Taking good care of your skin is crucial for keeping your appearance healthy and fresh. However, with so many skincare products and routines to select from, it can be hard to know where to start. In order to help you enhance the health and appearance of your skin, this article is going to provide you with some useful and efficient skincare tips that you can include in your daily routine. So, whether you're new to skincare or a seasoned pro, keep reading to discover some essential tips for achieving beautiful and healthy-looking skin.
note: Please consult a professional dermatologist before making any major changes to your routine or adding new products. In case any particular product starts to irritate your skin, stop using it immediately.
The skincare basics:
1. identify your skin type and purchase products accordingly:
Identifying your skin type is crucial in terms of skincare, because only then will you be able to target areas of improvement on your skin. This also helps you eliminate products and serums you simply do not need, minimising the potential overtreatment you could be giving your skin,
Typically, your skin will fall into one of the following categories:
- Normal skin
- Dry skin-usually observed by flaky patches or cracks on the skin
- Oily skin-glistening skin that feels oily throughout
- Combination of skin-oily T zone and dry cheeks
- Sensitive skin-skin gets red or irritated very easily
- Acne-prone skin-red pimples around the skin
Identifying your skin type - Do you know your skin type?
Once you have identified your skin type, it makes it much easier to purchase products that will actually do good for your skin.
2. Identify which acids and serums work best for your skin and stick with them
Photo credits: Pinterest
Photo credits: Pinterest
Oftentimes, with every single skincare company coming out with new skincare products and essences, it can seem as if we need them all. However, this is not the case. If you give your skin a vitamin or amino acid they do not require, chances are, this will do more harm than good.
Hence, after identifying your skin type, look at the acids/vitamins that work best for your skin, and then from those select few identify which ingredient aids your particular skincare issue. For eg, if I have dry skin and I want to target hydration-In this case, I would opt for a hyaluronic acid serum and stick with it in my routine.
Similarly, if I had acne-prone skin and I wanted to reduce the clogging of pores, I would opt for salicylic acid. As a rule of thumb, do not use more than 2-3 serums that contain ingredients you need as exceeding this number can cause damage to your skin barrier.
To understand what acids/ingredients do for your skin, I would highly recommend checking out the following article: Popular Skin Care Ingredients Explained – Cleveland Clinic
3. Only use products that go in a combination with each other:
Now that you've established your skincare ingredients, it's very important to layer them only with other products that go together, as if you clash ingredients your skin can break out or lose hydration very quickly. Refer to the charts below to see what ingredients go with what, and use these combos to maximise your skincare routine. Similarly, look at what ingredients do not go with each other, and make a mental note to avoid using them at the same time.
Photo credit: Pinterest
Photo credit: Pinterest
4. Wait for each layer of product to dry before adding the next one
While this tip may seem like common sense, many people often forget to do this, thus resulting in the clashing and mixing of products. If you wait for each individual product to dry first and then apply the next, each product gets time to get absorbed by the skin and work effectively in the skin, which is a must for each and every one of us.
5. Layer your products from the thinnest to the thickest.
Now that you have a rough idea of what skincare products to use and with what combinations, it's important that you layer them on your skin from thinnest to thickest. Anything from your toner ending with your serums/essences/oils/sheet masks/eye creams counts as layering, so make sure to apply them in terms of thinness. Your cleansers come first, followed by your toners and then whichever products apply from thinnest to thickest. You end your routine with a moisturizer and finally sunscreen, but if you are doing your routine at night, then you can end with just your moisturizer.
Okay so, now that we've established the basics of skincare, it's time to move on to more advanced tips and tricks you should be involved in your routine.
Advanced tips:
1. Double cleanse
You may have heard of this popular term before, but what exactly does it entail? Double cleansing basically means using a cleanser twice on your skin, usually using an oil-based cleanser first. People double cleanse for a number of reasons.
One of the main advantages is that it makes sure that all impurities are thoroughly eliminated from the skin, which can aid in preventing breakouts, clogged pores, and other skin problems. By enabling more effective skin absorption, double cleansing can also increase the effectiveness of other skincare products you use after cleansing, such as serums and moisturizers. As always, make sure to purchase cleansers for your skin type only.
