Skin Care Routine: What Type Of Products Do You Need?

Skin care conjures up three concepts: skin cancer, dry skin, and a big aisle of beauty products at your local drugstore. However, this is not a trivial matter. While a skin care routine may appear to be high maintenance, the procedures necessary for healthy skin are not only vital but also simple to implement.

To begin, you'll want to consider your skin type. The three core skin types are dry, oily, and combination, and while your skin may become drier or oilier with the weather, it should remain pretty consistent for the majority of the year.

What Should be in Your Skin Care Routine?

Following that, you should understand the components of a healthy skin care routine. Which is to say, what types of products do you truly require to maintain healthy, clean skin?

Cleanser

Cleanser is what you'll use to cleanse your face, and it's critical to use a product designed specifically for your face  not just any bar or body wash you happen to have sitting around. You'll want to gently cleanse your face and avoid scrubbing too vigorously. Then, rinse with warm water to avoid stripping your skin of natural oils and dehydrating it.

Finding the cleanser that is suitable for you may require trial and error. If you have dry skin, choose one that is alcohol-free and fragrance-free. If your skin is naturally oily, seek an oil-free alternative and consider applying a toner as well.

Toner

After cleansing your face, apply a toner to help smooth, soften, and calm your skin. Toners frequently contain chemicals that replenish and restore nutrients to the skin, as well as help to reduce redness and dry spots.

Moisturizer

Moisturizers, like cleansers, are for everyone and should be applied daily. And, as with cleansers, some trial and error are quite acceptable when selecting the perfect one oily skin, for example, may benefit from lightweight, oil-free, or gel solutions.

Additionally, they keep the skin moisturized and smooth by preventing it from drying out. They work best when applied to slightly damp skin to help lock in moisture.

Sunscreen

While some moisturizers contain SPF, it's always a good idea to supplement with sunscreen especially if your moisturizer contains less than SPF 30.

You should be familiar with the following lines at this point: Apply sunscreen daily, even if the weather is cloudy or chilly, and even if you are dressed in layers. Reapply every two hours if you become exposed. Ensure that your sunscreen contains both UVA and UVB protection. If skin cancer and sun damage aren't enough to convince you, consider that UV exposure is the leading cause of wrinkles, uneven skin tone, loss of firmness, and other indications of aging.

Exfoliation

This is a product that you may not require or desire to use daily. If you have dry skin, including dry skin caused by winter air, you may exfoliate more frequently than usual, but no more than once or twice a week. Exfoliation should be performed after cleansing but before moisturizing, as it aids in the removal of flaky skin by promoting skin cell turnover. While the benefits are true  eliminating dead skin and buildup for smoother skin and clearer pores  the majority of physicians will advocate chemical exfoliants over scrubs to avoid causing damage to your skin's natural barrier.

Serum

Serums are another optional addition to your skin care routine. They contain ingredients such as antioxidants or retinol that benefit the skin in a variety of ways, including calming redness and improving texture and firmness.

When Should What Be Used?

The simplest way to remember when to do what for your skin is as follows: The morning routine should emphasize prevention and protection for the day, while the night routine should emphasize cleansing and repair.

The majority of people will only need to wash their face properly once a day. While rinsing with warm water and applying moisturizer and sunscreen should be enough in the morning, more diligent care is recommended at night, following a full day of exposure and damage. As such, prior to going to bed, you should cleanse your face with a cleanser to remove dirt and makeup, followed by toner, exfoliant, and serums, if desired. In any case, moisturizing should always be the final step. Whatever time of day it is, you should always wash your face after exercising or working up a sweat, as sweat can clog pores and inflame acne. As a general rule, remove your makeup before bed and refrain from picking at your skin. Numerous factors can have an effect on your skin, and as your largest organ and the first line of defense against disease, it deserves to be protected. When it comes to skin care, it's important to consider your environment and daily lifestyle issues such as diet, stress, and fitness. Nonetheless, a skin care routine that includes a cleanser and moisturizer can go a long way.