A good skincare routine ensures your skin is well maintained, dealing with daily wear and tear, and better prepared to fight the signs of aging. By using a range of products from the skincare line, such as La Roche Posay Effaclar, you can fight concerns like acne and boost the overall health of your skin.
Know Your Skin Type
Before you start buying skincare products, first understand your skin type. The AAD recognizes five different skin types:
- Normal
- Dry
- Oily
- Combination
- Sensitive
If your skin feels itchy and rough, you could have dry skin. On the other hand, if your skin feels shiny and greasy, you may need a skin care routine for oily skin. If your skin is oily in certain areas and dry in others, you could have a combination skin type.
You must choose products according to your skin type. The wrong kind of product could irritate your skin and further worsen its condition.
Step by Step Face Cleansing Routine
Dermatologists recommend forming a simplified and personalized skincare routine. Try products as per your skin type and see what suits you the best. Here is a list of skincare products to get you started.
Cleanser
A cleanser is a product you can use to get rid of dirt, bacteria, and other pollutants which may have built up on your skin during the day or night. The two types of cleansers you will hear about once you get into skincare are oil-based and water-based cleansers.
Oil-based cleansers work well if you have acne, have oily skin or wear makeup. It can effectively remove the overproduced sebum from your skin. Water-based cleansers, on the other hand, are effective in eliminating water-soluble particles like grime and pollutants.
You can choose to use any cleanser or opt for a double cleansing routine. First, you can use an oil-based cleanser and clean your pores deeply with a water-based cleanser, such as a foaming wash like La Roche Posay Effaclar.
Toner
Toners are used to remove excess dirt left behind from the cleansing step, replenish and prepare your skin to absorb the products you will be using better. Give those alcohol-laden toners a miss and choose products with ingredients that will gently hydrate your skin.
After cleansing, you can tap the toner with your fingertips or use a cotton pad to swipe the product on your skin.
Serum
Serums contain a concentrated form of ingredients that could help alleviate a specific skin condition. For example, Vitamin C is one of the most popular antioxidant serums used to improve skin texture and reduce the appearance of blemishes, dark spots, or acne scars.
Spot Treatment
If you suffer from any skin concerns that require targeted treatment, now is the time to use those products. Apply a light layer of the cream or gel on the spot. Wait for a minute for the product to be absorbed.
If you do not have acne or spots, you can skip this step.
Moisturizer
Irrespective of your skin type, moisturizing is a step that everyone should follow. Ideally, moisturizer should be used 12 hours apart, once in the morning and once as a part of your nighttime routine. It helps trap the moisture in and keep your skin well hydrated.
Choose a moisturizer according to your skin type; if you have oily skin and you use a moisturizer for dry skin, the product will sit on top, giving you a greasy finish. Instead, you can opt for a mat hydrating moisturizer for oily skin.
Morning Routine
More than 90% of fine lines appearing on your skin are due to sun exposure. Thus, sunscreen should be an essential part of your morning routine. After applying moisturizer, ensure you cover your face, neck, arms, and legs with sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30. You can use a base layer of foundation and get started with your makeup.
Nighttime Routine
Do not sleep with makeup on your skin at night. Even if you do not use makeup, cleansing at night is essential to rid your skin of the day’s dirt. Micellar water is one of the effective ways of gently removing makeup and dirt from your skin. You can then follow the cleansing, toning, moisturizing steps to complete your nighttime routine.
Skincare routines are highly personal. For your skin to benefit the most, consistent use is necessary. The rule of thumb is the lighter the product, the earlier you should apply it to the skin. If the steps mentioned above seem daunting, you could simply start with a cleanser and moisturizer.