Since skin care has become so increasingly fashionable among beauty influencers and thousands of products available on the market, adopting an effective daily regimen can prevent signs of aging, acne and dryness from appearing. Cleanse, moisturize and sunscreen should form part of this regimen.
Cleansing twice daily, morning and night, is the foundation for good skin. Acne-prone skin may need an oil-busting foaming wash while dry skin requires rich moisturizers with moisture-retaining ingredients like essential fatty acids.
Cleanse
Cleansing should be part of every skin-care routine. As the surface of your face collects oil, sweat, dead skin cells and makeup – plus microscopic particles from air pollution – daily cleansing becomes necessary.
Before bed, make sure that you remove all debris and oils from your skin in order to avoid clogged pores and breakouts. Utilizing a cleanser that suits your specific skin type can also help keep it clear and hydrated for the most beneficial results.
Example: Someone with acne-prone skin might benefit from using a gentle foaming cleanser containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide; for those with dry skin, consider products containing hydrating ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid. No matter what skin type you have, make sure that lukewarm water is used when rinsing as hot water can strip natural oils from the skin, alter its pH balance and lead to redness, irritation or even abrasions; never use products containing harsh ingredients or sulfates that contain harsh ingredients!
Moisturize
Moisturizer is one of those daily skincare steps that many of us neglect or avoid altogether, yet its importance should not be discounted or ignored. Our skin is an integral organ in our bodies, needing daily maintenance to remain healthy.
Morning showers help remove accumulated oil and dirt from the night before, along with any sweat or extra products that have built up, while evening ones help flush away pore-clogging debris or extra oil that might have built up throughout the day.
Hydrating serums for dry skin are an ideal way to replenish any water lost through cleansing. Look for formulas containing barrier-boosting ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or plant glycerin that will provide extra hydration.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen may seem like an obvious necessity during beach days in summertime, but it should be used every day–even on cloudy or overcast days–in order to prevent sunburns and protect against other forms of UV damage that could lead to dark spots, wrinkles and skin cancer.
Before heading outdoors, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen and reapply every two hours. Don’t forget about protecting your lips which are vulnerable to sun damage too – consider applying lip balm with SPF 30+ protection as well.
If you have dry skin, look for oil-free and lightweight products that won’t clog your pores. If you have oily or combination skin, light moisturizers with ingredients such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide may help clear pores more effectively. For acne-prone skin types, cleanse with a cleanser designed specifically to combat breakouts before applying moisturizer. Rinse off at night as well to remove sweat or sunscreen residue that could potentially clog your pores.
Toner
Charlotte Cho, co-founder of Soko Glam and licensed esthetician. Toner works like prepping your pores – clearing away any leftover makeup or dirt left by cleanser and helping balance pH levels for more effective product absorption.
Astringents are stronger versions of toners that typically contain high concentrations of alcohol and antiseptic ingredients, which may strip away your protective lipid barrier and contribute to acne outbreaks. As such, these products should not be used on skin with oily or acne-prone traits.
Toner should be applied using a cotton pad and gently spread across your entire face. Allow it to dry for 60 seconds before layering on any additional products (serums or moisturizers), to prevent their acid content neutralizing other treatments applied over it.
