Your skin reflects your health, so it’s critical to take good care of it. But it can be tough to sort through the plethora of products, routines and advice out there to find the right one for you.
For starters, you want to make sure you’re using the right cleanser for your skin type. Choose a foaming or gel cleanser that gently removes excess oil, dirt and makeup.
Cleanse
Skin cleansing is the most important step in your skincare routine. It removes impurities such as dirt, oil, pollution, make-up and traces of dead skin cells to help your other products penetrate the skin more effectively.
The first step in your cleansing regime is to wash your face in the morning and at night with a cleanser suited to your skin type. Cleansers are formulated to remove dirt, sebum, oil and other impurities from the surface of your skin without drying or irritating it.
We recommend using a cleanser at night as this is when the skin loses the most water, which is when the pores are most open to allow skincare products to penetrate and work their magic. Then in the morning, the skin is rehydrated and ready to receive treatment products.
A good quality cleanser should be able to remove all the dirt, oil and grime that your skin has accumulated during the day. It should also be hydrating and leave your skin feeling refreshed.
You can choose from a variety of textures and formulas, so it’s important to find one that works for your skin type. If you have oily skin, you should look for a cleanser that is fragrance-free and has a gentle formula. If you have dry skin, a creamy cleanser would be the best choice for you as it will leave your skin hydrated and feeling smooth.
For a thorough but gentle skin cleansing, try the Garnier SkinActive The Gentle Sulfate Free Cleanser. This cleanser has been formulated to remove oil, makeup and impurities with no sulfates or parabens.
If you want to go the extra mile, double cleansing is a great way to get your skin really clean. It involves using an oil-based or balm cleanser as a first step, and then a water-based facial cleanser to finish off.
A double cleanse is effective and easy to do but it’s important not to over-cleanse your skin as this can lead to a lot of irritation. Cho and Tsai advise to use a gentle cleanser with a pH level that is in line with your skin’s own natural balance to ensure you don’t over-wash or cause any further sensitivity.
Tone
Skin tone is a major factor in your skin care routine and how well you get results from skincare products. Uneven skin tone can be caused by hyperpigmentation, pigmentary disorders like melasma and sun damage, or normal aging processes. But even if you have an uneven skin tone, it doesn’t mean that you can’t take steps to improve it.
There are many skincare products to choose from, including serums, masks and moisturizers. But there’s one that you should always include in your regimen: a toner.
Toners are liquid-based formulas that restore the skin’s pH balance, remove excess oil and impurities and help tighten pores. They can be hydrating, calming or astringent depending on the formula and ingredients, but the most important thing is that they are gentle enough for all skin types.
If you have sensitive skin, make sure to choose an alcohol-free formula. Those with a high concentration of alcohol can sting or burn your skin.
It’s also a good idea to soak a cotton pad with the toner before applying it on your skin. This will dilute the solution and help your skin acclimate to it over time.
Toners are a great way to refresh and prepare your skin before you apply serums, masks or other products. They also help your other products absorb into your skin and perform better.
The best toners are gentle and adaptable for all skin types. They can be found in a variety of different forms, from sprays to mists and lotions.
They also often contain astringent and exfoliating ingredients that work to minimize pores, even out your skin tone, and clear up acne or other breakouts. Some even include hyaluronic acid, which can help seal in moisture and strengthen the skin’s barrier function.
Toners can be used morning and night to prep the skin for moisturizer or skin treatments. They are generally the second step in your skincare regimen after cleansing.
Moisturize
Moisturizing is a must for all skin types and should be included in your daily skincare routine. It prevents dryness, makes the skin look more youthful, hides signs of aging like wrinkles and discoloration, decreases inflammation in the skin and protects it from external harmful agents.
Moisturizers can be light or heavy, formulated for different seasons and skin types. They can be hydrating or moisture-retardant, and often contain ingredients like ceramides, oils (coconut, almond), shea butter, dimethicone, and antioxidants.
A good moisturizer will be noncomedogenic, meaning it won’t clog your pores or cause breakouts. It will also be hypoallergenic, meaning it won’t irritate your sensitive skin.
Water is the first ingredient in most moisturizers. It acts as a lubricant to hold the oil-in-water emulsion together, so it’s essential that the moisturizer contain some water.
The stratum corneum, or outermost layer of skin, absorbs water well, but it doesn’t bind it very well. So when you apply a moisturizer that contains only an oil, it doesn’t really soak in very much water.
That’s why a good moisturizer will also have some humectant or emollient, so that it can trap the water it can’t absorb. That’s why you’ll find glycerin, petrolatum, and hyaluronic acid in many products.
Moisturizing will also help with a variety of other skin concerns, including dryness and flaking. It can even reduce the appearance of enlarged pores and redness, says Dr. Shainhouse.
When the skin is properly hydrated, it can regenerate new cells more quickly, and that helps prevent wrinkles from forming. In fact, studies show that people who have well-moisturized skin are less likely to accumulate wrinkles than those with dry or flaky skin.
Using a moisturizer after every shower or bath can also help keep the skin hydrated. The massaging effect of a good moisturizer stimulates blood circulation and the production of fresh, healthy skin cells, explains Dr. Guanche.
The most important thing is to moisturize regularly, and choose a product that’s right for your skin type and skincare concerns. If you’re not sure where to start, ask your dermatologist for advice. He or she can recommend the right product for you, whether it’s a lotion or a gel.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen protects your skin from the harmful rays of the sun, helping to prevent premature aging, sun spots, hyperpigmentation, cancer and sagging. It also helps to maintain a healthy, even skin tone and is a key step in anti-aging skincare routines.
If you’re looking for a broad-spectrum sunscreen, opt for one that protects from both UVA and UVB rays. This is important for reducing your risk of developing skin cancer, which is a leading cause of death in the United States.
For the best protection, choose a product with an SPF of at least 30. A higher number is better because it means it’s more likely to fend off UVA and UVB rays, which can be absorbed into the deeper layers of your skin.
When choosing a sunscreen, consider your skin type and how much time you plan to spend outdoors or in the water. If you’re going to be sweating or swimming, look for one that’s water-resistant or a gel formula that absorbs quickly.
Besides protecting your skin from the sun’s rays, a good sunscreen can also help to reduce redness caused by inflammation and irritation. This is especially true for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin, says Dr. Harvey. It can also help to lighten blemishes and discoloration, thanks to ingredients like niacinamide.
It’s also helpful to look for a sunscreen that contains an ingredient like zinc oxide, which offers a high level of UVA protection while delivering a nongreasy finish. Zinc oxide is an effective sunscreen that’s safe for those with oily and combination skin types, too.
You can also find tinted or matte versions of this kind of sunscreen, which leave less of a white cast on the skin and give you a smoother appearance. You can also opt for a spray-on or brush-on version, which makes it easier to apply and can be used all day long.
It’s always important to wear sunscreen when outside, but it’s more essential than ever if you’re living in an area with high temperatures or plan to spend time at the beach or pool. You should always seek shade and use a wide-brimmed hat.