1. CLEANSE AND PH BALANCE YOUR SKIN
Choosing the right cleanser is the first step to getting a makeup-ready canvas. If your skin is sensitive, be sure to stay away from cleansers with strong ingredients like Witch Hazel and hydroxyl or glycolic acids – ingredients that may induce redness and irritation. Find something gentle enough to accomplish your desired results.Also look for a pH-balanced cleanser. The skin’s natural pH typically stays between 4.5 and 6. The lower the pH number, the more acidic, and the higher, the more basic, with 7 being neutral. Skin requires a certain acidity to fight off bacteria, so if you don’t have problem skin, find a cleanser that matches your pH balance. If acne is a concern, look for one that is slightly more acidic, as bacteria is more prone to grow in alkaline (or basic) conditions. Thoroughly rinse your skin after cleansing so no residue remains, ensuring smooth makeup application.
2. EXFOLIATE YOUR FACE AND NECK
Nobody likes clumped up makeup, so get rid of the main culprit to this beauty faux pas – dead skin cells! Exfoliating says hasta la vista to the dead skin cells that have not already left your skin’s surface, uncovering the new smooth skin below.Look for a gentle daily exfoliator scrub with small granules that are circular in shape. Irregular, rough ingredients may cause more harm than benefit by tearing or damaging your skin. And don’t forget to exfoliate your neck! Rinse well so your makeup doesn’t cake or thicken when applied.
3. APPLY A SERUM
This is a commonly skipped step, but an important one. Use a serum before applying a moisturizer to infuse additional rich vitamins and minerals into your skin. Post-exfoliation is the perfect time for applying a serum because the pores, which tend to trap in makeup and excess oil, have just had a deep cleaning.
Buy a serum that contains Vitamin C for smoothing the skin and sodium
hyaluronate for sealing in moisture, or for herbs that firm and hydrate
the skin, minimizing aging.
