THE INCI LIST: WHAT IS IT AND HOW TO READ IT?
April 15, 2024
BEAUTY HACKS: 8 TIPS TO GET MORE OUT OF YOUR SKINCARE
Many people think that higher concentrations give better and faster results. This is true, but not always. The way you use your products can also influence their efficiency. Skin care is like cooking: it’s a question of dosage, knowledge and common sense.
These 8 tips will help you get the most out of your skincare:
The INCI list (ingredients list) shows the substances used in order of concentration. But do higher concentrations automatically mean a better product? Not necessarily. Antioxidants, for example, can also be effective in a low concentration. They even work best in synergy with different compounds for optimal protection against free radicals. So, they can never all be at the top of the list. In addition, high concentrations may present a risk of irritation, like vitamin A, for example.
Always start with clean skin. If dirt, sebum or make-up residue is still on the skin, your treatment will not be effective. Follow with an alcohol-free toner to rebalance skin acidity, then a serum and finally a moisturizer. The rule is: apply thinner textures first. It’s like wearing clothes: you don’t put a shirt on over your jumper.
Washable products such as gel cleansers are not designed to stay on the skin for long. They contain a high concentration of cleansing substances that can irritate the skin if left to soak in too long. So rinse thoroughly! This also applies to exfoliating masks.
Cleansing and moisturising are the basis of your skin care. You can top them up with a peeling or mask on a regular basis, but not every day as this can make your skin ‘lazy’.
Retinol should be saved for your evening routine, as it makes your skin more sensitive to light. The same goes for exfoliating products. UV protection and antioxidants are most useful during the day, so best used in the morning.
Combining different active ingredients is not always recommended. Retinol, for example, is not a good match with fruit acids, Benzoyl Peroxide, Vitamin C or Salicylic Acid. If you have more sensitive skin and are worried about the possible effects of a niacin flush, then you can alternate your Niacinamide and Vitamin C day to day. But if your skin is not particularly sensitive, go ahead and use them together!
Also, using different products with the same actives at the same time is not always ideal as you will get an excessive dose. Divide your products between your morning and evening skincare, so that they are not used at the same time.
Using a jar or a tube of cream can easily mean using too much product. Pump bottles (as the ones used by BEAUTICAL for Instant Lifting Serum and VOLUMFIZZ Peptide Bubble Serum) are designed to give you the right dose. They are also more hygienic than pots as they do not allow contact with dirty fingers or air. An additional advantage: you need fewer preservatives.
Instant Lifting Serum (€42.95) and VOLUMFIZZ Peptide Bubble Serum (€76.95) are available at www.beautical.com.
Stick to the prescribed dose for optimum results. But in general, these are the guidelines for skin care: 1 hazelnut for a facial cleanser, 1 pea for toner, serum and eye cream, 1 gooseberry for a face cream.
And you, what are your tips for getting more out of your skincare?
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