Regain radiance with vitamin formulas

Your complexion is at half mast? It needs active ingredients that will give it color! If the surface of the face or neckline is irregular and reflects light poorly, adopt peeling effect treatments based on AHA or PHA, for example, fruit acids that smooth. On smooth but dull skin, prefer herbal masks such as horse chestnut or evodia. Finally, if you are prone to hyperpigmentation, boost your complexion with vitamin C poultices, which act on melanogenesis and help reduce spots, application after application.

The right gesture: before application, make small, gentle pinches all over the face to stimulate microcirculation.

Refine the lower face with stretch textures

Are you suffering from the effects of gravity and your flesh is losing its firmness? Redefine your contours and firm them with targeted treatments. The most stunning? Hydrogel "patch" formulas from Korea, which lift, tone the support fibers and decongest the oval in 30 minutes flat. Also try the draining cream masks, which contain brown algae or saffron in particular, and help reshape the lower face for a corset effect on the chin.

The good gesture: do not hesitate to carry out, during the exposure time of the cream masks, draining pressures with the phalanges, which act like facial gymnastics.

Plump with the pre-impregnated tissue versions

If your features are drawn, your fine lines deepen, regain suppleness and volume thanks to bio-cellulose masks full of active ingredients. Easy to apply, these pre-impregnated veils have a semi-occlusive effect which promotes the penetration of active ingredients. They can contain the equivalent of half a bottle of serum. Among the star ingredients, moisturizing and smoothing hyaluronic acid, sugars or resveratrol, which activates the production of collagen and instantly plumps up fine lines and furrows to display a rested face.

The right gesture: after the exposure time, tap the face with your fingertips to make the excess product penetrate.

Regenerate with night masks

Cell renewal peaks overnight. Take advantage of this moment, when the defense systems are at rest, to boost regeneration with treatments based on lipids, calcium or zinc in particular. In the form of classic masks soaked in water and lighter than a night cream, they deliver active ingredients that are diffused throughout the night and promise a dazzling face when you wake up.

The right gesture: use two to three times a week, alternating with your night cream.

Exfoliating black soap

Why ? In oriental rituals, this black paste is used to prepare the skin for future treatments. Its composition based on crushed black olives, olive oil and potash is ideal for eliminating dead cells while softening the epidermis.

Genuine black soap with eucalyptus, La Sultane de Saba, €29.

 © The Sultana of Saba

How? 'Or' What ? After a steam bath, apply the soap all over the body and leave for 10 minutes. Then rub with a glove to remove all impurities.

The stimulating kessa glove

Why ? Formerly made of goat hair, it is now made of natural fibers of linen, jute or cotton. It is used all over the body to erase dead skin but also to tone, smooth the skin and stimulate blood circulation.

Toning Kessa glove, Rituals, €5.50.

 © Rituals

How? 'Or' What ? Always moisten the glove before using it. Perform circular movements, starting with the legs and going up to the neck.

The purifying rhassoul

Why ? This clay mineral is used on the scalp to cleanse and balance sebum production. It is also very effective in sheathing the hair and thus giving it volume. It is particularly recommended for fine hair that tends to get greasy quickly.

Rhassoul saponiferous clay, Centifolia, €7.90.

 © Centifolia

How? 'Or' What ? Apply to damp hair, all over the scalp. Massage with fingertips and leave on for ten minutes. Rinse thoroughly.

Nourishing argan oil

Why ? Rich in vitamin E, it is renowned for its nourishing, regenerating and restructuring properties. Its fatty acids restore suppleness and softness to dry and undernourished skin.

Argan oil, Fleurance Nature, €11.

 © Fleurance Nature

How? 'Or' What ? It is used as the last step of the hammam ritual to deeply nourish. Massage all over the body, focusing on dry areas.

