Some people paint beautiful watercolour landscapes. Others learn to play the guitar, or take up boxing. I like to read up on beauty, skincare and makeup tips. As most desi children, I would mix neem, halidi and coffee grounds to scrub my face and get rid of acne. I prayed that mother nature could undo all the damage my teenage hormones caused to my skin.
These misguided attempts have left me with scars, so I now watch YouTube videos from dermatologists for entertainment and read product reviews. I’m aware that a 22 step skincare routine won’t give me skin as smooth and supple as a porcelain dish. Truthfully, we don’t need a lot of makeup or skincare. Most people only need to cleanse, moisturize, and protect their skin from the sun. As much as I dislike to admit it but those moments when I layer my toners and serums, or try to blend out concealer perfectly without causing wrinkles is probably the only times my mind is blank. Beauty rituals help me to relax.
It’s also how I have managed to create a mental database of beauty hacks and Best Beauty Tips from experts and enthusiasts who, like me, had to learn what worked for different skin types the hard way. It’s sometimes about how azelaic acids work to reduce rosacea or acne. Other days I get lost in rabbit holes, starting by reading about regional ingredients from different countries to ending up at a page that talks about a town with a feline as its mayor for the past 20 years.
Brush teeth before applying skincare
Brushing your teeth prior to your skincare routine is a beauty tip you will wish you had known sooner. Royce Watson, a beauty enthusiast and creator of content, explains that toothpaste can irritate your skin after you brush your teeth.
, a cosmetic and general dentist from New York, Richard Lipari, DDS agrees. The degree of skin irritation depends on each individual. Always wash your face immediately after brushing teeth.
Pinch Test for Dark Circles
Bambi Does Beauty ‘s Instagram video changed the way I cared for my undereyes. There are many causes of dark circles, ranging from ageing to thin skin and genetics.
You can use the pinch test to determine what is causing it. Two fingers should be used to gently pinch the skin beneath your eyes. If the darkening disappears, it is likely caused by blood vessels appearing under thin skin. Hyperpigmentation is more likely if the dark circles persist. You can choose the best treatment for hyperpigmentation if you know what causes it. (We have expert suggestions).
Moisturise while in the shower
We all know that moisturisers and hydrating products work best when applied to a slightly damp face. Body care follows the same principles.
Keep your body lotion handy in the shower if your skin becomes as dry as a chappati that’s been in the fridge for 3 days. It’s not necessary to be drenched to apply it. However, it takes some time to get used to.
Use a chemical exfoliant to combat body odour
You can use the exfoliating toners in your skincare regimen to combat body odour. (And hopefully, only use them once or twice per week to avoid over-exfoliation). Use a quick swipe on the underarms to remove dead skin and oil.
YouTube’s favorite dermatologist Andrea Suarez warns, however, that using strong acids under the armpits can cause irritation and upset the pH. The folds in the skin can trap acids. If you use a chemical exfoliant on your underarms you should keep the percentage low or choose a milder exfoliant like lactic or mandelic acid instead of a glycolic acid.
Hair dyes fade faster with pigment shampoos and masks
I am a simple lady; Lady Gaga’s colourist told me that she uses pigments shampoos. So I bought a pigment-based shampoo. Purple shampoo is used to maintain Lady Gaga’s platinum blonde hair.
Aditi Viyas from Continuity Salon suggested a pigment masque for brown hair while I was getting my colour done. This is a treatment you can use in the shower to extend the life of your hair colour by temporarily tinting and toning it. It will also neutralise any unwanted undertones as the colour fades.
Don’t forget your neck
I have learned a lot from Amy Chang about beauty, but I wish that I would have known to pay as much attention to my neck and face. Our neck skin ages more quickly than our face skin. It’s structurally thinner and more worn out, despite its age.
In an interview , dermatologist Dendy Engleman stated that neck changes are occurring even earlier. Apply the same products you use on your face to your neck. You should be cautious when exfoliating the neck because it has thinner skin.
Sunscreen doesn’t just apply to your face
A woman in September was shocked by the Internet after a picture showed her applying sunscreen only to her face. She had not applied it to her neck. The sun damage on the neck was obvious. Since then, I have been diligent in applying sunscreen to my neck. However, it dawned on me that my entire body has been left unprotected for too long.
It is a democratic disease. Skin cancer can occur anywhere on the body. Usually, it appears on the back, legs and arms, as well as the face. Use body sunscreen to protect your health, not just to keep looking young.
Your scalp needs clarity
We tend to focus on skincare when exchanging beauty tips. We tend to forget about the skin on our head.
Nothing is more annoying than an oily head. Some people experience it a few days later. Others, right after washing their hair. It’s not oil, but buildup on your scalp. Dr Noopur Jain MD dermatology, founder of SkinZest recommends using a clarifying hair shampoo every week to remove product build-up and sweat. Do not use this product each time you wash your hair, otherwise you will end up with arid hair.
It is rare to find a flawless makeup
It took me a long time to realize that flawless makeup is only possible for those with genetically perfect skin. Everyone has different skin textures, scars and moles.
