"Come on, just confess already! If you tell the truth now, you'll save yourself...!" It's truly unpleasant that most articles about the benefits and purpose of face creams resemble a police interrogation after a crime. Dermatologists take on the role of investigators, while readers unwilling to care for their skin are portrayed as the culprits. The victim is – of course – facial skin. Let's state this upfront: the intention behind these articles is sound – but the tone is crucial. So, let's put the finger-wagging aside and instead provide entertaining and fact-filled information about which skin type needs which cream, how to maintain or regain a youthful appearance (keyword: anti-aging cream). And, of course – why it's truly, truly beneficial to care for your face. So then... let's get started:
Scales vs. bacon rind
Let's face the truth... exactly... what's really at stake when we think about skincare? Is it about personal vanity? Not a very nice word – but everyone should have the right to feel comfortable in their own skin. And who wants to put up with wrinkles or lines when they could have the smoothness of a baby's bottom? Maintaining healthy skin is also important: dry, cracked, or flaky skin quickly becomes inflamed. The itching might be bearable, but eczema or neurodermatitis are also possible consequences. Nobody wants that. The other side of the coin, by the way, is oily skin. The oft-mentioned "grease rind" is not a comparison that either women or men want to hear. In short: skincare is essential to avoid having to deal with the topics mentioned here.
Why is the skin no longer protecting it?
But why isn't our facial skin a self-sustaining system? Did Mother Nature mess up there, essentially creating one of the many weak points that put all of our lives to the test? So why do we have to protect, wash, moisturize, massage, cool, and so on? Civilization is to blame. If it weren't for the burdens of UV radiation, exhaust fumes, and dry indoor air – all external influences – as well as factors like stress, insomnia, psychological strain, and poor diet – then our tissue wouldn't experience (premature) aging. Our protective covering – after all, the largest organ we have – could maintain itself perfectly well with moisture and oil (both produced by our own bodies). But who wants to live in a time when we were still described as hunter-gatherers…
The sun makes us old
Fast forward tens of thousands of years and many dermatological discoveries later, one thing is certain: our skin needs support. And besides the obligatory cleansing – more on that later – it's easy to provide a minimum of care by applying a sunscreen. After all, "aging ultimately begins the first day we expose ourselves to the sun." This insightful statement comes from Ulrike Blume-Peytavi, senior consultant at the Department of Dermatology at Berlin's Charité hospital. So that settles that. The question remains: can the effect be slowed down, perhaps even reversed? Hollywood took this idea to the extreme in the wonderful film "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," making lead actor Brad Pitt age in reverse. In reality, however, anti-aging means showing commitment and acquiring certain tools.
The agony of choice
The first step in acquiring the right tools is choosing the right cream. Which skin type needs which product (not to be confused with the brand)? Basically, we distinguish between normal, dry, oily, and combination skin.It's advisable to consult an expert to determine which category you fall into and what specific needs must be met. However, the most important rule for everyone is: Especially after showering, your skin should be adequately cared for. Hot water and the washing products used strip the skin of much-needed moisture and wash away lipids (fats).
Now let's look at the individual skin types:
Normal skin
Normal skin – yes, the ideal candidate (after all, 41 percent of all German women fall into this category according to a study). So, if you want to describe normal skin in a few words, it's characterized by a smooth, often rosy surface texture, fine pores, and a soft sheen. If you're now reminded of "Spiderman's" girlfriend Zendaya, you're not far off. This skin type needs creams with a balanced ratio of oil and moisture.
Dry skin
Dry skin (21 percent of German women suffer from it) develops because the so-called skin barrier It crumbles. Experts explain this by saying that more moisture and lipids are lost from the skin than are replenished. Known reasons for this include, in addition to those mentioned above, hormonal or metabolic disorders. But the list is long – and only dermatologists can provide qualified answers. Dry skin is easily recognizable, however. It looks tired and dull, has reddened patches, and sometimes exhibits flaking. It also becomes thinner, in the worst case appearing parchment-like. This can lead to cracks and inflammation. But it certainly results in the formation of permanent wrinkles and furrows. Dry skin therefore requires consistent care that first and foremost restores the moisture balance and thus rebuilds the protective barrier. Richness is the key here. creams, which are rich in Aloe Vera and Hyaluron These, perhaps in combination with healing mastic oil, work true wonders.
Oily skin
Oily skin (according to surveys, 6% of German women suffer from it) is caused by increased sebum production. The glands located under the skin secrete far too much sebum, creating an oily film. This so-called "scalp effect" has a significant advantage: the skin is better protected from environmental influences and therefore wrinkles develop later. However, a disadvantage is enlarged pores, leading to increased susceptibility to inflammation, blackheads, and acne, as bacteria can more easily accumulate. The key is to find a cream that restores balance. It shouldn't be too "degreasing" (because that would increase sebum production), but should provide ample moisture. It's advisable to seek professional advice. Always look for the "non-comedogenic" label on the packaging (meaning: it won't clog pores).
Combination skin
Combination skin (survey: 30 percent of German women) is characterized by, for example, an oily T-zone, while the cheeks and mouth area tend to be drier. This naturally poses a challenge for skincare, as finding the right balance is difficult for many products. Generally speaking, creams They should have a light, non-oily texture and shouldn't clog pores. However, additional products should be used. For example, gentle scrubs that remove dead skin cells and masks with soothing ingredients that provide rich moisture. The combination of these products will result in a smooth, healthy complexion, even for combination skin.
Cleaning – but doing it right
While skin types vary, the cleansing of the skin is quite similar. creams can be applied. We'll give you the most important tips:
1) Cleansing and moisturizing are one step!
Anyone who says skin has to be completely dry after washing doesn't know what they're talking about. The best time to apply cream to your face is when there's still a little moisture visible. That's when the nutrients can penetrate the pores most effectively.
2) Less is always more!
Too much of a good thing is always too much, especially when it comes to skincare. Applying more than a hazelnut-sized amount of cream to your face risks clogging your pores. The result: blemishes that can develop into pimples or inflammation.
3) It all comes down to technique!
Anyone who truly wants to care for their face should first learn how to best massage the cream into the skin. Simply wiping it back and forth won't do. Professionals know that circular, gently massaging motions from the center of the face outwards ensure the best results.
4) Now please wait!
It's perfectly fine to use several skincare products one after the other – provided the ingredients are compatible. harmonieren.Das The key here is: one after the other. This means that each product must be absorbed into the skin before the next one is applied. Otherwise, there is a risk that the effects will cancel each other out.
5) The order must be correct!
The order of products is extremely important in a skincare regimen. It's not just about whether products work well together; the most important thing to remember is this: Serums or fluids should be applied to the skin first, followed by creams or oils. Applying products with a high oil content on the other side can clog the skin, rendering water-based textures ineffective. They simply won't be able to penetrate the skin.
