A peek into a French woman's natural skin care routine!
French women in general take their skin care regimen seriously even from an early age. This gives them a huge upper hand when it comes to skin aging, and they are serious about every step in their skin care routine.
Skin cleansing, first things first!
Cleansing of the facial skin should be at the top of every skin care routine. For Europeans and most notably the French, cleansing of the skin begins with special crème and milk cleansers. French skin care rejects old fashioned bar soap and is even skeptical of liquid facial cleansers that can strip, damage and cause dry flaky skin on the face. These facial cleansers should be gentle enough to use several times a day even on the most sensitive skin.
Next: The importance of skin toning…a thousand times yes!
The reason why French skin care routine places significant emphasis on toners is because these products can balance out the PH level (potential hydrogen) of your skin, which allows the skin’s PH to stay around 5.5 or a little lower, which in turn helps the skin to maintain and retain the skin’s fatty protective layer and moisture. This is a big YES and exactly what our skin needs to absorb all those good nutrients and look dewy fresh! Once the skin is cleansed it is patted dry and a facial toner is applied after about a minute. This ensures that the skin is clean and dry which maximizes absorption of the toner. If there is any oil or dirt left on the skin the toner will take care of it. Now the skin is primed to absorb the nutrients in the serums and moisturizers.
Facial serums…smaller molecules equal deeper penetration.
The use of anti-aging serum products is not unique to French women but their skin care routine dictates a more regular utilization than other cultures. Skin needs to repair after a day of exposure to the damaging harsh elements in the environment. Due to the serum products thinner consistency and smaller molecules they also penetrate the skin deeper and are packed with a higher percentage of patent ingredients.
Skin moisturizing is a must!…
Crèmes and sunscreens are also used in French skin care. Specialized oils and crèmes can quickly address dry flaky skin feeding it with nutrients to balance it. Using them daily keeps the skin calm, moist and plump thus minimizing inflammation, fine lines, and wrinkles. We need fatty acids in our daily diets to keep our bodies healthy and we need the same fatty acids and lipids to keep our skin healthy.
Face oil, dewy skin for days!
If you are looking to have healthier, younger looking skin without exposure to harsh chemicals, toxins, treatments or pharmaceutical ingredients then by adding face oils to your skin care routine you can actually transform your skin to a balanced, dewy, glowing, younger looking you.
When you apply the face oil it is absorbed into the epidermis (top layer of the skin) where it quickly improves and re-stabilizes the lipid barrier function. This oil can actually penetrate close to the collagen level because of the small molecules, and helps restore plump skin and diminish or eliminate some of the fine wrinkles.
Apply your face oil in place of a moisturizer or layer your moisturizer first, then add face oil.
Natural facial masques, Oui!
Using a natural hydrating facial masque one to two times per week can bring back a youthful look and glow to your skin. It revitalizes, brightens, de-stresses your skin and aids in cell renewal. Plus, it just makes all your other skin care products work that much better!
Now is the perfect time to start!
So instead of waiting for aging to take its toll and then fighting it with potentially irritating and dangerous ingredients that put their skin into overdrive in a damaging way, French women use a natural routine that slows and softens the effects of aging long before it begins.
*Always remember it is never, ever too late to start your preventive skin changing routine.
Here is a bit of science from Tuck and what happens to our skin as we sleep. It also applies to better skin care nutrient absorption at bedtime.
Collagen and Growth Hormone
Early in the nighttime sleep cycle, people typically have a surge in growth hormone. This period of deep sleep, stages 3 and 4 sleep, contributes to what people call “beauty sleep” as secretion of growth hormone helps repair and rebuild body tissues like muscle and bone. Many of the body’s tissues also show increased collagen, cell production, and slower breakdown of proteins during deep sleep. Since proteins are the building blocks needed for cell growth and for repair of damage from factors like stress and ultraviolet rays, deep sleep is truly “beauty sleep".
P.S.
Studies show the best time to use a hydrating masque and other nutrient dense skin care products is right before you go to bed. I use the Luscious Rose Equalizer Hydrating Masque at least a few times a week and right after I cleanse my face with the Gentle Crème Cleanser in the bath (love the steam). Why? This is actually the time when the skin starts to regenerate.
With Love and Blessings,
Rebecca
"Nothing is more respectable than honesty."
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