korean skin care

THE KOREAN 10 STEP SKIN CARE ROUTINE

♠ Posted by Mikiveux in korean skin care

korean skin care is super personal, so whatever the number of steps you take in your skin care routine, it’s all about what works best for you. Layering is key, so here’s how to properly stack your skin care:

MAKEUP REMOVER & OIL CLEANSER

In order to start treating your skin right, you’ve got to get rid of all the obstacles, ie. makeup, dirt and general environmental grossness and impurities. A cotton pad with makeup remover or a cleansing wipe can do the trick to remove stubborn eye makeup and waterproof makeup. Ever wake up with a mascara-streaked pillowcase even though you’ve washed your face? You won’t after using an oil-based cleanser! Massage it over your dry face and neck to break up makeup, add a splash of lukewarm water to emulsify, and massage again, rinsing everything away.

WATER-BASED CLEANSER

And now the ‘double’ portion of the double-cleanse. Using a water-based cleanser to wash your face whisks away any residue from your oil cleanse and the remaining impurities with it.

EXFOLIATION

Exfoliating is crucial for a polished complexion. Sloughing off dead skin cells and debris makes it a breeze for the rest of your skin care products to mingle with your pores and really get down to business. Up to twice a week, gently massage or tap in an exfoliant into skin for your smoothest and softest-feeling skin.

TONERS (AKA “SKIN,” “SOFTENER” OR “REFRESHER”)

Time to prep your skin with toner. You can sprinkle into your hands and tap directly onto your skin or dispense onto a cotton round and gently swipe all around your face working outwards. Toner helps balance your skin’s pH levels and preps your skin with a bit of hydration to better absorb your following skin care treatments. Think about your skin like a sponge—it’s more difficult to rehydrate it when it’s dried up and hardened than when it’s already a bit damp.

ESSENCE

You can consider essence the heart of a Korean skin care routine. A bit dual purpose, essence is a kind of toner and serum hybrid made for hydrating and aiding skin repair and cell turnover. You apply it directly to freshly toned skin with your hands and pat it in.

SERUMS, BOOSTERS & AMPOULES

Time for treatment products—consider boosters, serums and ampoules the concentrated essence. You apply these in the same fashion, it’s all about the tap! These products can address any issue including brightening, pore-refining, pigmentation, wrinkles, acne—this is your skin-perfecting step.

SHEET MASKS

If essence is the heart of a Korean skin care routine, the sheet mask is its soul. It’s a quiet meditative, skin-nourishing ritual that imparts maximum treatment into your skin while you chill out for 15-20 minutes, looking a bit like a damp ghost. This is also the best selfie opp during your skin care routine. Once or twice a week is enough for this step, but our 7 Day Sheet Mask Challenge shows you that there’s no such thing as overdoing sheet masks!

EYE CREAM

The skin around your eyes is the most delicate skin on your face and should be treated like the fragile flower that it is, with extra helpings of hydration and protection. Use your ring finger to very gently tap—never rub—eye cream around the entire orbital bone, avoiding the water line.

MOISTURIZER

Hydration is your express lane to dewy glowing skin. Finding a moisturizer that works for your skin type is a crucial step to protecting your skin. They come in many different forms so it shouldn’t be too hard—like an emulsion, a lotion, gel or cream. Morning and evening, pat a moisturizer all over face and neck to keep skin protected and hydrated, sealing in all the work from your other steps. Once a week, sub in a sleeping pack to wake up with revitalized and fully hydrated skin.

SUN PROTECTION

Even if you’re stepping outside for a few minutes, sunscreen is the best thing you can do to prevent premature aging—it’s the OG anti-aging skin product. Apply every—and we mean every—morning, reapplying throughout the day as needed. It’s important as the last step so it can shield your skin from the harmful effects of UV rays without being diluted by all your prior skin care products.

