Good skin care is not only essential for our overall health, but it also plays an important role in keeping a luminous and youthful appearance. By following a proper skincare routine, you can effectively prevent acne breakouts, combat the signs of skin aging like wrinkles, and keep your skin looking young, fresh, and supple.

The importance of a healthy lifestyle in achieving glowing skin. Remember, consistency is key when it comes to skincare. Sticking to a regular routine and using products suited to your skin type can help you achieve and keep the healthy, glowing face you want. So invest a little time and effort in taking care of your skin, and you’ll reap the rewards for years to come.

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My previous skincare routine consisted of a cleanser with a harsh physical exfoliator, maybe some toner if I wasn’t being lazy, and some shea butter. I thought that was all I needed until I noticed skin tags on my face.

Skin tags are small, soft, skin-colored growths on your skin. I was mortified and had visions of my grandma and great aunties with these tags all over their faces, and right then, I knew I needed to take action.

So, I did the only thing I knew and went straight to Google to do my research and ordered every skin care product on the market. I did it, so you don’t have to. Keep reading to see what I learned.

Benefits of Proper Skin Care

Your skin is your body’s largest organ. Taking care of it is important for your overall health. That’s why having a proper skincare routine is necessary. It’s worth spending time and energy on your skin every day.

Prevention is better than cure, so with a good skincare routine, you can reduce the signs of aging, like fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, and sun damage. Simple habits like washing your face, moisturizing, and wearing sunscreen can save you time, money, and potentially even your life in the long run by preventing skin cancer.

Essentials of Proper Skin Care

Depending on your skin, your needs, and what you are trying to achieve, there are levels to what would be essential for your personal skincare routine. Bottomline basics for a simple routine include:

• Cleanser – Used to wash the face and remove
• Toner – Used to balance the skin
• Moisturizer – Used to hydrate and softening the skin
• Sunscreen – Only applied during the day

Simple is good, but when it comes to proper skincare routines, it’s important to consider specific concerns such as acne, aging, and discolorations. By including a few added steps, products, and tools into your routine, you can take it to the next level and address these issues effectively.

To guarantee the maximum benefits from your skincare products, it’s essential to apply them in the correct order of consistency. Start with the thinnest products and work your way up to the thickest. Here’s a recommended order based on consistency: cleanser, toner, serums, moisturizer, and sunscreen.

For those with oily skin, finding the right skincare routine is crucial. Look for products that are specifically formulated for oily skin, because they can help control excess oil production and reduce shine.

For acne-prone skin, like mine, ingredients like salicylic acid can unclog pores and prevent breakouts, while gentle cleansers can effectively remove impurities without stripping the skin of its natural oils.

Protecting your skin from the harmful effects of the sun is critical for maintaining healthy skin and preventing skin cancer. It is highly recommended to apply sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every day, whether it’s sunny or cloudy. This will protect your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays, reducing the risk of sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer.

When it comes to maintaining a healthy skin tone, using products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid can be beneficial. Hyaluronic acid helps to hydrate the skin, improve elasticity, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Additionally, using an eye cream specifically formulated for the delicate skin around the eyes can help address concerns such as puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines.

Dermatologists recommend incorporating antioxidant-rich products into your skincare routine to fight free radicals and environmental damage. These free radicals can contribute to premature aging and other skin concerns. Look for serums and moisturizers that contain antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, or green tea extract.

To maintain healthy skin, it’s important to wash your face twice a day, in the morning and evening, to remove dirt, oil, and impurities that can clog pores. Use a gentle cleanser that suits your skin type to avoid stripping the skin’s natural moisture barrier. After cleansing, don’t forget to moisturize. Daily moisturizing can help keep your skin hydrated, soft, and supple.

In addition to a moisturizer, incorporating a night cream into your routine can provide extra nourishment and hydration while you sleep. Night creams are typically formulated with richer textures and ingredients that promote skin repair and regeneration.

Remember, regardless of skin type or concerns, applying sunscreen daily is a non-negotiable step in any skincare routine. Sunscreen not only protects your skin from harmful UV rays but also helps prevent premature aging, dark spots, and other sun-induced damage.

By following a proper skincare routine with the right products and steps, you can maintain healthy, glowing skin and address specific concerns effectively.

Steps for a Proper Skin Care Routine

Your skin is exposed to dirt and the environment every day. Gently cleansing the face will unclog your pores without completely stripping the skin. Depending on your preference and skin type, there are many types of cleansers.

I have dry skin, and I know that because after I wash my face, my skin will feel tight, indicating it is dry and needs moisture. For everyday cleansing look for the following:

• Oil Cleansers – break down sweat and makeup
• Cream Cleansers – cleanses face while also hydrating the skin
• Micellar Water – rinse-free cleanser that contains molecules that attract oil and dirt

Some cleansers have the added benefits of exfoliation (removal of dead skin cells) or acne prevention. Personally, I opt for all of the above.

On days I wear makeup, I do what is referred to as double-cleansing. I start my routine with an Oil Cleanser followed by a gentle exfoliating cleanser. Micellar Water is good for a quick refresh in the morning to brighten the skin or when double-cleansing.

Having multiple steps to follow can seem like a daunting task. But if you remove the phrase “I have to” and replace it with “I get to,” you will find that skincare routines offer mental health benefits.

According to SELF, having that routine may help you realize how easy it can be to do nice things for your body and build healthy habits. “Whether the routine is skin care, exercise, meditation, or any other beneficial activity, the dedication to the method can bring grounding to our everyday lives, which can often feel chaotic and uncontrolled.”

Toners, Serums, Treatments, and Essences contain active ingredients targeting specific concerns. The most common concerns found in over-the-counter products treat things like sun damage, dark spots and signs of aging like wrinkles and sagging skin. Ingredients I look for in products in are things like:

(Includes affiliate links to my favorite products)

• Lactic and Glycolic Acids are chemical exfoliants, which are less harsh than physical ones like face scrubs.
• Niacinamide calms irritation by decreasing inflammation and improve acne
• Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids gently remove dead skin cells that can clog pores, improve sun-damaged skin and minimize dullness.
• Retinoids are a vitamin A derivative that can reduce dark spots, breakouts, and fine lines by increasing skin-cell turnover. They also make your skin extra-sensitive to the sun, so sunscreen is a must.
• Vitamin C brightens the skin and protects it from free radicals with regular use
• Collagen makes skin produce elastin, proteins in the body that help prevent lines and skin sagging

When applying your products, using clean hands is most efficient. Just pour a few drops in your palm, then swipe it on. Eye Creams are not necessary but if you want to step up your pampering then add it in as well.

Moisturizers hydrate skin and lock in all the other layers of product you’ve applied. Nothing is better than pilling on a thick moisturizer before bed to lock in all that product goodness. I prefer to have separate moisturizers, a lighter one for the day and a heavier one for the evening.

There are two types of sunscreens, chemical and physical, and a lot of debate on which is best. Chemical sunscreens use chemicals to counteract the damage of UV light but can be irritating to sensitive skin and ecosystems. Physical sunscreens use heavy metals that sit on your skin and deflect UV rays with little health concerns but leaves a whitish tint on darker skin tones.

Either way, most experts agree that sunscreen is the most vital skin care product, and applying it is a crucial step to a proper skincare routine. To make it easy to remember, try using a daily moisturizer with a built-in broad-spectrum SPF of at least 30.

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