Got a burning skin care or beauty question?

Read on, because chances are, it’s been answered below…

How Does Micellar Water Remove Makeup?

Micellar water, which is also known as cleansing water, is a type of cleanser that is becoming increasingly popular.

Why?

Because it is extremely gentle, yet so effective.

Micellar water contains two key ingredients:

• Water
• At least one surfactant

What are surfactants?

They are molecules with two ends. The top end attracts water but repels oil, whereas the bottom end attracts oil but repels water. When these surfactants are added to water, they turn into tiny little spheres, and these are known as micelles.

So, how does it actually work, especially when it comes to removing makeup?

Well, when you apply the micellar water onto a cotton pad, the micelles re-arrange themselves so that their oil-absorbing end is facing outwards. When you then apply this onto your skin, the micelles absorb oil and makeup, allowing you to cleanse these away. Since the micelles are so gentle, you may need to go a few rounds before your makeup has been thoroughly removed, especially if you are wearing quite a few layers.

This then leads to a follow-up question…

Do you need to rinse your skin after using micellar water?

There isn’t a straight answer to this, because it really does depend…

If you have used micellar water to remove heavy makeup, then yes, you should rinse your skin after. This will ensure that there are no more micelles clinging to the surface of your skin.

Some surfactants can also be a little irritating. If your skin feels dry or tight after using a micellar water, then it is always a good idea to rinse it off afterwards.

Does Magnetic Skin Care Work?

Many people are tempted by the many magnetic skin care products out there, but aren’t quite sure whether they actually work or not.

Well, you are about to find out…

One of the most popular types of magnetic skin care products at the moment is face masks, although you will find everything from magnetic serums to mists out there.

All of these products contain magnetic particles, with magnets having been used for medicinal purposes for centuries now. In fact, even Cleopatra was said to have used magnetic therapy in her skin care regimes.

Each of these products come with a magnet. You simply apply the product to your skin, and then hover the magnet just above the surface of your skin. The magnet is attracted to the magnetic particles in the product, meaning that it then pulls the product off your face.

While the technology definitely does work, do these magnetic skin care products actually benefit the skin in any way?

The answer is yes, magnetic skin care actually brings with it a few unique benefits, including:

• Promotes skin cell renewal
• Increases the rate of skin healing
• Boosts blood flow and circulation
• Stimulates the production of collagen

One example of magnetic skincare is the 24K Cryogenic MagnoLift Mask.

Not only does it provide a unique ‘lifting’ effect when you literally lift the mask away, but it is also formulated with well-established skincare ingredients like hemp seed oil, rosemary leaf extract, and coral seaweed to really prep and pamper your skin.

Is there anyone who shouldn’t use magnetic skin care products?

People who have rosacea should be wary of these. The way in which the magnets increase your blood flow can sometimes exacerbate the redness that rosacea brings to the skin.

If you have acne, you should also be careful about which magnetic skin care product you choose. As mentioned above, magnetic face masks are so popular, but many of these are formulated with different muds that may end up clogging your pores.

How Long Does It Take to See Results from Anti-Aging Products?

Everybody wants instant results from their anti-aging products, and some really do offer this. However, these instant results will only be temporary, meaning that you will need to continuously be reapplying the product in order for the effects to stick around.

Of course, there are many anti-aging products out there that offer up long-term results. These work by stimulating your skin’s natural production of collagen and elastin, which are the two key proteins that give your skin its firmness and tightness.

Now, collagen is created in your skin’s dermal layer, meaning that it takes some time for this new collagen to become visible on the surface of your skin.

It usually takes around 90 days for your skin to produce enough new collagen for the effects to be apparent. This means that you will need to wait for around three months to see the improvements that a new anti-aging product will have on your skin.

How Do I Choose the Best Concealer?

This is a very common question, but is one that is tricky to answer.

Everyone’s skin is unique, meaning that different concealers will have various effects for each person.

When it comes to choosing the best concealer for your skin, there are a few things you need to keep in mind:

• Your skin type – this will enable you to choose the best concealer formula. Those with dry skin should opt for a creamy or a stick concealer, whereas those with oily skin will need a liquid formula that has a matte finish
• Your skin tone – make sure that your concealer matches the color of your foundation. If you plan on using the concealer underneath your eyes, it should be just one or two shades lighter than your natural skin tone
• Your skin concerns – if you only have minor blemishes on your skin, a concealer with a light to medium coverage should be enough. If your blemishes and discoloration is more serious, you may need something heavier

How Do Magnetic Lashes Work?

False lashes can often be tricky and time-consuming to apply, and many people find that they don’t tend to last very long.

So, once magnetic lashes came into the picture, it didn’t take long for them to become incredibly popular.

What are magnetic lashes?

They are false lashes that make use of magnets to secure themselves to your lash line.

How do they work?