KOREAN SKIN CARE ROUTINE

My cousin just returned from Korea, and we spent about 6 hours talking about Korean skin care secrets. I realized that Korean skin care products is YEARS ahead of American/European skin care products. Plus, many Asian women have combination/oily skin, which means many skin care products are designed to specifically target this skin type. I have combination skin in the winter and oily skin in the summer, so naturally I find many Asian skin care products a lot more friendly for my skin than many Western skin care brands.

Korean+Skin+care

South Korean women spend more money on skin care products than any other women in the world. They often use 14-16 different skin care products on a weekly basis! In contrast, a lot of people here in America use a simple 3-step skin care routine: cleanser, toner, moisturizer. Once upon a time, I had a 2-step skin care routine (cleanser, moisturizer), and that was enough to keep my breakouts in check when used with my prescribed topical cream. I only get occasional breakouts, some blackheads, and enlarged pores (probably from years of acne). I decided at some point to try the Korean skin care routine to try and heal old acne scars and allow my skin to become radiant.

Here are the steps for a typical Korean skin care routine:

1) Cleanser

I suggest you pick a foaming cleanser that is gentle on your face. A lot of gel cleansers that I have used are very intensive and often very drying (even for my oily skin). Cream cleansers can sometimes be too oily (especially if they're not oil-free) in the morning, even if your toner can make it work. Generally speaking, I've found that foaming cleansers are perfect for my skin.

This is a trick I learned to determine if your cleanser is too drying/not strong enough:

After washing your face with your cleanser, place a sheet of tissue paper on your face. If it falls off immediately, your cleanser is too dry! If it takes more than two seconds to fall off, your cleanser is not strong enough and too much oil is left on your face! Anytime in between is just right.

2) Toner

Most people think toners are useless/overkill/drying to the skin, but if you pick the right toner for your skin type, it will be well worth your money. A few days ago, I went to Sephora and had a chat with one of the skincare specialists. She said that toners were designed to balance the skin's pH levels following cleansing, as some cleansers are not pH balanced. My dermatologist actually said the exact same thing to me before, and told me to use a gentle toner (alcohol-free) if I wanted to use a toner. While many Western toners are designed to simply balance your skin's pH levels, many Asian toners aim to do that AND hydrate the skin with nutrients. That is what makes Asian toners different than Western toners.

Here's the thing: toners are things you want to be willing to splurge a little on (unlike cleansers where you can find similar ingredients in cheaper products). You want to use a toner that is alcohol-free to avoid drying out your skin and one that has as many natural ingredients as possible to condition your skin without harmful synthetics and chemicals.

3) Essence/Serum

This is a super important step that a lot of people here in the US skip - which is really unfortunate... I cannot stress how important this step is to transforming your skin or maintaining youthful, radiant skin. My cousin highlighted this point in the Korean skincare routine. Many people think serums are used by older women whose primary concern is wrinkles and what-not, but many serums in Asian are more than just wrinkle treatments - many have hydrating, whitening, oil-controlling, etc. abilities. Even if you're under that belief, it's never too early to start fighting wrinkles! This is another product that you want to be prepared to spend more money on because the purity, quality, and quantity of the special ingredients make a big difference.

korean-skin-care

What the heck is essence anyways?

An essence is very similar to a serum, but is usually lighter and has a more liquid-y consistency. Both essences and serums aim to treat specific skin problems such as wrinkles, enlarged pores, dryness, etc. I like to think that this is THE product to use when you're unhappy or unsatisfied with your skin in someway. My problems are mostly occasional breakouts, blackheads, large pores, and excessive oiliness.

4) Emulsion

Okay, so emulsion may not be for everyone, so depending on the season and/or your skin type, you may or may not need to use am emulsion.

When I think of emulsions I think salad dressing...what the heck is emulsion as a skincare product?

