Building a Skin Care Regimen For Your Skin

A smooth, blemish-free, and healthy-looking skin isn’t just a matter of great genes. Daily habits are a huge contributing factor to seeing improved results in the mirror. There may exist a flurry of opinions and tips on ways to moisturize or how to effectively protect your skin from sun damage, but skincare is a personal journey.

Here’s all you need to know about building a skincare routine that suits your skin type.

Three foundational steps of skincare

The essence of a skincare routine is to regulate your complexion to make it function at its optimum. A solid skincare routine has three core steps:

Cleansing – Washing your face.
Toning – Cleansing the face and minimizing the size of the pores.
Moisturizing – Softening and hydrating the skin.

The products you use for each step will have to change as you age. Incorporate these steps to your day-to-day ritual to boost your skin health. Keep in mind that there is no quick fix when it comes to skincare; it will take some time before you can see the benefits of diligently following your skincare habits. Results manifest through consistent use of products and sticking to the steps. Use skin products for six weeks (once or twice every day) to notice the difference.

When using skincare products, make sure to apply in order of consistency (from thinnest to thickest). For instance, cleanser, toner, serum, then moisturizer.

Cleansing

Washing your face and maintaining its cleanliness is the most basic yet essential step of any skincare regimen. Every day, our skin is exposed to lots of pollutants everywhere, including dust and dirt. You need to keep your cleanse your skin prevent clogged pores, acne, and dullness.

Use the right facial cleanser

Find a facial cleanser that has the right formula to prevent stripping your skin with essential and healthy oils. Use exfoliating scrubs sparingly (once a week) and avoid scrubs that contain abrasive ingredients.

Consider these products for daily cleansing:

Foaming liquid (for oily/acne-prone skin) – This type of cleanser turns into an airy foam when mixed with water or pumped into your palm to break down dirt and excess oil.
Cream/lotion (for dry, red and/or eczema-prone skin) – These cleansers contain shea butter or glycerin that help remove skin impurities while hydrating the skin.
Oil-based cleanser (for sensitive skin) – Applying oil on your skin is also a method of cleansing. One example of this cleanser is argan oil, which is lightweight, non-comedogenic, and at the same time moisturizes the skin.
Melting balm (for mature skin) – This cleanser has a butter-like consistency and “melts” into liquid once rubbed onto the skin. You can use it without water to erase dense makeup. Melting balm soothes the skin as well.
Micellar water (for all skin types) – A soap-free cleanser, micellar water contains molecules that pull in debris and excess oil without drying the skin. It suits different skin types, and you won’t need to rinse it off. A simple wipe with a cotton cloth will do.

What does non-comedogenic mean?

A non-comedogenic product doesn’t clog pores or cause acne (either by blocking the glands, occluding the skin, or causing irritation to the hair follicle). It’s not an FDA-regulated claim, but several companies run their own tests before considering if a product is comedogenic or not.

Common types of ingredients of comedogenic products are cocoa butter and coconut oil. It’s easier to tell if a certain product can cause reactions if it has fewer ingredients.

Toning

Applying toner should be done before putting anything on your face and right after cleansing. Pour a few drops of toner on your palm then swipe it over your face. If you use a toner with exfoliating acids, apply it only at night or every other day. Toners are like supplements that provide an extra dose of nutrients to the skin.

Below are some ingredients you should look for in toning products:

Hyaluronic acid – It boosts hydration and keeps skin plump. It also treats the appearance of fine lines.
Rosewater and green tea – Has anti-inflammatory properties that calm skin irritation and lessens redness.
Alpha and beta hydroxy acids – This ingredient removes dead skin cells that can clog the pores. It also helps in treating sun-damaged skin while minimizing dullness.
Vitamin E and C – Protects the skin from free radicals that can cause premature skin ageing.

Moisturizing

The goal of moisturizing is to maintain sufficient hydration and keep the skin soft. As we age, the skin naturally loses its capacity to lock in moisture. Daily washing can also erode the skin’s natural hydrators. By applying moisturizer, you get to prevent water loss through the external layers of the skin. Every person needs moisture. However, the texture of the moisturizer you need will depend on your skin type.

Here are the types of moisturizer you can choose from:

Gel moisturizer (for oily skin) – A lightweight moisturizer that absorbs quickly.
Lotion (for normal skin) – This classic moisturizer can feel more moisturizing than its gel counterpart, but it also absorbs well.
Cream and soft cream (for dry skin) – An oil-based moisturizer that’s heavier than the lotion type.
Balm (for sensitive and inflamed skin) – Has a dense texture and is ideal for extremely dry skin.

Sunscreen

After completing the three-step skincare routine, slather on sunscreen to protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun. Sunscreen is the most crucial skincare product that you wear, and it should be part of your daily regimen. Consistent application of sunscreen helps prevent the formation of fine lines and wrinkles, and it gradually minimizes the appearance of pores. The habitual application of sunscreen also lowers the risk of developing skin cancer. An SPF 30 sunscreen is suitable for daily use.

Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before stepping out into the sun then reapply every two hours. You can apply physical blockers as the last step of your skincare regimen. Chemical sunscreens are applied directly to clean skin. Two tablespoons of sunscreen is sufficient to cover your face and the exposed areas of your body.

Choose Your Skincare Products Carefully

When it comes to choosing the right products for your skin, make sure to do your homework first before purchasing. Dig up on social recommendations and reviews about the products you’re eyeing to buy. The best skincare solutions are often vouched by dermatologists and aestheticians.

Need further advice? Consult an aesthetician in Guelph, ON

If you’re uncertain how to build a skincare regimen that suits your skin type or need more advice on the products to use, talk to an aesthetician. The skin experts at Em Clinic and Spa have the latest information and resources to help you make informed decisions for caring for your skin.

Give us a call, and we’d be happy to welcome you anytime at our clinic. Fill out this form to book an appointment or call 519-668-7449.