Skin is the biggest and the most uncovered part of our body. Facial skin is extremely sensitive and prone to damage caused by sun, weather and harmful pollutants, damaged skin is a result of these. To make things worse skin suffers with occasional breakouts or even acne prone skin. Skin needs to be treated to heal, nourish and help get rid of acne as well as scars.
What is the need for a skincare routine?
It's important to maintain healthy skin that's wrinkle free, soft, moisturized and nourished. Who doesn’t want a healthy, younger looking skin? A Skincare routine is important to nourish and maintain a younger looking beautiful skin.
There are numerous products available in the market, each one helps the skin in specific ways. Since there are various products available it is important to choose the right products that can benefit and fix your skin instead of causing further damage or no benefit at all.
How to choose the right products for a skincare regimen?
A well put-together skincare routine can help eradicate sun damage, wrinkles, fine lines and dark spots. The choice of products should be based on your skin type, knowing your skin type is important to select the right products. You might have oily, dry or a combination skin type.
If you have dry skin choose products that provide nourishment and lock moisture in your skin, if you have oily skin choose products that can control the oil production and can nourish your skin. Combination skin types need to avoid oily products in the T-zone but also use products that lock in moisture in other parts of their face.
What is the need for applying so many products?
The skin takes time to adjust to the routines, absorb the products and its goodness. There is no one quick fix, you must give it time to work its problems out. You can notice visible changes and results only if you keep up with your skincare routine regularly.
There is an order in which each of your skincare products needs to be applied. Follow that order and apply them in the right quantities. You must be careful not to push it though; too much of anything can be harmful.
A Step-by-Step Guide about Layering Your Skin Care Products
Whether your skin care products are of thick or thin consistency, whether it is a liquid or cream product they have to perform few essential functions on your skin. These are listed below as:
1. Cleanser
A cleanser is used to wash your face, it's necessary to use a cleanser or a face wash meant only for your face as it is gentle and does not dry out the skin. Please don’t use a fragrance soap on your face. It’ll do more harm than good.
2. Toner
Toner is designed to cleanse the skin, remove impurities, shrink the appearance of pores, calm and soothe the skin of any sunburns or irritations. It also moisturizes, protects and refreshes the skin.
3. Moisturizer
The basic job of a face moisturizer is to provide moisture to dry skin, replace moisture that’s already been lost and help prevent further loss. Moisturizers also help slow down signs of aging, prevent acne, soothe sensitive skin and some moisturizers have SPF which blocks harmful UV-rays.
4. Sunscreen
Exposure to harmful sun rays can cause skin cancer, wrinkles and promote early signs of aging. Sunscreens help in blocking harmful sun rays, UVA and UVB rays.
5. Serums
Serum reduces the redness of skin and provides nourishment. They are usually available in a liquid/gel-like texture, and are made up of highly concentrated amounts of active substances that go into the skin.
6. Exfoliator
Exfoliator or a face scrub is used to get rid of the dead skin cells and promote regeneration of new cells.. Exfoliation is a harsh process and it's beneficial if it's done once or twice a week, not every day. Scrubbing on active acne will only make things worse so avoid exfoliating acne prone regions.
7. Face Mask
Face masks can be either clay masks or sheet masks. Clay masks help soothe the skin, reduce dullness and leave you with glowing skin while sheet masks have serums in them, these serums nourish and moisturize the skin. You can put on a face mask weekly once or twice.
8. Under Eye Cream
Under eye creams help in reducing the dark circle, wrinkles and signs of aging around the eyes. A good skincare routine must include products that care and provide nourishment to under eyes as well.
Now that we are aware of different products and roles of each product in maintaining a beautiful skin, let's see when these products are to be used.
Daytime Skincare Routine
Morning skincare should focus on blocking the harmful sun rays, preventing the skin from pollution and its effects. It doesn’t matter if you’re staying indoors or going out; you must use products that protect your skin from the sun's UV rays, as well as dirt and pollution.
