Cleansing is the first step to a healthy skincare routine. It is essential to cleanse the skin every day, especially before applying any corrective or preventative serums or moisturizers. Cleansing removes dirt, excess oils, and makeup residue that can lead to breakouts and dehydrate the skin. A gentle, soap-free cleanser that is designed for your skin type will provide the best results.
Our skin is exposed to many things throughout the day, including bacteria, pollution, viruses, sweat, oil, and dead skin cells. If left unchecked, these impurities can clog pores, leading to sebum production and acne breakouts. In addition, they can also block hydration and cause skin to become dull and lifeless. Cleansing removes all of these things to prevent the buildup on the surface of the skin and ensure that any skincare products you apply afterward can penetrate the skin’s layers. Read on Propolis for more information.
We shed around 500 million dead skin cells each day that can build up on the surface of our skin causing it to look dull and lifeless. While the body naturally exfoliates these cells, it’s important to use a daily cleanser that is formulated with the right ingredients for your skin type. If you have oily skin, a gel-based or foamy cleanser that contains exfoliating ingredients like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and sulfur can be beneficial. If you have sensitive or dry skin, a gentle cream or balm cleanser that is infused with soothing ingredients like botanical oils, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid can be the key to nourishing your skin while cleansing it.
While it is tempting to go for that squeaky clean feeling that soap based cleaners can offer, they can actually disrupt the skin’s pH balance, stripping away the skin’s natural oils and triggering excess oil production which can lead to breakouts or worsen acne. Instead, twice daily cleansing with a gentle soap-free cleanser that is formulated for your skin type will provide the best results and will leave your skin feeling hydrated.
It’s also important to cleanse before bed because this is when the most sebum and pollutants are produced, resulting in the most clogged pores. If you haven’t already, we highly recommend using a foaming cleanser or gel-based product for the ultimate nighttime cleansing experience!
Exfoliation
A skin care step that can rekindle the glow of dull skin is exfoliation. This process removes the barrier of dead cells that clogs the surface, revealing fresh new cells underneath. Those newer cells reflect light more uniformly, making skin look brighter. There are many ways to exfoliate. Both mechanical and chemical methods can be used, but the type you choose should be guided by your skin’s specific needs.
When using a scrub, a physical exfoliant, look for products that contain fine granules or small beads. These are less likely to irritate the skin than larger ones such as crushed nutshells, seashells or ground fruit pits. Another option is to use a scrub that is formulated with natural ingredients such as brown sugar, coffee grounds, honey or muslin washcloths. However, be cautious of over-exfoliating because the skin’s protective barrier can be compromised by too much friction, so it is important to exfoliate gently.
Chemical exfoliation uses chemicals, such as alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), to gently dissolve the buildup of dead skin cells on the surface of the skin. They are gentler on the skin than a scrub and can be used by almost any skin type, including those with sensitive skin. They also help to brighten dull skin, smooth rough texture and even skin tone, and they can unclog pores.
Choosing the right exfoliation method is especially important if you are using other skin care products that may make your skin more sensitive or susceptible to peeling. If you are using prescription retinol or products that contain benzoyl peroxide, exfoliating should be avoided, and if you have very dry skin, it is recommended that you avoid any type of mechanical exfoliation altogether. A professional can help guide you on how to exfoliate safely and effectively. A good rule of thumb is to exfoliate once or twice a week for most skin types.
Moisturize
Moisturizers may seem like a cosmetic indulgence, but they are a critical component of healthy skin. The emollients in moisturizers help fill the gaps between inter-corneocyte clusters to improve smoothness, softness and flexibility. They also work to retain moisture and prevent trans-epidermal water loss. They are typically made up of humectants, occlusives and emollients, and can be combined in a cream or lotion. Humectants attract water to the skin’s surface, improving hydration, while occlusives form a protective barrier to keep moisture inside. Emollients are primarily composed of fats and help to soothe the skin, reduce itchiness and make it feel more comfortable.
The most important part of moisturizing is using the right type of moisturizer for your skin type. Using the wrong kind of moisturizer will not only cause your skin to feel greasy but can lead to other problems like acne and a host of irritants that can wreak havoc on even the healthiest complexions.
Moisturizing is especially important for areas of the face that are more sensitive and prone to irritation like the eyes, ears and neck. These areas replace their cells more often than other parts of the body and are therefore much more susceptible to dryness, irritation and other problems if they’re not adequately moisturized.
Another great benefit of moisturizing is that it helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Regular hydration will make the skin appear more firm and plump, making it look younger and healthier. Many moisturizers contain a combination of ingredients that will reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, such as retinol, peptides and shea butter.
If you have oily or acne-prone skin it’s important to use a light moisturizer. Too much moisturizing will clog pores and over-stimulate the skin’s natural oil production which can lead to breakouts, a greasy complexion or even skin cancer. Using a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer is ideal for all skin types and will help balance oil and promote a healthy complexion.
For the best results, moisturizing should be done daily. Cleanse the skin thoroughly before applying moisturizer, and be sure to exfoliate once a week to remove dead skin cells that can clog pores.
SPF
SPF is a skincare essential that should be in your daily routine, even on cloudy days. It helps to protect against the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays that cause damage to the skin. These rays can cause skin cancer, premature aging, and wrinkling of the skin. SPF acts as a physical barrier that helps to prevent the penetration of these rays into the deeper layers of the skin.
A good quality SPF is a must for all skin types. You should apply your SPF at the same time as you would your normal moisturiser, and make sure to reapply it every two hours or more often if you are sweating or swimming.
Sunscreens come in a variety of forms, including lotions, creams, and sprays. The right formula for your skin type and texture should be determined by your specific needs and concerns. For example, if you have oily skin you will want to find a lightweight formula that is non-comedogenic and won’t cause breakouts. On the other hand, if you have dry skin, it is important to find a creamy formula that will be hydrating and nourishing.
You should also take into account your beginning skin tone when choosing an SPF. A light skin tone will burn much more quickly than a darker skin tone, so it is important to choose an SPF with an appropriate amount of protection.
The SPF rating on a product indicates how long it will be able to protect the skin from the sun’s UVB rays. It is important to note that SPF does not protect against UVA rays, which are absorbed more deeply into the skin, and that it is necessary to use sunscreen that contains both UVA and UVB protection.
In addition to protecting the skin from wrinkling and sagging, using a SPF everyday can also help with the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation. This is because the sun’s rays can trigger the skin to produce excess melanin that creates these marks on the skin. Having SPF in your routine will help to prevent this from happening, so that you don’t have to spend time trying to fade or treat these marks on the skin.