Each strip of lashes contains tiny magnets dotted all along the lash line. These are pretty much invisible to the naked eye, so don’t be surprised if you can’t see them on yours.

The lashes are designed to go both above and below your natural lash line. You simply line the lashes up with your natural lashes, keeping them close to your natural lash root. The magnets from both sides will be attracted to each other, and will lock together over the top of your natural lashes, securing everything in place.

This does away with the need for eyelash glue, and, yes, you can still wear mascara over the top of magnetic lashes.

Is Mineral Makeup Better for Your Skin?

An increasing number of brands are now creating mineral makeup formulas, and more and more people are trying these out.

What is mineral makeup?

It is makeup that has been created with compressed minerals. Many formulas contain nothing but pure minerals, meaning that these product do not have the oils, waxes and chemical additives that most traditional makeup formulas contain.

When it comes to the health of your skin, mineral makeup tends to be better.

Rather than soaking into your pores and preventing your skin from breathing, mineral makeup binds to the natural oils on your skin. This then creates an additional barrier between your skin and the environment, protecting it from environmental damage.

Many mineral makeup formulas contain titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. Both of these are minerals that offer natural SPF, meaning that your makeup will be able to protect your skin from the sun’s UV rays too.

The fact that mineral makeup is so gentle and doesn’t clog up the pores makes these formulas suitable for all skin types, whether you have oily, acne-prone skin or dry and sensitive skin.

What’s the Best Way to Exfoliate?

Regular exfoliation is so important when it comes to keeping your skin healthy. However, there are so many different ways to exfoliate, so how do you know which one to pick?

Well, there are two main types of exfoliation out there:

• Physical/ Mechanical Exfoliation – this makes use of abrasive particles that scrub at the skin, dislodging any dirt, dead skin cells and excess oil
• Chemical Exfoliation – these exfoliants are formulated with specific acids that dissolve the glue-like substance that holds your dead skin cells to the surface of your skin

So, which is better?

That depends…

Physical exfoliants are great for giving your skin that freshly-scrubbed feeling. The way in which you massage the exfoliant over your face also helps to improve your circulation, which then makes your face look fresh and energized.

However, the downside to physical exfoliation is that scrubbing your face too hard can lead to micro-tears in the skin. You might not be able to see these, but they are there, making it much easier for bacteria and other irritants to enter into your skin. Of course, if you choose a physical exfoliant that makes use of a gentler abrasive substance, such as small sugar granules, you won’t really have to worry about this.

When it comes to chemical exfoliants, there are two main groups of chemicals that are used:

• Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) – these are natural, water-soluble acids. They don’t penetrate too deep into the pores, making them suitable for dry skin too
• Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs) – these are oil-soluble acids that penetrate deep into the pores, making them perfect for oily and acne-prone skin

There’s one more type of exfoliant you should know about…

Fruit enzymes, such as bromelain from pineapples and papain from papaya, are also great exfoliants. Although they still technically count as a chemical exfoliant, they are much gentler than both AHAs and BHAs, making them ideal for sensitive skin.

The downside to fruit enzymes is that they can be quite unstable. You will need to make sure that the packaging of the product is opaque, so as not to allow light in, and you will need to store your product carefully to minimize degradation of the ingredients within. Try to limit their exposure to air as well. Ideally, look for a product that uses a pump dispenser, rather than a jar-style container that exposes all of the product to the environment.

Is There Any Point to a Face Toner?

With face toners looking and feeling so similar to water, it isn’t surprising that many people believe that these products are pointless, and therefore don’t bother adding a toner into their skin care routine.

However, you might change your mind when you read about why a toner is so important…

A toner is designed to be used after cleansing. The reason for this is because the majority of cleansers out there disrupt the skin’s pH balance, which can lead to so many problems. Everything from dryness and dehydration to inflammation and breakouts can occur when your skin’s pH is out of balance.

Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do to avoid this. In order for a cleanser to be effective, it needs to contain these pH-disrupting ingredients. Even mild cleansers will still be formulated with ingredients that lean towards the alkaline side of the scale.

This is where a toner comes in…

A toner will contain all the necessary ingredients to bring your skin’s pH level back to normal. Toners also help to minimize the appearance of large pores after cleansing, while removing any residue that your cleanser may have left behind.

Many toners are also formulated with moisturizing ingredients, along with several antioxidants. These give your skin an extra layer of protection from the environment, which is something that your skin will always benefit from.

Of course, not all toners are created equally…

Make sure that the toner you use is a quality one, and does contain the types of ingredients mentioned above.

Not sure where to begin selecting a toner?

The 24K Purifying Toner is a good place to start. It contains all the moisturizing and antioxidant ingredients here, including aloe vera, chamomile extract and allantoin, which is a gentle, non-irritating ingredient with wonderful moisture-locking benefits.

Whenever you have a skin care or beauty question, it always pays to do a little research to find out the answer. After all, you can only really take care of your skin once you understand all of the facts!