Do not be fooled by the camera, light, or filters. You can achieve a smooth canvas by moisturising, exfoliating and using primers that fill in pores. Makeup still looks like it is makeup. You can experiment with different colours on your face if that’s what you like.
Use antiperspirant during the night
As a beauty enthusiast and writer, this was by far the most bizarre tip I have ever heard. While this is more of a personal-hygiene hack, Dermatologist Mark Strom explained, antiperspirants are most effective when your body temperature and sweating levels are lower.
It’s still likely to be more effective than if you had applied it the night before.
You may have a fungal infection instead of acne
It’s possible you have a fungal infection known as Pityrosporum or Malassezia. It’s sometimes called fungal acne.
You can test this yourself by using the dandruff-shampoo you already have. These shampoos contain anti-fungal agents that can treat this form of “acne”. Replace your facewash with the dandruff-fighting shampoo, and allow it to sit for one minute before washing off. It can be drying, so follow it up with some good moisturiser. If you notice that the bumps have changed, then it’s a confirmation. Speak to your doctor if you notice more frequent and widespread bumps. They can prescribe a more detailed anti-fungal plan.
Do not let heavy objects fall on your eyes
Castor oil was one of the beauty tricks I learned from my grandmother to keep my eyelashes strong and thick. It’s been many years since I wondered what those white bumps under my eyes were.
Doctors tell me that the small white bumps under my skin are milia, which I have been aggravating by using sticky castor oils. They attract sweat and dirt. Dermatologist Lindsey Zubritsky advises to avoid using heavy products such as oils or thick occlusives, like vaseline, in this area. An eye cream with retinol will exfoliate and moisturise the area while breaking up milia.
You do not have to wash your faces in the morning
I washed my face twice daily as a child with acne. It didn’t work. You don’t have to use a morning cleanser unless you are a heavy sleeper, used an occlusive or have oily skin.
You can clean your face with a water rinse. I had to get used to washing my face only with water. It took a while to change my habits.
Make sure that the makeup you use matches
Matching means that they should have the same base in order to avoid product piling and patchy application. This gem was discovered by Sabrina Molu, a content creator.
Use a foundation or BB Cream with water-based primer to make application easier. Oil-based and silicone-based cosmetics should be matched. You’ll be blown away.
You can’t change your pores
After many years of squeezing, squeezing, and drying my skin out with face masks and toners, I learned that you cannot get rid of or “close” pores.
Pore size is genetically determined. According to Dr. Madhuri Agarwal of Yavana Aesthetics Clinic, studies show that fair and dry skin has smaller pores while darker and oilier skin tends to have larger pores. You can’t alter the size of your pore, just as you can’t alter your height.
Shivani, a medical dermatology assistant, content creator and skinbyshiv says that you can only minimize their appearance by using an exfoliant such as salicylic acid, or retinol.
Don’t save special products
You’ll always buy a luxurious lipstick or face cream, but then feel bad about it. So you use it Dar-dar ke. It’s counterproductive to save products for occasional use, because they all have an expiration date.
It will have a date that says “best before” or a graphic with an open round lid and a number. The symbol indicates how many months the product can be used from the moment you open it. It doesn’t matter if there is a little extra or less, as long as the product lasts for a certain period. The worst-case scenario would be that the products stop working or begin to disintegrate. The worst case scenario is that mould or fungus grows on your face and causes infections.
Washing your hair daily doesn’t mean the end of the universe.
How often should we wash our hair? This is the number one question dermatologists ask. Dr Andrea Suarez states that you can shampoo as often as your hair type will tolerate. People with oilier hair may need to shampoo more frequently to remove excess sebum or product buildup, which can cause dandruff.
Suarez states that some hair types may only need to be shampooed once a week while others require daily shampooing. It’s enough to say that everyone’s hair type is different and we shouldn’t make blanket statements about how daily shampooing is bad. ‘”
Oily skin needs moisture too
Raised your hand if, as a child, you avoided moisturisers due to oily skin. You probably produced more sebum because you were over-cleaning your skin.
You don’t need to use a heavy cream for everyone, but you should still use a moisturizer. You can find a variety of gel creams and lotions that are suitable for oily or acne-prone skin. If you don’t like to layer products, opt for a serum that hydrates and then top it with a moisturising sunblock during the day.
Check your stress
Meditation is a great way to achieve your goal of glowing like a Purushwadi firefly. You can also de-stress by jogging, solving puzzles, or doing other hobbies. Cate Blanchett has a beauty secret. “I believe that anything you do to reduce stress will make you glow.” That’s the number one answer,” she said in an interview.
Stress can cause inflammation, which in turn can worsen skin conditions. Our faces can also show signs of poor health. Check your vitamin D levels if your skin looks dull. If you have a lot of breakouts, check your diet and gut. Speak to your doctor about getting regular checkups and to determine if there are any underlying conditions that could be causing the symptoms you’re experiencing.
Keep your razor away from the bathroom
If you want to quickly shave off your arms or legs before leaving the house, a razor can be kept in the shower. This could be the cause of your razor bumps.
