A well-planned skincare routine is the foundation of a healthy and glowing skin. In today’s fast-paced world, it is easy to neglect our health. Poor and untimely diet, dust, pollution, stress, etc. take a toll on the skin and make it visibly dull. With the right products and knowledge of ingredients, it is possible to build a personalized skincare routine that combats all your problems.
With a vast array of products claiming to be the best, you must choose the one that is right for you. Every individual has a unique skin type. A great skincare routine does not require expensive and over-the-top products. A simple habit of cleansing and moisturizing your face with decent products suitable for your skin type does the trick. However, if you are determined to treat yourself with a comprehensive skincare regimen and leave no stone unturned, then read on.
Determine Your Skin Type
Determining your skin type is the first step in deciding on the perfect skincare routine. There are five common skin types found across individuals- oily, dry, normal, combination, and sensitive skin.
Oily skin produces more sebum leaving skin with a greasy texture. Dry skin, on the other hand, feels rough and flaky throughout the day. A combination skin type is when a part of your face is oily, usually, your nose and forehead, and the rest is dry. There are specific products for both oily and dry skin.
If you have sensitive skin, you will probably experience more rashes and burns as it is highly reactive and vulnerable to external triggers. It gets easily irritated and requires special care, like using soap-free cleansers. A normal skin type is the ideal type of skin that is not too oily or dry. It looks and feels well-hydrated, and needs minimal care. However, a daily skincare routine is essential for all skin types to see consistent results.
Determine Your Concern
If you have a clear idea about your skincare problems, you can easily treat them. If your skin gets too oily, too dry, or doesn’t feel nourished enough, you can use specific products that do the job for you. If you cannot diagnose the problem by yourself, consult a dermatologist who will accurately diagnose the issues. After determining the cause of your concern, you can buy similar products.
Skincare Essentials
There are three main steps to any skincare routine, irrespective of your skin type-
- Cleansing
- Treatment
- Moisturizing
Face Cleansing should be the first step of your routine. A decent, soap-free cleanser, designed for your skin type should be able to clean sweat, dirt, and excess oil from your face. It also clears any clogged pores and leaves a glowing finish, preparing the skin for further steps.
Treatment is the most important of the routine. It incorporates various ingredients to target the problem areas. Apart from washing and nourishing your skin, treating the root cause of your problem should be the goal. It is a long-term solution to recurring skin problems. Products like serums with retinol, vitamin C, alpha hydroxy acids, etc. give you the desired results.
Additionally, applying toners gives a complete, even look to the skin and creates a protective barrier. There are hydrating toners for dry skin and toners with hydroxy acids, including salicylic acid and lactic acid for acne-prone skin. Toners maintain the pH levels of your skin, and aid in cell regeneration, i.e. speed up anti-aging processes inside your skin.
Moisturizing is an important part of the routine as the skin on your face is sensitive. It easily gets dehydrated as you step out or do physical activities. Moisturizers help retain the water content, boost collagen production, and combat dryness in the skin. Serums also help in hydrating the skin, with ingredients like retinoids, peptides, and niacinamides keeping skin cells healthy.
How to Start With My Skincare Routine?
Once you have determined your skin type and the concern you wish to address, buy products specifically suited to your skin. If you have oily and acne-prone skin, buy deep cleansing products that can control excess oil and increase cell turnover to clear pores. Similarly, if you have drier or normal skin, buy gentle cleansing products, along with hydrating serums and moisture-locking toners with ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid to soothe the skin.
If you do not wish to follow a complete routine, a cleanser, and a moisturizer are more than enough to maintain healthy skin. However, following a three-step routine gives complete and long-term solutions to all skin problems. Remember to cleanse-treat-moisturize.
Pro Tip
Do not forget to apply sunscreen with at least SPF 30, which blocks 97% of harmful sun rays from damaging your skin cells.
