Elevate Your Beauty Routine: Insider Tips by Youssra El Gamal

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Why your eye cream is not working?

In this informative video, Youssra El Gamal dives deep into the various factors that contribute to those pesky dark under-eye circles. With her clear explanations, she reveals the four main categories that explain why these circles appear, making sure that girls have a solid understanding before considering any treatments. 

1- physical darkness/ pigmentation: This can be influenced by factors such as sun exposure, or it can be hereditary and run in families. 

2- Puffiness: Puffiness can contribute to the appearance of dark circles or make them more noticeable. 

3- Fine lines and wrinkles: Fine lines and wrinkles themselves don't actually cause dark under-eye circles. However, they can definitely play a part in making those circles more visible or prominent.

4- Shadowing: Shadowing is one of the common causes of dark under-eye circles. When shadows are cast on the under-eye area, it can create the illusion of dark circles. 

So, she advices all girls if they have specific concerns or persistent dark circles, consulting with a dermatologist or skincare professional can provide personalized advice and treatment options.

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How to deal with enlarged pores?

 Youssra El Gamal sheds light on the prevalent issue of enlarged pores, revealing the common causes behind them, and how to reduce it. She highlights that many of us experience this concern, and here are some of the reasons she outlines:

1- Genetics

2- Excessive oil production

3- The reduction of collagen and elastin

Here is how to reduce enlarged pores:

1- Use sun screens as the sun is one main reason to enlarge pores.

2- Use retinoid such as retinol and adapalene, they enhance  skin cells turn over, promoting the shedding of dead skin cells and the growth of new ones.

3-Use Beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), specifically salicylic acid in skincare, which is a type of BHA.

4-  Alpha hydroxy acid , such as glycolic acid, become popular for their ability to improve the skin's texture, tone, and overall appearance.

5- Use Antioxidant such as, vitamin C.

6- Use Niacinamide, as it reduces oil production.

7- Reduce using face scrubs as they enlarge pores.

Clean your make up brushes

Youssra El Gamal advices us that we should regularly clean our makeup brushes as it is crucial for healthy skin and flawless makeup application. If you neglect cleaning them, you'll encounter these issues:

1-  Dirty brushes collect bacteria, oil, dirt, and dead skin cells, which can cause clogged pores, breakouts, and irritation when applied to your skin.

2-  Over time, unwashed brushes gather leftover makeup, affecting their performance and leading to uneven application and altered colors and textures.

3- Unclean brushes can harbor allergens and irritants, triggering allergic reactions, eye bacteria or irritating sensitive skin during use.

4- Regular cleaning maintains brush quality, preventing stiffness, loss of shape, and bristle shedding, which can lead to frequent replacements.

To avoid these issues, clean your brushes once a week or more often for cream or liquid products. She tells us to use a soap and start rubbing the brushes in circular motions, and then apply some alcohol on it. Then reshape, and let them air dry.

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How to use deodorant right?

Youssra El Gamal explains to us that using deodorant at night has several benefits:

1- Deodorants, particularly those with antiperspirant properties, are more effective when applied to dry skin rather than wet skin, so it better not to use after a shower.

2- She affirms that , during the night when our body temperature is at its lowest, our sweat glands are least active. This provides an ideal opportunity for deodorants to effectively block the pores and work more efficiently.

3-She emphasizes that applying deodorant before bedtime, when we are less active, allows  the deodorant to settle in and be absorbed more effectively, as opposed to applying it when we are active and moving during the day.

Retinoids (Retinol and Adapalene) for beginners

Retinol and Adapalene are both derived from vitamin A. Adapalene is more suitable for oily and combination to oily skin types, while Retinol can be used by everyone.

Here in this video Youssra El Gamal tells us the right way to use retinol and adapalene:

1- Sunscreen is a must-have companion for retinoids. Youssra emphasizes that it's essential to apply sunscreen every day when using retinoids.

2- Pause the use of chemical exfoliants for at least ten days before incorporating retinoids into your skincare routine.

3- Switch to a gentle cleanser to ensure a more delicate approach to your skincare routine.

4- Apply your face cream first, followed by the retinoid. Begin by using it two to three times a week and gradually increase the frequency.

5- Be cautious and avoid applying the retinoid near the mouth, nose, and eye corners to prevent unnecessary irritation.

6- During the retinization process, which may cause sensitivity at the beginning of using retinoids, you can use a repairing and soothing cream twice a day instead of your regular face cream. This is a normal occurrence that happens to most people.