Skin Deep: Skin Hour

I read about an interesting skin guide in a free newspaper called Stylist a few weeks ago and I figured it is an information worth sharing. So read on to discover what happens to your skin during a 24 hour period.

Everyday we would follow our daily skin care routine deligently, from cleansing, toning to moisturise. But what does the skin actually need every hour in a day?

07:00

When we wake up, our adrenaline levels rise from a low level and produces anti-inflammatory hormones. These hormones cause puffy eyes which are annoyingly unpleasant especially on those days when we have an important meeting. An eye mask which replenishes the eyes instantly to brighten the eyes would be most helpful. Shu Uemura Depsea Replenishing Eye Mask is a mineral and moisture rich eye pad is recommended by Stylist as it helps to cool and calm puffy eyes and reduce dark circles. Massaging the remaining formula in around the eyes would help to stimulate cells and de-puff the eyes.

08:00 

At this time, the body is starting to adjust itself. Blood pressure and body temperature increase and the hormone cortisol is released to balance these body changes. So it is best to avoid any product that is too astringent to the skin. Start the day with a clean face using a calming and gentle cleanser like Institut Esthederm Gentle Deep Pore Cleanser, which is a rich cleansing cream that regulate the skin's surface with skin-cell mimicking mineral waters and proteins. It is suitable for all skin types, even the most sensitive. On the other hand, Olay Foaming Face Wash is voted the best by consumers as it is gentle on all skin types and is formulated specially for the sensitive skin (based on my own search).

  

09:00 

This is the time we go to work or school and our skin is vulnerable to the UV rays. SPF has to be applied daily even on non-sunny days. Kiehl's introduces its latest products - Dermatologist Solutions Ultra Light Daily Moisturizer SPF50. A very light formula with high protection is to be applied in the beginning of the day to get protection all day long. It also works well as a primer that will last our makeup the whole day. 

12:00

By midday, the blood pressure reaches the highest state which affects the blood vessels near the skin. These activities can over stimulate sebaceous glands to produce oil and lead to clogged pores and spots/zits when in excess. To avoid a shiny look by midday, Origins New Zero Oil Instant Matte Finish helps to solve this problem. With astringent ingredients like Winterbloom and Chinese Camphor, this product leaves the skin looking matte for the rest of the day. This product also gives an additional benefit as it can be applied under or over makeup.

14:00

After a satisfying lunch, our body works hard to digest the food and we are often set into drowsiness from our post-eating homeostatic state. This is the time to wake up the skin for a fresh complexion by applying water to its surface. Stylist suggested Philosophy's Hope Springs Eternnal Hydrating Mist which contains natural sea salt and 250 other minerals which purify the skin. The citrus fruit extracts give an invigorating effect on the senses while the beta glucan (sugars) helps in skin's recovery and in warding off skin aging signs.

15:00

At 3pm, our skin is at the warmest state. The body has heated up and softened from eating and being outdoors. As this is the time when the skin is most porous, it will gain the benefits of antioxidants and collagen boosting formulas at the best state. As recommened by Stylist, Sisley Ecological Compound works by slowly releasing natural plant extracts such as ginseng and rosemary to tighten the pores and boost collagen production. I would also like to share my experience on an antioxidant cream, Neal's Yard Remedies Power Berry Daily Moisturizer which helps to boosts radiance and protects youthful skin (as claimed and works). It is rich in anti-oxidant ingredients like acai, bilberry and goji berry. It is my great tool to combat the pollutants and free radicals in a busy city!

17:00

Our body is fully warmed up now and the internal organs are functioning at its best. A vigorous facial with extractions is what our skin needs at this time. Massage is an excellent way to sculpt the face. Try using a sculpting cream such as StriVectin's Instant Facial Sculpting Cream. Reapply it after removing makeup and it leaves skin a healthy and rosy glow for the night out. 

20:00 

The best time for a party and have a good drink as the liver produces more enzymes need to break down alcohol. If you are prone to redness after drinking, applying a calming cream before that first sip would be helpful. Lancome Hydra Zen Neurocalm helps to soothe dry skin with Samphire extract. It increases the production of beta-endorphins which is a stress fighter and lifts skin moisture. It also has super soothing effect thanks to the fragrance - rose and lily of the valley extracts and the musk fragrance delivers a warm comfort to the senses. 

22:00 

Our skin feels the strongest at this stage as the immune system is very productive. So it is important to let the skin breathe when it is feeling the strongest. Remove all the debris from the pores when it is least vulnerable to pollution. Try Kiehl's Overnight Biological Peel to restore the skin as it performs a safe and gentle peeling. It contains Urea to help the cell renewal process with gentle exfoliation and acts a natural moisturising agent. 

00:00

Our progesterone level is at most during midnight and an excess of this hormone in the system can cause breakouts. Try applying a clarifying cream before going to bed like Darphin Overnight Refining Lotion. It contains lavender, sage and lemon oils which have an astringent effect (tighten pores and reduce redness). It also provides anti-bacterial properties to reduce the production of sebum and help to prevent breakouts.

02:00
This is the most important time for skin renewal. At night, the body regenerates to gain energy for the next day and so does the skin. Hence, a good sleep is essential for a radiant complexion for the next morning. In addition, we need to choose a good night cream to aid in achieving this. Try Clarins Multi Active Night Youth Cream which contains kiwi extracts to help relieve the effect of daytime stress and its special peptide complex to boosts skin renewal and recovery. 

Reference:

Information sourced from Stylist Beauty Section
'Round the clock skin care', Emma Smith

Image of clock face

Source:  http://everyone.plos.org/2009/05/28/unicellular-organisms-have-their-own-biological-clocks/