Beauty guru Agoo Azcuna-Bengzon and celebrity makeup artist Anthea Bueno have the answer to the question most young women ask about skin care. How do we start?
The two beauty experts, together with beauty blogger Vina Guerrero and makeup artist Mayesa delos Santos, were launched as the ambassadors of SIMPLE makeup removing products last Friday, August 11, at SM Makati.
In an interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal), Agoo and Anthea shared the five essential skin-care steps every Pinay should follow to achieve a healthy glowing skin.
MORNING?
1. Cleansing
It’s the first and most important step before you start your day.
"Super important,” Agoo can’t explain it enough.
“If you don't clean your skin, that's when problem starts to happen because your pores are clogged kapag hindi natatanggal yung dirt, e.
"Even if you don't use makeup, just being outside, the pollution, everything, will clog your pores and you need to clean that."
2. Toning
A step further to get your skin cleansed.
Anthea said, "Super important na it's clean kasi yung potency ng products na ipu-put mo on top of your skin…
"Mahirap kasi na nandun pa yung oil and dirt 'tapos matatakpan pa ng makeup, it will do more harm to your skin."
Agoo added, "Some people feel that they don't need it, but toner prepares your skin for moisturizer.
“So parang added ingredients for hydration or for cleansing rin."
3. Plumping Up
Face serums are an optional step to your morning skincare routine, according to Agoo.
"If you want parang mas potent, mas deeply penetrating yung ingredients,” she said.
4. Moisturizing
Anthea reminded it’s essential to keep our skin nourished and hydrated the whole day, even if you have oily skin.
She told PEP, "Dito kasi sa Pilipinas, it's so hot and humid na parang tinatanggal na natin yung moisturize part, which is hindi dapat.
“Kailangan nandun pa rin yung moisturize, parang feeling ng skin, it's so dehydrated that it's producing more oil.
"So if you put moisturizer in your routine, mas less yung pag-produce ng oil ng skin natin."
5. Sun blocking
Agoo said its important to apply sunscreen "to protect your skin from the harsh rays of the sun."
EVENING
Repeat the morning routine sans the sunscreen.
Thoroughly cleanse your face to remove any makeup residue before going to sleep.
Anthea explained, "When you do makeup kasi, you're putting something on top of your skin so whether you like it or not, papasok siya sa pores mo and you have to remove it.
"Some people would think na, 'Oh! It's hypoallergenic makeup!'
“It's still makeup, you have to remove it and let your pores breathe."
Agoo said concealers and eye makeup are the hardest to remove.
She told PEP, "Usually concealer, under the eye kasi ‘yan, e, and you have to really be gentle under eye.
“Gusto mo siya matanggal, but then you have to do it gently so medyo challenging siya."
Anthea interjected, "Usually kasi, I use waterproof stuff sa eyes kasi I do weddings, brides.
“They usually cry talaga so kailangan talaga matibay siya pero kailangan matanggal din siya."
The evening skin-care routine cannot be ignored as studies around the world have shown that our skin rapidly produces new cells while we sleep at night.
Dermatologists Dr. Ariel Ostad and Dr. Sejal K. Shah told Refinery29.com that our skin tends to absorb more the active ingredients from the face masks and serums we use at nighttime.
Agoo also said she has upgraded her initial five-step skincare routine with the use of products that address specific skin problems such as discoloration, wrinkles, and open pores.
"Kunyare sa anti-aging, if I want to address pigmentation, iba yung ginagamit ko.
“If I want to address wrinkles, iba rin yung ginagamit ko.
“So for every step, parang nakaka-three to four products ako kaya siya dumadami."
Bonus tip: Drink lots of water and get eight hours of sleep.