Understanding your skin type and how it adapts to certain circumstances or seasonality, is an important first step in discovering the most effective way to take care of your skin. Using the wrong products can cause more problems than it solves, thus taking the time to learn your skin’s specific needs, will help you choose the right options for your healthiest skin.

Bare skin method

Cleanse your face thoroughly with a mild cleanser and gently pat dry. After 30 minutes of bare skin, examine your cheeks, chin, nose and forehead for any shine. After another 30 minutes, evaluate whether your skin feels tight, especially when you make any facial expressions. In case it feels tight, your skin is likely dry. If there is shine on your nose and forehead, your skin is most likely normal or combination. However, if there is shine on your cheeks in addition to your forehead and nose, you most likely have oily skin.

While everyone’s skin is unique, there are four broad types of skin, that may help you to identify where your skin fits in the most: Oily, Normal or Combination, Dry and Sensitive.

Dry Skin

Daily exfoliation with gentle, non-abrasive ingredients helps promote skin cell turnover without removing skin’s natural oils, so serums and treatments will be absorbed more easily. The best moisturizers for dry skin are those containing hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and marine actives like algae, because of their ability to attract water and deliver it directly to skin cells.

Normal Skin

Oily Skin

Oily is used to describe a skin type with heightened sebum production. It gives people a younger and more supple look, as it has more natural moisture and is less prone to wrinkle. However, excess oil can oftentimes leave pores congested and clogged. It is essential to daily enzymatic exfoliate, to promote cell turnover and prevent sebum buildup in pores. A gentle physical exfoliator is also vital for balancing the tone and texture of your skin.

Oilier skin is also prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, a condition that leaves dark spots on the skin after a breakout has healed. Exfoliation will also help lighten these dark spots by polishing away the uppermost layers of skin and revealing new cells.

Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin is skin that is easily irritated by different factors, that are generally tolerated by well-balanced skin, such as skincare products or high and low temperatures. For some people, sensitive skin is a permanent condition, for others, sensitivity is triggered by certain internal and external factors. It occurs when the skin’s natural barrier function is compromised, causing water loss and allowing penetration of irritants. Symptoms are exacerbated by factors that facial skin is most exposed to, from the sun to some ingredients in cosmetics and cleansers.

Managing sensitive skin can be challenging, as it takes considerable time and effort to determine which ingredients cause inflammation and irritation. To make this process easier, introduce only one new formula or product at a time. This rule applies to both skincare and cosmetics. Patch testing a new formula on your inner forearm is an excellent way to minimize potential reactions on the face.

A healthy, glowing complexion says a lot about your skin and diet. The condition of our skin reflects what we eat and highlights the importance of looking after yourself from the inside out. Food is fuel and our bodies function best when we provide it with healthy, balanced, and nutritious food.

Moisture levels

Drinking water regularly is one of the healthiest habits you can have for your skin and entire body. By drinking plenty of water throughout the day, you are providing your inner organs and your skin with moisture that has been lost through sweat and other natural processes.

Wrinkles

Healthy oils and omega-3 fatty acids have an amazing impact on skin health. These oils and fats can be found in fish, nuts, olive oil, and many more foods. By consuming these oily foods on a regular basis, along with healthy proteins, you can boost the collagen production in your skin. Thus, your skin gets smoother and suppler, which will help prevent premature wrinkles and skin sagging.

Melanoma

Melanoma is a dangerous form of skin cancer that often occurs from severe sun damage and lack of protective clothing and sunscreen. Exposure to UV rays promotes the formation of free radicals which can cause damage to components of our skin that are responsible for its structure and firmness – such as elastin and collagen. Over a period of time, this can result in more prominent fine lines and wrinkles. By maintaining heart-healthy diets rich with antioxidants, fish, and leafy greens, you fight free radicals, protect your skin, and some studies have shown that they can help improve skin texture.

Blemishes

Acne and acne scarring have long been a concern of dermatologists, and it is unclear exactly what foods may or may not affect how your skin develops acne. Nevertheless, it is best to stay away from sugary, highly processed food, and refined carbohydrates, which can contribute to increased blemishes.

Food groups to be aware of

Richly colored orange or red fruit and vegetables get much of their color from compounds called carotenoids, some of which can be converted into Vitamin A, which is essential for skin cell reproduction. They are also a great source of Vitamin C, which is essential for manufacturing collagen, and both carotenoids and Vitamin C are antioxidants, helping to fight free radicals which may cause damage to our skin and cause premature signs of aging.