Morning routine is usually very simple and comprises only three steps and those are cleansing, moisturizing and using sunscreen. It’s optional to include toners in morning regimen.
1. Cleansing
Skin Care routine should always begin with using a face cleanser. A cleanser removes all the makeup, dust and impurities, leaving fresh and bare skin. Using a face cleanser is necessary as it is gentle and acts on the pores and prevents clogged pores that can cause acne. Sometimes cleansers can remove the natural oils from skin and cause dry skin.
2. Moisturizing
Moisturizing is the next step after cleansing the skin and removing impurities. Moisturizers are enriched with nourishing qualities, they hydrate the dry skin and help lock in moisture to give you soft and glowing skin for a long day ahead.
Some moisturizers contain SPF that can protect you from sun rays and UV-rays. Moisturizers have a soothing effect that reduces irritation and calms the skin.
3. Sunscreen
Everytime you step out it's important to apply sunscreen on the exposed area, invariable weather, time or season. You must have heard it a gazillion times already that re-apply your sunscreen after every two hours.
Sunscreens play a crucial role in maintaining skin by reducing the effect of sun, appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Always choose sunscreens with SPF greater than 30 that provide protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
Nighttime Skincare Routine
Skincare during nighttime should concentrate on fixing the damaged skin, help restore the natural state of skin, provide nourishment and help in rejuvenation of skin cells.
It is all about repairing damage caused by environmental pollutants and stress. As important as it is to cleanse your skin and to remove your makeup, it is equally important to focus on skin nourishment and cell regeneration.
1. Makeup Removal
Makeup removal is a vital step in the skin care regime. Use some micellar water or a mild makeup remover that's not harsh on your skin and won’t dry out your skin further. Make sure you use the right products to get rid of your oil based makeup.
2. Cleansing
Put on a mild face wash to cleanse your neck and face. You can even double cleanse your skin by using an oil first, followed by a cleanser, this is the Korean routine for cleansing. Double-cleansing ensures there are no clogged pores as you eliminate all the dirt collected on your skin.
3. Toner
Toner is meant for balancing your skin’s pH and prepping skin for all of the ingredients and formulas of other products. Toners minimize the appearance of pores, especially for the ones with oily skin. If you have dry skin, use a softener to hydrate and moisturize the skin.
4. Serums
Serums are used for hydration and regeneration of skin with your nighttime formula. Depending on what issues you’re having with your skin, you can customize the type of serum needed and determine which product you will need.
5. Moisturizing
The final step in your night routine should be using a moisturizer, to seal in the effects of previous steps that also helps the skin retain moisture and nourishes it without blocking pores. Moisturizing your skin is crucial as it provides your skin with essential nutrients and helps repair damage caused by exposure to the sun or using makeup.
6. Under Eye Cream
Many people overlook this area and presume that a moisturizer is good enough for under eyes as well but the skin around your eyes need extra care too. Choose products that prevent wrinkles and fine lines around eyes, which are visible signs of aging.
Weekly Skincare Routine
Your weekly skincare routine should comprise an exfoliator and a face mask. Exfoliation is the process of scrubbing your face and removing the dead skin cells, this can cause dry skin or irritation due to tiny granules used in the scrub. Following up exfoliation by using a moisturizer to calm and soothe the skin is important, it will also nourish and hydrate skin.
Face Masks must be used in the midst of the skin care routine, after cleansing and exfoliation. Apply a mask and let it stay for 10-15 minutes and rinse off with lukewarm water. You can use sheet masks which are made up of concentrated serums that hydrates and leaves soft, glowing skin.
Complete your routine by using a moisturizer and follow up the other steps. Just like we take care of our body it's important to maintain our skin as well. It's never too late to begin with a skincare routine and take care of your skin.
Disclaimer: No Asian Age journalist was involved in creating this content. The group also takes no responsibility for this content.