An emulsion is uncommon in western skincare routines, but it is essentially a lightweight moisturizer. Most emulsions are relatively liquid-y and is quickly absorbed by your skin. It's really meant for people with dry skin or for people who live in dry climates (i.e. New England in the winter). It provides an extra layer of moisture for those whose skin needs it. If you have oily skin, you may not need to use emulsions in your daily skin care routine.

5) Moisturizer

This is also a super important step in the Korean skincare regime! Finding the right moisturizer can be really tricky, especially if your skin type changes with the seasons like mine does. In the summer, my skin is oily, so I need a lightweight moisturizer (oil-free, too!) that can easily be absorbed into my skin. However, in the winter my skin becomes a combination of oily and dry (oily in my t-zone and dry on my cheeks), so I need a heavier moisturizer (still preferably oil-free) to accommodate the season change.

6) BB Cream/CC Cream

BB creams and CC creams are very similar: both are aimed at concealing blemishes/redness and treating the skin to improve overall skin condition and texture. Many Asian BB/CC creams have a laundry list of skin benefits that include whitening, anti-wrinkle, skin elasticity, etc. Think of them as tinted moisturizers + sunscreen + anti-wrinkle cream + primer + concealer + ....... Anyways, they're awesome for people who are lazy or dislike going through the whole make-up routine. I will be doing a full comparison between BB creams and CC creams another time!

7) Powder

In all honesty, this step can be skipped....depending on your skin type. If you have oily skin like me, it's a good idea to tap on some powder after BB/CC cream to absorb excess shine. Just make sure the powder is oil-free/mineral make-up to avoid clogging up your pores! If you have dry skin, avoid powdering- it can actually irritate your skin or make it even drier! If you have combination skin, only use powder where your skin tends to get shiny. Sensitive skin should also be careful to use only as much as needed.

http://korean-skin-care.blogspot.com/

MID-DAY...

You wonder what Korean women use to refresh themselves in the middle of the day (especially a hot and humid day)?Facial mists are HUGE in Korea right now! My cousin literally bought 12 different facial mists back from Korea! Most of them are targeted to deliver nutrients and minerals while hydrating and refreshing your your face. This is a step that isn't usually present in a typical Western skin care routine (I didn't start using this until I switched up my skin care routine), but is a nice luxury to incorporate into your everyday life. You won't regret it! These make those super humid, gross days a lot better and fun!

AT NIGHT...

It's super important to note that Koreans take face cleaning very seriously. So seriously they've developed a particular method to obtaining super clean skin. It's called the double-cleansing method. Essentially, it's a two-step cleaning method to get your skin super clean. The first step is to use a make-up remover oil to take off as much of your make-up as possible. Don't worry about using the make-up remover oil if you have oily skin- all traces of the cleansing oil will be removed in the second step. The second step is to use a gentle cleanser to remove any excess make-up (that wasn't removed by the oil remover) and leftover oil remover. Really this method ensures that make-up is completely removed so that leftover make-up doesn't clog your pores and lead to nasty breakouts!

korean-skin-care

1) Make-up Remover Oil

Don't panic if you have oily/acne prone skin! Make-up is easily removed with an oil-based make-up remover. It beats scrubbing down your skin with water! Trust me on this- the oil actually protects your skin from scrubbing your skin too hard while you attempt to remove the make-up.

2) Cleanser

Again, focus on a gentle cleanser, not one that will strip moisture away from your skin! In fact, taking away all traces of oil from your skin will only induce more oil production (I can cite my dermatologist on this). There are definitely gentle gel cleansers as well, but I happen to find that foaming cleansers are nicer on my skin. All this cleanser has to do is really just take away left-over make-up form step #1 and any other dirt and debris.

3) Toner

Use the same toner as the morning, or use a different one- either is fine! I like to use an an antibacterial toner at night to make sure any bacteria on your pillow don't give you any breakouts! But you can use any toners that cater to your skin's need (i.e. moisturizing, mattifying, etc.)

