A Tactile Affair

It was not until I reached my thirties that I began taking my skincare regime seriously, using my adopted brand of products religiously.  Sure, it has taken me several years to figure out my skin’s preferred product cocktail, but now I wake up each morning constantly wondering if the skin I’m looking at actually belongs to me.

Now that I have devoted myself to my new skin care routine, I have also pondered about why I take such good care of my skin.  At first, it was the excitement of observing what my face looked like as it became noticeably softer, smoother and healthier looking while continuously blemish-free, even in broad daylight.  It is conclusive the products do actually work!  Friends and family began to notice and started to comment, which made me feel great.  I am now beginning to establish that it is not all just about the way you look, the way you feel is important as well.

As stale as that sounds, I don’t mean just a simple self-esteem boost (despite the fact that it is an appealing byproduct of clear skin).  In the past, I for one always performed my skincare routine while I was leaning over the bathroom sink, staring at myself in the mirror.  Focusing on every flaw and imperfection, and cursing the signs of ageing starting to develop as I smeared my skin with creams.  Recently I have embarked in a new direction: Rather than obsessing in the mirror about correcting every imperfection while I apply products, instead, I just close my eyes while I put them on.  This spawns an entire new experience, which is truly amazing.

Having my eyes closed, allows me to really feel the silky textures of these glorious products as I use them, along with the velvety smoothness of my skin – something I tend to not notice when engrossed in only the negative (and, unfortunately sad but true, we can always find something negative to focus on).  However, I have slowly learnt that achieving the perfect complexion is not the one and only purpose of skincare, not at all.  If in fact as an individual if you choose to acknowledge it, (many cosmetic companies assuredly do) skincare really is a uniquely tactile (touchable) affair, and it’s one worth appreciating every day.  Just by closing my eyes, I can focus less on the skincare as a means of looking wonderful and more as a way of actually feeling wonderful – from the inside out.

Below is my current daily skincare regime:

AM
Dermalogica AGE Smart Skin Resurfacing Cleanser
Alpha-H Vitamin C 20% Serum
Alpha-H Daily Essential Moisturiser SPF30+

PM
Alpha-H Balancing Cleanser
Rejuvi Flavonoid Complex
Skinceuticals Retinol 0.5
Alpha-H Advanced Hydration Cream

I just kept that elementary, as I could rattle on and on about the multitude of other “essential” skincare products I perpetually introduce into my regime as weekly treats.  Let’s face it I am a beauty product junkie, LOL.  So, I have just spilt the beans on my skincare tactics, it is now over to you, feel the experience, and just close your eyes.