7 steps to perfect skin –

1. Exfoliate and pave the way

To protect the organism from any substance, the skin has the stratum corneum, a more rigid external structure. “This set of cells has a very great power of renewal, but, without care, it can become too thick, hindering the entry of the cream’s active ingredients”, explains Marcela Studart, a dermatologist from Rio de Janeiro. To facilitate permeability, it is necessary to make a scrub that removes dead cells.

Érica Monteiro, a dermatologist from São Paulo, explains that the process can be physical, with abrasive soaps based on seeds or polyethylene microspheres, or chemical, with acids, such as salicylic, glycolic or lactic acid. “The choice will depend on the type of skin. For oily and clogged pores, I recommend the chemical to wash your face daily. Those with sensitive or dry skin should only use the physique once a week, ”she says.

2. Bet on cleaning and toning

Before applying any anti-aging cosmetic, there are two precautions that should not be forgotten: cleaning and toning! The first serves to remove excess oil that forms a layer of fat (and not infrequently dirt, pollution…) on the skin, making it difficult for the creams’ assets to penetrate. Always start your beauty routine by removing residue – if you’ve applied makeup, makeup remover is absolutely mandatory. “After that, the correct thing is to use a soap indicated for your type and resort to a tonic to regulate the physiological pH, an indicator that keeps the skin in balance and, thus, optimizes the result of the cream”, explains Jardis Volpi, dermatologist of São Paulo.

3. Get the order right

If you are still confused if the moisturizer is before or after the sunscreen, write down the correct sequence:

1. First apply the cream to the area around the eyes. In this way, you protect this region, the most sensitive of the face, from irritation caused by the sensitizing actives of the next products.

two. Secondly, it’s the turn of the facial moisturizer, which will help keep the skin’s moisture up to date and increase the permeability of the active ingredients.

3. Now, yes, your skin is prepared to receive the treatment – ​​be it a whitening cream based on hydroquinone, an acid against wrinkles or a substance indicated to fight acne and rosacea.

4. Finally, the sunscreen. “It should form an external protective barrier. We don’t want it to be absorbed, as it works as a protective shield”, explains Érica Monteiro. Only then, it’s time to use the makeup.

4. Use it at the right time

There is a science, chronobiology, which only studies the relationship between the times of the day and the production of hormones by the body. The objective is to determine the best times to apply certain assets. “The cell renewal process, for example, happens at night, so save the nourishing and repairing creams for your sleeping period”, explains Jardis Volpi. During the day, when there are spikes in hormones related to oiliness, he recommends the use of lighter products, such as serums or gel-creams rich in antioxidants (vitamin C, green tea, ellagic acid).

5. Take a short break

Time is also an important factor to respect between each cosmetic application. “Before, it was recommended to wait about 20 minutes between one and the other, but this is unrealistic. With the new technologies that facilitate absorption, one or two minutes of pause between each cream is enough”, says Marcela Studart. Do you live in a hurry? Intersperse the application with another task. Did you use the moisturizer? Pause to brush your teeth! Did you apply the sunscreen? Finish dressing before doing your makeup.

6. Warm up the weather

One of the beauticians’ tricks to open pores and increase product penetration is to use heat. “But be careful: hot water directly on the face can harm the skin, causing dryness or even the rebound effect, increasing oiliness”, warns Vilma Natividade, beautician from São Paulo. The solution, then, is to bet on warm water to wash the skin or enjoy the steam in the bathroom right after that shower.

7. Go the best way

Spreading the cream in the same direction as the lymphatic drainage (yes, facial!) makes all the difference: it stimulates microcirculation, improves the penetration of the cosmetic’s active ingredients, reduces puffiness around the eyes and helps to give a lifting effect. See the step-by-step suggested by Roseli Siqueira, cosmetologist from São Paulo.

1. Start with the eye area. Apply the cream without applying pressure, as the skin is thin and delicate there. Use your middle finger and tap lightly from the inner corner towards the outer corner.

two. On the forehead, apply pressure with the middle and index fingers between the eyebrows, taking the product towards the top of the head. Then, go down following the temples and applying light pressure with your fingers.

3. On the face, spread the cream from the center to the ends and upwards towards the ears, also applying light pressure.