Encomium
Over the years, I have come to realise there really is no shortcut to a flawless and glowing complexion. You need to have a proper skincare regimen that involves cleansing, exfoliating, moisturizing/tone correction and sun protection. In order to obtain the best possible care for your skin, let’s examine these skincare regimens relative to the Fair and White Gold Ultimate range.
The Fair and White brand is one that has continually shown deep understanding of the challenges, women of African descent face in caring for their skin. Their commitment to meeting the beauty needs of the ethnic skins clearly demonstrated with the launch of the Fair and White Gold Ultimate, a complete skincare range that provides an all-round comprehensive and beauty treatment package. Through dedicated research, the brand has provided a better understanding of how best to look after the skin and treat issues such as dull complexion, dark spots/patches and premature ageing. The Fair and White Gold Ultimate is a complete line of 13 exceptional skincare formula designed to purify and unveil the radiance of the skin.
CLEANSING
The skin should be cleansed as gently as possible every day. This is done to take away all the dirt and oil that build up and tend to clog the surface. During the cleansing process, dirt, sweat, air pollution, excess oil and bacteria are removed from the skin’s surface. A good cleanser should remove dirt effectively without causing irritation or damage to skin’s natural protective barrier. The F&W Satin Exfoliating Soap is a perfect example of a gentle but effective cleansing product. It gently unclogs the pores soaking up oil without drying the skin leaving it soft silky and bright.
EXFOLIATION
Usually, the skin renews itself approximately, every four to eight weeks. During this process, dead skin cells flatten, dry-up and are shed. Unfortunately, some dead skin cells stay stubbornly glued onto the skin resulting in the dull and sometimes, rough appearance of the skin. The resultant congestion on the skin’s surface makes it difficult for creams/lotions/treatments to be effectively absorbed.
Exfoliation aids the skin’s renewal process by sloughing off dead skin cells that clog the pores. It removes surface dirt, evens out the texture of the skin making it soft, smooth and help moisturizers absorb better. There are two types of exfoliants: physical scrub and chemical exfoliants. The physical scrubs are composed of tiny bits of organic materials, synthetic beads or granules suspended in a cream base. They are used manually to rub the top layer of the skin loose, making way for the softer and more radiant skin below. The chemical exfoliants do this as well but depend on acid instead of manual rub to get rid of the dead skin cells. Alpha-hydroxyl acids and beta-/poly- hydroxyl are good examples of chemical exfoliants. They are best used in lotions and creams as they need to stay on the skin for a while in order to work.
The F&W Gold Ultimate range offers both physical and chemical exfoliating products. The Sugar Exfoliator, AHA Brightening Cream and AHA Brightening Lotion are exfoliating options available in the Gold Ultimate range. You can choose the one that suits you but never use both an AHA and a scrub at the same time; it will be too harsh for your skin. For those that like the physically action of scrubbing the skin, the Sugar Exfoliator is a fantastic choice. It is a gentle scrub that removes dead skin and impurities revealing soft and radiant skin instantly. It can be used two to three times weekly. Alternatively, you can exfoliate using the AHA Brightening Cream or AHA Brightening Lotion. Their AHA and Glycolic acid content dissolve the stuck dead skin cells paving way for a smoother, brighter, and wrinkle-free skin.
MOISTURIZING & TONE CORRECTION
As a rule, you must moisturize the skin daily irrespective of your skin type and age. Moisturizers replace the moisture lost as a result of exposure to sun, pollution/smoke and the natural aging process. They come in various forms; balms, creams, lotions, face oils and gels. Balms and creams are the thickest and greasiest; oils and lotions are lighter and more fluid; gels are clear or translucent and are the lightest.
Depending on their ingredients, moisturizers can help correct texture/complexion imperfections on the skin. For instance, the Revitalizing Fade Cream and the Revitalizing Body Lotion are fortified with essential skin nutrients to help remove dark spots, improve skin elasticity and complexion. These are good options for all skin types especially normal to dry. Also available in the F&W Gold Ultimate range is, Exceptional Clarifying Cream and Maxi Tone Lotion both enriched with natural properties that even out and brighten complexion. These are good options for all skin types especially the oil-prone types.
Moisturizers can help correct a lot of skin imperfections. However, there are certain specialized moisturizers that treat specific skin problems. These products are highly effective formulations that deliver extra benefits due to the concentration of selected ingredients in them. The F&W Gold Ultimate range offers two specialized products; Intense Argan Oil Active Serum and Specialized Cream Gel. The Intense Argan Oil Active Serum contains the amazing Argan Oil, a natural emollient that helps to even skin tone, clear-up dark spots and restores clarity and radiance. The Specialized Cream Gel is formulated to treat dark stubborn skin areas such as knees, elbows, knuckles and feet.
These products are usually used as treatments to be applied on the target areas on the skin and followed up with the regular moisturizer.
SUN PROTECTION
The sun can singlehandedly undo all the above efforts if the skin is not properly protected. While the sun provides us with the essential heat and light we need to live, unfortunately, it is also the number one cause of wrinkling and premature aging. The sun produces ultraviolet rays that penetrate the skin and induce different biological processes which not only cause premature aging but can lead to sun burn and skin cancer. It is important to protect the skin from sun damage using products designed for this purpose. Sun damage can be permanent and irreversible but whatever the condition of your skin, it is not too late to start protecting yourself from further damage.
The F&WGold Ultimate Sunscreen Cream with SPF 50 offers high UV protection with anti-spot properties to help prevent sunburn, premature aging and skin discolouration. As with all sunscreens, it is best applied at least, 30 minutes before sun exposure. It should be applied on all exposed skin parts especially the face, neck and chest areas. Also, it is advised that sunscreen is re-applied every 2 hours of being exposed to the sun.
Other products in this range that are also designed to protect the skin from the sun and other environmental conditions are the Rejuvenating Moisture Lotion and the Hand Cream with Argan Oil. I particularly love the hand cream enriched with glycerine and once again the amazing and very medicinal, argan oil. These ingredients help heal the hands from damage due to constant exposure to dirt, water, chemicals and sun. The Hand Cream with Argan Oil provides immediate softening, restores lost moisture and help protect the hand from more damage.
