Proper skincare is a skill that humans have been trying to master since the beginning of the time. While it started as a simple activity of wiping the face with a wet cloth, the process has evolved to be long intricate, involving the use of multiple skincare products. However, it is almost impossible to find the best skincare routine for all, given the different skin types and skincare ingredients that exist. So, how do you establish the best skincare regimen for you? Read more to find out!

Basics of skincare

All skincare routines basically comprise three major steps:

• Cleansing-this refers to the normal washing of your face
• Toning/treating-this is balancing the skin
• Moisturizing- this is softening the skin by hydration

A skincare routine aims to improve your complexion to make it appear its best and troubleshoot any problem areas that you might want to address. The above three steps help to fortify your skin when you make them part of your daily care routine.

What is the best skincare regimen?

Generally, your morning skincare routine will differ from your evening one. This is because in the morning, you’re trying to protect yourself from pollution, the sun, and other elements harmful to your skin. Hence, your skincare regimen will involve the following steps:

Cleansing

When you get up in the morning, splash some warm water on your face and use a gentle facial cleanser to wash your face. Be sure to choose a cleanser that matches your skin type for proper cleansing. 

Toning

Most people make a mistake to overlooking toning in their skincare routine, believing that most toners are harsh and cause irritation on the skin. However, there are new toning products in the market that prevent this. These serve different purposes, including delivering antioxidants, toning acids, and even Vitamin-B derivatives. Overall, toners help to restore the skin’s natural pH after it was discovered that harsh soaps made it too basic. Remember to use the right type of toner for your skin as each is designed for a specific skin type.

Using antioxidant serum

Serums are highly concentrated treatments full of nutrients that handle specific skin issues. It helps to always have them on hand for your skincare regimen. While there are various types of serums on the market, antioxidant serums offer the most benefits. These include everything from neutralizing the damaging effects of exposure to ultraviolet rays and environmental pollutants to reducing skin inflammation.

Applying eye cream

Applying eye cream, twice a day or before going to bed, helps to maintain the health and thickness of the skin around your eyelids. This is especially important when you get to your 20s as it improves the quality of skin in this area from a young age and prevents it from easily losing laxity. It also results in a smooth appearance in your later years. Remember to select an eye cream with SPF and use it regularly to see the results. Also, wear sunglasses when the sun is out to prevent UV damage and keep any lines from forming around your eye corners due to constant squinting.  

Spot treatment

Acne spot treatments should be applied close to the skins to maximize their purpose. Note that the ingredients will vary in different acne spot treatments, so you’ll want to go through the product packaging to see the formula or ask your dermatologist what the best application routine is. For example, prescribed benzoyl peroxide, which is commonly used for acne-spot treatment, requires a 1-3 hour working time. Also, keep in mind that these acne spot treatments should only be applied where needed as they can dry your skin out.

Moisturizing

Moisturizing your skin is imperative, even for those with oily skin. Even though the sebaceous glands on our skin produces oil to lubricate and protect the skin from harsh external conditions, we still need additional hydration to guard against the harsh sun and other chemicals that will harm our skin. Experts suggest that you should apply a moisturizer when your skin is damp; don’t wait until it has dried out. This means you should moisturize after applying your serum and completing your spot treatment. This helps to retain the hydration alongside your moisturizer.

Sun screening

Applying sunscreen is the final thing you should do in your skincare regimen to shield against UV rays. This is plausible when using mineral or physical sunscreen but can be tricky for chemical sunscreens. This is because your skin needs to absorb the chemical sunscreen for it to be effective, which will be undermined after applying a moisturizer. On the other hand, if you apply the chemical sunscreen before moisturizing, the moisturizer won’t work since the skin will be coated with the sunscreen. To prevent this dilemma, you should use a physical sunscreen.

Should you use face masks regularly in your skincare regimen?

Face masks play an important role in improving your skin, especially when used in the long-term. You might want to incorporate a face mask into your home skincare routine; once to twice a week if possible. However, be sure to follow the application instructions as stated in the packaging and don’t apply it where it’s not supposed to go.

What is a face oil?

Facial oils are oils infused with farm-fresh plant extracts that are all the rage in mainstream skincare circles. These have been christened the natural and pure way to improve your skin. However, experts still advise caution when using then since not all facial oils are the same.

What are the benefits of facial oils?

Facial oils help to hydrate your skin without greasy residues, leaving your face with a bright and even tone. They also help to eliminate bacteria in acne-prone skin and soothe red and inflamed skin.

Final Thoughts

There is no direct way to find the perfect skincare routine for you. You might have to go through a couple before finding one that best suits your skin type. For starters, you might try the above regimen to see how well it works for you!