Dermatologist Whitney Bowe suggests that we store razors in dry places. A wet razor left in a warm, humid bathroom will rust and dull the blade. Razor burn can result from this, and bacteria transfer can lead to infection. Replace your blades often and dry them after every use.
Don’t shampoo too quickly
Dr Aanchal Panth says all shampoos need time to do their job.
Shampoos are made up of ingredients that break down sebum and clean the scalp. The ingredients will only work if you let the shampoo sit for 3 to 5 minutes on your scalp. This will help to clean your scalp more efficiently.”
It’s not necessary to use a lot to lather up the product. Just gently massage your scalp with your fingers to make sure the shampoo reaches all the right places.
Give products enough time to work
Dr David Lim believes that patience is the most important quality when it comes to giving beauty advice. All products, whether they are prescription drugs or skincare acids, need time to work.
You can easily get carried away by the excitement surrounding a new product and then be disappointed when you see that your skin still looks the same a week later. Lim says cosmetic skincare products may take up to six weeks before they show any benefits. Prescription products can also take three months or more to work.
Higher ingredient percentages are not always better or necessary
Do you need to use a serum with 25% vitamin C or 15% niacinamide? Or 30% glycolic acid instead? It doesn’t necessarily mean that a higher percentage is better for your skin. The best range for each ingredient is between a certain percentage and a higher percentage. However, the stronger the product, the more likely you are to experience irritation.
Most experts agree that you should aim for a vitamin C concentration of between 5-20% to achieve the best results. Niacinamide is effective at 5% and professionals are unlikely to use glycolic acid above 10% in their clinic. This lesson was hard-learned for me.
Use a face towel
Instinct may have you wiping your face with whichever towel you have in front of you – hand or body towel – but Shah says that there is also an issue of cleanliness and bacteria since “Bacteria and fungus can accumulate on the towel”, he tells Allure. This increases the risk of infections, acne flare-ups and irritation.
Don’t forget to use sunscreen when you go out.
I like that sunscreen is being reapplied more often, but it would be a lie if I didn’t admit to leaving the bottle of sunscreen in my car out of convenience.
It’s a good reminder to use sunscreen when you are out and about. Cosmetic chemist Dr Michelle Wong says heat can build up in closed cars, degrading and destabilising the sunscreen formulation. No matter how much sunscreen you use, you may not get the protection stated on the bottle. Instead, keep a small bottle in your bag.
Acne is not about hygiene
I’m sure that anyone who has suffered from moderate to severe acne at some point has heard someone comment on their hygiene. Tell them the next time they say that washing your face will make your acne disappear if you do it so that it is “clean”. This myth has been repeatedly debunked by medical experts.
Dr John Fournier states that “Acne cannot be caused by poor hygiene.” Washing your face too often or too vigorously can cause the skin to become dry. This will lead to increased breakouts. Acne can be caused by a number of factors, including hormones, genetics, dietary habits, skin irritation, and over-exfoliation. Acne is not caused by one thing, and a medical professional can determine the cause of acne better than anyone else.
Hair Loss is Extremely Common
Experts say that losing 50-100 strands per day is normal. Telogen effluvium, however, is on the increase, especially with the current state of the globe. According to Dr Daniel Sugai it’s a condition that is caused by stress. Your hair will go into a’sleep-phase’ and fall out.
This type of hair loss is characterized by the shedding more than 150 hairs a day. It occurs most often after taking a bath. It can last anywhere from 6-12 months. Stressors such as COVID-19 (job loss), grief, moving cities, and surgery can cause telogen effluvium to occur almost three months following a stressful event. Sugai says that the majority of cases will resolve themselves and you’ll start to see your hair regrow. Alopecia is a condition where your hair does not grow over time. For further treatment, seek a diagnosis from a doctor.
Leave it to the professionals
When I saw videos of people using a derma roll to do at-home microneedling, I was tempted by the idea of buying one myself to treat deep acne scars. The use of face tools is best left up to professionals, particularly invasive ones like blackhead extractors or derma rollers.
I personally use microneedling to treat acne scars, fine wrinkles, skin texture, skin tone, and pores. Dermatologist Jenny Liu says she strongly discourages the use of microneedling devices at home. Liu warns that if you don’t use proper technique and sanitation, there is a risk of causing more damage to the skin. You could also catch an infection which can worsen scars or hyperpigmentation. This would have been helpful to me as someone who has indented scars from a home extraction device.
Do not touch your cuticles
I am a picker of skin who is constantly attacking her nails. I feel bad about my cuticles. To stop me from picking them, I began trimming my cuticles. It turns out this was not a good idea.
“Cuticles protect your nail matrix. “Cuticles are protected by the nail matrix. Trimming or pushing them back can disrupt them, allowing bacteria to enter and cause an infection,” states Dr Aamna Ade.
Keep your hands moisturized to protect your cuticles and nails. If your cuticles have become dehydrated, apply a thin coating of vaseline before you go to bed to help trap moisture.
