A quality skincare routine is vital to maintain the health of your largest organ, your skin. Protecting and preserving the quality of your skin is necessary to slow down aging, protect other organs, look better than ever and overall health. If you put in the effort to protect your skin, it will benefit your entire body in the long run. Your skin is the first line of defense for all other organs.
What is skincare?
Skincare is the process in which you use quality products and practices to protect and preserve your skin. Although having the right products and a daily routine is of upmost importance when it comes to your skin, many forget another key step, vitamins and collagen.
To find the correct routine, you must first determine your skin type. There are 4 main types of skin, with several other specialties to keep in my when deciding the right products for you. The four types are normal or balanced, dry, oily and combination. Other specialties to consider are sensitive skin, anti-aging and acne prone.
Decide your skin type
Balanced or Normal
Your skin is neither too dry nor overly oily, dry patches and overactive oil glands are not a concern, you have smooth, clear skin with little to no acne and pores are normal. Anyone needing any of the specialty concerns should also avoid going with a balanced routine.
Morning
Step 1: Cleanser– gentle lather that is sulfate free
Step 2: Toner– any alcohol free
Step 3: Moisturizer– find one with SPF to protect your skin from sun damage and added bonus if you find one with hyaluronic acid
Evening
Step 1: Cleanser– same cleanser for morning and evening
Step 2: Toner– same toner for morning and evening
Step 3: Serum– antioxidant rich serums are beset for overall health maintenance
Step 4: Moisturizer– using a creamier moisturizer will help boost hydration in the evening while you rest
Masks for Balanced Skin
Any quality mask is ideal for ‘normal’ skin. Exfoliating is recommended weekly to help maintain pore health and rid it of dead skin and daily dirt and oils.
Dy Skin
Dry skin creates less oil or sebum than any other type, therefore causing the lack of ability to retain moisture. If you have dry skin, it will feel tight and rough with a dull and blotchy look.
Morning
Step 1: Cleansing Lotion– no foam or lather, mild cleansing lotion and fragrance free if possible
Step 2: Toner– rebalance pH, restore your moisture
Step 3: Serum– rich with antioxidants
Step 4: Moisturizer– make sure it has SPF and hyaluronic acid if possible
Evening
Step 1: Cleansing Lotion– same as morning
Step 2: Toner– same as morning
Step 3: Serum– find one with retinol to help promote collagen production and stimulate new blood vessels *use sparingly until skin adjusts to retinol
Step 4: Moisturizer– SPF is not necessary, but find one with ceramides for hydration
Masks for Dry Skin
Any dewy, moisture rich masks are beneficial, especially in winter. Antioxidants, ceramides and hyaluronic acid are best to have in your masks.
Oily Skin
Those with oily skin have overactive sebaceous glands (oil producing). They also typically have larger pores, usually created from the glands or from being clogged. It’s ideal for those with oily skin to wash their face 3 times a day, if possible.
Morning
Step 1: Cleansing gel– make sure it is sulfate-free (sulfates are pore clogging) and gives a deeper cleanse to unclog blocked pores
Step 2: Toner– one with glycolic acid, salicylic acid and/or lactic acid
Step 3: Serum– AHA/BHA are key ingredients to control pores and texture, having salicylic acid helps with acne
Step 4: Sunscreen– find one that’s oil-free, but has light hydration abilities
Evening
Step 1: Cleansing gel– same as morning
Step 2: Toner– same as morning
Step 3: Serum– retinol is ideal for reducing overactive glands and signs of aging
Step 4: Moisturizer– gel (water based) are ideal to give light weight hydration without adding unnecessary oils
Masks for Oily Skin
Clay masks that exfoliate, cleanse and detoxify pores.
Combination Skin
Combination skin is just that, a combination of dry and oily skin. Typically, the “T-Zone” (forehead, nose and chin) are oily, and your cheeks are dry.
Morning
Step 1: Cleansing gel– this provides a deeper cleanse for your oily spots
Step 2: Toner– balancing toner, with witch hazel if possible
Step 3: Serum– AHA/BHA necessary to brighten and reduce pores, if you have acne use salicylic acid
Step 4: Moisturizer– lightweight with sunscreen
Evening
Step 1: Cleansing gel – same as morning
Step 2: Toner– same as morning
Step 3: Serum– retinol will help reduce pores and promote collagen production
Step 4: Moisturizer– same as morning
Masks for Combination Skin
Mix and match masking is ideal to benefit each area of concern. For the oily spots use clay masks to purify and hydrating gel masks for the dry spots.
