Having a busy lifestyle highlights the need to have a good face and skincare routine. Having a good skincare routine is very important to maintain healthy skin. It is also necessary to update your face and skincare routine with time to maintain the young and glowing skin.
With the rise in the number of brands and skincare products, it can be difficult to find the perfect product that suits your skin well. Due to this, it is first necessary to determine your skin type.
Skin Types and How to Determine Yours
An important step in taking care of your skin and adopting the correct routine for your skin is identifying your skin type. Below given are common skin types and their indicators:
- Normal Skin
People having normal skin generally do not get many breakouts near their cheeks. Your skin is not affected due to change in weather or by trying new products. Skin pores are not visible and you have firm skin. You don’t feel the need to wash your face after a few hours and neither you need to moisturize very often.
- Oily Skin
People with oily skin usually have a glowy appearance. Your skin can not hold make-up for very long. Oily skin is more prone to blackheads, pimples, or other types of acne. You need to use blotting sheets often. Pores are visibly enlarged especially near the nose, cheeks, and forehead area.
- Dry Skin
Dry skin is generally caused due to a lack of oil in the skin. People with dry skin may notice sensitivity after washing their face. Sometimes it can be due to cold weather. You may also experience redness, itching after a shower. Dry skin sometimes can be a result of a change in weather or using too hot water.
- Combination Skin
People who have difficulty figuring out their skin type generally have combination skin. If your skin feels dry in some areas and oily in others it is a combination of skin. It is generally defined by an oily T-zone, a line across the forehead, and the line down the nose and skin apart from T-zone are either normal or dry.
- Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin can be caused due to genetic ailments, skin allergies, or some environmental factors. You may experience rashes and bumps frequently. After using a new product you may feel stinging or burning sensation. Sensitive skin is not very supportive of products with strong fragrances as it may cause irritated skin.
Tips to Improve Your Daily Face and Skin Care Routine
- Start your day by using the correct cleanser
Washing your face is the first and the most basic step to prepare your skin for the entire day. It is necessary to find the right cleanser for your skin that doesn’t strip the natural oils but gently removes the dirt. It is also advised to go for non-comedogenic cleanser, a product that doesn’t clog pores and causes acne.
- Balance the skin by using a toner
Toner helps to provide the required nutrients to the skin and helps in better absorption of other products. It also helps to balance complexion by restoring the ph level and tightens the pores thereby, reducing the penetration of dust particles and other environmental impurities.
Some key ingredients can make a toner more effective. Below are some key ingredients to look for:
- Hyaluronic Acid or Coenzyme Q10
They can help to make skin feel softer, smoother, and suppler. They are also known for having antioxidants and helps the skin to replenish its moisture. It helps to reduce wrinkles and increases skin elasticity.
Read: 11 Top Home Remedies To Get Wrinkle-Free Skin
- Bentonite Clay and Witch Hazel
The clay helps to control excess oil and purifies the skin, which is crucial for clogged pores. Witch hazel has anti-inflammatory properties that soothe the skin and help to minimize pores.
- Rose Water And Aloe Vera
It can help with irritation and reduces redness due to its anti-inflammatory effects. Aloe vera contains antioxidants, vitamin A and vitamin C which can help to treat burns, acne, and dry skin. It also helps to reduce the appearance of blemishes as it is said to increase cell turn over.
- Vitamin E and Vitamin C
It helps to fight with daily sun exposure and protects the skin from UV rays. It also helps to fight with exposure to free radicals that can age your skin. Vitamin E is also used for spot treatment and is known as an anti-aging agent. Vitamin C can have a hydrating effect on the skin and helps the skin to retain moisture. It is also known to give a youthful glow to your skin.
- Handle Specific Issues Using A Serum
Serums are gel-based liquids that are made to deliver high concentrations of specific active ingredients to the skin. They are applied before the moisturizer and help to retain moisture. It is known for its deep hydrating effects. To handle specific issues search for the below- given ingredients:
- Vitamin C
The serum helps to reduce premature aging by protecting the skin from sun exposure. It also helps to reduce premature wrinkling by stimulating the growth of collagen. It is also useful to lighten pigmentation by preventing melanin production.
- Hyaluronic Acid
When it is used in serum it can help eliminate the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles and helps to retain moisture in the skin. When the skin remains hydrated and has a layer of protection it can promote healthier and supple skin.
- Vitamin B3 and B5
Niacinamide a form of vitamin B3 helps in fading the spots and blemishes. It helps to lighten the skin due to its ability to treat hyperpigmentation and promotes whiter skin. Vitamin B5 has an anti-inflammatory effect on skin that can help the skin to heal faster. It is also known for its hydrating effects which help to keep the skin smooth, soft, and healthy.
- Colloidal Sulphur
It is known for its acne-treating properties. It helps to clean pores deeply by drawing out impurities from the skin and helps to promote clean skin. It has anti-bacterial properties that can help to keep acne away.
- Moisturize to Stay Young
Moisturizing creams are important as they add a protective layer to the skin and minimizes the effect of outside pollution, heat, dust, and other environmental aggressors. Moisturizing the skin reduces the chances of skin problems and helps to maintain balance. It also helps the skin to repair itself and remain healthy.
To gain maximum benefits, it is necessary to choose the right kind of moisturizer depending on your skin type.
- For oily skin, it is recommended to use a gel moisturizer. As a water-based moisturizer is light in weight and absorbs quickly. It provides all the essential vitamins and nutrients without giving a greasy look to the skin.
- For normal skin, a lotion is recommended. The lotion is more moisturizing than a gel and generally absorbs well. The moisturizing level of a lotion is just sufficient for normal skin and doesn’t exceed the hydrating level.
- For dry skin, oil-based cream and soft cream are advised as they are heavier than lotion and provided for the need of the dry skin. The extra hydrating effect of these creams works right for dry skin and helps the skin to retain moisture for a longer period of time.
- For combination skin, lotion, or cream with the less hydrating effect is recommended. Anything with extra hydrating effects can affect the T-Zone negatively. A lightweight moisturizer that is oil-free is ideal for combination skin.
- For sensitive skin, a lightweight moisturizer including soothing and calming ingredients like aloe vera, chamomile, honey, rose water and the grape-seed extract is ideal for sensitive and redness-prone skin.
- Don’t Forget Eye Cream
The skin around the eyes is quite thin and delicate. It is more likely to sag and gets darker easily. Other concerns like puffiness, dryness, or hyperpigmentation call for the need to use an eye cream.
Eye creams are formulated to reduce puffiness, dryness, and hyperpigmentation. Unlike moisturizers, they are fragrance-free and contains fewer chemicals. Some eye creams are specially made with peptides to target problems like aging and help to make the skin around the eyes smoother and firmer.
It is easier to prevent future damage to your skin than it is to repair it later. Therefore, it is advisable to use a cream with antioxidants, vitamin A, vitamin C to reduce puffiness, dryness, etc.
- Protect with Sunscreen
Sunscreen is considered the most crucial part of any skin-care routine. The daily application of sunscreen helps to prevent the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. It also helps to prevent your skin from various skin cancers. Using the correct sunscreen is very important to get proper protection. It should be at least SPF 30. For UVA protection you need to look for ingredients like titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, oxybenzone, or avobenzone. People with sensitive skin should opt for kid-friendly sunscreen and avoid sunscreen with fragrances or alcohol.
As long as the sunscreen meets the UVA and UVB requirements it can be used.