It’s important to know your skin type and create a routine that works for you. You may need to try a few different products before finding one that works best for you.
Cleansers, exfoliators and moisturizers are all essential parts of a healthy skin care regimen. It can be tricky to find the right combination, but it’s worth a little trial and error.
Cleansing
Cleansing is the process of removing oil, makeup, and dirt from the surface of the skin. It’s important to cleanse twice a day, morning and night, and with products that are specially formulated for your unique skin type.
“There are so many different types of cleansers – from micellar waters, foaming gels, creams, balms, oils to wipes,” says Dr. Madfes, founder of Dermalogica.”
Choose a cleanser that is suitable for your skin type and works well with your skincare routine. For example, if you have dry or sensitive skin, look for an alcohol-free cleanser.
If you have oily skin, consider a cleanser that has a blend of non-fragrant plant oils that remove impurities without stripping the skin of its natural oils. They also deposit hydrating ingredients into the skin, so it feels smooth and soft rather than tight or dry.
Washing your face with soap is not ideal as it can alter the skin’s pH and disrupt the skin barrier, increasing the risk of irritation. Instead, opt for soap-free gel, cream and foam cleansers.
To use a cleanser, apply a small amount to damp skin and gently massage it over the entire face. Once a milky emulsion has formed, rinse with water.
Alternatively, you can apply the oil to dry skin and work it into a milky emulsion by splashing it with water before rinsing thoroughly. This is known as a double cleanse, which helps to deconstruct & dissolve layers of oily buildup before your second cleanser can further deep clean and penetrate pores.
Choosing the right skincare isn’t always easy, but it can be a crucial step to healthy skin. Your dermatologist will be able to recommend the best products for your skin type and help you develop an effective routine.
Exfoliation
Exfoliating removes dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, helping your skin shed more quickly and look better. Regular exfoliation can also unclog pores, reduce breakouts, fade age spots and make wrinkles less visible.
It’s important to use a gentle exfoliant, and don’t over-exfoliate. Using too much of a scrub or chemical product can damage the skin and lead to redness, dryness and rashes.
Your skin naturally sheds its dead cells every 30 days or so. This turnover helps the skin absorb new skin cells and maintain a more youthful appearance.
However, dead skin cells can accumulate on the skin’s surface if you don’t regularly remove them. These buildups can clog pores, cause dark spots and make the skin dull and rough.
You can get rid of dead skin cells with an exfoliating product that uses a granular substance or a mechanical scrubbing motion. There are also products that use chemicals to dissolve and remove dead skin cells without scrubbing.
Choose an exfoliant that suits your skin type, whether you have oily, dry or normal skin. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends that people with dry or sensitive skin use a mild chemical exfoliator or a washcloth for gentle physical exfoliation.
A person with a combination skin type may require a variety of exfoliation methods, depending on how thick or sensitive their skin is. For example, people with oily skin have larger sebaceous glands and therefore may tolerate abrasive particles better than those with dry skin.
There are a wide range of exfoliating products on the market that can be used by all types of skin. Many of these include alpha and beta hydroxy acids (AHAs and BHAs), which help disintegrate dead skin cells. Often, these ingredients are oil-soluble and penetrate into the pores to clean out dirt and oil. Afterwards, a hydrating moisturizer can be applied to lock in moisture and prevent transepidermal water loss.
Moisturize
Moisturizing is a crucial part of skin care, especially when you have dry or dehydrated skin. A good moisturizer can help reduce the appearance of blemishes, improve skin’s texture and tone, prevent premature wrinkles, and keep your face looking dewy and healthy.
Moisturizers are made from a variety of ingredients, but the main ones are water, oily substances (such as petrolatum) and silicones. Some moisturizing products contain emollients, which bind to skin cells and help lock in moisture. Others use occlusives, which block the evaporation of water so it stays locked in and can’t escape.
Keeping the water content of your skin high helps prevent dryness and dehydration, signs of aging, environmental damage, and inflammation. It also nourishes your skin, says Meghan Feely, M.D., FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in New Jersey and New York City who is also a clinical instructor at Mount Sinai’s Department of Dermatology.
The best moisturizer for your skin depends on its age, type and condition. If you have sensitive, irritated or red skin, look for one with ingredients like aloe vera, chamomile, oatmeal, and honey.
It’s also important to choose a moisturizer with anti-inflammatory agents, like salicylic acid, for acne-prone or oily skin types, advises Dr. Shainhouse, who adds that it’s also a good idea to choose a product with sunscreen in order to protect against sun damage and premature lines and wrinkles.
It’s also important to moisturize after a shower or bath as hot water can strip away the skin’s natural oils and leave it feeling tight and dry. For those with very dry skin, a thick cream is best to slather on. And, it’s a good idea to moisturize twice a day after a shave or exfoliation so that your skin can recover from the drying effects of these treatments.
Serums
Serums are a key part of your skin care routine because they’re lightweight, easily absorbed, and can be used to target a variety of different concerns. They’re also a great way to give your face a boost of hydration and fight free radical damage, which can lead to fine lines and wrinkles.
They can also help reduce dark spots, brighten the complexion, and even out skin tone. But there’s a lot to know before you jump into the serum game.
First, it’s important to find one formulated specifically for your skin type and concern. If you have acne-prone skin, look for products with ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide that can help unclog pores and clear up breakouts. If your skin is dry, go for a formula that’s made with hyaluronic acid or glycerin to keep your skin hydrated.
Next, you want to find one that’s light in consistency, says Dr. Engelman. This will allow the active ingredient to penetrate deeply into your skin.
Once you’ve found your perfect serum, you need to make sure to use it consistently. This means you should apply it twice a day, morning and night, to really reap the benefits.
Lastly, you should store your serum somewhere cool and away from sunlight to prevent it from degrading. Certain ingredients, such as vitamin C, oxidize quickly and lose their potency when exposed to oxygen and light.
You should also make sure to replace your serum every 3-4 months. This is because it’s important to avoid using a product that has expired since it can no longer do its job.
Treatments
There are several different types of treatments used as part of your skin care routine. The best type of treatment is one that’s right for your skin’s condition and your goals.
For example, if you’re looking to combat sun damage, a light treatment like IPL photo rejuvenation is an effective option. The treatment works by targeting the haemoglobin and melanin in broken capillaries to improve sun-damaged skin.
Another type of treatment that’s commonly used is laser resurfacing, which removes the top layer of skin and stimulates collagen production. It’s effective for acne scars, fine lines, sun spots, wrinkles and sagging skin.
A third class of resurfacing treatments include mechanical exfoliation, such as microdermabrasion and dermabrasion. These procedures use a brush or diamond wheel to slough off the outer layer of skin and reveal smoother, younger-looking skin.
The results of these treatments can last for years. However, you should be aware that some of them have side effects.
These include redness, swelling and irritation. If you experience any of these, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Other treatment options for facial aging include Botox injections, neuromodulators and hyaluronic acid fillers. These injections help relax muscles, which reduce the appearance of frown lines, forehead furrows and crow’s feet.
If you have a severe case of acne, anti-inflammatory medications and oral antibiotics may also help to clear up the breakouts. These treatments also stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, which can reduce the signs of aging and prevent future acne.
Other cosmetic treatments include cryolipolysis, which uses liquid nitrogen to destroy fat cells without damaging other tissues. It can be a good choice for people with excess body fat, such as around the thighs and abdomen.