To put in place the most effective skin health ritual you need to be armed with the right information. Hunter Lab looks at 5 skin myths which may be holding your best healthy skin back
MYTH: AVOID USING OIL BASED MOISTURISERS WITH OILY SKIN
It may sound counter-productive, but one of the best ways to reduce breakouts and minimise oily skin is to apply oils, or an oil-based moisturiser to your skin. That’s because, the right oil blends actually help reduce and rebalance your skins sebum – the oily substance your sebaceous glands excrete to help keep the skin, and hair, moisturised and protected
Oily skin can be the by-product of a number of varying factors, one of which is over-excessive hormonal production of sebum. Your skin will feel like it’s constantly moist, and look and feel heavy and shiny. And, if you suffer from oily skin and have in the past avoided moisturisers altogether, you will have been depriving the skin of important moisture, which in turn will have caused the glands to overproduce sebum to counteract moisture-loss
Using the right type of moisturiser may be a quick and effective way to help bring your oil production under control. Oils high in Linoleic acid, which oily skin can be deficient in, such as Grapeseed and Passionfruit Seed Oil, will help remove any excess oil from the skin, stabilise and regulate oil production and help ease oil congestion
Look for a high quality moisturiser that contains natural ingredients and vitamins that hydrate, balance out sebum levels and even out the production of oil. The Daily Face Fuel is one such daily moisturiser, crafted with lightweight oils and extracts to help improve skin condition
If you suffer from Acne, we would recommend visiting your GP who will be able to give you the best advice specific to your skin needs. This may include simple solutions like addressing dietary or environmental factors, to recommending a dermatologist to prescribe stronger medication
MYTH: SCRUBBING IS THE ONLY WAY TO EXFOLIATE
Whilst a natural physical exfoliator is a surefire way to remove dead skin build up, it’s not the only effective option available to us to keep our skin clear and clean
The job of the exfoliator is to keep our skin looking its healthy best by promoting the growth of fresh new cells, and this is helped along by removing the dead skin buildup. The best exfoliators penetrate deeper than the first layer of skin, through the buildup of oil and impurities. This is where a natural granular exfoliator bead, such as sugarcane or bamboo, is a great ingredient choice
The other exfoliating wonder ingredients are natural acids, such as lactic acid, fruit and plant enzymes, and charcoal. These are mild, short-contact ingredients which are fantastic at gently and deeply sloughing away dead skin by breaking it down, or pulling it from the skin. The plus side to these is they are more gentle on the skin than using a granular scrub, which is ideal if you have sensitive skin
A routine which includes both a granular exfoliator, such as the Cleansing Facial Scrub, and a charcoal exfoliator, such as the Charcoal Cleansing Stick, is a fantastic way to tick all boxes. Simply rotate between both products each day for the optimal cleansing and exfoliating routine
MYTH: EXTRACTING BLEMISHES WILL HELP REMOVE THEM QUICKER
Acne and breakouts are your body’s response to blocked pores and a buildup of bacteria and impurities. It’s how the body rids itself of these toxic particles, and as you know it happens slower than you’d like. As tempting as it can be, extracting blemishes prematurely actually prevents your body from properly healing itself, and can add precious days to the recovery process
By aggravating them unnaturally you are at risk of further tearing the inside of your pore walls, weakening the cells and permanently scarring the skin by leaving post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
You’ll know when it’s ready to pop, peel or extract. Trying to squeeze a redness will only make it worse. Your best bet is to use a skin health tool with ingredients which help draw the impurity from the skin. The answer is Charcoal. Charcoal is proven to draw out 100 to 200 times its weight in impurities, making it one of the best natural ingredients for deep cleansing and purification
If you’re suffering breakouts regularly, use the Charcoal Mud Mask once a week to calm agitated, oily, congested skin. Your skin will be calmer and less congested, and have that fresh-skin glow
MYTH: USE THE SAME SKINCARE TOOLS MORNING AND NIGHT
Whilst cleansing and moisturising in the AM and PM is a must to keep the skin in its optimum clean and hydrated state, your skin acts differently at night. When we sleep, the skin is in its peak state of repair and rebuild, with the majority of cell turnover and regeneration occurring. It also absorbs far more at night than throughout the day – this is your body’s natural defence against day-time environmental impurities
With specific needs at different points throughout the day, it’s important to build your skin health ritual around the time of the day. In the morning our skin needs to wake up, and should be cleared of any bacteria build up from the night before. A gentle cleanser, such as the Charcoal Cleansing Stick, will help freshen the skin and give it its best chance to absorb nourishment and moisture. This is when a day cream, such as the Daily Face Fuel, should be applied for all-day hydration and the essential vitamins and minerals the skin craves
It’s in the evening when we can really ramp up our anti-ageing routine. Our skin absorbs far more at night, which allows skincare to penetrate deeper and more effectively. This is when we want to apply hard working ingredients which deliver the most anti-oxidants, nutrients and hydration
And one of those wonder ingredients is Peptides; small compounds composed of short-chain amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein, which are the catalyst for collagen production. These tiny portions of protein penetrate the top layer of the skin, and help to preserve, stimulate and boost collagen. Collagen is what makes our skin look glowing and vibrant, and depletes as we age. The most visible effect of skin ageing occurs when there is a decline in the skin’s collagen and water content. Fine lines and wrinkles are created due to the overall weakening and loss of skin collagen structure, resulting in a decline in skin health
Peptide’s trigger the bodies collagen producing ability, keeping levels high and in turn lessening the appearance of lines and wrinkles. So, before bed, make sure you’re giving your skin what it needs to repair and rejuvenate itself. You cannot go past Hunter Lab’s most advanced formula, the Peptide Anti-Ageing Elixir – a lightweight, heavy-duty serum that will help restore and improve the skin’s condition as you sleep
MYTH: YOU CAN SHRINK YOUR PORES PERMANENTLY
If you have larger pores, or pores which, to you, seem to be visible and obvious, we’re sorry to say, you can’t shrink them permanently. Pore size is genetically predetermined, and their structure cannot be altered long term with skincare. The upside – as pores allow your skin to absorb, and allow sweat to travel to the surface, your larger pores can take in more nourishment and hydration through moisturisers, and you’re slightly less likely overheat as the sweat helps cool our bodies
To help minimise their appearance, your best option is to make sure they are kept clean and clear. And the best way to do that is to regularly use skincare products that efficiently remove excess dirt, debris and makeup, without removing essential moisture
Hunter Lab recommends using a hard-working natural exfoliator and a gentle cleanser, such as the 2-in-1 Cleansing Facial Scrub, to deeply penetrate through the surface of the pore and extract and clear the build up. Best used in the shower, morning or evening, twice weekly