4) Essence/Serum

I would highly using a different essence or serum as the one you use in the morning. Why? To gain more skin care benefits. Like I said, serums and essences are made for many different uses (aside from just anti-aging). A good nighttime serum/essence to use is one that focuses on repairing/conditioning the skin (i.e. vitamin-based serums, balancing serums, etc.). That way, your skin can heal while you sleep (which is, by the way, super important to your skincare routine!), and you wake up with beautiful, radiant skin :)

5) Night Moisturizer

Typically at night I like to use a heavier moisturizer to help my skin heal intensively. Heavier doesn't necessarily oil-based moisturizers, so don't worry if your skin is oily! Using a richer gel-based moisturizer works very well on oily/acne prone skin. Or you can find an oil-free lotion/cream.

ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK...

You thought we were done with the list?!

In addition to a daily skin care routine, Korean women often have weekly regimes too! Of course, you tailor your own needs to each weekly treatment. These weekly products are definitely worth the splurge because these are the skin care equivalents to icing on the cake, and no cake is a cake without frosting (c'mon let's be honest here). When doing weekly treatments, make sure you understand your skin type and needs. For example, a clay mask may be better used twice a week instead of only one in the summer for someone with oily skin. However, someone with normal skin may find that only once a week may be intensive enough! Tread lightly and be open to trying many products to find the ones that work best for you!

korean-skin-care

1) Exfoliator/Peel

I recommend using an exfoliator or peel for all skin types. For acne prone/oily skin, scrubbing away dead skin cells will help clear your pores. For someone with dry skin, it can scrub away flaky skin spots (be careful not to scrub too hard!) and promote healthy skin growth. For sensitive skin, be careful to read what the ingredients in the exfoliator/peel is before using. Always test on your hand before using on your face when using a product first! Try finding a product that uses natural ingredients as the "scrubbing agents." When exfoliating, make sure to use your hands (your hands are the best gifts from your parents) and massage your face in an gentle outwards circular motion. The outwards motion helps retain skin resiliency and minimizes skin stretching to prevent wrinkles. You would use the exfoliator or peel after your gentle cleanser and before your toner.

2) Deep-cleansing mask

This one here is awesome for people with oily/acne-prone skin, combination skin, and normal skin- especially in the summer or in humid weather. Many deep-cleansing masks are made out of clay (kaolin), which help draw out debris from your pores. The environment can be full of debris, dirt, and other gunk. The purpose of this step is to create a blank canvas, or to deeply clean out your pores. Dry skin and sensitive skin definitely want to consider the weather before making this a weekly treat. Most deep-cleaning masks are quite intensive, so if you have dry or sensitive skin, your skin may not like this mask very much. You may want to skip this step! You would use the deep-cleansing mask in place of your gentle cleanser after using your make-up remover and before your toner. Make sure to use a heavier moisturizer afterwards if you have sensitive or dry skin!

3) Sheet mask

Did you know that sheet masks were made popular throughout Asia by Koreans? Originating from South Korea, sheet masks are cheap, fun, and useful devices to use against dry weather and bad complexion days! Sheet masks are slowly making their way into the Western market- Sephora recently started selling Masqueology sheet masks online. There is a ridiculous number of brands that make sheet masks, and in my humble opinion, only a few of them really do what they say they do. Most sheet masks are great for refreshing and hydrating the face, as a lot of them are saturated with serums.

Sheet masks are great for any skin types, and should be used depending on your skin type. Tea tree ones are great for oily/acne prone skin. Aloe is great for sensitive skin. Honey is awesome for dry skin. Most sheet masks don't need to be washed off, though I have used ones that require a quick rinse afterwards. Leftover serum in the package should ALWAYS be either massaged into the chin or neck area or patted into the skin using clean hands or facial cotton. Sheet masks are best used after exfoliator and toner, and before your moisturizer. So on a night when you decide to use your exfoliator, break out your sheet mask too! You can skip your essence/serum (the sheet mask does the trick). Depending on the season, the condition of your skin, etc., you may want to use sheet masks 1-3 times a week.