I activate the microcirculation

Dark circles appear when the network of capillary micro-vessels that irrigate the eye contour expands under the effect of heat, alcohol or fatigue. The red blood cells then cross the membrane, at a place where the skin is thin and transparent. And this creates a more or less dark halo depending on the nature and pigmentation of the skin. The parade ? A gel rich in draining active ingredients generous in flavonoids (ivy, butternut holly, horse chestnut) to decongest and eliminate cellular waste. And if their formula is delivered via a tip made of a metallic alloy with a cool effect, it's even better!

I hydrate without moderation

The skin around the eyes is four times thinner than that of the face, and its almost non-existent hydrolipidic film cannot protect it from attacks. As a result, she dehydrates much faster while having to deal with some 10,000 eye blinks a day. To maintain suppleness and comfort, and prevent fine lines from settling in this fragile area, bet on a treatment enriched with moisturizing agents, such as hyaluronic acid or vitamin B5, and soothing active ingredients, such as rose water. or cornflower, to erase the traces of fatigue. The right gesture: apply your care on the lower bony part and not flush with the eyelashes.

The homemade trick: tea bags to activate the circulation

Don't throw away your used green tea bags! Place them in the refrigerator and use them as compresses for 10 minutes to reactivate circulation.

Another method, small iced spoons or slices of cucumber, also decongestant.

I adopt a smoothing anti-aging

By dint of laughing, smiling... the fine lines in the corner of the eyes are marked and end up being seen even at rest. The dermis in this area is indeed very poor in support proteins and needs to be nourished and hydrated for a lifting and relaxing effect. To boost the production of collagen, which will densify and restructure the tissues, bet on a treatment concentrated in smoothing tensor agents and regenerating active ingredients such as royal jelly, vitamin C or peptides, which will coat the eyelid and smooth out fine lines. To be applied by stretching the crow's feet upwards and downwards, with the fingertips.

I camouflage like a pro

Concealer is the best friend of dull and tired eyes. It is applied according to the 3 V method: one placed under each eye and the last placed on the chin then blurred to create a light effect. In terms of shade and texture, choose it slightly lighter than your complexion, added with blurring agents to cover and illuminate in a single gesture. And remember that if you can correct redness or fade an imperfection with concealer, it is better not to use a concealer around the eyes: thicker and more covering, it will tend to mark the features and weigh down the face. Are your dark circles dark? Mix a dash of orange lipstick with the concealer to neutralize them.

I protect myself from blue light

Produced by LED lamps and screens (computers, tablets, mobiles, e-readers, etc.), blue light is characterized by a wavelength capable of penetrating deep into tissue to degrade elastin and collagen fibers. To keep it at a distance, limit your exposure to screens and adopt a protective and moisturizing treatment responsible for preventing and limiting damage to the epidermis. Another parade, bet on a treatment enriched with butterfly tree flower extract (a photo-protective Chinese plant), shield peptides or dragon's blood, a South American plant very rich in antioxidants.

I patch for an express glow

Smoothing and revitalizing, concealer patches come to the rescue of dull eyes to plump up and boost micro-circulation, with a guaranteed healthy glow. Impregnated with a high concentration of moisturizing (hyaluronic acid, konjac root...), draining (caffeine, horse chestnut...) or anti-fatigue (cornflower, passionflower...) ingredients, they provide immediate action thanks to an optimal penetration of active ingredients. Their fabric or gel structure prevents the formula from coming into contact with the air, which increases its effectiveness, while limiting its evaporation. Just leave them on for ten minutes to benefit from their illuminating power.

I firm up my skin with a mask

Highly concentrated in smoothing and anti-fatigue active ingredients, the formulas dedicated to the eye contour are applied once or twice a week to the periorbital area. In a quarter of an hour, the tissues are rehydrated, dark circles faded, the number and depth of folds reduced. But above all, their tensing agents immediately re-mesh and densify the contour! In the SOS version, they can be left on all night in a thick layer and tapped deliremove the excess with your fingertips when you wake up to reactivate circulation.

