Pores: the origin of healthy skin
What pores are and how they function
Our skin is full of pores that allow us to regulate our temperature and also expel the sebum we need to create the hydrolipidic mantle that protects and hydrates us naturally.
Why pores become clogged and how to avoid it
Throughout the day, especially on the face, we generate sweat, oil, and squalene, which is essential for keeping the skin hydrated and protected, but like everything in life: in excess, it is not good. Added to this is a necessary natural process, which is the shedding of dead skin cells to make way for new ones, but what happens when all this matter combines? The pore becomes clogged and eventually enlarges by up to 300%.
Are there more elements? Yes, there are. To this, we must add other external factors that influence it: makeup and pollution, which end up affecting the state of the skin itself.
To maintain proper facial skin hygiene without entering into the exfoliation process, we recommend performing a double cleanse.
The Japanese Double Cleanse: the ritual that transforms your skin
Recommended for all skin types due to its benefits, it is necessary to adapt it to the needs of each skin type. This cleansing process will allow us to leave the hair follicle in optimal condition. Here we detail the steps:
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Makeup removal:
this process allows us to eliminate residues such as makeup, excess sebum, and sunscreen filters. There are different types of products for this.
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Cleansing:
this part allows us to carry out a deep cleanse, ensuring we remove all impurities and regulate excess sebum; as every skin has specific needs, we must choose the one that best suits ours.
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Toning:
why a third phase? Concluding this cleanse with a toner will allow us to rebalance the skin so that it is more receptive. In this step, we will let the toner act on the skin, balancing and purifying it for ideally about 5 minutes.
How to adapt the double cleanse to your skin type:
Depending on the time of day we perform the cleanse, we recommend completing the treatment with a serum and/or moisturizer and sunscreen, depending on our specific needs.
Toners: much more than toning.
What a toner is and what it is for
From the Greek tonikòs (referring to tone), a toner is an often underestimated product in facial care routines that has multiple benefits. Cosmetic toners have been fundamental elements in facial care routines for decades. Among other things, it helps to purify the skin, stimulate our face, achieve toned and fresh skin, and reduce pore size thanks to its ingredients. Its main function is to prepare the skin to receive subsequent treatments, balancing the pH and providing additional benefits depending on its active ingredients.
Adding a toner to your facial routine is essential for several key reasons that contribute to the health and appearance of the skin.
Firstly, toners act as the intermediate step between facial cleansing and the application of treatment products. After cleansing the skin, toners remove traces of makeup, dirt, and excess oil that might remain, ensuring that the pores are completely free of impurities.
This not only improves the efficacy of the products applied afterward but also promotes better absorption of the active ingredients in those products, thereby maximizing their benefits.
How toner balances pH and boosts hydration
Furthermore, toners help balance the skin's pH. The skin has a slightly acidic pH, around 5.5, which is important to maintain for optimal barrier function. Facial cleansers can temporarily disrupt this balance, especially if they are alkaline. Toners help restore the skin's natural pH after cleansing, which is crucial for maintaining healthy skin that is resistant to irritation.
Another important reason to use a toner is its ability to hydrate and prepare the skin for the absorption of moisturizing and nourishing ingredients. Many toners are formulated with hydrating agents like aloe vera or botanical extracts that help retain moisture and soften the skin's texture. This additional hydration is especially beneficial for dry or mature skin that tends to lose water more quickly.
Types of Toners and Their Benefits
Are they all the same? No, and we should use the one that best suits our skin type: dry, combination, or oily. To stimulate our face and achieve toned and fresh skin, we need the toner to address our specific need.
Toners are typically composed of a combination of water, humectants, soothing agents, antioxidants, and other specific active ingredients. Each of these components plays a crucial role in improving the health and appearance of the skin. For example, humectants like aloe vera help maintain skin hydration, while antioxidants like rose vitamin protect against damage caused by free radicals.
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Astringent Toners:
Designed for oily or acne-prone skin, these toners usually contain ingredients like succinic acid or witch hazel, which help control excess sebum and reduce pore size. Studies have shown an average reduction in sebum of 25% after four weeks of continuous use.
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Hydrating Toners:
Formulated with ingredients like damask rose, aloe vera, or botanical extracts, these toners are designed to restore and maintain the moisture balance in the skin. A 30% increase in skin hydration has been observed after regular application over a period of two months.
- Soothing and Anti-inflammatory Toners:
These contain ingredients like jasmine water or biotechnological ferments, known for their anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. Clinical studies have reported a 20% reduction in facial inflammation and redness after six weeks of use.
Effects according to skin type.
Cosmetic toners play a crucial role in daily facial care, offering specific benefits that vary according to skin type.
For oily skin, a toner will allow us to reduce excess sebum, minimize pores, and leave a feeling of freshness and cleanliness on the skin. If we have skin that tends to be dry and/or sensitive, the toner will help us reduce inflammation by soothing the skin, which will allow us to improve the skin's elasticity and firmness, while also prolonging its hydration.
The instant benefits are numerous: balance, additional hydration, reduction in pore size while still allowing it to remain open and eliminate excess oils, but that is not all.
In addition to preparing the skin at its optimal point to assimilate the next treatment, its important nutrients and vitamins help keep it healthy.
Ingredients matter.
If you already know us, it won't surprise you: it is essential that the ingredients that make up the cosmetic products we use are free of toxins.
Effective, natural, cruelty-free cosmetics that are respectful of your health and the planet are possible.
