Essential Components Of A Quality Skincare Routine
Everyone, whether they realize it or not, wants to have clear skin. No one likes dealing with breakouts or excess oil, of course, but even those who are far from these issues often find themselves frustrated by dry, flaky skin. Although everyone would love to have clear skin without worrying about it, clear skin does not work this way. The key to having and maintaining clear skin is to develop a skincare routine that works for your skin type and follow it without fail. Although skincare does vary in the specific products, since they must be suited to an individual’s skin type, there are essential components of any good skincare routine. Find out what they are now!
Remove Makeup Daily
If you are someone who wears makeup of any kind, no matter how much or how little, including a makeup remover as part of your skincare routine is essential. It is the first step to a nighttime skincare routine as it allows you to remove all of the makeup and start the rest of the routine without worrying about leaving any particles behind, particularly with waterproof makeup. Makeup left on the face day after day can result in blocked pores, increased oil, and other issues resulting in unhealthy looking skin.
Now, no makeup remover will work for every skin type. For instance, someone with oily skin may wish to look into an oil-free makeup remover. The only other piece of advice when choosing a makeup remover is to find something specifically designed to remove waterproof makeup. Waterproof makeup is precisely why removing makeup with a special product is so important, since although other products can be efficient, this is the only guarantee.
Follow up removing makeup daily with a specialized cleanser to truly clean your skin every day.
Follow With A Cleanser
Cleanser, as its name suggests, is intended to leave you with clean skin. It follows makeup remover in a good nighttime skincare routine and is the perfect way to clean your skin in the morning. There are countless options for cleansers out there, which is why it is critical for everyone to do their research about the different types of cleansers available before making a final choice. Start this process by considering your skin type and its level of sensitivity. Identifying your skin type helps eliminate unsuitable products right away and saves time. Someone with dry skin won’t want to use a cleanser for oily skin, for example, as such cleansers can actually make their dry skin worse.
The other essential part of the equation when it comes to using an effective cleanser is to judge skin sensitivity and choose a product fitting that level. Many with sensitive skin find cleansers with fragrance or with ‘beads’ in them too harsh for their skin. Other ingredients to watch out for if you have sensitive skin include witch hazel, tea tree oil, citric acid, and salicylic acid. In this case, searching out hypoallergenic cleansers without fragrance is often the best choice.
Although no one should do this every day in their skincare routine, exfoliation is still essential for maintaining clear skin.
Don’t Forget Weekly Exfoliation
Cleansing the skin is great and does help make sure everyone can start and end their day with clear and clean skin. However, regular exfoliation is critical for optimum skin health, as cleansing alone will not remove all of the dead skin clogging the skin's pores and causing serious issues. Exfoliation removes these dead skin cells effectively and helps reveal the healthy, fresh skin cells below. It also prepares the skin for better moisturizer absorption!
Now, the reason exfoliation is only truly essential once a week is because many exfoliating products are harsh on the skin. As such, using them every day can cause unnecessary irritation. Once a week still allows you to reap the rewards of removing the dead skin cells without the danger of this irritation, provided you choose the appropriate exfoliator for your skin type.
For those with specific skin problems, such as cystic acne, the next component is perhaps the most crucial element and must never be forgotten.
Remember Special Skin Treatments
Sometimes an individual can suffer from skin conditions such as cystic acne or eczema, and certain cases may be so severe they require a doctor’s prescription for medicated creams or gels. These medicated creams and gels are often the only way individuals with severe skin issues can hope to obtain clear skin, and it is critical for them to follow the instructions regarding the number of applications per day or week. Furthermore, the timing of applying these creams is essential for them to be effective. The vast majority of creams and gels, such as those for cystic acne, are best put on the skin after cleansing and exfoliation, but prior to applying moisturizer. Typically, the cream must be left on the face for five to ten minutes to dry before applying the moisturizer on top or washed off if specifically stated to do so.
To complete both morning and nighttime skincare routines, pull out some facial moisturizer.
End With A Moisturizer
Moisturizer is a necessity regardless of what skin type you have. Many individuals mistakenly believe if they have oily skin or acne, they do not need to apply moisturizer, as they believe their skin has enough moisture due to the production of natural oils in the skin. However, what they do not realize is that the skin can overproduce oil if it is not moisturized enough. It is a compensation method! So oily skin could, in theory, actually not be oily skin if only individuals were applying moisturizer regularly.
Of course, the type of moisturizer is important. There are oil-free moisturizers for those with oily skin and ones without fragrance or other irritants for those with sensitive skin. Some individuals find they prefer to have two moisturizers, one for the morning and one for nighttime. As a result, they have sun protection factor (SPF) in one for during the day, but leave it out at night, or find one with increased moisture at night if they suffer from dry skin or have dry air in their bedroom.
Continue reading for the essential component of a skincare routine that surprises most individuals. Hint: it’s not a product!
Drink Lots Of Water
Water helps digestion, circulation, nutrient absorption, and many other bodily functions, which means drinking lots of water is essential for survival. After all, most of us have heard the claim we can only survive for three days without any water. Many believe water does not help anyone develop clear skin, but what the majority forgets is skin is also an organ. It protects everything underneath! Skin is made of cells that require water to function properly. Without water, skin can become dull and dry, even to the point of dehydration, which opens the door for excess oil production, acne, and similar issues. Drinking lots of water also helps the body flush out toxins, which can negatively influence the health of our skin. Start off with drinking eight glasses of water a day or consuming another hydrating beverage such as milk or tea throughout the day, and adjust as necessary.
Ready for clear skin? It may not happen overnight, but provided your skincare routine has these essential components, you will be on the right track!