How To Build A Skin Care Routine
Great skin is not simply a matter of DNA — your daily habits, in fact, have a big impact on what you see in the mirror. But depending on which product reviews you read or doctors you consult, there are a dizzying number of opinions on everything from how to moisturize to how to protect yourself from UV rays. Ultimately, caring for your skin is simply personal. Here’s what you should keep in mind to sort through all the noise.
Think of your skin-care routine as consisting of three main steps:
- Cleansing — Washing your face.
- Toning — Balancing the skin.
- Moisturizing — Hydrating and softening the skin.
The goal of any skin-care routine is to tune up your complexion so it’s functioning at its best, and also troubleshoot or target any areas you want to work on. “Beauty routines are an opportunity to notice changes within you,” says the San Francisco skin-care specialist Kristina Holey. As your skin needs shift with age, so will your products. Still, she adds, “it’s not about creating perfection.” Allow these three steps to becoming your daily ritual that fortifies your skin and grounds your day.
Give it Time
The science behind skin-care products has come a long way but there’s still no such thing as an instant fix — you need time to reap the benefits and results are only seen through consistent use. Generally, aim to use a product over at least six weeks, once or twice daily, to notice a difference.
Tip: With any skin-care product, apply in order of consistency — from thinnest to thickest. For example, cleanser, toner, serum, and then moisturizer.
Cleansing
Washing your face is the most basic and essential step of any routine. Our skin comes in contact with environmental pollutants, dirt, and other factors each day that should be gently removed. Wash twice a day, morning and night, to avoid clogged pores, dullness, and acne.
Toning
For many, the word “toner” brings to mind stinging astringents from the ’80s. “The original was an alcohol-based product that was used to dry up oily skin and remove any leftover dirt following cleansing. Today’s formulas, however, have evolved. Think of them as supplements — these thin liquids deliver an extra shot of nutrients, helping the other products in your regimen absorb better, while still balancing your complexion.
Treating With Serums
Simply put, serums are powerful skin allies. Filled with concentrated doses of active ingredients, these elixirs can mitigate a number of issues, from dark spots to wrinkles. Even if you don’t have any specific issues, everyone still needs a general antioxidant serum in the morning to protect from daily aggressors.
Moisturizing
The most basic function of a moisturizer is to hydrate and soften the skin. Essentially, moisturizers assist in preventing water loss through the outer layers of skin. They can also complement the naturally found protective oils and other building blocks within the skin, such as ceramides. This is one product that doctors recommend using year-round, for all skin types. “Skin naturally loses the ability to retain moisture as we age and daily activities, such as washing, can strip natural hydrators from the surface.
Protect With Sunscreen
All of the experts we consulted unanimously agreed on one thing: that sunscreen is, hands down, the most crucial skin-care product. It’s of utmost importance as part of your year-round regimen. Daily and consistent sunscreen use help to prevent the development of fine lines and wrinkles, textural imperfections, and changes in the appearance of pores over time.
More importantly, daily sunscreen use can help to prevent the formation of certain skin cancers. To make it easy to remember, experts recommend using a daily moisturizer with a built-in broad-spectrum SPF of at least 30.
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