What is the Best Skin Care Routine?
Your skin is one of your largest organs and it plays an important role in your health. That's why it's important to have the best skin care routine, which helps your skin stay in good condition and help you look more youthful.
Start by creating a skincare routine that's right for your skin type, concerns and preferences. That means using a cleanser, toner and moisturizer that's formulated for your skin, according to GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Sabina Wizemann. 1. Cleanse
In the morning, you likely wash your face with a facial cleanser to remove makeup and slough off dead skin cells. And at night, you may use a hydrating cream or serum to lock in moisture and keep your skin supple and smooth.
But the truth is, many of us make one of the most common mistakes when it comes to our skincare routines: We skip cleansing our skin before bed. It’s a small thing, but it can have a big impact on your skin.
During the day, our skin produces sebum and oil to keep it healthy and lubricated, but at night, those same oils can build up and become clogged. Not washing it away every night can result in breakouts and a dull, dry complexion.
So to avoid these problems, dermatologists recommend a nighttime cleanse with a mild and hydrating formula. The key is to choose a gentle soap-free cleanser that won’t strip your skin of its natural oils.
You can even try a gel cleanser, which blends water and oil ingredients to clean without stripping your skin. These are great for winter because they’re lightweight and don’t dry your skin out.
Some experts also advise cleansing your skin with a rich, nutrient-rich oil to restore the lipid barrier and boost hydration. This is especially beneficial if you’re experiencing a dryness issue, since it can help to draw in moisture from the air.
If you have sensitive skin, look for a cleanser with hyaluronic acid, which helps to retain moisture. Other options include ceramides, which promote elasticity and help to strengthen your skin.
Another reason to cleanse before bed is that it can boost the absorption of any skincare products you apply in the morning, notes Zeichner. This means that your pores and skin cells will absorb them better, preventing any irritation from the products you apply to your face.
A final tip for keeping your skin soft and supple is to not over-wash your face. Excessive washing can actually exacerbate your skin’s dryness by stripping it of its natural oils and leaving it dehydrated, says Zeichner. 2. Tone
If you want to get the best results from your skin care routine, it’s important to start with a toner. Toners rebalance the pH level of your skin and prepare it for better absorption of serums and moisturizers that you will use later in your routine.
Toners also help to unclog pores and dissolve dead skin cells. This makes them particularly helpful for people with oily or acne-prone skin. They can also help to reduce redness and inflammation.
There are many different types of toners available on the market. Some of them are designed to target specific issues such as enlarged pores or uneven skin tone, while others are more general.
For instance, Eminence Organic Skin Care’s Stone Crop Hydrating Mist is a refreshing and healing toner that can be used by all skin types (especially those with uneven skin). It works with the brand’s Sun Defense Minerals to increase your skin’s hydration levels and leave it looking smooth and glowing.
It’s important to use a toner twice a day, morning and night, for the most effective results. Apply a cotton round or cotton pad to your face and gently wipe it around your entire face and neck.
Then, saturate the cotton in your chosen toner and pat it into your skin until it has been absorbed. It’s a good idea to wait at least one minute for the toner to dry before applying any other skincare products.
When choosing your toner, make sure it contains hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin to keep your skin hydrated. It’s also best to avoid alcohol-based toners, as they can cause skin irritation and damage, says dermatologist Elizabeth Herrmann.
You can also look for a toner that has retinol or alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs and BHAs) in it, which will help to plump up fine lines and wrinkles. Retinol can be a bit harsh, so it’s a good idea to start out by adding it to your routine once or twice a week and work up to a few times a day, says Rouleau.
For dry skin, Rouleau recommends using a super-mild cleansing lotion that won’t strip your skin of its natural oils. Try a chamomile-infused formula, like her line’s Calming Chamomile Cleanser ($36), or a clarins cleanser with alpine herbs, such as the brand’s Alpine Herbs Cleanser ($49). 3. Moisturize
There's no doubt that a good skin care routine is essential to keeping your skin healthy. The right products can help reduce the effects of aging, sooth blemishes, and provide your skin with much-needed moisture. But the best skin care routine for you depends on your specific needs, and it may change as you age.
The most important part of any skincare regimen is moisturizing. Moisturizers help to hydrate the outermost layer of your skin, known as the stratum corneum, which can relieve dryness and prevent premature aging. They also reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Moisturizing before bed is an important step in a proper skin care routine because your skin loses the most moisture at night. This water loss causes your skin to become drier, which can cause it to crack or flake.
Luckily, there are many great moisturizers on the market that you can use to restore your skin's moisture levels before bed. Some of these products are formulated specifically for different seasons, while others have ingredients like ceramides and oils that are known for their moisturizing and anti-aging benefits.
To find a moisturizer that works for you, read the labels and ingredient lists. Look for products that contain emollients, such as urea, glycerin, shea butter, coconut oil, and cocoa butter. These are the ingredients that are responsible for providing your skin with moisture, and they're also able to bind to the water molecules in your skin.
Another way to get a hydrated face is to exfoliate regularly. This removes dead skin cells and helps to smooth the surface of your skin, which will then allow your moisturizer to absorb better into your skin.
One of the biggest mistakes people make with their moisturizers is not rubbing it into their skin properly. It's actually much more effective to apply your moisturizer with the palms of your hands, which will work better to penetrate the skin and spread the product evenly throughout your body.
If you have sensitive skin, it is particularly important to use a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer that won't strip your skin of its natural oils. Some great options are CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream, and Vaseline. 4. Sunscreen
Sunscreen is one of the most important parts of a skin care routine because it can help prevent sunburn and protect your skin from damaging UV rays. It also helps to slow the signs of aging and promote healthy, glowing skin.
The best sunscreens provide broad spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays, which are the main culprits of skin damage and aging. They are also water-resistant and come in various formulations to suit your skin type.
You can choose between physical and chemical sunscreens, but both are effective. A physical sunscreen blocks the sun's rays by creating a barrier over the skin, while a chemical sunscreen works by absorbing the sun's rays.
Both work well for most skin types, but the choice is really up to you. If you have sensitive skin or often react to chemicals, then a chemical sunscreen might be better for you.
If you're not sure which is better for your skin, then it's a good idea to ask your dermatologist. He or she can recommend the best kind of sunscreen for your skin and advise on how to use it properly.
When applying a sunscreen, it's best to apply a small amount in a thin layer on all exposed areas of your face and body, including hands, ears, and back of the neck. This ensures that the sunscreen can fully cover your body and help to provide maximum protection against harmful rays エイジングケア
It's also a good idea to reapply your sunscreen throughout the day, especially if you're active. It's usually recommended to reapply it at least every two hours, but more frequently after sweating or swimming in the water.
In addition to protecting your skin from the sun's harmful rays, sunscreen can also help to protect you from heat exhaustion and heat stroke. These conditions are caused by being too hot for your skin and can cause dizziness, muscle cramps, and even brain damage.
Aside from sunscreen's active ingredients, which are the sun filters that block UV rays, some of the other things that can be found in sunscreen are thickening agents, emulsifiers, pH-balancing agents, and antioxidants. These can make the product spread more evenly and feel less greasy, says Romanowski.