Facial care

Woman getting a facial treatment

Facial care is a comprehensive process that involves a variety of products and routines aimed at maintaining the health, appearance, and radiance of the skin. The effectiveness of a facial care regimen depends on various factors such as skin type, sensitivity, age, hyperpigmentation, and acne. To achieve the best results, it is crucial to choose products that are suitable for your specific skin type and address any particular skin concerns you may have. There are many different forms of skin care treatments and practices, each offering unique benefits for the skin. Some popular forms of facial care include facial steaming, facial massage, and the use of masks. These treatments can help to cleanse, hydrate, and rejuvenate the skin, leaving it looking and feeling refreshed.

Cleansing

Cleansing is the process of removing dirt, oil, makeup, and other impurities from the skin. Lathering cleansers, a common type of facial cleanser, generate lather when used, thanks to a surfactant level greater than the CMC (critical micelle concentration). These cleansers contain surfactants with short hydrophobic chains, enabling faster and higher levels of lather. Most lathering cleansers on the market use synthetic surfactants designed to be mild to the skin, reducing skin damage compared to naturally derived surfactants. However, they may be less effective at removing oil-soluble makeup. Liquid lathering cleansers clean through the chemical process of emulsification, suspending or emulsifying dirt and oils, thus allowing them to be removed from the skin during the rinse process.

The Exfoliating Foaming Cleanser, for example, is used to cleanse and exfoliate the skin twice per day, in the morning and evening. To use, one pump of the cleanser is massaged in the palm of the hand before applying it to the face, neck, and décolletage. The potent enzymes in the cleanser must be allowed to work for a 2-minute period before rinsing off the cleanser with water and gently patting the skin dry with a clean towel. This cleanser provides immediate and gentle exfoliation in a pH-friendly formulation for gentle but effective cleansing.

Moisturizing

Moisturizing is a crucial aspect of skincare, particularly for areas prone to dryness and impaired barrier function such as the hands and feet. Due to their unique functional roles, these areas are more susceptible to heightened irritant sensitivity and the development of dermatoses. Protective and regenerative moisturizing skincare forms the foundation for preventing and treating dry skin-associated skin diseases and disorders.

The term "moisturization" holds different meanings depending on its intended purpose and how it is applied. Essentially, moisturizers are used to hydrate dry skin, repair and prevent rough, cracked skin, restore the natural feel of the skin to make it soft, silky, and smooth, or alleviate skin conditions such as eczema, contact dermatitis, or rosacea. In essence, most people use moisturizers to ensure their skin feels and looks nice without any discomfort.

Sun protection

Sunscreen is a crucial skincare product designed to protect the skin from the harmful effects of chronic exposure to UV radiation. UV radiation can lead to various harmful effects such as skin thickening, wrinkle formation, inflammation, and even carcinogenesis. These effects occur due to the continuous oxidative stress state induced by excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from UV irradiation. This oxidative stress ultimately leads to cell apoptosis events and breakdown of collagen, resulting in the undesired morphologic changes in the skin. Therefore, sunscreen helps prevent these harmful effects by providing a protective barrier against UV radiation, reducing the risk of skin damage and associated skin conditions.

Exfoliating

Exfoliating is a skincare process that involves the removal of dead skin cells from the skin's surface, promoting skin renewal and rejuvenation. Chemical exfoliating agents, such as glycolic acid and salicylic acid, cause controlled destruction of the epidermis, leading to subsequent repair and rejuvenation of the skin. Chemical peels are a form of targeted skin exfoliation, with different depths of peels inducing varying degrees of injury to the skin. Superficial peels, for example, reduce epidermal melanin and are used in the treatment of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). Additionally, exfoliation can be achieved through physical scrubbing using additives such as oats or coffee grounds. Regular exfoliation helps maintain healthy, vibrant skin by promoting cell turnover and improving skin texture and appearance.

Woman steaming her face.

References

Davies, Catherine, and Richard John Miron. PRF in Facial Esthetics. Batavia, IL : International Quintessence Publishing Group. 2020, 2020.

Sachdev, Mukta, and Niti Khunger. Essentials for Aesthetic Dermatology in Ethnic Skin. CRC Press, 29 May 2023.

Zoe Kececioglu Draelos. Cosmetic Dermatology : Products and Procedures. Chichester, West Sussex ; Hoboken, Nj, John Wiley & Sons, Inc, 2016.

Wilfried Rähse, and Wiley-Vch. Cosmetic Creams : Development, Manufacture and Marketing of Effective Skin Care Products. Weinheim Wiley-Vch, 2020.