Fabulous Skin Care Guide for Day & Night (AM edition)

[By Cassandra W. Kwok]

We all know that day and night defers as greatly as the Sun and Moon. So without a doubt, it is necessary for your daily skin care routine to differ between dawn and dusk, at least for a few products. The primary reason behind this is because our skin has different needs during the day and at night. As important as the selection of appropriate skincare gems to suit your particular skin type, knowing the correct sequence of product application and the time of the day to slap them on will reap maximal benefits while keeping ill-effects to a minimum.Here’s a two part guide with an AM/PM edition to help takes the guessing out of the game, a comprehensive guide to achieve fabulous looking skin without a glitch.

AM Must-Haves: Ultimate Protection

To have a better understanding of why certain products are best used when the sun shines, let’s run through what’s happening during the day. The truth be told, the majority of undesirable skin aging occurs during the daytime.

“Your skin is constantly under stress and subjected to a slew of negativities when you are out and about during your waking hours.” Explains Dr. Toby Hui, medical consultant SW1 Clinic (formerly from The Sloane Clinic).“Apart from the obvious harmful UV exposure from the sun, excessive oil production, dirt, bacteria, pollutants, as well as other environmental elements are working against us. Harmful free radicals lurking around are one of the top beauty nemeses, affecting our skin age unfavorably by causing decreased production of skin collagen leading to loss of its natural elasticity.”

AM must-have #1: Oil Controllers

If your face tend to oil up with your painstakingly applied makeup gliding off by mid-day, applying an oil control product not only help fight shine but will also keep clogged pores, blemishes and potential breakouts in check.

Mac Oil Control Lotion

Marketed as the ultimate no-shine base for oil control, this oil free, non-greasy mattifier boasts natural defoliants which help improve texture and clarity while bonding seamlessly with overlying makeup to the skin for fewer touch-ups

It is however slightly runny in consistency and not everyone will appreciate the slightly strong green apple fragrance added to it.

Available online @maccosmetics.com

SW1 FLAWLESS Complexion Clearing Serum

This deeply clarifying formula stamps out excess sebum and is your answer to effortlessly clear skin from 9 to 5. SW1 FLAWLESS Complexion Clearing Serum is a shine-control, matte-finish, oil-free gel that detoxifies troubled, blemished skins, leading them to the light in no time. Sebum control nanospheres facilitate oil elimination and deep pore purging to keep skin refreshed and silky soft, while anti-acne ingredients niacinamide, neomycin and and tea tree oil barricade skin from further come donal and pimple outbreaks.

Available over the counter from sw1clinic.com or online @SW1shop.com

Read more: Top Skin Treatments to Look Your Best at Every Age 

AM must-have #2: Antioxidants

Antioxidants are your daytime matinee idols that’ll gallantly fight off free radicals sneaking up on you and boost skin repair at a cellular level where it all begins. A small amount applied in the morning before you start your day goes a long way in keeping your complexion youthful and radiant to keep others second guessing your actual biological age. Keeping in mind that the products that we use on our face needs to be carried through the next few hours, taking into account the weather and what you are going to do during these daytime hours will affect your choice of dermatological helpers too.

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic is a potent antioxidant combination of Vitamin C, E and Ferulic acid that promises to deliver advanced environmental protection againstphoto-aging by neutralizing free radicals that can accelerate the appearance of physical signs. Its lightweight liquid formula is fragrance free and suitable for all skin types including acne prone skins. Those with rosacea or very sensitive skin however may wish to proceed with caution, as the potent concentration of 15% ascorbic acid is potentially sensitizing and can trigger flare-ups.

Available online @skinceuticals.com 

SW1 HOLOGRAM Pore Minimizing Skin Primer

Containing optimal amounts of stabilized vitamins A, C and E in its freshest and most absorbable forms, SW1 HOLOGRAM Pore Minimizing Skin Primer glides on smoothly as an invisible veil for the skin, lifting, toning and sealing in moisture while protecting it from the ravage of free radicals floating around. Encapsulated in a skin priming silky base which deflects light to lend skin a diffuse soft focus effect, It doubles up as an amazing skin-illuminating makeup primer, setting a smooth, flawless canvas for you to work your makeup magic to face up to the challenges in the day ahead!

Available over the counter from sw1clinic.com or online @SW1shop.com

Read more: Studies Say These Common Mistakes Could Be Making You Less Attractive to Others

AM must-have #3: Soleil Shielders

According to the medical journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, a study concluded that sunscreen is the most biologically active anti-aging ingredient to be found in any skin care products.Sunscreens are products which combine several ingredients that help prevent the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation, divided into UVA and UVB, from damaging our skin. UVB is the chief culprit behind sunburn, while UVA, which penetrate deeper into the skin aged our skin. More importantly, long term unprotected exposure to both UVA and UVB lead to increased incidence of skin cancer.

SW1 BEACH HAT UV-Protection Oil-Free Lotion

If you’re avoiding sunblock because of a mistaken geisha identity with an embarrassingly white mien,  go for chemical sunscreens such as SW1 BEACH HAT UV-Protection Oil-Free Lotion  which contains several ingredients that, when applied, are absorbed in the top layer of skin and hence do not leave a tinge of white as compared to physical sunscreens. BEACH HAT delivers full-spectrum physical sunscreen protection of SPF50 no less, with a super lightweight tinted light-reflective formula which imparts a luminous sheer coverage while forming a breathable shield to safeguard vulnerable complexions from photo-aging. Added natural botanicals and potent plant extracts help to smoothen, brighten and resist sun-related stress, keeping skin well-protected and stunning looking through and through during all-day use.

Available over the counter from sw1clinic.com or online @SW1shop.com

Giorgio Armani Luminessence Cc Color Control Bright Moisturizer SPF 35

We’ve never received more compliments on our skin than we have on the occasions we’ve worn this CC cream, a new anti-tiredness gem for lackluster skin. It offers the equivalent of all the benefits of a restorative night’s sleep in a single step, this new-generation color-correcting makeup creates a more even complexion and reduces the appearance of blemishes while keeping it well hydrated, protecting and preventing the signs of aging while keeping it positively glowing and radiant-looking,

Available online @www.giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com

Read more: Taking Beauty to the Next Level