Facial cosmetics

Facial cosmetics are the central focus of skincare and the primary objective of cosmetics, second only to hair, body, and makeup. Our face is our calling card to the world. We communicate with words and gestures. It's the first thing people see about us and what they remember most vividly. We are our face. That's why the majority of our financial and emotional investment is directed towards facial cosmetics. According to the latest Snapshot of the cosmetics sector in Spain, presented by Stanpa, the National Association of Perfumery and Cosmetics, men use an average of 5.7 cosmetic products in their daily routines, while women use no less than 8.5. Facial care products account for 49% of all those used, including personal hygiene products.

The main benefits are aesthetic: the skin will look clean, healthy, and protected from external factors like sun and pollution. And clean, healthy skin is beautiful skin. Facial cosmetics is a very broad category that includes cleansers and makeup removers, serums, moisturizers, and treatment products such as masks, exfoliants, primers, and mists. Complex rituals aren't necessary; a simple skincare routine consisting of a cleanser, serum, and moisturizer can result in hydrated, supple, and radiant skin. Often, less is more. Sometimes, more is more. Beyond the aesthetic benefits, there are also emotional ones: a clean, fresh, and radiant face boosts confidence. Outer beauty contributes to inner peace.

The answer lies in your skin type. We shouldn't just look at our skin; we should touch it and, above all, listen to it. It will tell us what to use depending on its condition: dull, irritated, dehydrated, etc. To choose the most suitable routine, we also need to ask ourselves several questions: How much time do we want to spend on skincare each day, 5 minutes or 20? Do we prefer rich or light textures? Do we like fragranced brands, like Rassa, or do we prefer neutral ones, like Prescription Skincare? By combining these variables with our skin type, we'll know which facial care products to choose.

Dry skin: For this skin type, it's key to nourish and protect with moisture-retaining ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and other well-known ingredients like shea butter. We recommend gentle cleansing with a milk or oil cleanser, a hydrating serum, and a rich cream, such as The Cream (Augustinus Bader) or Anti-Gravity (Huxley). Sunscreen is essential.

The goal is to find a routine that controls excess oil without over-drying. It's not complicated. Cleanse with a gel or foam cleanser like Prescription's Aloe Vera Cleanser or Goop's Daly Detox Foaming Cleanser, a toner like Pai's Century Flower, and oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizers in gel or lightweight textures. Some beneficial ingredients? Niacinamide, salicylic acid, zinc, and aloe vera regulate shine and purify without irritation. Never forget a mattifying sunscreen for a shine-free finish.

The key word for this skin type is "balance." It's recommended to cleanse with a gentle gel or foam to control oil in the T-zone without drying out other areas. A calming toner like Pai's Century Flower will be very beneficial. This skin type responds well to serums containing niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. Creams with a medium texture can also work. And, like all skin types, sunscreen should never be forgotten.

Sensitive skin is always trying to tell us something. It's often irritated by stress, overuse of products, hormonal imbalances… It needs to be treated with care, and brands like Gallinée and Pai Skincare do a great job of doing just that. We recommend a gentle foaming cleanser to cleanse without irritating the skin, and the rest of your products should be as soothing as possible, such as Gallinée's Face Vinegar, perfect for reducing redness and providing freshness, or Pai's Carbon Star if you have breakouts and blemishes.

We all love routines and cosmetic order. We like the idea of ​​giving ourselves a quick facial at home every day. A basic routine would consist of: Gentle cleansing, morning and night, to remove impurities and prepare the skin. Serum with active ingredients according to your needs: hydrating if you're looking for a healthy glow, brightening if your skin is dull, mattifying to control shine, or calming if your skin is sensitive. Moisturizing cream suitable for your skin type (rich for dry, light oil-free for oily, balancing for combination). - Daily sunscreen, essential to prevent damage and keep skin young, even on cloudy days. At night, include a weekly mask or a specific treatment cream with peptides or retinol. Once a week: gentle exfoliation and a mask, which can be purifying, brightening, moisturizing… The only secret lies in consistency and choosing the ingredients your skin needs. And don't forget to enjoy the process: massage, smell… The best cosmetics are the ones you use.