Beauty comes from inside and outside. We’ve discussed how to look after the skin from the inside, now we need to talk about taking care of it from the outside. However, with so many products in the market, making a decision about what your skin really needs can be difficult. And, the abundance of confusing terminology and misleading claims complicates matters further. So, what does you skin really need? Let’s look at proper skincare from the point of view of a dermatologist.
| Know your skin type |
| Dry skin Pale in colour, flaky or rough to the touch and feels tight, especially after washing. Tendency to develop fine dry-lines, especially around the eyes but rarely suffers breakouts. Combination skin Oiliness in the T-zone (forehead, nose and chin), dryness on the cheeks and occasional, breakouts in the oily areas. Normal skin Looks clear and is even in colour, soft and supple to the touch and neither greasy nor tight. Oily skin Shiny complexion, thick epidermis, open pores and a tendency to develop whiteheads and blackheads |
The Four Basic Steps of Skincare:
- Cleansing
- Toning
- Moisturising
- Protecting (first and foremost against sun damage)
The first 3 are relatively well understood and dermatologists and cosmetologists are more or less in agreement. The fourth step however, is where differences occur. To a cosmetologist, protecting refers to protecting the skin against dehydration. That is something cosmetologists obsess about so much so they advise applying a lot of moisturisers. Firstly, not all skin types need it and in fact, it can cause more problems such as comedones (whiteheads) and acne. Protecting, to a dermatologist refers to protecting the skin against sun damage! This is very important because protecting the skin against sun damage prevents wrinkles and skin cancers. And, while we’re on the subject of wrinkles, it’s important to understand that moisturising does not prevent wrinkles; they only reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Sun protection on the other hand, prevents sun damage and wrinkles and that is what dermatologists mean to when we talk about protecting the skin.
Learn helpful tips for healthier better looking skin from Dr Lim Kah Beng’s book, Steps to Skin Beauty. It is out of print but available for loan from National Library Board.