Skin Ageing Can be Slowed Down"
We love meeting and learning from women who inspire us and we plan on featuring them on our blog so that all our friends and customers can benefit from their wisdom and experience as well.
In our effort to break down and simplify skincare, we sought out Meeta Awatramani ( @rebalanceyourskin ) a Mumbai-based skincare expert and esthetician who has spent close to two decades in the beauty & wellness industry. Meeta spent twelve years with global beauty giant Clarins and as the training head for Clarins India, she integrated the science and precision of advanced skincare products with the artistry and elegance of beauty to help consumers better understand their skin. Driven by an intrinsic passion for skincare, Meeta founded REBALANCE –your skin coach home spa, where she offers a comprehensive range of customised handcrafted facial treatments using natural, organic and plant-based skincare products along with skin consultations and beauty advice to meet individual skin goals.
We share below our little tete-a-tete with Meeta on some common myths that deserve dispelling and how she prefers to use her favourite Kanai products.
Q : In the fifteen years that you've been in the skincare industry, what, in your opinion, are some of the most common misconceptions people have about skincare?
MA: There are many myths floating around in the world of skincare and the most important thing that consumers have to understand is that quick fixes don't work and neither do miracle regimens. Taking care of your skin on a daily basis will bring progressive and lasting results. In addition to this there are some other misconceptions that I think need dispelling:
- MYTH: “One doesn’t need to wear a sunscreen on cloudy/rainy days” NOT TRUE.
There are 3 types of UV rays –UV-A, UV-B and UV-C. UV-A rays penetrate the skin deeply and cause premature ageing. These rays are present even when its cloudy or raining. UV-B are the primary sunburn rays that cause pigmentation and tanning. UV-C rays are absorbed by the ozone layer and don’t make it to the ground however radiation from these rays can be experienced where the ozone layer is depleted. What my advice to everyone is, whether its sunny or rainy, one is still exposed to radiation from UV-A rays so its extremely important to wear a sunscreen every day.
- MYTH: If you have oily skin, you don’t need a moisturiser- NOT TRUE.
Moisturizers are vital to every skin care regimen, regardless of skin condition. What most people don’t realize is that oily skin can get dehydrated, and will need the hydration from a moisturizer. This is because dehydration basically means there is lack of water in the skin layers, not a lack of oil. Often times, dehydration in an oily skin type can lead to higher production of oil, so keeping the skin hydrated with an oil-free moisturizer can help control overactive sebaceous glands.
- MYTH: Skin Ageing cannot be slowed down- NOT TRUE.
The signs of skin aging are caused by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Intrinsic aging is the normal, genetic process of physical change over time, and begins the minute we’re born while Extrinsic aging is aging caused by external factors like our environment and lifestyle. While it’s true that extrinsic factors play a greater role in the aging process the truth is but intrinsic factors too must be taken into account. Hence, when we take care of our lifestyle by managing stress, using the correct skin care products, regularly applying sunscreen, removing our make-up correctly, getting sufficient rest, maintaining a high antioxidant diet, one can control how fast your skin ages to a very large degree.
- MYTH: Pores Shrink- NOT TRUE.
It’s important to understand that pores don't shrink they only expand or stretch as they are not so elastic that they can contract to their former, smaller state. Pores will naturally enlarge as you get older due to the downward pull of gravity (especially in the cheek area). Because oily skin is usually congested, this type of skin will be more prone to enlarged pores. Impurities nestled in the pores over a period of time will expand the opening to support the enlarging plug or blackhead. The solution to this is to always keep the skin clean.
- MYTH: Food doesn’t affect the skin- NOT TRUE.
What you eat does show up on your face. If you put unhealthy foods into your system, sooner or later your system will rebel which in turn shall reflect on your skin. When someone who has broken out comes to see me, the first question I ask them is about their diet. This includesquestions about sugar intake as well. I have found over and over again that a poor diet along with excessive consumption of sugar, alcohol and sodium affects the skin negatively. If you maintain a healthy diet, limiting your intake of all of the above, you will see a dramatic improvement in the overall quality of your skin.
Q : What should a healthy skincare routine involve?
MA: Building a healthy skincare routine starts with knowing your skin type as well as it’s overall condition. It’s also important to understand that the products you use need to be adapted according to seasons, age and climatic conditions. Just like we nourish our body with breakfast, lunch and dinner similarly it is vital to nourish the skin by adapting a twice daily (AM and PM) skincare regime that involves 
o A mild cleanser to remove impurities
o Toner to rebalance and condition the skin
o An eye product to care for the most sensitive area of the face
o Moisturiser to hydrate the skin
o Sunscreen to protect
To ensure optimum penetration of the products used daily and reduce dead cell build up on the surface of the skin it’s important to exfoliate and mask the skin 1-2 times a week.
A serum can also be included before the moisturiser to take care of special concerns such as dehydration, pigmentation, ageing etc.
Q : In terms of application, what are the common mistakes made while applying products?
MA: Applying products in the correct manner is ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL. Our skin is no thicker than an egg shell and needs to be treated with care. Some of the common application mistakes made are:
a. Tugging and pulling your skin while applying moisturiser – this causes the skin to lose its elasticity in the long run. Instead spread the moisturiser in gentle sweeping movements across the face without pulling the skin
b. When it comes to removing eye makeup in particular, the slower you go, the better, using too much pressure and harsh rubbing can lead to redness, irritation and over time cause fine lines
c. Using too much pressure while scrubbing or exfoliating the skin will damage it in the long run and could also make the skin excessively sensitive. One should always adopt a genle action to exfoliate.
d. Never use toothpaste to dry out acne as it may lead to itching, inflammation and redness. Always opt for a topical solution.
Q : Too many or too little, how many products do you think a typical person needs in their daily skincare routine?
MA: Understanding the needs of your skin is the key to building a healthy skincare regime. A healthy skin care routine would involve 4-5 products daily, with AM & PM application. Adding on treatment products such as serums, spot treatments, face oils etc depends on age, lifestyle and climatic conditions. However, what’s important is to apply your skin care products in the correct order as this ensures you receive full benefits of each product.
Q : Now that we know you love Kanai products and use them in your facials, can you share with our readers some tips on how to use their favourite Kanai product?
MA: Multi-functional skincare products provide optimal usage and that is one of the reasons why I love using Kanai products. They are easy to use, work magically and care for the skin very effectively. Below are some of the tips how one can incorporate these natural products effectively:
a. Mix 2-3 drops of the Kanai Apricot Kernel Oil with the Kanai Avocado Oil Moisturiser to make your own Nourishing Sleeping Mask. Apply in a medium layer to clean skin at night; leave on for 20 minutes then massage in the excess and doze off. Next morning, wake up to a supple, soft and brighter skin. This is something I do very often myself so can absolutely recommend to everyone.
b. To instantly soothe and boost tired skin- apply a medium layer of the Kanai Avocado Oil Moisturiser to the face and leave on for 15 minutes then rinse off.
c. Mix a bit of the Kanai Turmeric & Apricot mask with the Kanai Aloe Vera & Manjishtha facewash to get your 2-in-1 exfoliating cleanser that can be used every night to gently yet effectively remove stubborn impurities and pollution leaving the skin soft, clean and
fresh.
d. The Kanai Apricot Kernel Oil can also be used on the cuticles to soften and ease
dryness or an be mixed with your favourite hand cream to repair and prevent excessive dryness.
