Dealing with the coronavirus pandemic has been tough on everyone in many different ways but for some reason, I find solace in understanding that it also feels like the world needed to slow down so we can recover and reset ourselves again. It also gave me time to rethink and re-strategize how I’m taking care of myself from the inside out over the last couple of months. Revising my routine daily was the first step I needed to take to better myself.
Being at home has allowed me to build a better regimen that I want to stick to purely because of the benefits. Having a morning and night routine prepares me to have the most productive day. Before I head to sleep, I always write a to-do list so I know what I need to focus on when I wake up. By doing that, I wake up every morning knowing exactly what needs to be taken care of, including my skin. Many of you will know that before the pandemic started I was struggling with my skin during my travels. Between dehydration, environmental aggressors ‘airplane acne’ and many other factors, my skin wasn’t at it’s best. So I decided to focus on making my skin a priority every morning and listening to what my skin was telling me it needed.
With proper routine and products, my skin slowly started recovering. However, one of my concerns was that my skin was not getting the proper care it needed in the evening, as I usually would put a simple night oil on before bed. For some reason, I assumed that if my morning skin routine was great then it did not make a difference if I had a night routine — I was wrong.
It was only until I discovered and religiously started using Neostrata’s Overnight Anti-Pollution Treatment and Comprehensive Retinol 0.3% Night Serum that my skin visibly started improving just after two weeks. I had no idea that the perfect time for skin renewal happens overnight when you sleep. Additionally, a proper night skincare routine targets stressed skin and help get rid of all the free radicals and pollutants that my skin is exposed to throughout the day. I’ve found that when I get proper sleep for more than 7 hours and I am not stressed my skin truly sees the benefits because when our body rests, recuperates at night from the toll of the day – our skin does the same.
My night routine usually looks like this: I have a cup of herbal tea (either green tea or ginger tea), have a shower, brush my teeth, do my skincare routine, meditate or stretch (on days I feel very stressed and overwhelmed) and write a to-do list for the next day before I settle into bed to sleep.
Here I’m breaking down some benefits on why these two products have been working like a charm for me.
The ‘Correct’ range contains anti-aging ingredients such as Retinol, Hyaluronic Acid, Peptides, and Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) which targets aging issues like visible lines and wrinkles. These ingredients promote the production of collagen and elastin in your skin. So when fine lines and wrinkles occur, it is a sign that the natural collagen production from our skin has decreased. The overnight antioxidant treatment targets stressed skin by working with the skin’s natural circadian rhythm in two ways: Recovery overnight and Fortify for the next day.
Additionally, Comprehensive Retinol 0.3% Night Serum ingredients intensify the skin’s hydrating matrix for a firmer look, by reducing the look fine lines and wrinkles.
CORRECTS & REPAIRS SKINS MOISTURE BARRIER
Polyhydroxy Acids (8%) ingredient works as a Recovery overnight. This ingredient gently exfoliates your skin layers, renews skin, and builds skin barriers to increase overall skin health.
Hydration Blend (Amino Acid and Evening Primrose Oil) works as a Fortify for the next day. This ingredient promotes hydration and supports moisture in the skin barrier overnight which balances the skin’s skin’s lipid layer so that it supports the skin’s wound healing ability.
REFINES SKIN’S TEXTURE & TONE
Antioxidant Lilac Plant Cell Extract also works as a Fortify for the next day because there is an Amino Acid hydration formula (the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties) that provide a restored appearance and prepares the skin to defend against the next day’s pollutants.
PROGRESS PICTURES
These pictures are a clear indication of how my skin has improved by using Neostrata’s Overnight Anti-Pollution Treatment and Comprehensive Retinol 0.3% Night Serum. You will notice that my dark acne spots have been clearing up significantly (which I am so happy about). My skin has also been absorbing my moisturizing cream a lot better and I have one to none acne breakouts a month as opposed to having breakouts weekly. I am so happy with my well my skin has improved and I am very surprised by the outcome.
HOW I USE THE PRODUCTS
First, I apply a pea-sized amount of Comprehensive Retinol 0.3% Night Serum by applying to clean skin once or twice weekly, working up to every day as tolerated in the evening. Then, I massage a thin layer of Overnight Anti-Pollution Treatment gel-cream onto my clean face (I do this nightly even if I do not use the serum) by allowing the product to absorb into my skin overnight.
**Retinol Caution: If you have very dry skin, rosacea, or eczema, or using oral or topical medications for your skin, please consult with your GP or dermatologist before starting a retinol cream. During pregnancy or breastfeeding, you should avoid using retinol.
This post was written by Kamogelo Mafokwane from WillKate.
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