|THE DEN|
Shivani Verma is a skincare blogger and influencer on Instagram. She is inspired by her grandmother and mother and knows how to take care of her skin. She uses her grandmother's traditional knowledge about skincare and teaches her followers how to do the same. Her family has supported her throughout her journey. For her, skincare is the definition of a perfect relaxing evening. The 22-year-old influencer knows how to attract the audience and works hard to spread the significance and teachings of a good skincare routine.
Tell us a little about your journey?
My mother and grandmother have always been into skincare and hair care, that is where my love for skincare comes from. I knew I could do something with the knowledge that I have, so I started blogging about it. I loved talking to people about skincare and hair care and helping out where ever I can. Blogging gave me a sense of freedom to express myself and my thoughts and helped me build a beautiful community.
How did your family support you through the journey?
My parents love what I am doing and they support me completely. They help me by giving reviews and feedbacks about my work and also help me to test out products sometimes.
How has skincare improved your life?
Skincare makes my soul happy and we should do things that make our soul happy more often. I always loved taking care of myself and my body, and skincare, in my view, is the best kind of self-care out there. Lighting a candle, drawing a bubble bath, putting on a sheet mask and reading a book- this is the definition of my perfect evening.
Does diet play a major role in our skincare regime?
As a teenager, I never realised this but now that I am 22, my skin and my body are changing, I cannot get away with eating crap and hoping I have baby smooth skin. What you eat plays a major role in your skincare regime. Eating junk food, carbs or food with a lot of sugar can cause a lot of breakouts and pimples. They also cause your skin to age. No matter how expensive your skincare products are if your internal health is not good, your skincare won't work.
What's better natural skin care remedies or chemical exfoliation with active ingredients? And why?
I feel like social media has changed the meaning of natural skincare. I connect natural skincare with sandalwood, aloevera, ginseng and many more such ingredients. I am not into the DIYs with lemon juice or potato juice. When it comes to chemical exfoliation, people are always afraid of chemicals and they think it is something that will ruin their skin- this is just a kind of fear that comes from the lack of knowledge that we all have about chemical exfoliation and the fear that some brands or people have insinuated in our minds. If given to choose one- I.
How important it is to follow a proper AM PM routine for skincare?
It is very important to follow a proper routine when it comes to skincare. Discipline is the key. If you're following your routine properly and not changing too many products at the same time only then will your skincare work. Otherwise, it will end up giving you a lot of breakouts.
How has your content evolved through the years?
I was always camera-shy, I started with doing only product reviews and selfie shots but as time went by I realized that people won't be able to relate with me if they don't know or see me. That is when I started showing my face, talking more about myself and being more open to the audience and this helped me build a huge community.
What's more important, moisturisers or toner?
Toners are considered an optional step. For me, moisturisers are more important because no matter what, your skin needs a lot of hydration and moisturisation and as we age our skin starts to lose its glow and elasticity- to maintain that. No matter what is your skin type, moisturiser is important.
Any 3 skincare products you can't do without?
Cleanser, Moisturiser and Sunscreen (My personal favourites are: CeraVe Hydrating Cream to Foam Cleanser, Clinique Moisture Surge 100H and COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream)
A message you would like to give to all our readers
Thank you for reading this throughout and all I would like to say is that take care of yourself and your skin. It is the largest visible organ of your body and also the most exposed. It needs your care and attention. Cleanse and moisturise your face twice a day, wear your sunscreen and make sure you reapply it!