What is the perfect skin care routine? The fact is that is that there is no “right” or “wrong” answer to that question. We all have different skin types. Some old, some young. Some dry, some oily. All of us live very different lives; we may not have the time to commit to an elaborate daily routine, nor the budget for trendy, high end products. The good news is that it doesn’t take a lot of time, or a lot of money to develop a skin care routine that will keep you looking and feeling your best.
Make it Routine
Chances are you already have a skin care routine whether you realize it or not. The fact is we are all creatures of habit. Maybe your routine isn’t a complex, influencer approved, multi-step routine utilizing a plethora of expensive (and likely gifted) products. Maybe it is as simple as washing your face each morning after you brush your teeth before you rush out the door. Or, maybe you are more of a night owl, and a more relaxing and pampering routine before bed.
The key is that it is "routine." It is something you do with consistency and regularity, often without thought. Not a chore, but self-care. Like a morning cup of coffee or a book before bed, it is part of the day that is for you. Something that you look forward too, something that makes you feel better.
We’ve put together a list of tips to help you piece together your perfect skin care routine. Keep in mind that the most important thing is doing what works for you.
The Basics
Your starting skin care routine should include basics: cleansing, moisturizing and UV protection. Keeping things simple to begin with not only lowers the cost, but the reduced complexity and time commitment means you are more likely to stick to the new routine. For those of you with common skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, acne, and rosacea, extra thought is required when considering what skin care products to use.
Tip: Always apply products in order of
consistency, from thinnest to thickest. Example; cleanser, serum and then moisturizer.
Cleansing
Generally speaking, it is usually recommended that cleansing your complexion be done twice daily, once in the morning, and again in the evening before bed. The morning cleanse will remove any sweat and oil transferred from your hair or pillow overnight. The “before bed” cleanse will not only remove any make-up from the day, also but environmental contaminants/pollutants, dead skin, sweat and oils that have accumulated throughout the day.
The best way to wash your face is quickly, gently and thoroughly. A good 30 seconds of washing is sufficient, any longer or very aggressive scrubbing could lead to irritated skin. Using lukewarm water, use your fingers tips to apply cleanser in a circular motion. Avoid hot or steamy water; yes it may feel nice, but you are actually causing stress to your delicate skin tissue. Lastly, make sure you are drying using a clean towel to avoid contaminants.
A gentle, hydrating cleanser is typically the best solution for most people, even those with dry skin. Expensive doesn’t mean best; quality, fragrance free cleansers with minimal ingredients provide greater benefit to many popular brands for a fraction of the cost.
Moisturizing
Step two is moisturizing. Typically it is best to use a product that is both oil and fragrance free to begin with. Beyond those two basic criteria's, you can utilize this moisturizing step to address any specific skin concerns you may have by using a product targeted to specific needs, such as dry skin.
Most moisturizers contain both humectant and occlusive ingredients; meaning it is best to apply them while your skin is still damp (not fully wet) after cleansing. Doing this will help keep even more moisture in. The moisturizing step is especially important for those with acne prone or oily skin; although it may seem counter intuitive, dry skin is more likely to become irritated. Best practice for oily skin is to use a noncomedogenic moisturizer (meaning it will not block pores). Other ingredients to consider in a moisturizer are hyaluronic acid to plump the skin and restore lost hydration, ceramides to improve skin barrier strength and overall health, and vitamin C which will provide antioxidant protection and overall skin brightening.
UV Protection
The third step is to protect the skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Not only is this very important to defend against skin cancer, but can also have an impact on the aging and general vigor of your skin. Select either a chemical or mineral-based sunscreen with at least an SPF rating of 30 or higher. Your future self with thank you for making this part of your daily routine.
With sunscreen, you have two choices; a chemical or mineral based formula. Chemical sunscreens (those with oxybenzone and octinoxate) are absorbed into the skin to prevent damage from UV light. They are easy to apply and appear transparent on the skin, although they may cause skin irritation for some people. A mineral based sunscreen uses physical ingredients such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to deflect UV rays from reaching the skin. A mineral sunscreen is much healthier for the skin and much less likely to cause irritation, the downside being that it may appear to leave a slight tint on the skin compared to a chemical screen.
Extra Steps
Once you’ve got the basics down, feel free to ad in these extra steps as needed. Like most things in life, less is more, so don’t feel the need to over-do things beyond the basic cleanse, moisturize, protect routine.
Removing makeup often requires a specific product for the task, such as a make-up remover wipe. While they do a great job at their intended purpose, a make-up wipe should not be considered a substitute to a proper cleanser, but rather in preparation of.
Exfoliation uses alpha hydroxy acids or beta hydroxy acids to remove excess buildup on the skin’s surface. Done once or twice per week is typically ideal. This can be done using a chemical exfoliant product, or a physical exfoliant which is manually sloughing dead skin cells and oil using a face scrub. Those with sensitive or irritated skin may want to avoid using a physical exfoliant as it could exacerbate the situation.
Facial serums are topicals that are formulated with a higher concentration of active ingredients than your typical moisturizer, and are typically used to address a specific skin concern. These can be layered underneath your moisturizer application if needed.
A face mask works similar to a facial serum; applied periodically to address a specific skin concern. These should be used sparingly, typically no more than once or twice a week, and always applied to clean, dry skin.
Be Patient & Trust the Process
As with any routine, consistency is key. Making a few small changes to your daily skin care routine can have a significant impact over time, if you continue to practice them regularly. Give your skin a a couple of months to get used to a product before switching (unless in the event of an allergic reaction or skin irritation; discontinue use right away.) If you don’t see results right away, don’t fall for the temptation to experiment with new products in hope of immediate results.
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