With 59% of Americans not being comfortable in their own skin, it probably comes as no surprise that people are looking for ways to make the skin on their faces flawless. Whether you are dealing with acne, looking to slow down the natural signs of aging, or trying to reduce breakouts it is a smart move to learn how to properly take care of your skin. A daily skin care routine will help you maintain better skin health and it will also improve skin concerns you have. Read on to learn how to take care of your skin.
Cleanse
The first step to any skin care routine is cleansing away. You don’t want to choose a cleanser that leaves your skin tight after you wash it. When you wash too much, you will get rid of your skin’s natural oils. If you don’t wear makeup or have dry skin only cleanse your face once per day. If you have oilier skin, do not cleanse your face more than twice per day.
Serum
After you cleanse your face, then you want to use a serum that is best for your skin type. If you want a serum, that targets a specific problem, by visiting a skin care clinic you can learn what is best for your needs. In the morning time, any serum with vitamin C or peptides would be a great choice. Prescription retinoids and retinol are best to use during your evening skin care routine.
Moisturizer
No matter what type of skin type you have, you always want to put on a moisturizer after your serum dries. Even the oiliest of skins need a moisturizer. If you have oily skin, make sure you use a gel-based, lightweight moisturizer that is non-comedogenic and doesn’t block your pores. For those with dry skin, you want to opt for a moisturizer that is more cream based. Make sure you read the packaging to see if the moisturizer is gel or cream so that you can choose the best base for your skin needs.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen is a must, especially when you head outside. Keep in mind that it takes a while for sunscreen to activate, so you want to apply it at least 15 minutes before you head outside so that the sunscreen has time to activate. If you have a darker skin tone, then you will need more sunscreen protection because it is more difficult to correct hyperpigmentation. UV rays are known for damaging skin and causing premature aging. This means that if you want to keep your skin looking healthy and young, you want to stay on top of wearing sunscreen. We recommend opting for a sunscreen that has at least a 30 SPF rating or higher. Make sure you reapply it every two hours to make sure you have maximum protection.
Where to Start
When you first choose the 4 products mentioned above (cleanser, serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen) you want to stick to the routine and see how your skin reacts. Once you are comfortable with how your skin is doing and feeling, then you can add new products to your routine if you want. You can add spot treatments, exfoliants, and masks. If you have sensitive skin, make sure to patch-test your new products. The best way to patch test is to apply a small amount in a discreet area such as your wrist. Wait 48 hours to see if you have any type of reaction to the product. Then check the area again after 96 hours to see if you have a delayed reaction. If there are any small bumps, irritation, itchiness, or redness then you are probably allergic.
DIY Hacks to Avoid
Although there are some well-meaning people out there sharing DIY skin care hacks some are best to avoid. One DIY hack is to apply lemon juice to your face because it has citric acidic. The truth is that it has too many acids which can cause dark spots after your skin is exposed to the sun. Lemon juice can also irritate your skin and dry it. Another DIY hack to avoid is applying raw garlic to your skin. When you use garlic in raw form, it can cause watery blisters, skin allergies, skin inflammation, and eczema.
Have you been told to apply baking soda for breakouts? The problem with baking soda is that it decreases your skin’s water content which can lead to dry skin. Baking soda also stresses the skin because it has a pH level of 8. Applying toothpaste to your skin for breakouts can absorb oil and kill germs, but it can also irritate your skin or dry it out too much. Something else to avoid is using sugar on your face as an exfoliant. Honestly, sugar is way too harsh for your facial skin.
Testing Your Skin Type
If you are not really sure what your skin type is, you can do a physical test at home to figure out your skin type. First, you will wash your face and pat it dry. Then, wait 30 minutes. After 30 minutes press a piece of clean tissue or oil-blotting paper on your face. Press it on your nose, chin, cheeks, and forehead. Last, hold the sheet to the light to see how transparent the paper is. If the sheet is not too oily and you don’t see any flakes on it, then you have normal skin. When the sheet is soaked through, then you have oily skin. If there is no transparency, but there are flakes then you have dry skin. Combination skin is when the sheet will have different levels of transparency.
Ready to Level Up Your Skin?
We hope that next time you are doing your daily skin routine you take it as a moment to relax and unwind rather than see it as a chore. Make sure that you are consistent with your routine so that you notice a difference in your skin and walk around showing off your fabulous skin. If you want more tips, keep browsing this section for our latest tips and tricks.
