The young rushing to grow old and the old doing all that it takes to stay young is one of the most observable ironies in life. Well, blame the latter to vanity, or, perhaps, let's be thankful for it. So that this time, it would be vanity's chance to strike as staying young is just a simple routine that would spell a huge difference. And to boost this regimen, some experts share relevant tips for a younger-looking skin.



Clean your face properly

Remove all traces of cosmetics on your face by using cotton balls and moisturizing cream. Using lukewarm water (that also opens pores for deeper cleansing) and a soap-free, non-comedogenic, and mild cleanser, gently rotate your middle and pinky fingers upwards avoiding hard rubbing that could damage your skin. Make sure hands are clean to prevent spreading bacteria and dirt which can worsen acne and other skin problems.

Massage face wash on skin for about 60 seconds to wipe away dirt, bacteria, pollutants, and product residue. Rinse at least three times to remove residues that will clog our pores. After patting skin dry, use an alcohol-free toner that preferably contains glycolic acid or alpha hydroxy acid. These acids can educe the size of you pores and can give you instant results.

Use soap on select areas

To maintain the softness of skin, soap should be applied only on select areas--your face, underarms, feet, groin, and buttocks. These are the areas that need the cleansing effects of soap so other areas won't be unnecessarily stripped off of its natural skin oils. Some experts say that rinsing other areas with water alone is enough to make them clean.

Moisturize while you wash

Moisturizing after cleansing is absolutely necessary. Washing the face can aggressively remove the natural oil of the skin. Moisturizing after cleansing will replenish the necessary oil that was lost. Use products which contain the leas amount of harsh additives. Pure Vitamin E and aloe vera oil can be applied too for intensive moisture treatment. Just open a capsule and apply directly on skin for that intense moisture you need.

Let moisturizer be absorbed well

Set moisturizer for at least three minutes before applying makeup. This will let your moisturizer to be completely absorbed and will help our makeup to last all day.

Clean a damp face, not a dry one

Use cleansers on damp skin. According to Dr. Mary Lupo, a professor of dermatology at Tulane University, cleansers are more likely to be irritating if applied on dry skin. This will also lock in moisture.

Splash face with cold water before a makeup

This helps shrink pores and is a trick used by makeup artists to help makeup glide on seamlessly. Moreover, smaller pores give little space for pollutants and cosmetics to reside, hence, a more radiant skin.

Apply products properly

The effectiveness of products depends chiefly upon its penetration unto the skin. For better absorption of ingredients, follow this sequence: toner, serum or treatment products (like retinoids), moisturizer, and sunscreen. This sequence will keep heavy formulas from preventing lighter ones to be absorbed well.

Move your sun shade

Change the placement of your sunshade in your car. Move this to your left to block UV rays while you are driving. If not, the left side of your face would tend to look older than the other side because of the sun damage. Nevertheless, place a shade wherever you are seated in your car. It does not only protect your skin, but also that of your fellows.

Experts have done their share, so now it's time to do yours.