Best skin care routine for your skin

A skin care routine is a series of steps or products used to clean, protect, and nourish the skin on a daily basis. These steps may include cleansing, exfoliating, toning, moisturizing, and protecting the skin from the sun. A routine may be tailored to an individual's specific skin type and concerns, such as acne, aging, or dryness. It is important to use products that are appropriate for your skin type and to use them in the correct order to achieve the best results.

A typical skin care routine may include the following steps:

·      Cleansing: This step involves using a cleanser to remove dirt, oil, and makeup from the skin. Cleansers can come in the form of a foam, gel, or oil and can be applied using the fingers or a washcloth.

·      Exfoliating: This step involves removing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin using an exfoliant. Exfoliants can be physical, such as a scrub, or chemical, such as an acid peel. Exfoliating should be done once or twice a week, depending on the individual's skin type and tolerance.

·      Toning: This step involves using a toner to balance the skin's pH and remove any remaining impurities. Toners can be applied with a cotton pad or sprayed directly onto the skin.

·      Serums: This step is an optional step to address specific concerns such as brightening, hydration, anti-aging, anti-acne etc.

·      Moisturizing: This step involves hydrating the skin using a moisturizer. Moisturizers can come in the form of a cream, lotion, or oil and should be applied to the face and neck.

·      Sun protection: This step involves protecting the skin from the sun's harmful UV rays. Sunscreen should be applied to all exposed skin, and should be reapplied throughout the day as needed.

The important question then becomes, how would you customize this routine to suit what your skin needs? One of the easiest ways would be to meet one of the top dermatologists and ask for their help! The basic principles will however be the same, no matter you do it on your own, or your skin specialist helps you.

The first consideration should be your skin type. For example, if you have dry skin, you might want to use a moisturizing, cream based face wash for cleansing. If however, you have oily skin, you might want to use a face wash that contains salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.

The next thing to consider is if you have any specific concerns, like redness or active ace, or blemishes/scars. This is where your actives come in, and you would want actives that help your condition. An easy example would be the use of azelaic acid or kojic acid in your serum if you have mild acne scars.

Another important consideration would be if your routine is for the night or the day. This is because certain ingredients like retinol or retinoids cannot be used in the day and sun exposure must be avoided.

To help you understand this better, here is an example of a detailed skin care routine for acne prone oily skin:

·      Cleanse: Use a gentle, oil-free cleanser twice a day to remove excess oil and dirt from the skin.

·      Serum: Use a good niacinamide serum in your day as well as night routine.

·      Treat: Apply a spot treatment, such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, to target existing acne. Note once again, that benzoyl peroxide should only be used at night.

·      Moisturize: Use a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer to hydrate the skin without clogging pores.

·      Sun protection: Apply a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily to protect the skin from UV damage and prevent future breakouts.

Other things to consider would be to avoid over-exfoliating or damaging the natural barrier. Once again, you could do this with your dermatologist, or start small at home, get your groove on and enjoy your skin!