Skincare Essentials: 5 Steps To Build Your Own Magnificent Routine
Rome was not built in a day, and the same is applicable in terms of skincare. It is not something that is embedded into your DNA but is reflected by your daily habits.
You will find pages and pages of information on certain products and opinions about skin health, moisturization and photoprotection, but this habit should come from within yourself.
Get your best noise-cancelling headphones on and go through this brief journey into World Of Skincare.
Your basic routine should consist of three main steps- CTM.
1: Cleansing
2: Toning
3: Moisturizing
Cleansing consists of all the actions related to washing the face and cleansing the residing dirt and impurities. The activity of toning balances the skin while moisturizing softens and hydrates it.
Tuning up to your complexion should be the goal of your skin, so you need to target the areas that you want to work on. Beauty routines should not be aimed at perfection but it should be a golden opportunity for you to notice those beautiful changes within your skin.
Patience is a great player in this game, as there is no such thing as an “immediate solution”. You need to give in the time and effort to reap the fruits of your labor. If you find something that offers a quick fix, be aware that those are fraudulent for sure.
We will now indulge in the application of these formulations.
You need to apply these formulas in order of their consistency, starting from the thinnest and ending the routine with the thickest solution.
Begin with a cleanser, proceed to a toner, or serum, and then end it all with a great moisturizer.
Skincare Routine #1
Cleansing
Cleansing is the most essential part of a daily routine. Your skin is always in contact with dirt, pollutants, and other such impurities. You need to get these removed from the top layers of your skin as gently as you can.
Aim at washing your face twice a day (morning and night) to avoid having dull skin, acne, and clogged pores.
Choosing the right facial cleanser is also crucial as you need to cleanse your face without removing the healthy and essential oils.
If you have oily or acne-prone skin, go for a foaming liquid, where the liquid morphs into foam and breaks down sebum and dirt from your skin pores.
If you have dry skin, opt for a lotion or cream, where the emollients wipe away dirt from the surface with imparting hydration.
If you have sensitive skin, opt for an oily solution. Argan Oil rich products are a great option that is lightweight, non-comedogenic, moisturizing, and tolerated by the most sensitive of skins.
If your product is claiming to be non-comedogenic it means that it does not clog your pores and trigger the formation of acne in acne-prone skin. Cocoa Butter and Coconut Oil are highly comedogenic.
Skincare Routine #2
Toning Your Skin
Traditionally, toners were alcoholic products that dried up oily skin and got rid of dirt after the process of cleansing.
In the modern world, toners act like supplements that deliver nutrients to the required regions while helping other formulations to absorb better into your skin.
Using a toner is optional and can be a great way to add certain active ingredients that you might not have in other skincare products.
Some ingredients that you need to look out for:
AHAs and BHAs remove the dead skin cells gently. These dead skin cells are a major reason as to why your pores are clogged and your skin feels dull.
Hyaluronic Acid helps to plump up skin while boosting hydration to treat fine lines and wrinkles.
Vitamins like C and E are also important to fight against free radical-induced damage which can eventually age your skin.
The most effective and efficient way to apply a toner is to do so with clean hands. Pour a few drops of the toner into your palm and swipe it on afterward.
Skincare Routine #3
Treating With Serum
The greatest ally that your skin health can have is serums. Serums are packed with a punch of actives and are beneficial to fight against a range of issues related to wrinkles and dark spots.
Some of the best ingredients that can have in your serums are:
Vitamin C: helps to fight dark spots and brightens dull skin
Niacinamide: Decreases inflammation, calms redness and improves acne marks in acne prone skin.
Hyaluronic Acid: Strengthens the skin’s barrier function and seals in hydration.
Do not apply all the serums with the same frequency. Applying serums packed with antioxidants can be used in the morning as they can protect your skin from the external stressors. Retinols are unstable under sunlight and will degrade, so it is better to apply it at night.
Skincare Routine #4
Moisturizing
The definition of a moisturizer is quite simple. It is used to soften the skin and hydrate it. The best moisturizers in skincare routines prevent water loss from the outer layers of the skin while complementing the natural oils and ceramides within the skin.
Doctors recommend moisturizers to be used all through the year but we need to be careful while choosing one. The texture of the moisturizer must be in line with your skin type.
If you have oily skin, go for a gel moisturizer, as it is lightweight and can absorb into your skin immediately.
If you have a normal/combination skin type, go for a lotion. It offers a higher moisturizing factor as compare to a gel while keep it’s fast absorbing property intact.
If you have dry skin, go for creams. These are heavier than lotions and are more oil-based.
Stay away from strong retinols and fragrances as they can sting, cause eye irritations and redness.
Skincare Routine #5
Protecting With A Sunscreen
Sunscreen is one of the most important skincare products. It should be a part of your skincare regimen as the daily use of sunscreens can prevent the development of wrinkles and fine lines.
There have been several debates as to which sunscreen ingredient is better, and this is where we can help you.
Chemical ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate are well absorbed by the skin and can inhibit the damaging effects of UV light. It is lightweight and transparent but can cause irritations on sensitive skin.
Physical ingredients like Zinc oxide and Titanium dioxide sit on top of your skin and deflect the UV rays from entering your body. It does not pose any threat to your body but it leaves a white tint on your skin.
Use a sunscreen that contains a mixture of physical and chemical ingredients. The sunscreen will protect you from UVA and UVB rays without leaving any visible residue.
So, Why Is Skincare So Essential?
Prevention is always better than cure, without any questions.
Following these steps can reduce the probability of you going through skincare treatments in the distant future. You should not neglect these small things for problems that are easily preventable.
If you are getting older and are flaunting beautiful skin, then you, my friend, have made some great choices in your life.
Making poor choices and following unreliable opinions can have massive impacts while doing the right things at the right time can benefit you down the line.