How residents of the metropolis take care of their skin

Skincare in the big city isn’t just about cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing. You will have to take one more step, namely, to protect the skin, and not only from the sun. How to do this and with what cosmetics?

Protection from ultraviolet radiation

In the urban jungle, sun protection is the first and foremost condition for skin care. Ultraviolet will overtake you wherever you are: on the street on the way from home to the subway, driving a car in a traffic jam, in the office near the window. Type A rays penetrate clouds, window and car glass. It will not be possible to track their impact, because UVA, unlike UVB rays, does not cause burns and even reddening of the skin. But they cause considerable harm, provoking hyperpigmentation and other signs of photoaging.

Make it a rule to apply an SPF over your moisturizer or choose a day care with a protective filter in the composition. Another good option is to use a foundation with an SPF factor. Now filters are included in the composition of cushions, BB creams, tonal fluids and even powder.

Some experts advise using a product with SPF all year round, regardless of the season, but given the climate of central Russia, this advice can be adjusted. Apply a cream with SPF, focusing on the UV index, which shows the Weather application on any smartphone. Sunscreen will be needed if the index is greater than 2.

UV protection in the city is not canceled.

Among the variety of sunscreens, choose the one that is convenient to carry with you: stick, spray, milk or cream in a compact bottle.

Solar Water Aloe Clear Spray, Ambre Solaire, SPF 30, Garnier

The biphasic formula guarantees sun protection and skin care, the light texture of the veil spreads quickly and absorbs without leaving a sticky residue. The product is comfortable to use, suitable for face and body, resistant to water for 40 minutes.

Teint Idole Ultra Cushion, SPF 50, Lancôme

The lightweight foundation provides extra UV protection thanks to its high SPF. Hiding all imperfections, the cushion nourishes and moisturizes the skin.

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Protection against environmental pollution

Everyone knows that megacities are not the best environmental situation. And the bigger the city, the stronger the air pollution. In Asian countries, residents of million-plus cities wear bandages on their faces for a reason. These strips of fabric protect against inhalation of PM 2,5 – the so-called suspension of microparticles of dust, soot, asphalt, rubber tires, heavy metals. Some of them are so small that they can even penetrate the skin, where they do not belong at all.

Here are the two most important tips for residents of big cities.

wash your face

That’s right: be sure to cleanse your skin after returning home from the street. If this is not done, external impurities will remain on the face, get fixed in the pores and generally contribute to the dullness of the skin. So it’s better to immediately wash off the city soot, preferably in two stages.

Another condition for beautiful skin is thorough cleansing and care.

  1. On dry skin, apply hydrophilic oil with your palms, lightly massage your face so that the oil dissolves impurities, including makeup.

  2. Rinse with water: upon contact with it, the hydrophilic oil will turn into an emulsion and cleanse the skin.

Then apply a toner to complete the cleansing. If you don’t believe that after a two-stage wash, additional manipulations are needed, look at a cotton pad after cleansing with a tonic. Now understand?

Foaming make-up remover Biosource Total Renew Oil, Biotherm

Suitable for all skin types, it effectively but gently removes impurities and make-up. The formula is based on oil to soften and nourish the skin. Does not cause a feeling of tightness after washing.

Micellar cleansing foam, La Roche-Posay

Does not contain soap, alcohol, dyes and parabens, suitable even for sensitive skin. It has a delicate texture and physiological pH, it cleanses well.

Refreshing face tonic with grape extract “Basic care”, Garnier

The product for normal to combination skin contains 96% natural ingredients, including grape and aloe extracts. Completes the cleansing process, refreshes and tones.

Create a “screen”

This is not about some special device (we can roughly imagine what the imagination of a person who cares about protecting the skin from the horrors of the metropolis can draw). Cosmetics will act as a shield – and this is where the Asian multi-step care scheme comes in handy. Essence, serum, moisturizer, sunscreen and, for example, a creamy highlighter or primer will not only improve the complexion, but also protect the skin.

Essence for an even tone and radiance of the skin Clearly Corrective Brightening & Soothing Treatment Water, Kiehl’s

For instant hydration and radiance of the skin, an essence with vitamin C, white birch and peony extracts is useful.

Hyaluronic serum-filler of prolonged action LiftActiv Supreme, Vichy

Under the influence of stress, poor ecology and ultraviolet radiation, the amount of hyaluronic acid in the skin is reduced, which does not have the best effect on its youth. Serum, acting throughout the day, replenishes the deficiency of the necessary component.

Sunscreen anti-aging CC-cream for face Anthelios, La Roche-Posay

The action of the filters is supported by the antioxidant properties of thermal water, vitamins B3 and E. Mineral pigments are responsible for long-lasting coverage, and hyaluronic acid is responsible for moisturizing.

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Protection of the skin’s hydrolipidic barrier

Beautiful skin is skin that has an intact hydrolipidic mantle. It is responsible for protection from negative external influences, and also prevents the evaporation of moisture from the surface of the epidermis. As soon as the mantle is injured, the barrier function weakens, the skin begins to suffer from dryness.

To protect the lipid barrier, follow the “rule of 3 NOT”.

  1. Do not wash “to the squeak.” That is, do not cleanse the skin with too aggressive means. Another proof that you have overdried your skin is a feeling of tightness after washing. If it is familiar to you, we advise you to draw conclusions and reconsider your care.

  2. Do not get carried away with clay masks and exfoliation. Clay masks are needed only for oily and problematic skin and only 1-2 times a week. Exfoliation is necessary no more than 1-2 times a week for oily skin, 1 time in two weeks for dry skin.

  3. Don’t Forget Your Evening Care. Apply a nourishing cream at night. Better yet, make it a rule to use a night mask – a sleeping pack (sleeping pack). Thanks to the concentrated formula, it works more intensively. Apply the mask following the manufacturer’s instructions.

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Rules for choosing cosmetics for residents of the metropolis

Skin care should be competent and regular

The main rule is to read the label. If you live in a big city where oxidative stress is high (due to industrial emissions and car exhaust), opt for antioxidant-based cosmetics. What are antioxidants and how they work, you can read in this article.

Here is a list of effective ingredients:

  • vitamins C and E (details on each of the vitamins here and here);

  • resveratrol (all about this miracle ingredient at the link);

  • coenzyme Q10 (proof of its power in this text).

Anti-aging care for the eye contour Redermic C Yeux, La Roche-Posay

Care with vitamin C at a concentration of 5% corrects the first wrinkles, prevents the appearance of new ones and improves the elasticity of the skin around the eyes.

Moisturizing treatment for normal to combination skin “Hydration Expert”, L’Oréal Paris

Among the active ingredients of the product is vitamin E, which helps reduce the impact of negative environmental factors.

Antioxidant night care Resveratrol BE, SkinCeuticals

Due to the antioxidants resveratrol (1%), baicalin (0,5%) and alpha-tocopherol (1%), the gel helps skin cells recover from the effects of oxidative stress and promotes the activation of self-healing processes.

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