From age to skin type, finding your ideal daily skincare routine can come with a lot of questions. Is your skin oily or dry? Are you in your 20s, 30s, 40s or 50s? What kind of environment do you live in? How much time do you (intend to) spend every day to take care of your skin? With so many questions to answer and factors to take into consideration, it can often feel overwhelming to know where to start with your skin care.
Don’t worry – we’re here to help! We gathered all the information you need, based on fundamental rules most dermatologists and skin experts agree on, to help you take care of your skin. Regardless of your skin type or lifestyle, these best practices form the foundation of a healthy skin care routine. Use this set of guidelines as a starting point to build upon and further adapt to your individual skin care needs.
Cleanse, tone, moisturize
If you search for skin care on the internet, you will most likely be overwhelmed by the results referring to products that help you cleanse, tone, and moisturize your skin. This set of rules is widely touted as the holy trinity of skin care. Do we really need to follow these rules? The short answer is yes. These three essential steps have gained popularity because each step complements and balances the other, forming a complete circle of skin health. The main idea behind these rules is to purify the skin while keeping it hydrated and balanced.
Cleanse
What it does
Cleansing the skin removes sweat, oil, dirt, and other pollutants that your skin naturally collects throughout the day and night.
How to do it
You are advised to cleanse your skin in the morning and in the evening to keep your pores clear and your face fresh. Your cleanser may vary based on the skin type, but the idea for all cleansers is to apply them using an upward, circular motion to prevent wrinkles from forming. Also, make sure your hands are clean to prevent excess dirt from entering your pores.
Word of warning
It is best to steer clear of harsh bar soaps when cleansing your face, as they tend to dry out your skin and cause it to overproduce sebum, that is, the natural oils that your skin produces for protection.
Tone
What it does
There is a lot of confusion around toners, and when you first establish your skin care routine, it may even seem unnecessary. But most skin experts agree that toning can be an important addition to your skincare routine, with beneficial effects on your skin. After you cleanse your skin from impurities, toner removes any residue left behind by the cleanser, as well as any makeup or oils your cleanser might have missed. The added cleansing effects help to prepare your skin to absorb the moisturizer and minimize the appearance of pores. Some toners may also have PH-balancing and antiseptic effects.
How to do it
You should apply toner right after cleansing your skin, while it is still damp. The best way to apply toner is with a cotton pad or cotton ball, simply soaking the pads in the toner and wiping upwards, starting with your neck.
Word of warning
Most experts advise against using harsh alcohol or citrus-based toners as they can damage and irritate your skin.
Moisturize
What it does
Moisturizing provides a protective layer to the skin that locks in moisture and keeps the skin hydrated. This hydration is what gives your skin a smooth, luminous appearance.
How to do it
Choose a moisturizer based on your skin type — it can be a cream, lotion, gel or oil—and gently rub it into your skin in an upward motion, carefully not to tug on the delicate skin around your eyes. Once the moisturizer is applied, give it time to sink in, so you receive its full benefits.
Word of warning
Look for a moisturizer with an SPF of at least 15 for the daytime, an important factor in preventing skin cancer symptoms and keeping your skin healthy as you age.
Besides cleansing, toning, and moisturizing, there are a few other fundamentals you should consider incorporating into your daily skincare routine.
The sun against the skin
The sun is the ultimate culprit in damaging and aging our skin, but it usually takes years to show its true effects. Once the damage is done, however, it’s very hard to reverse. That’s why prevention is key.
Sunscreen
Any dermatologist will tell you that SPF is the golden rule for skin health. Start as early as you can by adding SPF to your daily skincare routine. Search for a moisturizer with SPF already in it or apply sunscreen after moisturizing your skin. Be sure to reapply throughout the day as most sunscreens last only two to three hours.
Skin checks
Regular skin checks are a vital component of any skin care routine in order to detect skin cancer early. While it can be easy to forget, The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends you perform monthly head-to-toe checks to ensure no abnormalities or changes in moles have occurred. SkinVision aids in this process by helping you identify potentially cancerous moles and helping you go to your doctor prepared and in time. Download SkinVision and start monitoring your skin health today.
The Add-ons
In addition to the core elements of your skin care routine listed above, there are a few extras worth adding to your regimen from time to time.
Masks
Facial masks give your skin an extra boost when it needs a little pampering. Masks can range widely in ingredients and properties, from clay masks that detoxify to collagen sheet masks that reduce the appearance of wrinkles, but all of them work to hydrate and replenish your skin quickly. Consider adding this to your routine once a week to give your skin that added lift it needs.
Exfoliators
Exfoliators are excellent tools for removing dead skin and clearing out pores so that your products can reach deeper layers of your skin. Whether using a chemical exfoliator or a mechanical one (such as brushes or scrubbing granules), an exfoliator will help stimulate skin cells and circulation, giving your complexion a rosier look. Depending on your skin type and the exfoliant you choose, frequency of use varies. Most experts say that two to three times a week is sufficient.
There are many more extras you may choose to add into your skin care routine down the line, but even if you don’t go further than these basics, your skin will have the daily support it needs to be clean and healthy.