On the contrary, it is best to replace refined carbs and sugars with ‘good carbs’, such as healthy vegetables, whole grains, and the wrinkle-fighting antioxidants found in fruits, which have a lower glycemic index – in turn, reduce the overall carbohydrate load in your diet.

When it comes to establishing a healthy diet, being mindful of what you’re eating is a great first step. What elements of your diet are good? What needs to be changed? Moderation is certainly key as the healthier the diet choices you make, the more it shows in your skin.

Instantly refreshing and revitalising, Eucalyptus Essential Oil has been around for hundreds of years. With long stems, circular leaves, and gum-infused bark, its tree is one of the world’s most widely cultivated plants.  The ‘eu’ and ‘kalypto’ in the word mean ‘well’ and ‘covered’ in Greek (ευ + καλύπτω) and it refers to the delicate membrane that covers the flower bud, which falls off as the flower grows.  Native to Australia, this potent element has a myriad of health benefits and has been used for medicinal purposes for hundreds of years because of its antiseptic, antibacterial, and antifungal nature.

Benefits to skin

Heal

Its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and analgesic properties make this powerful element a natural healer. When used topically, it provides the optimal environment and elements to repair and strengthen the complexion, helping clear up acne and prevent future breakouts.

Purify

Rich in 1,8 cineole, this active ingredient present in Eucalyptus Essential Oil is known for its antibacterial properties.

To this end, Eucalyptus oil will remove dead skin cells, clear dirt and dust from the pores, boost collagen production, and cleanse the skin from any traces of environmental origins that can contribute to breakouts, pigmentation and dull skin. The result is a complexion that is purer and healthier.

Cool

Eucalyptus oil also has a cooling sensation on the skin since it contains menthol, which is a natural numbing agent.

Nourish

Eucalyptus Oil is known to moisturise the skin. Not only does it deliver an intense dose of hydration, but it also locks in moisture to help your complexion glow.

DÉCAAR solution

Taking all the benefits into consideration, DÉCAAR uses the oil in its unique formula of Phyto Lotion as one of its active ingredients.

Formulated with fresh leaf extract and oil of Eucalyptus as well as other natural botanical extracts, DÉCAAR Phyto Lotion is ideal for oily and irritated skin with acne breakouts. This expert formula reduces the appearance of enlarged pores, helping to keep them clean, refined, and smooth. It balances overactive sebaceous glands and delivers a matte finish.

Apply to the skin with a cotton pad after cleansing the face with DÉCAAR Purifying Cleansing gel to tone the skin. Finish your daily skincare ritual by applying DÉCAAR Oxygen gel, Rebalancing cream and Sun cream.

Hydrate

Once you are safely out of the sun, the first thing you should reach for after realizing you’ve been burned is your water bottle. When your skin is sunburned, fluid is drawn toward the surface of the skin and away from the rest of the body, which can lead to dehydration. Down one more glass of water than you think you need. Or, go for something like coconut water that hydrates while adding electrolytes back into your system.

Reach for immediate relief

DÉCAAR Delicate Soothing Gel is designed to take away the sting of a sunburn, calm redness, reduce inflammation, and promote healing. It is specially formulated to help restore your skin’s natural barrier function while soothing and calming irritation One of its active ingredients is aloe – a sunburn miracle worker. Aloe is a deeply moisturizing botanical and contains both glycoproteins, which help to reduce inflammation, and polysaccharides, which aid in skin repair. Panthenol is also blended along with urea and glycyrrhetinic acid, in order to deeply moisturize and calm skin.

DÉCAAR Delicate Soothing Gel is the perfect after-sun treatment, but is also great at any time of the year as an all-over body moisturizer. Especially for those that don’t always want a heavy cream or oil-based moisturizer. A few spritzes of this over the body will give you all the nutrients you need for all-day hydration without the feeling of any product lingering on the skin. Also, it is ideal to soothe skin after any hair removal procedure. The deep penetrating effect offers long lasting cool-to-warm soothing relief, skin becomes softer, firmer & smoother on the face and body. Rich moisture that protects skin from harmful external environments.

Moisture

A bath is always therapeutic. Not too cold to shock your system, but not too warm to irritate your sensitive skin. Scoop in a generous amount of hydrating bath milk and soak for as long as you need. Coconut milk is loaded with beneficial fatty acids to soothe your dry, itchy skin and reduce inflammation. It’s also naturally antiseptic so while you soak, you’ll be cleansed and moisturized at the same time. After toweling off, follow up once again with the Delicate Soothing Gel.