Adopt a healthy lifestyle

There are two types of dark circles. The first appears when we are tired. It is therefore combated by improving the quantity and quality of sleep. It is recommended for this to sleep in well ventilated rooms, not too heated, and to stay well hydrated. In addition, it is necessary to restrict the consumption of alcohol or sleeping pills, which limit the movements of the eyeball during the night, and prevent the good circulation of blood and lymph.

The second stems from overpigmentation of the skin and is often due to poor circulation. To mitigate it, it is a question of strengthening it by consuming foods such as garlic, turmeric, ginger or green tea, rich in polyphenols. Without forgetting draining massages and good protection of the area against UV rays thanks to sunglasses and sunscreens.

Thanks to Patricia Manissier, Research and Development Director, Lierac Laboratories

How to properly apply your eye contour

© sylvain.quenderff@free.fr/ Vichy

1. Distribute your treatment in micro-droplets all around the eyes.

© sylvain.quenderff@free.fr/ Vichy

2. Close your eyes, smooth the product from the inner corner of the eye to the outer corner to massage and drain in the same gesture, then gently stretch the excess towards the temples.

Advice from Virginie de Tarlé, assistant beauty editor

For impeccable make-up removal and a respected contour, even with eyes and fragile skin, the gentle two-phase make-up remover removes make-up and mascara without rubbing or leaving a greasy film.

Essential step in the beauty routine after 40 years, the serum has a very fine texture easily absorbed by the skin and a higher concentration of active ingredients. To be applied morning and evening before the day care and the night care, it must be chosen according to the needs of the skin.

Anti-aging serum: how to choose it well?

To choose the right anti-aging serum, it is important to take an interest in its composition. Here is a summary of the main anti-aging active ingredients and their effects on the skin:

Hyaluronic acid: ideal for hydrating and plumping the skin, this molecule is able to retain water like a sponge to fill in wrinkles and tighten the tissues. For more effectiveness, choose a treatment containing low molecular weight hyaluronic acid so that it can act deep in the skin.

Collagen: this protein plays a fundamental role in the structure and tone of the skin. Its natural production being less strong after 40 years, it is interesting to use care containing collagen to act on the firmness and the elasticity of the skin.

Glycolic acid: this exfoliant, also called "fruit acid" or "AHA", helps boost cell renewal, even out skin texture and brighten the complexion. It also smooths the installed fine lines.

Ceramides: these molecules coat the cells of the epidermis to maintain their cohesion and guarantee a healthy structure to the skin. They restore the hydrolipidic film and boost the barrier and protective function of the skin. Thus, it is smoother and brighter.

Vitamin C: this super antioxidant is ideal for helping the skin to protect itself from external aggressions. It also improves the firmness of tissues and the radiance of the complexion by blurring pigment spots.

Retinol: this active ingredient is very effective in accelerating cell renewal and boosting collagen synthesis. It also has an antioxidant action and an exfoliating effect.

Treasure for the taste buds, this small bean from South America is used in the composition of many cosmetics. But depending on whether it is butter, powder or extract, its benefits on the skin are different… We help you see clearly.

Butter, nourishing

Rich in saturated fatty acids, it is one of the essential ingredients for dry and fragile skin. It is used on the face to soften and maintain the suppleness of the skin, it is found in lip balm formulas – in particular for its protective powers – and it is used in the composition of body balms and moisturizing hand creams. . But it also has benefits for the hair: it is perfect as a mask to nourish dry and damaged ends.

Powder, toning

The powdered cocoa bean is particularly effective in regenerating the epidermis. Its concentration in theobromine, minerals and caffeine allows it to support cell renewal, while having a firming action. This is why it is often found in scrubs or revitalizing masks. Attention, to be sure to have a quality care, make sure that the powder is labeled 100% pure, organic and if possible raw. As the bean has not been heated, it retains all its properties.