4) Sleeping mask

You might not be super familiar with sleeping masks, which are basically leave-in masks (at least most are) that you put on before going to bed. They come with many different functions including hydration, oil control, rejuvenation, etc. Sleeping masks can be thought of as the "deep-cleansing masks" for dry/sensitive skin. For oily/acne prone skin, there are some really nice sleeping masks that help balance oil production (works like a balancing cream). These are your best friends in the winter and fall!

I know this is a laundry list of skin care products to buy and try out, but if you're like me and you have tried all sorts of solutions to help your troubled skin (dermatologist, traditional Chinese medicine, over-the-counter, etc.), then the Korean skin care routine may actually help change your skin (and your life!) for good. Whatever decisions made, it is always good to be open-minded and be persistent about try new things out.

Good luck with your new skin care routine! :)

korean skin care

♠ Posted by Mikiveux in korean skin care,skin care,skin care korean

korean skin care : Foods containing healthy, natural bacteria strains will support your gut and intestine, thus promoting your overall health. Unfortunately, because of poor diets and an overuse of antibiotics many are damaging the bacteria in their guts and intestine. This can cause many health problems.

korean skin care : I've experienced this firsthand. I used to eat junk food, processed foods and sugar which had a bad impact on my gut and intestine. As a result, I suffered from IBS and other health problems for years. Fortunately, I was helped to change my eating habits. I learned that a healthy gut is closely linked to the ratio between the good and the bad bacteria in the stomach; the ideal ration is about 85% good bacteria and 15% bad bacteria. My gut microflora were way out of balance!

korean skin care : Avoiding sugar and limiting grains in my diet proved a major step forward. I also started taking a high quality probiotics supplement daily; it has more than 70 billion CFU (colony-forming units) per serving and 10 of the best probiotic bacteria strains. These fairly simple changes to my diet had a remarkable impact on my gut, and it changed fast. I had mistreated my stomach for years, but it only a few weeks on a healthy diet and probiotics for the symptoms to start fading. After a few months my gut was almost completely restored.

korean skin care : Where to find good probiotics

korean skin care : You can find probiotic bacteria in foods like sourdough, sauerkraut, raw yogurt and kefir. In Asia you can also find probiotics in fermented fish and sauces. There are many different strains of probiotic bacteria and some are more important than others.

korean skin care : For example, in the fermentation process to make yogurt many traditionally use different strains of Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus. However, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis are two stronger probiotic strains also used in yogurt and other foods. The latter are to prefer as they are more potent.

korean skin care : To feel the effects you should use probiotics daily--the real benefits will show only after some time when your gut microflora becomes stronger and more balanced.

korean skin care : These bacteria are amazing organisms and the benefits of eating fermented foods are many:

korean skin care : The fermenting process lowers the GI value (Glycemic Index) and makes foods easier to digest.

korean skin care : Fermentation destroys harmful bacteria, yeast like Candida, and other microorganisms.

Lactic acid formed in the fermentation process breaks down food additives, pesticides and toxins, making them harmless to your body.

The fermentation makes it easier for your body to assimilate nutrients, vitamins and minerals.

Some examples of fermented foods (sometimes called cultured foods):

Yogurt (korean skin care : unsweetened; preferably from raw milk)

Natto (korean skin care : fermented soybeans)

Miso (korean skin care : a fermented soybean paste)

Sauerkraut

Kefir (korean skin care : fermented, yogurt-like milk)

Kimchi (korean skin care : a Korean dish with fermented vegetables)

Try fermenting your own foods at home

korean skin care : Most fermented foods mentioned in this article can be prepared at home. I make cultured vegetables at home regularly; it was surprisingly simple to learn. It's cheap, tasty, and full of healthy, potent bacteria for your gut. I mostly use cabbage, carrots and beetroot because they are cheap and fast to prepare. But you can ferment many other vegetables.