Protection 

When skin is already burnt, there’s nothing worse than further exposing it to harmful UV rays. For the days following a burn, try to cover up the affected area with clothing. If wearing long sleeves is just not an option for you in 100-degree heat, definitely be diligent about covering your burn in SPF as often as possible. Even if it’s cloudy, even if you think you’ll only be outside for a few minutes. To keep your skin safe from sun exposure, it is recommended to apply sun cream 30 minutes before going outside, however DÉCAAR SPF creams protect immediately. Exposure to sunlight has health benefits too. However the number of UV rays your skin can stand depends on a number of factors, such as an individuals’ complexion, genetics, time of day and location. Usually skin is only safe for between 5-30 minutes.

Like a mini workout for your face, face massages involve massaging key facial muscles and pressure points using your hands or a roller. Just a few minutes of the practice helps increase blood flow, reduce puffiness, and keeps your skin looking fresh, youthful, and fine line-free. The most common face massage technique is to use your hands to apply movements to areas of your face prone to puffiness, wrinkles, or muscle tension. The recommended massaging duration is three to five minutes, at least three times a week for best results.

Why you should face massage

Tones facial muscles and relieves tension

Most people hold a lot of tension in their face. When we feel stressed, tired, or concentrated, we tense our forehead and eye area, which causes wrinkles over time. A couple minutes of face massaging at the end of the day helps release that tension. Use lifting movements, especially along the neck and jawline area to keep your skin tight and energized.

Releases toxins

Using a lot of beauty products, environmental factors, and the hustle and bustle of everyday life can cause toxins to build-up within our skin, contributing to fine lines, puffiness, and breakouts. Facial massages increase blood flow, kick-starting lymphatic drainage in your face to flush out waste and toxins and keep your skin fresh and clean, both inside and out.

Boosts circulation

The movement of a quick facial massage sends a surge of blood and oxygen to your skin. This increased flow deflates eye puffiness brightens skin tone, and helps detoxify your skin. More oxygen sent to the skin equals increased collagen production and cell growth, resulting in a smooth, glowing complexion.

Improves product absorption

Massaging your face with your fingers in upward, lifting motions is a wonderful way to help your favorite products like moisturizer and serum absorb into your skin. Plus, it’s a way to make your daily skincare routine feel even more like a relaxing self-care moment.

Relaxation

Skincare benefits aside, face massages are just as good at relieving emotional tension as they are at calming muscle tension. They help you feel more relaxed and at ease at the end of a long day.

In our world of skin health, there are several hardworking ingredients that get very little attention but can be vital to the performance of skin care products. Glycerin is one such ingredient.

Colorless and odorless, glycerin usually comes from plant sources and falls into a category of ingredients known as humectants. These hydrating ingredients work by attracting moisture from the air and drawing it to your skin (hyaluronic acid is another example). According to scientists, that means that not only does glycerin deliver an initial dose of moisture, but it is also giving your skin the ability to keep attracting moisture. Despite glycerin use as an intense hydrator, the skin-care ingredient is still very lightweight and is non-comedogenic, which means it won’t clog your pores. It is also safe enough for sensitive skin types. In other words, no matter whether your complexion is oily, acne-prone, dry, or sensitive, you can feel safe using glycerin.

Glycerin skin benefits go far beyond just moisturization. It also plays a vital role in the skin’s microbiome – all of the billions of microorganisms that live on the surface of skin and are a vital component for skin health. When glycerin is first applied on the skin, it helps to support the balance of the microbiome, allowing it to stay healthy and resilient. Essentially, glycerin helps keep the microbiome healthy, which translates to skin that’s stronger and better able to protect itself against dryness and fatigue. And not only will that keep your skin healthy, but it will smooth the look of fine lines and miniscule cracks on the skin, even out the skin tone to lighten darker areas, and diminish the appearance of unwanted spots and marks.

Last but not least, Glycerin cools, soothes, and facilitates the healing of skin discomforts and conditions, such as scratches, cuts, blemishes, burns, itching, hives, rashes, sores, eczema, psoriasis, and other ailments that are characterized by itchiness, or inflammation. It creates a protective barrier on the skin to guard against environmental contaminants and pollutants.

DÉCAAR Mega Moisture

Taking all of the above into consideration, Glycerin is great in cleansers, as it works overtime to maintain moisture in the skin and prevent any skin irritation or dryness during the cleansing process. That’s why DÉCAAR includes it in its unique formulas of Cleansers: Cleansing Milk, Purifying Cleansing Gel, Make-up remover Micellar lotion and Natural Exfoliation Scrub.

While glycerin can be added to any part of skincare routine, the beauty ingredient shines brightest when it’s in moisturizers because of its ability to lock in water in the skin. Thus, more than half of DÉCAAR products – masks, serums, eye creams and creams – contain this extremely beneficial ingredient.