WOMEN’S WORLD
It may seem like the simplest of beauty routines, but according to the head of the Mexican Society of Cosmetic and Laser Dermatology (SMDCL), less than 20 percent of Mexican women clean their faces before they go to bed each night.
“Women in Mexico spend a fortune on skincare products and beauty creams, but four out of five of them will go to bed without first taking off their makeup and deep cleaning their pores,” said SMDCL president Francisco Pérez Atamoros.
“Our skin is our largest organ and the one that is most susceptible to external influences, so we need to take care of it, and 80 percent of skin health depends on proper hygiene.”
Speaking at a media presentation organized by Neutrogena (the California-based skincare line that is part of the Johnson & Johnson conglomerate) to introduce its new “See What’s Possible” sales campaign, Pérez Atamoros said that many Mexican women believe that it is okay to wear makeup to bed as long as they wash their faces in the morning.
“That is a big mistake,” he said. “Your skin secretes a continuous veil of oils and fluids that are known as your hydro-lipid film and which acts to protect your skin from temperature changes, pollution, ultraviolet rays and external contaminants.”
But while these secretions are your skin’s natural defense against the elements, Pérez Atamoros said that they lose their effectiveness over the course of eight to 16 hours.
“That means that unless the film is washed away to allow a new hydro-lipid veil to surface, it stops functioning and can actually have negative effects because it can clog pores and produce skin breakouts,” he said.
Pérez Atamoros said that the face produces far more hydro-lipid excretions than the rest of the body, and therefore needs special attention.
Moreover, he said, most Mexicans suffer from excessively oily skin, which means that they are more prone to acne and breakouts.
“In fact,” he said, “about 80 percent of Mexicans have oily skin, while only about 20 percent of people from Nordic countries have oily skin.”
So how often should you wash your face?
Pérez Atamoros said that the best approach is to clean your skin thoroughly twice a day, first using a product to gently remove makeup, such as Neutrogena’s Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes, and then deep-cleaning it with a mild soap that will not disrupt its natural acidic pH for longer than a few minutes.
“Most soaps are alkaline, while your face has a pH factor between 2.5 and 4.5,” he said.
“Try to choose a more neutral soap like Neutrogena that will not irritate your skin and cause it to produce too much hydro-lipid excretions.”
Pérez Atamoros also said that while it is important to make sure you clean your face thoroughly twice a day, washing it more often can be counterproductive.
“This is especially true for people with oily skin because it can make the glands that produce the secretions go into overdrive and cause acne to exacerbate,” he said.
By the same token, Pérez Atamoros said that while deep-pore cleaning should be done with a soap as opposed to a cleaning cream or ointment, it is important not to scrub your face too harshly.
He said that to remove grime, massage your face in a circular motion — making circles that move outward from the center of your face.
He also suggested spending extra time around your t-zone, the area that can produce the most secretions, and said not to forget your jawline and along your hairline.
Pérez Atamoros said to try to massage your face for at least 30 seconds when you wash it to be sure to remove all excretions and dead skin cells.
“Use the foam of the soap and gently rub it in, then wash it away,” he said.
“And try to keep to using lukewarm water, rather than cold or hot water.”
While most women believe that using hot water will help open pore to allow dirt and residue to come out more easily, Pérez Atamoros said that steamy water can dry and irritate delicate facial skin.
To rinse, try splashing water on your face and using your hands to remove any remaining soap residue, or you can use a soft face brush.
Washcloths and sponges can be too harsh, he said.
Dry your face by pressing it gently with a soft towel.
“Once your face is completely clean, you can apply your regular beauty creams and serums, and your skin will absorb them better than if you pack them onto a face that is clogged with old secretions,” Pérez Atamoros said.
“Start with a clean slate and perfectly clean skin every day and night, and you will find that most of your skin problems will disappear in a few weeks. All it takes is a few minutes to clean and wash your face twice a day.”
WHAT’S NEW
Curative Oil
The South African-based Bio-Oil brand has just relaunched its scar-removing, stretch-mark-reducing, sun-spot fading and skin-moisturizing line of products in Mexico with a nationwide sales campaign. The clinically tested and dermatologist recommended oil — available in self-service stores and supermarkets — helps improve the appearance of uneven skin tone and dry and aging skin. Its non-greasy formula absorbs quickly and will not clog pores. Bio-Oil is hypoallergenic and suitable for all skin types, even sensitive skin. The very affordable oil is the best-selling scar and stretch mark product in 18 countries and has won more than 220 skincare awards.
Spring is in the Air
The exclusive French design house Christian Dior has captured all the soft, pastel colors of springtime and wrapped them up in a beautiful bouquet of eyeshadows, blush, foundations, lipsticks and nail polishes with warm Easter egg shades and soft, dust textures. Dior’s five-tone shadow sets are the undisputed star of the new collection, although the indulgent fuchsia blush is as seductive as a bright spring morning. The powder pink lipsticks have a nourishing formula that leaves lips soft and kissable and stays put all day long. There are also nail varnishes with a long-wear, gel-like texture and shine that echo the bespoke sophistication of the new collection.
The Brown Eyed Girl
Givenchy’s has once again expanded on its haute couture makeup collection, this time adding a brown liquid eyeliner to its precision felt-tip line (previously only available in black). This paraben-free liner is an elongated, felt-tip eyeliner that draws an ultraprecise line and packs intense pigment density into one smooth stroke. Givenchy’s Liner Couture Precision Felt-Tip Eyeliner has a fast-drying formula that makes it an essential ally for creating captivating eyes. The extremely versatile liner can trace a thin streak along the lash line for an understated day look or a dramatic streak that won’t smudge or flake for evening. And the easy-to-manage felt tip makes sure you never get it wrong.
Hippo Babies
Nothing is more irritating to your baby’s sensitive skin than diaper rash, and the Argentine pharmaceutical company Industria Farmacéutica Andrómaco (which has been operating in Mexico since 1931) has just introduced a line of three creams to protect your infant from this malady, each based on a zinc oxide formula that glides on skin to create an impermeable barrier that blocks moisture and promotes healing. Hipoglos Cremoso P, for daily use, contains a 10 percent concentration of zinc oxide and can be used throughout the day to protect your baby’s skin from irritation and rashes. Hipoglos Pomada PA has a 15 percent concentration of zinc oxide and soothing vitamins to help heal minor diaper rash. And Hipoglos Crema PAC has a 25 percent concentration and is formulated to treat severe diaper rash. It also contains vitamins and calendula marigold oil and aloe to revive inflamed skin.
THE NEWS