You probably hear so many different opinions when it comes to the best skincare routine. Everyone has a certain routine they follow to care their skin and it’s all preference when it comes to the method you want to follow. I used to follow just a few steps in my 20’s, but now that I am in my 30’s, I follow a stricter skincare regimen.
I always tell people that there are 4 main steps in a skincare routine that you ABSOLUTELY should follow no matter what your skin type is. These 4 steps are: Cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize, and sunscreen. These 4 steps will ensure your skin is getting the proper care and minimize clogged pores as much as possible.
CLEANSE
You read it, CLEAN YOUR FACE!!! I am not yelling when I typed this, I just cannot stress this step enough. Remember, nothing will penetrate your skin properly if it has not been properly cleaned. Even if you don’t wear makeup on a daily basis, your skin builds up oil, environmental toxins, and dead skin cells throughout the day. Not only that, but most of us wear moisturizer and sunscreens daily, so you want to ensure you are cleansing your skin at night.
I recommend cleaning your skin 1-2 times a day. Always use the proper cleanser for your skin-type to avoid skin irritations. For more on the appropriate type of cleanser to use for your skin type, just read my handy article by clicking HERE.
Exfoliate Your Face
Exfoliation is one of the most important skincare tips. It helps your skin look its healthiest and is also a great way to prep your skin for face products. Exfoliating regularly can help your skin prevent acne or blackheads by unblocking pores. Did you know that as we age, our cell turnover rate decreases, which means exfoliation is crucial to help shed dead skin cells and rejuvenate the skin. If you don’t exfoliate at 1-2 times a week, your skin will form a plug built up with dead skin cells and oil which can cause breakouts. No one has time for that!
Two types of exfoliators are chemical and physical exfoliators. Physical exfoliator because it is a gentle skin polisher that is manually used to smooth and refine the skin. Chemical exfoliators are my preferred method of exfoliation. Chemical exfoliants such as glycolic acid and beta hydroxyl acid (also known as salicylic acid) are a better approach to exfoliate the skin.
Skinregimen.com states, “Chemical exfoliators help dissolve the glue-like substance that holds dead skin cells together.” Fruit enzymes like papain (papaya) and bromelain (pineapple) are also great acids to use for sensitive skin. If you want to learn about some of my favorite skincare acids, article HERE.
Apply your Moisturizer
The third crucial step is to wear an appropriate moisturizer for your skin type. It is important to note that just because skin is oily, this does not mean it cannot be dehydrated. Often times, oily skin can be dehydrated which is why it produces more oil to compensate for the dryness. YES, even if your skin is oily you must wear an oil-free moisturizer. Moisturizer is crucial to help balance your skin’s moisture content level. Your skin will look more youthful and smoother as a result. Remember, serums do not substitute moisturizers.
Never Skip Sunscreen
Skin sin-Not applying your sunscreen. I cannot stress this enough but if you don’t apply sunscreen daily, then all your skincare products are just a waste of money. What is the point of treating your scars and hyper-pigmentation issues, if you’re not protecting your skin from the sun?
Trust me, I never wore sunscreen before aesthetics school, and boy did I see a huge occurrence of sun spots in my mid-twenties. According to AAD.org, “One in five Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70.” This amount is rising due to increased ultraviolet exposure from the sun and tanning beds.” With melanoma on the rise, it is extremely important to implement sunscreen in your daily skincare routine to help protect against the sun’s harmful ultraviolet UVA and UVB rays.
Here is a cheat sheet to save for your information!
For more on the importance of sunscreen, and the different types you can use for your skin, read my article HERE.
Hope you found this skincare regimen helpful. This is just the basis to a good routine and you can always add extra steps if you want. Please don’t forget to pin and share so you can have this advice handy! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to stay in the loop of all my latest articles HERE. Also, join me on INSTAGRAM BY CLICKING HERE!
