Who knew “keeping up with the times” could be this hard when it comes to beauty products? From scalp scrubs to toner, we have you covered.
Skincare
- Clay mask: This skincare product is used for oily or acne-prone skin types. Clay masks cleanse, smooth, and brighten skin by reducing excessive oil/sebum and eliminating impurities in clogged pores.
- Cleanser: Similar to a face wash, a cleanser dissolves excessive oil/makeup from the face but doesn’t deep clean. It is more moisturizing and hydrating than a face wash.
- Essence: Similar to a toner, an essence is used to hydrate, protect, and boost the skin’s health. However, an essence is water-based. It is applied after using a cleanser and toner and before a serum and moisturizer.
- Eye cream: Eye creams are specialized products that can help moisturize, tighten the skin, reduce puffiness, even skin tone/diminish dark circles, and minimize wrinkles.
- Exfoliant: This skincare product either chemically or physically removes dead skin build-up, allowing for smoother skin and newer skin cells to come in faster. There are gentler exfoliants made for the face to prevent microtears in the skin. Exfoliants should only be used once or twice a week to prevent excessive oil production.
- Face oil: These oils are made specifically not to clog your pores while giving moisture and securing hydration in the skin. A face oil should be applied after your moisturizer and then be patted on. It should be one of the last products applied to the skin.
- Peel-off mask: This skincare product chemically removes the bacteria, debris, and impurities by deeply penetrating the pores, removing dead skin in the process.
- Face wash: Similar to a cleanser, a face wash removes makeup/oil from the face while cleansing the pores and removing deeper-logged debris. It is typically recommended for oily skin types.
- Moisturizer: Used primarily on dry skin, moisturizers retain water in the skin to prevent it from drying out. There are different moisturizers for the body that should not be used on the face and those formulated specifically for the face.
- Retinol: A derivative of vitamin A, retinol reduces signs of aging, like wrinkles and fine lines, by increasing collagen production. It also stimulates blood production, evening the skin tone.
- Serum: Serums are highly concentrated formulas designed to deliver a “punch” of active ingredients to the skin; however, not all serums are created equal. Specific serums target specific skincare concerns like acne, aging, redness, sun protection, etc.
- Sunscreen: An absolute necessity when it comes to skincare, sunscreen protects the skin from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. This prevents signs of premature aging caused by free radicals. Sunscreen should be applied daily and multiple times throughout the day.
- Toner: Similar to an essence, a toner is used to hydrate the skin while helping to remove dead skin cells and minimizing pores. However, a toner is usually alcohol-based. It is applied immediately after washing the face and before a serum or moisturizer. Toner should be applied once in the morning and once before bed.
Hair Care
- Shampoo: The first step in hair washing, shampoo is used to remove dirt and oils from the hair. However, many shampoos contain harsh chemicals that strip the hair of its natural oils, so a conditioner is required to keep the hair from drying out/frizzing. Hair should not be washed with shampoo daily.
- Dry shampoo: This type of shampoo is used to clean the hair without washing it; however, it is not a substitute for regular washing. Dry shampoo absorbs dirt and oil from the scalp, but it will leave product buildup over time with continuous use.
- Conditioner: After the hair is cleaned with shampoo, conditioner is applied to detangle, protect and soften the hair. A wet brush may be used to spread the conditioner over the hair strands evenly.
- Leave-in conditioner: This special type of conditioner should not be washed out as it supplies extra moisture and protection to the hair while also acting as a detangler.
- Hair mask: You’ve heard of a face mask…how about a hair mask? A hair mask is the same concept but for your hair. It is a deep conditioner, providing nourishment to the hair. They are used once to twice a week because they are saturated with fatty acids, and if used often, it could lead to oily hair.
- Hair oil: Different from body oil, hair oil restores vitamins and minerals into the hair, increasing luster, moisture, and shine. Typically, the oil is heated and massaged into the scalp on wet hair.
- Heat/UV protectant: Typically, a spray, heat/UV protectant adds a protective barrier to the hair against heated styling tools and the sun. It seals in moisture by smoothing the hair cuticle and preventing frizz.
- Hair serum: Like a skin serum, hair serum specifically targets hair concerns, like frizz control, adding shine, protecting from damage, and enhancing the texture. Hair serums are not recommended for daily use and should only be used on special occasions or wash days.
- Scalp scrub: This is an exfoliant specifically for the scalp. It removes product build-up, and like an exfoliant, it removes dirt, excess oil, and dead skin cells. Scalp scrubs increase blood circulation to the scalp, increasing hair growth.
References
- Cover photo by Karolina Grabowska via Pexels
- “Do Retinoids Really Reduce Wrinkles?” Harvard Health, The President and Fellows of Harvard College, 3 Mar. 2022, https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/do-retinoids-really-reduce-wrinkles. [Link]
- Lockett, Eleesha. “What Is Essence: Active Ingredients, Benefits, How to Use.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 15 Jan. 2021, [Link]
- Nunez, Kirsten. “How to Apply Eye Cream and Ingredients to Look For.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 14 Oct. 2020, [Link]
- Nunez, Kirsten. “How to Use Serum for Hair Straightening, Shine, Frizz Control.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 3 Nov. 2020, [Link]
- Photo by cottonbro via Pexels
- Photo by Shiny Diamond via Pexels
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