Having great skin does not end with DNA; in fact, your daily skincare regimen largely impacts how your skin eventually turns out.
Skincare beginners may have a little problem when it comes to building a skincare regimen with the numerous products and processes it takes.
However, caring for your skin is personal. The first step to which is knowing your skin type. Different skin types have their own regimen. The products and process you use in caring for your dry skin may not work with oily or combination skin. However, there are a few things keep in mind while building your skincare regimen.
The easiest way to build a skincare regimen is to think of it as three steps:
- Cleansing
The first step to building your skincare regimen is to cleanse clean. Washing your face removes dirt, bacteria and pollutants from your face. Be sure to wash your face twice a day, morning and night to remove dirt, acne and dullness.
With the right cleanser formula, your skin stays cleansed without stripping its essential oils. Here is what to look out for in everyday cleansing:
For oily or acne-prone skin opt for a foaming liquid as this breaks down dirt and excess sebum from the pores when activated with water. Dry, eczema skin should opt for cleansers formulated with emollients such as glycerin and shea butter as they not only cleanse the skin but also hydrate it.
People with sensitive skin should use moisturising, non-comedogenic and lightweight oils in cleaning their skin. For mature skin, use a healthy balm. Micellar water doubles as an excellent cleanser for all skin types and you should include that in your regimen.
- Toning
Unlike in the ’80s when toners were used to dry up oily skin and remove leftover dirt after cleansing, toning formulas have greatly improved.
Today, toners are the extra supplement your skin needs to absorb products better and balance out your complexion. In choosing toners, you would need to look out for these key ingredients:
- Alpha and beta hydroxy acids: It helps to remove dead skin cells that clog pores, improve sun-damaged skin and minimise dullness.
- Hyaluronic acid: boosts hydration, seals in dewiness and plump skin to treat fine lines subtly.
- Rosewater and green tea: calms irritation and reduces redness with an anti-inflammatory effect.
- Vitamin E and C: fights daily exposure to free radicals that can age your skin.
Serums, just like toners, are powerful allies for the skin. They contain active ingredients that help in the treatment of a wide range of skin issues from dark spots to wrinkles.
- Hyaluronic acid: seals in hydration and strengthen the barrier function
- Vitamin C: brightens dull skin and decreases dark spots
- Retinol, vitamin B3, peptides: stimulates the production of collagen and elastin
- Colloidal sulfur, niacinamide: calms redness and irritation by reducing inflammation, and improve acne with its antimicrobial effects
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- Moisturising
The second to the last step in a good skin regimen is moisturising, followed by protection. Moisturising seals in moisture in the skin, hydrating and softening it. Moisturising is an all-round product that should be used in all weathers, whether hot or cold.
For oily skin, pick a gel-based moisturiser, a water-based one, that is lightweight and absorbs quickly. For combination, normal skin, we have to vote lotions that are generally absorbent.
For dry skin, opt for cream and soft creams, oil-based and heavier than lotions. Use a balm for sensitive skin.
For all skin types, sunscreen is essential as protection from the ultraviolet rays of the sun. Choose a sunscreen with SPF50 or more and touch up as you go about your day.