korean skin care : Many vegetables contain natural bacteria that will start the fermenting process under the right circumstances. But you can also buy "starters"--these are specific bacteria strains for home use. Just add the starter to a milk product, coconut juice, or any vegetable you want to ferment. Depending on the food and the type of starter you use, you'll have a ready fermented product to enjoy within a few days to a couple of weeks.

korean skin care : Once you've learned the process you can mix different vegetables for better taste. You can change how long you let the fermentation process go on, and try to ferment in different temperatures. All these factors will change the taste, texture and probiotic contents of the end product.

korean skin care : Probiotics and your skin

korean skin care : I've also noted that even though my focus has been on solving problems with the microflora, it also affects other organs. I've had problems with my skin as long as I can remember and I've come to realize that proper skin care includes my gut. Actually, combining natural skin care recipes with probiotics supplements is very effective and has made my skin smoother and more youthful. Eczema and other skin problems often reveal problems with the immune system. And 80% of our immune system is connected to the gut, so taking probiotics daily can have a major impact on your skin.

korean skin care : It's enough to take one or two tablespoons of cultured vegetables with every meal. The amount of bacteria in one tablespoon of fermented vegetables corresponds to about 4 cups of yogurt (about 1 liter). That's how good it is.

korean skin care : Ken Silvers is a writer on health and skin care. For more than 20 years he has researched and used natural products for his own health problems. He is convinced that a natural and organic approach is superior to most commercial products. You can check out his latest site about probiotics, and get great information about top probiotics, what are probiotics, the best probiotics, probiotics adverse effects, and more korean skin care.

Collagen Skin Firming Creams

♠ Posted by Mikiveux in korean skin care,skin care,skin care korean

There are numerous products on the market today that help to firm skin. Some of them are not as successful as they are said to be, but there are some that actually help to firm skin. There are also individuals who seek the help of surgeons and may end up having an overly expensive procedure done and feel much discomfort afterwards. There are other ways in which firm skin can be achieved. Some of the best collagen skin firming creams on the market today are mentioned below.

The first product is Queen Helene Vitamin Enriched Elastin/Collagen Skin Firming Cream. Collagen and elastin are two soluble proteins that successfully aid in the elimination of age lines and wrinkles. They also help to restore the elasticity of the skin. The formula in this product also have ingredients such as: Vitamin A, D and E, Mineral Oil, Paraffin, beeswax, Safflower Oil, Panthenol, Pro-pylene Glycol, Wheat Germ Oil, Sesame Oil and Sodium Borate. This can be used both day and night.

REVIVA Elastin and Collagen Body Firming Lotion is the next product that can help to firm skin. This product has 10 times the amino acid level of minor elastins. REVIVA uses elastin concentrate that is powdered form. The powdered form of elastin is the highest quality that is available and also has premium soluble collagen. This can be used by anyone who has any type of skin. It helps to eliminate slackened skin which may appear after significant weight loss. REVIVA Elastin and Collagen Body Firming Lotion help to avoid stretch marks and also help to eliminate loose skin that may appear in the thighs, upper arms and buttocks.

Rachel Perry is yet another brand that has a Skin Care Firming Treatment. It is a collagen and elastin firming treatment and also is a water based formula that comes in the form of a gel. It helps to moisturize skin as well as develop a much more youthful exterior. This product should be used twice everyday and should be used after you have meticulously cleansed your skin. After it has dried you can apply a moisturizing cream and/or a night cream. Some of the ingredients that can be found in this product are: Amino acids, comfrey root, horsetail, Korean Ginseng, ivy, linden, bladder wrack, yarrow, marine protein, witch hazel extracts and water soluble botanical extracts.

The above mentioned collagen skin firming creams are examples of products that can actually make a difference in the way you look and feel. If you are someone who is searching for the perfect firming cream then why not give these products try? There are certain individuals who seek the help of surgeons to acquire these goals. Surgery can be quite tough on a person and may even leave you feeling pain for days on end. These products will aid you in receiving the results you desire without the over expenditure, pain and discomfort.