The extract, antioxidant

Rarer, but just as effective, some beauty products include pure cocoa extract in their formula. Taken directly from the heart of the unroasted bean, it is packed with antioxidants. It even contains much more than goji berries or grapes. In a serum or in a cream, this extract will thus improve the appearance of the epidermis, restore its suppleness but also even out the complexion and make it brighter.

The expert's opinion

"From the age of 25, the activity of cells in the epidermis slows down, causing a loss of collagen density and the appearance of the first signs of aging: dehydration, wrinkles, loss of firmness. Supplementing with cocoa is an excellent way to boost your anti-aging skincare. Rich in antioxidant flavonoids, cocoa prevents premature aging. And if combined with marine collagen, this anti-wrinkle action is increased."

Thanks to Mathilde Lacombe, founder of Aime Skincare

Editor's selection

Repairman. White Cocoa Vegetable Butter, Aroma-Zone, €4.90.

Aroma-Zone

Plumping. Food supplement Cacao Glow, Aime, 25€.

Love

Lifting. Xocoa+ serum, Theobroma, €48.90.

Theobroma

Thanks to Paul Nicolas, founder of Theobroma and Emilie Jolibois, Aroma-Zone Cosmetic Ingredient Research Expert.

With their rich textures and their formulas concentrated in active ingredients, face masks allow you to take care of the skin in depth. Moisturizing, soothing, purifying or anti-aging, there are products for all skin types and for all needs.

Their texture varies according to their formulations and their effects: a comforting balm, a refreshing jelly, a silky foam or even a lighter cream texture... You are free to choose the galenic that best suits your desires.

Our advice to make the most of the benefits of your mask: apply it to clean, dry skin (ideally previously exfoliated) and leave it on for at least ten minutes. Some formulas can be left on all night for a more intense repairing and moisturizing effect.

Choosing the right face mask

I have dry or dehydrated skin: opt for a formula full of moisturizing and plumping active ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, vegetable oils and butters or even aloe vera gel.

I have sensitive skin and redness: you will need a soothing formula containing thermal water or peony flower extracts.

I have combination or oily skin: clay masks will allow you to absorb excess sebum and regulate shine. You can also opt for an exfoliating mask that will smooth your skin texture and perfectly eliminate all impurities.

I have mature skin or the first wrinkles: bet on an anti-aging formula containing smoothing and firming active ingredients such as retinol, collagen or even peptides.

 What to know about rice

> Rich in starch, rice also contains vitamins (B1, B3 and B6), magnesium and zinc which makes it a perfect ally for your skin.

> Nothing is lost in rice: you can cook its grains but also transform them into powder to make scrubs. Also remember to recover its cooking water to use it as a moisturizer for the face or hair.

> Choose organic rice if possible and avoid pre-cooked preparations which are less rich in nutrients.

A nourishing face mask

You need :

1 tbsp. rice

1 plain yogurt

1 tbsp. teaspoon vegetable oil (olive, sweet almond or avocado)

Mix the raw rice using a robot mixer until you obtain a fine and homogeneous powder.

Mix the rice powder, yogurt and vegetable oil. You should get a thick texture.

Apply the mixture generously to the face, neck and décolleté and leave to act for fifteen minutes.

Rinse thoroughly with clear water.

A tonic and moisturizing lotion

You need :

50ml rice water

50 ml of floral water (orange blossom or lavender)

Cook rice and collect the cooking water.

Let the water cool, take the desired quantity and mix it with the floral water.

Transfer everything to a small spray bottle and apply a few pumps to your face.

Leave on for 10 minutes then rinse.

Good to know: you can keep the rest of the rice cooking water and use it as a conditioner, as the penultimate rinse water.

A gentle body scrub

You need :

200g rice

2 tbsp. sugar

4 tbsp. honey

1 tbsp. tablespoon vegetable oil (jojoba or coconut)

Mix the raw rice and mix all the ingredients.

Add a little more vegetable oil if necessary until the consistency of the treatment suits you.

Massage vigorously into dry skin then rinse with clear water.