Behind Great Skin Is The Positive Daily Habit Of A Proper Skincare Routine
While great skin might be a matter of good genes for some, daily habits are the driving force behind what […]
Cate Staff
While great skin might be a matter of good genes for some, daily habits are the driving force behind what you see when looking in the mirror. To achieve healthy, glowing, and youthful skin, it’s important that you have a day + night skincare routine best suited for you.
With all of the options on the market, it’s easy to become overwhelmed when looking for products but lucky for us, I came across an article that was a big help to me and I hope will be a help to you as well.
According to the New York Times there are three main steps to a skincare routine:
- Cleansing
- Toning
- Moisturizing
And, one other very important factor is time. Manhattan Dermatologist, Rachel Nazarian said, “Results are only seen through consistent use.” Products should be used once or twice daily over the course of six weeks to begin seeing results.
Let’s dive in!
Always Wash Your Face
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Dr. Carlos Charles, a New York City Dermatologist explained, “Our skin comes in contact with environmental pollutants, dirt and other factors each day that should be gently removed.” Therefore, washing (or cleansing) the face twice a day – morning and night – is essential to avoiding clogged pores, dullness and acne.
When searching for a cleaner it’s important to consider your skin type:
- oily or acne-prone
- dry, red and/or eczema prone
- sensitive
- mature skin
- balanced
Also, your cleanser should not strip the skin of any essential, healthy oils. In fact, when you use a product that does do as such, it only causes your skin to over oil because it’s trying to make up for all of the natural oils that have been removed.
Exfoliating on the other hand is a bit more intense and should only be used once a week. Think of it as that deep clean for your skin every now and then.
Let’s “Tone” Up The Volume
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New York City aesthetician, Jordan Mattioli shared, “Toners should be done after cleansing and before putting on anything else.” You can simply apply it with clean hands after finishing with your cleanser.
Toner is considered to be an optional step but highly reccomended. This product will give your skin an extra shot of nutrients while also working to balance out your complexion. Mattioli explained, “It can be a good way to add in specific ingredients that you may not have in your other products or add another layer of skin-replenishment.”
When searching for the proper toner, consider these ingredients:
- Alpha and beta hydroxy acids – gently remove dead skin cells that may clog pores. Also improves sun-damaged skin and minimizes dullness
- Hyaluronic acid – boosts hydration and plumps skin to subtly treat fine lines
- Rose water and green tea – have an anti-inflammatory effect to calm irritation and reduce redness
- Vitamin E and C – fight daily exposure to free radicals that can age your skin
Stay Hydrated, Baby
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Just like your cleanser, it’s important that you choose a moisturizer according to your skin type. “Everyone needs moisture, but the texture of your moisturizer will differ depending on your skin type,” Mattioli states. And, once you do, it’s very important that you use it every day, year-round.
Dr. Charles explained, “Essentially, moisturizers assist in preventing water loss through the outer layers of skin. They can also complement the naturally found protective oils and other building blocks within the skin, such as ceramides.”
Since you would be using a moisturizer in the day and the night, you might have two different ones. Daytime moisturizers are typically lightweight and have SPF to protect you from ultraviolet radiation. Whereas night creams are a bit thicker in consistency and withhold ingredients to repair your skin such as retinol to speed cellular turnover and counteract dark spots.
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And, quickly going back to the topic of sunscreen – WEAR IT.
Dr. Charles emphasized, “Daily and consistent sunscreen use helps to prevent the development of fine lines and wrinkles, textural imperfections, and changes in the appearance of pores over time. More importantly, daily sunscreen use can help to prevent the formation of certain skin cancers.”
Your sunscreen should be at least SPF 30 and applied about 30 minutes prior to sun exposure and then every two hours after that.