The Asian Way Of Defying Skin Aging

♠ Posted by Mikiveux in korean skin care,skin care,skin care korean

Do you find Asian skin enviable? It seems like Asian skin is quite resistant to the aging process. What exactly are their anti aging secrets?

Asians can vouch for the efficacy of many natural remedies and treatments. Many of their skin care secrets originate from the Ancient times. Their skin care recipes have been passed down from generation to generation.

The following are some tips that can help you emulate the Asian way of defying the skin aging process:

1. Japanese people are fond of eating sea foods. Even in bento-making, they always incorporate sea foods. In addition to that, they also make their bento boxes as colourful as possible. They add leafy green vegetables, colourful vegetables and deep-colored fruits and berries. Needless to say, they follow a balanced diet.

Sea foods are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids help prevent inflammation. Cellular inflammation can contribute to the fast progress of skin aging. These fatty acids also help normalize the production of sebum so you are less likely to experience skin dryness.

2. Kojic acid helps reduce age spots and dark blemishes. Kojic acid is taken from fermented rice wine or sake. It helps reduce melanin production. If you want to reduce age spots and improve your over-all dermis complexion, try using soaps with Kojic acid.

3. Use rice bran as a facial mask. Many Korean women can vouch for the efficacy of rice bran in reducing wrinkles and fine lines. It contains squalene. This can help produce more keratin in the system that will eventually help the dermis regenerate more collagen and elastin.

Soak one cup of organic rice or your favourite brand of rice in one cup of water for an hour. After an hour, use the water to wash your face. You can also grind or blend soaked rice and add a bit of olive oil to turn it into a paste. Apply the paste on your skin. Let it sit there for an hour before washing it off with lukewarm water.

In addition to these tips, you would also want to find a reliable anti aging moisturizer. It should be made up of CynergyTK, Phytessence Wakame and Nano Lipobelle HEQ10.

CynergyTK is an ingredient that has been extracted from the wool of sheep. It has natural keratin content. Keratin is needed because it is responsible for the regeneration of collagen fibers. Phytessence Wakame is a type of Japanese sea kelp. This can help prevent the loss of hyaluronic acid. This acid is necessary in moisturizing collagen fibers. Nano Lipobelle HEQ10 is an antioxidant that can fight the bad effects of harmful free radicals. This antioxidant can protect skin cells and can prevent cellular damage.

A Natural Substance That Reverses Skin Aging - You Must Use This

♠ Posted by Mikiveux in korean skin care,skin care,skin care korean

Wouldn't you love to know about a natural substance that reverses skin aging? We have become so used to the presence of artificial chemicals in our everyday life that we cannot believe that nature might actually have better solutions. This is particularly true in the case of skin care products because we may have actually created and aggravated our skin problems by the indiscriminate use of chemicals.

We are exposed to so many chemicals in our food, water, air and even skin care products that we hasten the aging process unnecessarily.

Our only recourse is to use a wonderful natural substance that reverses skin aging. You may have perhaps wondered how Japanese and Korean women are able to main their youthful looks well into their forties and sometimes into their fifties. Their diet, loaded with antioxidants and omega3 rich seafood is definitely a factor, but they also have a secret weapon.

Japanese and Korean women eat a lot of Japanese sea kelp, a marine plant that grows off the shores of their countries. It has the miraculous ability to increase the levels of hyaluronic acid in your skin. When you are young your skin has very high levels of this acid. As you grow older and are exposed to the negative effects of pollution and stress, an enzyme called hyaluronidase decreases the levels of hyaluronic acid in your skin.

