THE LAYERING AS GOOD AS THEY SAY IT IS?
LAYERING - GOOD FOR THE INDUSTRY BUT POSSIBLY LESS GOOD FOR YOU….
The "layering" which translates into "successive layers" is like the metaphor of a slice of bread on which more than 10 jams are applied on the bread, hence more than 10 layers of care are conscientiously applied every day on your skin! A treatment ritual that, on average, doubles the time of your daily routine and blows your beauty budget! The success of "layering" has always amazed me because it seems to defy common sense, from a toxicological, allergological & dermatological point of view.
BACTERIA DOESN’T STAND A CHANCE….
It’s important to know that conventional cosmetics contain on average 1% of preservatives. 10 layers of skin care products comes down to 10 x 1% of preservatives! It would be difficult in these ultra sterile conditions to maintain your good bacteria, well known as skin probiotics. It’s like being at a casino ... the more you play, the higher the chances are that you’re going to lose your good bacteria and develop allergies. It’s mathematical: on average 10 skin care products x 25 ingredients = 250 ingredients applied to your skin every day. Knowing that one ingredient could contain several hundred molecules and just one of these molecules could trigger an allergy. Are you following? It's a "Real Russian Roulette".
FREE DIVING IN YOUR BATHROOM?!
Do you know that your skin breathes? Precisely 720 litres of oxygen passes through the skin every 24 hours, which amounts to 7% of our total oxygen intake. This exchange takes place through blood vessels under the skin but also through pores in the skin. Being the distinguished biologist that you are, you’ll have understood that applying 10 layers of beauty products on your skin requires you to practice apnea (freediving) like Jacques Mayol…
REGRESS BACK TO ADOLESCENCE
and watch the spots appear on your pretty face. Even if all your beauty products are supposedly non-comedogenic, no test actually accounts for the fact that you are going to apply more than 10 different products - a guaranteed pore clogging effect, sticky dead skin linked to an excess of artificial sebum ... a perfect recipe for the dermatological problem “acne cosmetica”.
Like layering (😉) I’ve gathered layers of arguments hence I should offer you an alternative. Easy suggestions to incorporate into your daily routine with the single motto: “Less is more”! I love this phrase because it encapsulates beautifully the wisdom of frugality: buy less but buy better.
The application of just 5 skin care products a day seems like a reasonable solution.
Morning
After a slow wake up, use an active water, no cleansing …
A cream and/ or a serum for deeper action if needed.
A tinted cream if needed depending on your age and an eye contour cream.
Evening
Make-up removal if necessary.
WHAT ABOUT SPECIALISED PRODUCTS?
Masks: use moisturizing, soothing, nourishing masks... as soon as your skin has been aggressed: after sport, after a long flight on the plane, after sun or wind exposure etc... I personally use the Repulp Mask after every surfing session.
Treatments (such as peeling). They should be used occasionally in place of your regular skin care.