Makeup works best on a skin surface that is smooth, well-moisturized, and devoid of flaky texture. However, there is no universally prescribed skin-care regimen; it is highly individualized.
Discover Your Skincare Routine: The Four Types of Skin
Before you reach for skin-care products, familiarize yourself with your skin’s demands and tendencies, which will guide your entire regimen. The four fundamental varieties of skin are dry, normal, combo, and oily.
Skincare for dry skin
Dry skin appears and feels rough and drab, with occasional redness or flaking. It may feel tight and you may notice fine lines immediately after cleansing the skin. Hydrating and protective skin care products, such as mild cleansers, hydrating serums, thick moisturizers, and face oils, are your allies.
Skincare for Normal Skin types
In the skin-care industry, “normal” could simply mean that your skin is balanced and free of bothersome disorders. In general, balance is the objective for all skin types, but even balanced skin might occasionally experience breakouts or dullness. Generally, a regular washing, exfoliating, and moisturizing regimen will keep things under control.
Skincare for Combination Skin Types
As the name suggests, combination skin is a blend of oily and dry areas. Some people have oily skin in their T-zone (forehead, nose and chin) and dry skin on their cheeks, while others may have dehydrated, acne-prone skin. Learning which areas of your face require which type of care enables you to handle your concerns in the most effective manner. Learning which areas of your face require which type of care enables you to handle your concerns in the most effective manner.
Skincare for Oily Skin Types
If your skin produces excess oil throughout the year, it is likely oily. On the one hand, this is beneficial because your skin’s natural oils protect and hydrate, so it will naturally prevent fine wrinkles and retain suppleness for a longer period of time. On the negative side, oily skin is prone to breakouts. Use a toner or serum with exfoliating properties to keep your pores free.
Three Essential Items for Your Skincare Routine
Once you’ve determined your skin type, you’ll be able to select items that address your unique skin concerns and demands. Your skin-care routine can be as basic or complex as you choose, but the finest programs incorporate these three components:
Skincare step 1: Cleansing your skin
Cleansing is the first step in any skin care regimen. It is essential to wash your face twice daily to eliminate dirt and other impurities that can create clogged pores or irritation, and starting with a clean slate will allow your other skin-care products to function more effectively. Look for a face wash that cleanses your skin without removing its natural oils. Since facial cleanser spends the least amount of time on your face, choose a drugstore cleanser that is affordable and mild. Dry skin can benefit from a cleanser that is creamy or oil-based, whereas oily skin can often accept foamy cleansers. Micellar water is effective for all types of skin, especially sensitive skin.
Skincare step 2 (optional): Exfoliating your skin
You need to exfoliate your skin with a gentle exfoliating medium at least weekly to get rid of dead skin cells. My top recommendations for exfoliating options include:
- Cellulose face sponges as organic physical exfoliants will gently polish and exfoliate your face even if it is sensitive without creating small scratches on your face. You can use these with your favorite cleanser for a one step solution to baby soft skin without the need for chemical exfoliants. These are great for all skin types.
- Cleansing facial buffers work just like sponges as a one step exfoliating cleansing loofa. They are made of a more spongy material and better for thicker layers of dead skin cells. These might or might not come in organic material. These are best for combination to oily and oily skin that is acne prone but not sensitive.
- Exfoliating scrubs come in many different formulations with base ingredients like salt, sugar and charcoal – and some contain chemical exfoliating ingredients like salicylic acid.
- Exfoliating or peeling masks can be a great way to add chemical exfoliating ingredients to your skincare. Some have other skincare benefits such as infusing the skin with antioxidants. They might work overnight giving your the satisfaction of rinsing off dead skin cells the next morning.
- Exfoliating or peeling serums and creams are great as a way to break down dead skin cells before your next cleanse. Many product lines for acne contain salicylic acid and other facial exfoliating ingredients to prevent pores from getting clogged and to allow active ingredients to penetrate deeper.
Skincare step 3: Moisturizing Your Skin
The purpose of a moisturizer is to hydrate the skin and prevent water loss that occurs during the day. Consider a gel formulation for oily skin, a lotion for regular and combo skin, and cream or balm for dry skin. Depending on your budget and skin-care demands, you may choose between a lighter daytime moisturizer and a thicker night cream.
Skincare step 4: Wearing sunscreen
Daily application of sunscreen is one of the most critical things you can do to protect your skin. Choose a moisturizer with broad-spectrum SPF 30+ that protects against both UVA and UVB radiation to make your life easier. Chemical sunscreens (active ingredients include oxybenzone and octinoxate) are absorbed into your skin to counteract the effects of UV exposure, whereas physical sunscreens (also known as mineral sunscreens; active ingredients include titanium dioxide and zinc oxide) create a physical barrier between UV rays and your body by sitting on top of the skin.
Chemical sunscreens are often transparent and lightweight, but they take approximately 20 minutes to become effective, and there are concerns that the skin may absorb potentially hazardous compounds.
Physical sunscreens are non-toxic and begin functioning immediately after application, but these mineral sunscreens have a poor reputation for leaving the skin pale and chalky, Modern formulations including nano-zinc can be completely transparent, but they lack protection against visible light.