Are you tired of scrolling through Instagram, only to be bombarded with pictures of flawless, glowing skin? Do you want to know their secret? Spoiler alert: it's not just genetics! It's all about having a solid skincare routine. Yes, you heard it right! Having a skincare routine is like having a workout plan for your skin. And just like working out, it takes dedication and consistency to see results. But don't worry, we've got your back! In this article, we will share 8 interesting (and embarrassing) questions and answers related to skincare routine and skincare products that will help you understand the importance of having a skincare routine. So, grab your favorite face mask and get ready to learn with us!

Question: Many sources have stated that Niacinamide and Vitamin C should not be used together because of the difference in pH, but my skincare product has both Vitamin C and Niacinamide in its formulation. Does that mean the skincare product will not be effective?

Answer: All skincare products in the market are formulated with research and safety precautions in mind where the concentration of each ingredient is set to produce beneficial effects on the skin. The results may vary between each product but that does not mean that products which contain both ingredients will be ineffective on the skin. Traditionally, the incompatibility of these two ingredients were based on the fact that non-stable forms of these two ingredients were used and this applies to pure Vitamin C, which is known to be less stable. However, with modern technology, both of these ingredients are much more stable when combined together. Remember that Vitamin C also comes in more stable forms such as Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate and Ascorbyl Glucoside to prevent the skincare products from oxidizing.

Question: Are all foam cleansers bad for the skin?

Answer: In the past, foam cleansers have ingredients which contain sulfates, which are a type of surfactant that creates the foam and encourages water to evaporate more easily from the surface of the skin. However, with innovation and new technology in today’s skincare products, foaming cleansers that are formulated with ingredients such as sarcosinates, betaines and amino-acid derived surfactants which not only creates foam, but also deliver skin conditioning benefits while getting rid of impurities from your pores. Foam cleansers such as the Dr.Ceuracle 5A Control Clearing Cleansing Foam is formulated with oil controlling ingredients to effectively remove sebum from clogged pores, while preventing excess oil production with its unique formulation that targets the 5 Alpha Reductase hormone. 

Question: Do I need to use all the products from one brand in order to get the best results for my skin or can I mix and match skincare products from different brands?

Answer: When you use all the products from one brand, you know that the products are not going to interfere with each other and you will know exactly which one goes where in a routine. However, there is no definitive rule that you should use all products from one brand in order to get the best result. Each of our skin is unique and we react to different products differently. Therefore, it is based on personal preference on how comfortable you are with exploring different products on your skin. If you are someone who has reactive skin and would prefer to be “on the safe side” of things, using all products from a single brand that you know works on your skin might not be a bad idea. If you are keen and brave in exploring different products, a combination of skincare products from different brands might offer something more for your skin. Listen to your skin and go with what your skin is telling you.

Question: Is double cleansing necessary?

Answer: Double cleansing has been popularized by the Korean skincare industry as it is regarded as the gold standard to make sure the skin is cleansed entirely free from dirt, oil, makeup, sunscreen and whatever residual your skin has “collected” throughout the day. However, it is not necessary to double cleanse. The key reason that double cleansing is encouraged is so that the oil cleanser can break up any water resistant products which cannot be thoroughly cleaned with just a water-based cleanser. If you are using a makeup remover to remove your makeup, then double cleansing is not necessary or if you don’t use sunscreen and makeup while you are indoors and away from anything that exposes you to the sun (i.e. in your basement dungeon), there is also no need to double cleanse. Furthermore, with new formulations available in the market nowadays, there are cleansers that are able to do both the job in one step.

Question: Should I apply a face moisturizer before or after sunscreen?

Answer: There are two schools of thoughts in regards to this. Some dermatologists recommend that chemical sunscreen be applied first before moisturizer because chemical sunscreens need to penetrate the skin first in order to provide protection for the skin, while mineral sunscreen should be applied last as it tends to sit on the surface of the skin. However, there are other dermatologists that recommend that SPF should go on after a moisturizer regardless of whether it is a chemical or mineral based sunscreen. Regardless of which perspective you choose, the most important thing is that you allow one product to absorb before applying the other. In most Korean sunscreens, these products have moisturizing ingredients incorporated into the product, allowing you to skip the moisturizer all together in your morning routine. There are some sunscreens such as the Dr.Ceuracle Hyal Reyouth Moist Sun that not only contains sufficient SPF protection but is also lightweight and rich with humectants such as hyaluronic acid whcih you can layer on your skin according to what your skin needs.

Question: Does sunscreen prevent the skin from getting darker (a.k.a. tanning)?

Answer: A tan occurs when the body is attempting to slow down the damage caused by UV radiation. When the skin is exposed to UV radiation, the body naturally produces more melanin that helps absorb the UV radiation and releases the extra energy as heat, allowing it to protect sensitive molecules such as DNA molecules. This causes the skin to appear darker. Most sunscreens with high SPF can help reduce the effect of tanning as they help disperse the UV radiation or absorb them, however, sunscreens do not prevent tanning 100%. It is advisable to wear UV protective clothing to help shield your skin from the sun.

Question: Can I improve my skin hydration by increasing my daily water intake? 

Answer: You are probably aware of the “cardinal rule” that adults should drink 6 to 8 ounce glasses of water per day, which is about 2L of water. Drinking a sufficient amount of water may help to a small extent if you are not drinking enough water to begin with - increasing water intake will have a positive effect on dehydrated skin. However, if you are already well hydrated, excessive hydration will unlikely benefit the skin or have a huge impact on your skin. The human body is made up of 60% water and drinking enough water daily will help improve and maintain the overall appearance of the skin in general. In addition to ensuring that you have sufficient water intake daily, it is important to include hydrating skincare ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides, niacinamides in your skincare routine to help hydrate your skin from the epidermis layer. The RNW Der. Concentrate Ceramide Plus is an excellent addition to any skincare routine regardless of skin type as ceramide is a naturally occurring molecule found in the human skin barrier.

Question: Do I need to wear sunscreen on my scalp?

Answer: We’ve often put a lot of focus on applying sunscreen to our face and body, but we often fail to think that the scalp is also part of our skin that requires UV protection. This area is just as susceptible to burning as the skin elsewhere on our bodies. It is especially important to apply sunscreen to vulnerable areas such as areas with less dense hair coverage such as hairlines and part lines, back of the scalp or neck and the areas between the forehead and the scalp. Lightweight, powdered SPFs which have similar consistency to dry shampoo can help reduce the vulnerability of these areas against sunburns.

There you have it, folks! 8 interesting facts about skincare routine and skincare products that will help you understand the importance of having a skincare routine. Whether you're a skincare newbie or a seasoned veteran, we hope that these facts have enlightened you and inspired you to take better care of your skin. Remember, your skin is your best accessory, so let's keep it healthy and happy!