Have a big pH at beauty overhaul to restore balance and get your skin Zen again
TREATMENT
During the night as we sleep, our skin’s pH drops, signalling enzymes within the acidmantle to repair the day’s damage. You won’t ruin the pH level by not using a treatment product at night, but applying one can speed up skin renewal.
THE SWEET SPOT: Not only does retinol smooth out wrinkles, minimise pores and help fade dark spots, it may also help skin maintain a healthy pH, says dermatologist Dr Jeannette Graf. If your skin is acidic, try SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3. For skin that is older or more sensitive, try a gentler form of retinol, such as Eau Thermale Avene Ystheal + Emulsion. Slather it on every other night,
then add an extra weekly dose each month until eventually you’re applying it every evening. Now that’s organised.
Eau ThermaleAvene Ystheal + Emulsion
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SkinCeuticals Retinol
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EXFOLIATION
Our skin hydration levels plummet with each birthday candlewe blowout, setting of an enzymatic reaction that results in a pile-up of dead cells on the skin’s surface that need to be removed. But under or over-exfoliating willmess with your skin’s pHlevel further.
THE SWEET SPOT: If your skin is dry (alkaline), step up your exfoliation game to two to three times a week. If it’s red and inflamed (acidic), exfoliate less – stick to once every eight to 10 days. The ideal regimen for both is daily manual exfoliation and a once-a-week glycolic acid peel. The gentlest exfoliators are scrubs with fine particles. Try Biotherm Biosource Clarifying Exfoliating Gel. Or use a soft-bristled rotating brush like ClarisonicMIA 2 Kit on the lowest setting to minimise irritation. And make sure the glycolic peel has a neutralising product to return the skin to neutral after
the exfoliation. TryMalin + Goetz Glycolic Acid Face Pads . Ap-peel-ing.
Clarisonic MIA
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Biotherm Biosource Exfoliating Cleansing Gel
CLEANSING
Many cleansers can be as high as 9 on the pH scale, making your skin too alkaline. Meanwhile, intense detergentbased ones strip the skin of the oil it needs, even if your skin is greasy, and will cause your sebaceous glands to pump out even more oil to compensate. Urgh.
THE SWEET SPOT: In the morning, try a wipe-away cleanser if you’re alkaline and fragrance-free wipes if you’re acidic. Try Dr Andrew Weil for Origins Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Face Cleanser or Johnson’s Face CareMakeup Be Gone Wipes. At night, alkaline types fare best with a cleanser labelled ‘balancing’, which indicates a pH of 4 to 5.5. Try Elemis Balancing Lime Blossom
Cleanser. Acidic skins should go for a formula with salicylic acid to tackle oil. Try Dr Brandt Pores No More Cleanser. Pore-fect.
Elemis Balancing Lime Blossom Cleanser
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Origins Mega-Mushroom Cleanser
MOISTURISING
Moisturiser replaces what you lose from the elements, but also seals in moisture. “Our skin retains moisture through molecules that make up its natural moisturising factor,” says Graf. “But it needs a layer of fatty acids above that to keep this moisture in place.”
THE SWEET SPOT: Use a product with fatty acids such as ceramides, niacyl and liposomes.One that also contains hyaluronic acid will further slow evaporation. Oily skin responds well to sheer lotions. Try Philosophy Hope In A Jar.Dry types need a rich cream, such as Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Premiere Intense Moisture Cream. And if skin is really parched, smooth on a few drops
of argan oil. John Masters Organics 100% Argan Oil works best.Order is restored.
Philosophy Hope In A Jar
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John Masters Organics 100% Argan Oil
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