You may obviously find it very difficult to eat sea kelp as part of your normal diet, no matter how badly you want to look young. Thankfully there are options whereby you can use this natural substance that reverses skin aging. Scientists have managed to isolate its active ingredient, called Phytessence Wakame. You can now buy skincare products that contain this amazing substance. You can also find dietary supplements that contain Japanese sea kelp.

You have to try this to believe it and you will certainly not be disappointed.

The Korean 10-Step Regimen to Flawless Skin

♠ Posted by Mikiveux in korean skin care,skin care,skin care korean

While the main skincare regimen of the West contains the steps of Cleansing, Toning, Moisturizing and Exfoliating, the Koreans of the East follow ten steps. With that much procedures, it's no surprise therefore why their skin is as flawless as we see it. Here are these ten steps you could follow to have skin as smooth and bright as they do.

1. Removing Eye Makeup

Find a good makeup remover to gently take out your eye makeup. Don't rely on a regular cleanser to perform this job as this assumption is what will leave a previous week's mascara on your eyelashes. This makeup remover would also be really helpful if you need to take out a long wear lipstick.

2. Cleansing

The golden rule to remember is to spend the same amount of time taking off what's on your face to the time you were putting it on. So let's say it took you forty-five minutes putting on your makeup, spend the same time wiping it off. Find a really good oil cleanser to suit your skin type and use this to massage your face in circular movements gently. The face massage is important as Koreans believe that this is what makes circulation increase, which translates to a brighter skin.

3. Exfoliating

A natural exfoliant scrub does wonders in restoring your skin's softness so remember this step as this is the reason why Koreans have very smooth skin. Doing so two times a month is already good enough. Focus on your T-zone areas or sites where blackheads usually appear. For exfoliating one's face, the Koreans follow the rule, "less is more."

4. Refreshing

This is the Korean's equivalent to Toning. It's basically done to aid in the removal of pollutants together with cleanser residues, while simultaneously recovering the pH balance of skin. More importantly, its main role is soothing and preparing skin for absorption of the essence, the procedure that follows. If you'll try their toners, you'll see that they're less drying and harsh to skin. Some also make use of natural ingredients like fermented bamboo extracts.

5. Applying the Essence

The essence application is considered the routine's most crucial step. Soaking your face to their treatment essence penetrates skin cells; thereby, speeding up rate of cell turnover which leaves skin brighter and smoother.

6. Applying the Ampoule

The Korean's equivalent to serums of the West, these ampoules are much like the essences but are more concentrated. Popular ampoules have they active component, bifida ferment lysate, which is great for fine line smoothing, sun brightening and sun spot fading.

7. Applying the Sheet Mask

The sheet mask step is done two times a week but should your face be really dry, this could go beyond that number of times. These masks are wet and paper-like, abundant with collagen and penetrate your skin. There are a variety of sheet masks out there. Some contain Vitamin E which are good in anti-aging and avocado extracts, which are rich in antioxidants. What's the role of these sheet masks? They basically compel your skin to better absorb moisture and nutrients compared to applying a cream or serum alone. The instantaneous effects can be addictive. Just one use and you would feel your face a little plumper and definitely brighter brought about by your skin's absorption of all that moisture.

8. Tapping the Eye Cream

The main difference of the way Koreans apply eye cream is that they tap it on skin surrounding the eye area. Apart from getting rid of pulling and tugging episodes, the product is also absorbed better.

9. Applying the Moisturizer

Okay, by now, you're probably shaking at all the things you need to apply to your skin but in case you haven't realized it yet, the Koreans method of beautification is all about layering. So even if you may already feel mummified at this point, still apply a generous amount of moisturizer and stroke it gently for deep skin penetration.

10. Applying the Night Cream

And we're down to the last step at last. Your face may feel funny but you have to admit that your skin now exhibits what the Koreans would say, a dewy "moist glow." The rule of the thumb to remember is your skin needs to be hydrated as you recharge for the night. The Korean trend is using ripened ingredients in their skin care; hence, go for creams that have fermented bamboo sap, lotus extracts and fruit water.