner or an expert. Washing your face is non-negotiable, and dermatologists say it is the most important skincare step, bar none. You’ll want to use a cleanser of your choice in the AM and at night (unless you have super dry or sensitive skin, in which just plain water works for the morning) and make sure you’re getting off all the grime, makeup, dust and pollution. Most cleansing products have some kind of surfactant, which emulsifies to break down and absorb oil and dirt so it can be whisked away. But note that it doesn’t have to leave your skin squeaky clean—just balanced.

When choosing a cleanser, you’ll want to look for one that’ll work for your skin type.. For most skin types, oil cleansers work as a great first step, particularly if you’re double cleansing. The concept of putting oil to get rid of oil may not make sense, but oil attracts oil, so it is a gentle way of removing pore-clogging debris—including waterproof makeup—without drying your skin. These are the second step cleansers you’ll love.

Skin Type	Cleanser Type	Ingredients to Include
Dry	Cream	Barrier-boosting Ceramides and Glycerin
Oily or Acne Prone	Gel or Foam	Purifying, deep-cleansing Lactic Acid and Salicylic Acid
Dehydrated	Cream, Lotion or Gel	Humectants like Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium PCA

Step 2 – Moisturize

When you put it on, a moisturiser or hydrator will plump up your skin, leaving it looking softer, brighter and more supple. In the long run, these products prevent moisture loss and bolster the skin barrier, making skin more elastic and less prone to fine lines. For those with dry skin, this step is non-negotiable. But pros say that it is just as important to balance oily skin—no matter how greasy or acne-prone you may be, dehydrated skin is always irritated. If your face wash or toner over-dries your skin, your skin will compensate by producing more oil in return.

Most balancing products contain these ingredients, all of which have different functions:

1. Humectants pull water from the surface of the skin and the environment into the deeper layers, so it acts like a moisture magnet. The most common ones are hyaluronic acid and glycerin. 
2. Emollients—like cocoa butter and shea butter—fill in any cracks in the epidermis. 
3. Occlusives (like lanolin and cetyl alcohol) form a protective barrier to prevent transepidermal moisture loss. 

If your skin feels parched, tight or irritated, it’s likely craving hydration. Serums, ampoules and essences with humectants can tackle water loss at the deepest level, after which a rich, whipped emollient cream and an oil can keep it all in. If your skin is oily or combination, look to light serums that hydrate, and non-comedogenic lotions or creams that’ll feel silky, light and comfortable.

Always protect

Sunscreen is, hands down, the most important skincare product of all in your AM repertoire. You’ll want to slather it on everyday—whatever you have planned—so the formula you choose should be one you really love. Chemical sunscreens work like a sponge to absorb UV rays and break them down to make them less harmful. Physical sunscreens sit on the surface of the skin and deflect the sun’s rays, while combination formulas have the benefits of both. You can read more about why we think SPF is the star of the show.

Add in actives

Once you have your basic skincare steps down, you can add in actives that work to brighten, mattify and anti-age. An exfoliator is a good addition, so you can include an alpha hydroxy acid, beta hydroxy acid or retinol into your routine one to four times a week to slough off excess buildup on the skin’s surface. Need a boost of brightness? Add in a Vitamin C serum. Struggling with fine lines? Reach for a retinoid to tighten and improve collagen production. It is best to layer these in slowly, and allow your skin to get used to all the newness before adding too much in too quickly. Trust the process—you’ll want to take it as slow as possible to see the best results.

Skincare can be so confusing. We are happy to help you create a skincare routine from scratch! Reach out to us anytime by using our WhatsApp button!

There’s nothing more annoying than an ill-timed zit, especially before a big first date or important meeting. And when it pops up, you’ll do anything to make it gone. 

What is a breakout?

A breakout refers to non-inflammatory spots like blackheads and whiteheads (open and closed comedones) and inflammatory ones, like papules, pustules and deeper cysts. They have a similar life cycle, but might stop at different stages or stay in phases for longer or shorter periods. It really starts a few days before it actually shows up on the skin. Usually, a blackhead or whitehead gets infected due to hardened sebum, dead skin cells and bacteria that all percolate into the pore. 

When your skin feels red or you feel a slight bump under the skin…

This is the first step. The sebaceous glands have ramped up oil production, and they’re clumping up and mixing with dead skin cells and bacteria. If you want to try to stop it from coming to the surface at all (which is what we all want to do!) wash your face with a salicylic acid spiked cleanser to ensure that any external bacteria or makeup doesn’t make it worse. Then, reach for a cube of ice or an ice roller and apply it to the area for 5-10 minutes as often as you can throughout the day. Cold temps reduce inflammation, by constricting the blood vessels and soothing down any swelling. Then, target bacteria by applying a benzoyl peroxide spot treatment—it degrades and releases oxygen, which kills p.acnes in the area.

When it gets to a bump on the surface of the skin with a white tip…

If the inflammation is too much, you may not have been able to stop it in its tracks. White blood cells rush to the area to break down the bacteria, which transforms the papule into the pustule, which is filled with pus. It might feel red and hot, and may hurt too. This kind of breakout is difficult to cover with makeup too, so you’ll want to get rid of it ASAP, but don’t pop! Popping makes it worse, pushing bacteria deep into the pores and making acne worse in the long run. Instead, use a spot treatment and layer all the acne-fighting heavyweights for the best results.

Apply a salicylic acid based serum or cream, which is able to remove excess oil from the skin surface and improve dead cell breakdown. Then, apply a thin layer of benzoyl peroxide to nix bacteria, and smooth hydrocortisone to the area to reduce redness and inflammation. 

When it’s painful, hard and under the surface…

A blind pimple can be really painful, and in this case, a warm compress is a good pick. The heat can open up pores, which draws the pimple closer to the skin’s surface and creates a head. The formation of this head enables the sebum, dead skin cells and bacteria to exit. A hydrocolloid patch will also help protect it at this step—it’ll soak up all the excess pus on the surface while creating a moist, clean environment for healing. Plus, it’ll stop you from popping too.

When it scabs up…

As the infection heals, the inflammation may start to go down. The area may feel itchy and uncomfortable, but this is good. It means that the red, pustular skin is being replaced by new, healthy skin, and exfoliation is in process. At this point, it is best to moisturize and protect the skin—ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, fatty acids and niacinamide are a good idea.