6 Steps to Keep Your Skin Healthy and Glowing
Taking care of your skin is the first step to making sure your skin is healthy. For that, you must have a routine. A consistent skin care routine can be an effective way to maintain healthy, radiant skin.
It also helps to ensure that you are cleansing, toning, moisturizing and protecting your skin regularly, which can help to prevent or reduce the appearance of common skin concerns such as dryness, acne, and fine lines.
In this article, we will teach you everything you need to know about how skin care routine should be. Are you ready? Let’s begin.
How Skin Care Routine Should Be
A skincare routine can vary depending on an individual’s skin type and specific skin concerns. However, some general steps can be followed to maintain healthy, glowing skin. So, what is the routine for skin care? Here is a basic routine that you can follow:
Cleanse Your Skin
Every skincare routine must start with a clean face. You can use a gentle cleanser with water for that. Take a small amount and rub them with your palm. Then gently massage all over the face. When you are applying cleanser, make sure your hands are clean.
After you are done with that, rinse your hands and face with clean water. Keep washing until the cleanser and grime are removed. Dry your face with a soft towel and you are done. For better effects, you should wash your face like this both morning and night.
This will help remove dirt, oil, and makeup from your skin. Don’t use hot water for cleaning because it can remove the natural oils from your skin.
Use a Toner
Do you use a toner? If you do, apply it after washing your face. Take a few drops from the toner onto your palms and rub them on your face gently. If your product contains ingredients like glycolic acid, use them only at night. It’s because these toners are called exfoliating and are proficient at removing dead skin. Also, don’t use different types of toners at the same time.
Serums Are Effective
Serums are lightweight, fast-absorbing products that are designed to target specific skin concerns. They can help hydrate, brighten, and smooth the skin.
There are many types of serums with different ingredients. The most well-known and effective ones are:
- Hyaluronic acid
- Vitamin C
- Retinol
- Vitamin B3
- Peptides
Depending on your needs, the serum you need may vary.
For example, in the morning, it’s better to apply a serum that has Vitamin C properties. It will help protect your skin from harmful radicals throughout the day. On the other hand, at night, you can use a moisturizing serum containing hyaluronic acid. This will prevent your skin from drying out.
Hyaluronic acid-based serums are especially good for you if you are using other skin products meant for anti-aging or acne, which are known for drying skin and irritation.
In any case, remember to use water-based serums underneath moisturizer and oil-based ones after moisturizer.
Apply Eye Cream
If you decide to use an eye cream instead of a normal face moisturizer, make sure to wash your hand beforehand. Scoop up an appropriate amount using your ring fingers and apply the product gently under your eye area. Start from the innermost area and go outward from there. Wait 2-3 minutes for the skin to absorb the cream and clean away the area.
While eye cream is not essential for a routine, it’s better than normal face moisturizer because the skin around the eyes is thin and delicate.
Remember to take your skin type into account when choosing an eye cream. If you have dry skin, then pick a hydrating product. And if you have skin that’s oily or prone to acne, then look for a lightweight or oil-free eye cream.
Moisturizers: The Core
Moisturizers are the all-rounder for a skincare routine. They keep your skin hydrated and keep the other products you are using in place. They also help to protect it from environmental stressors.
Like any other product, you should use a lightweight moisturizer in the morning and a heavier lotion at the night. Ideally, you would want something along the line of SPF 30 or a bit higher in the morning.
For maximum effect, use moisturizer twice a day. It will help your skin stay healthy and hydrated throughout the day and night.
Sunscreen is Essential
Seems obvious, but most people overlook the fact that sun protection is important for skin care. Extended exposure to the sun or more specifically UV rays can cause skin cancer, among many other skin conditions.
This is why sun protection is considered the most important aspect of a routine and every dermatologist will tell you the same thing.
When choosing a moisturizer or lotion, check if the product contains SPF. If it doesn’t, use sunscreen and wait for 20 minutes before going out. Even better, if your sunscreen has broad-spectrum SPF because it will protect you from UVA and UVB radiation.
Do Skin Care Routines Work?
A question that we often get asked is: Do skin care routines work?
To put it simply, yes, they do. Or at least that’s what most dermatologists believe. Dr. Steven M. Nwe, DO, an expert dermatologist with Northwestern Medicine says that investing early for the health of your skin will keep your skin safe from winter and keep your condition at its peak throughout the year.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that everyone’s skin is different, and what works for one person may not work for another. It’s important to choose skin care products that are appropriate for your skin type and concerns and to be patient as you may not see results overnight.
It’s also worth noting that diet, sleep, stress levels, and other lifestyle factors can impact the health and appearance of your skin. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and seeking medical attention if necessary can also be an important part of a skin care routine.
Wrapping Up
This is how skin care routine should be. Or at least, a part of it. It’s important to choose skin care products that are suitable for your skin type and specific skin concerns. Overuse of harsh products or over-exfoliating can damage your skin and lead to irritation, so it’s important to be gentle when cleansing and moisturizing.
In addition to a consistent skin care routine, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including eating a balanced diet, staying hydrated, and getting enough sleep, can also contribute to healthy, radiant skin.