7. Use micellar water to remove your makeup, followed by your cleansers:
Removing your makeup is so essential to good and healthy skin. Many people use their cleansers to remove their makeup, but this is not as effective. Using micellar water(Garniers works best-Garnier Skin Naturals, Cleansing Water, Hydrating & Soothing, Micellar Cleansing Water,)before both your cleansers can aid in not only removing all the dirt and debris makeup has, but also leaving your skin feeling refreshed and soft before the entire skincare process even begins. Micellar water can be used as a makeup remover, cleanser, and toner all in one. It can also be used to refresh the skin throughout the day or to remove excess oil and sweat after a workout. Micellar water also contains hydrating ingredients, such as glycerin, which can help keep the skin hydrated and soft.
8. Use your toner on damp skin
A good hydrating toner can have many benefits on the skin, but applying this toner while the skin is still damp can be miraculous for your skin. Why? When your skin is damp, it is more receptive to absorbing skincare products.
Applying toner to damp skin helps to seal in moisture from the water that's still on your skin's surface. This helps to prevent dehydration and dryness, which can lead to irritation. Ideally, you should apply toner 45 seconds after you have finished cleansing your face.
9. Do not exfoliate more than twice a week
Exfoliation is a crucial part of many skin care routines. It helps clear dead skin cells and makes the skin look and feel more plump and healthy. However, many people make the mistake of exfoliating almost every day, which can be very bad for your skin as this results in the tearing and enlarging of pores and the creation of sensitive skin.
To avoid this, it is always best to limit exfoliation to only 1-2 times a week(this is also for body exfoliation) and to ideally use a chemical exfoliant to minimise abrasive movements a physical one could cause. A great chemical exfoliant The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution.
10. Always wear sunscreen
None of the following steps mentioned above will be effective if you don't incorporate good sunscreen into your routine. This is one area of skincare in which the more the product, the more the benefit is highly true. This is also one area I would recommend splurging on for good quality and wearing it religiously despite the outdoor climate.
With global warming and the depletion of the ozone layer, it's always best to step out with sunscreen and re-apply it every 3-4 hours. Trust me, your skin will thank you for this.
Now that we've covered ground on 10 essential skin care tips, both basic and advanced, it's time to talk about tips regarding your lifestyle and diet, to maximise your skincare routine.
Lifestyle tips:
11. Always use cold water on the face:
Hot water can feel tempting and calming on the skin at first, but in the long run, using hot water to wash your face in the shower or while cleansing can be detrimental to your skin. This is because hot water can strip your skin of its natural oils and disrupt the skin's barrier function. Thus, it is always better to use lukewarm/cold water on the skin as it not only helps to tighten pores but also helps to soothe and calm down the skin.
12. use a silk pillowcase instead of a regular one:
Silk pillowcases are smooth and soft, which reduces friction between your skin and the pillowcase. This can help to prevent wrinkles and fine lines caused by the repetitive movement of your skin against a rough pillowcase. Silk is naturally hypoallergenic and breathable, which means it can help to retain moisture in your skin. Silk is also less likely to irritate the skin and cause inflammation.
13. Incorporate fruit water into your diet:
Fruit water is a flavorful way to stay hydrated, and can be a refreshing and delicious alternative to plain water. Fruit water can help to keep you hydrated, which is essential for maintaining healthy skin, hair, and nails. When you infuse water with fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs, you add a boost of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to your diet. According to your skincare needs, you can customise what fruits you would like to add to your water, which also makes you more motivated to consume a good amount of water daily.
Here are some of my favourite recipes for you to try:52 amazing fruit-water combinations to try
14. Add a lot of greens to your diet:
From nutritious salads to green smoothies, any type of green in your diet is bound to benefit you and your skin in the best ways possible. It is very important to have a balance in terms of your greens, so there's no need to go overboard with them, but regular green fruits and vegetables or smoothies can go a long way as green foods have detoxifying and anti-bloating properties. They also aid in giving your skin a natural glow, so I would highly recommend adding them to your diet.
15. Make sure you're getting a healthy amount of sleep:
The last(and best) skincare tip I leave you with is to get a good amount of sleep every night. I know that most of us are high school/college students and so getting an adequate(8-10) hours of sleep can seem less than plausible, but it is so important to be well rested as this reduces your chance of eye puffiness/redness, stress or angst, all which show up on your skin. Getting a good night's sleep is essential if you want your body, skin and organs to function best for you, as internal rest will always show up externally.
Taking care of your skin is an important part of maintaining a healthy and confident lifestyle. With the right skincare routine, you can protect your skin from damage, prevent signs of ageing, and keep it looking radiant and healthy. By following these skin care tips and taking a proactive approach to your skincare, you can achieve the glowing, healthy skin that you deserve. Remember, consistency and patience are key when it comes to achieving your skincare goals, so don't give up and keep experimenting until you find what works best for you.
