From The Straits Times    |
try_this_beauty_expert_trick_for_smoother_skin_in_less_than_a_month_t

This new beauty “trend” is incredibly intuitive – but may be harder to pull off in real life than you might think. See if you can do this: Go #MakeupFree two days in a week for better skin in “under a month”.

Take it from an expert: “Makeup can often clog the oil glands and impact your pores, making them appear larger,” says Dr Noor Almaani, a dermatologist at The Private Clinic of Harley Street in London. “Taking regular breaks from wearing makeup could be a wise decision, as it will enable your skin to recover and reduce the level of irritation caused by wearing makeup over long periods of time.”

But does using makeup really equate to bigger pores and a propensity for breakouts? It’s an ugly truth, but the answer, unfortunately, is yes. In one disquieting study, 45 percent of the women tested reported adverse skin reactions to their everyday makeup, with 14 percent developing full-blown acne. Makeup-induced acne even has its own medical monicker: Say “acne cosmetica”. Bummer.

The solution? Enter the so-called 5:2 programme – you can opt between doing two consecutive or nonconsecutive makeup-free days so hey, it ain’t that bad – which is meant to purge your pores of the preservatives, grime and grease that are well nigh impossible to expunge on a daily basis.

This new makeup detox diet has more than a few prominent proponents. Take doyenne of aesthetic medicine and medical director of the TLC Lifestyle Practice, Dr Georgia Lee, who is an avid advocator of a slightly less esoteric form of forgoing facepaint: “If you must use makeup, make sure that all traces of sunscreen and makeup are removed with a non-oil-based makeup remover, and keep your skincare routine simple – include an antibacterial cleanser, an oil-control toner and a moisturiser with a light texture.”

Check out this nifty (and gentle!) way of debriding your face of any residual makeup and irritants, again courtesy of Dr Lee: “You can try soaking cotton pads in your regular toner and using them as a mask – this reduces the risk of allergy from ingredients in products you’ve never tried before.”

And what do you know, even makeup artists agree that the tools of their trade ought to be welded with caution. Here’s my beauty buddy Larry Yeo with his pearlescent words of wisdom: “If you can get away without wearing warpaint, do it. And never leave your foundie on for more than 12 hours; your skin needs time to breathe.”

So, to recap: Stay away from the pots of primer and paint every two days a week (schedule these strategically on “off” days when you don’t have major meetings in the office). With any luck, this ought to bolster both your confidence and complexion. Talk about putting Beyonce’s #IWokeUpLikeThis philosophy in practice!

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