When we hear “skin care routine”, our minds may drift to YouTube videos where celebrities spend a long period of time showing what expensive products help their skin stay flawless. We may think that having a proper skin care routine is high maintenance and time consuming, but it takes a short amount of time to keep our skin healthy. Having a skin care routine can give us a chance to have ten to fifteen minutes to ourselves, giving us a fresh start for the day or relaxing before going to bed. If you experience any issues with your skin, you should make an appointment with a dermatologist. that way you’ll be able to know what products you can benefit from.
There are some things that you need to consider before walking inside your local drugstore or makeup supply store to buy these types of products.
1. Skin type. There are three primary skin types: dry, oily, and combination. These depend on the changes in seasons and your environment. The products you buy depend on your skin type. For example, if a person has oily skin, they should refrain from buying products that are oil based and switch to buying products that are oil-free.
2. What works on others does not necessarily work on you. Every person is different; therefore, every skin is different. What works for your mom, your friend, or your favorite influencer does not necessarily work for you. You need to explore the different products and learn to identify which are making a change that you like on your skin.
3. Less is more. Some people may think that building your own skin care routine requires a huge investment. Depending on your preferences, a product you can get at a drugstore can have the same or even a better result than an expensive brand.
After you have these narrowed down, it’s time to purchase your products. Every skin care routine should have a cleanser, toner, moisturizer, sunscreen, exfoliant, and a serum. These six basic products are necessary to attain your first steps toward healthier looking skin. Once you acquire these products, they should be used in the following order.
Step one: Cleanser
The importance of owning a cleanser is having a product specifically for your face instead of bar soaps or a body wash. There is a wide variety of cleansers so finding the perfect one that works for you is a process of trial and error. You should take your skin type into consideration, so you can choose the correct product. Cream or lotion cleansers are preferable for people with dry skin. Gel and foaming cleansers are for people with combination or oily skin. Based on that you should be able to cross out options and stick to choosing one that will improve your skin.
Step two: Exfoliation
This specific step is one that you do not have to do every day, only once or twice a week maximum. This step should be done after the cleanser, but before the moisturizer because its job is to remove the dead skin cells and unclog pores for a smoother, clearer finish. Dermatologists recommend using exfoliants rather than scrubs to prevent the damage or breakage of the protective layer of your skin.
Step three: Toner
A toner completes the cleansing process of the skin by removing impurities that remain after washing your face. Toners are most effective when its active ingredients are correct for your skin type. For combination skin, toners with Lactic acid are best because it will give your skin a gentle hydrated finish. For dry skin, ones that contain Glycerin are best because they will leave the skin feeling moisturized and soft. Finally, Bentonite Clay or Witch Hazel are the best for oily skin because it will control shine and purify the skin.
Step four: Serum
Serums are used to calm redness and improve texture and firmness. There are different types of serums containing hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, anti-aging properties, retinol, and many more ingredients that help hydrate and nourish skin from deep within. Using a Serum is a vital step in any skin care routine because it delivers a reduced amount of moisturizing ingredients that prepare your skin for makeup application.
Step five: Moisturizer
Moisturizers, much like cleansers, are a process of trial and error. It takes a little time to find the perfect one for you. They are used to prevent your skin from drying out. Most people believe that if they have oily skin they do not need to moisturize. People with oily skin can benefit by using lightweight and oil free products. Every person, no matter their skin type, should use moisturizer to keep their skin hydrated and smooth.
Step six: Sunscreen
This step is crucial to achieve a good skin care routine. No matter if it’s sunny, cloudy, or raining you must wear sunscreen. Sunscreen protects you from UVA and UVB rays preventing sun damage and skin cancer. Its exposure also causes wrinkles, uneven skin tone and aging. There are some moisturizers that include sunscreen in them, but if the one you prefer does not include any, a face sunscreen with a 30 sun protection factor(SPF) will do the trick for you.
By using these six products when you wake up and go to bed, you will begin to see noticeable improvements in your skin. This will help you look radiant and healthy as well as having your face be prepared for a better and more durable makeup application.
References:
Nwe, Steven M. “Do You Really Need a Skin Care Routine?” Northwestern Medicine, www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/do-you-really-need-a-skin-care-routine .
Tolentino, Gracee. “In What Order Do I Apply My Skin Care Products?” Dermstore Blog, Dermstore Blog, 7 May 2020, www.dermstore.com/blog/in-what-order-do-i-apply-my-skin-care-products-in… .
Willow, Kaitlin. “What Is a Toner Used For? Plus, the Best Pick for Your Skin Type.” Dermstore Blog, Dermstore Blog, 26 Jan. 2020, www.dermstore.com/blog/top_ten/what-is-toner-used-for/ .