Skin Care 101: 4 Steps to Ensure Happy, Healthy Skin | Every skin care aficionado knows that having great skin isn’t simply a matter of genetics. How we treat our skin on a daily basis also plays a vital role in how our skin looks and feels. But with so much information floating around the Net, it can be difficult to understand what’s the right way to care for your skin, which also happens to be your largest organ. To help you sort through all the (un)necessary info and give your skin what it needs, here are four steps to ensure happy, healthy skin.
Make sure you understand your skin type
First things first, when building an effective skincare routine that will help keep your skin happy and healthy, it’s important that you do so with your skin type in mind. The thing is, not everyone is aware of what skin type they have. When we don’t understand our skin type, we’re more likely to use the wrong skincare products on our skin or try a random DIY beauty hack, both of which can affect existing skin conditions such as dryness and acne and even worsen them.
Instead of risking reaching for the wrong products in the cosmetics aisle or – even worse – trying various hacks, you find online, try to learn as much as you can about your particular skin type. Once you figure out whether your skin is oily, dry, combination, or sensitive, you can feel much more confident in your future skin care product purchases.
Include all the essential steps in your daily skin care routine
Skin care routines don’t only make our mornings and evenings easier – they also play a vital role in managing certain skin conditions and maintaining good skin health. To lay the foundation for an effective skin care routine, start your day by cleansing the skin in the morning. It’ll help remove the dirt, makeup, oils, and dead skin cells, thus ensuring a clean slate. Using an oil-based cleanser to wash the face and following it with a water-based cleanser – the so-called double cleansing method – is a big part of Korean skin care, but you need to make sure to get a cleanser that works for your skin type.
After cleansing comes toning. This step ensures that all the pores are unclogged and that the skin is hydrated. Use a cotton ball or a soft pad to apply it, and then move on to the third step by applying serum and using your fingers to gently pat it on. Finally, rely on a moisturizer to hydrate the skin, and finish things off by applying sunscreen.
Address your skin problems the right way
Many of us have certain skin problems we’re struggling with. For some, it’s acne, for others, it’s blackheads or scabs. Whatever skin problem you’re dealing with, you want to make sure that you’re not doing more harm than good, so definitely avoid picking anything.
If you’re dealing with acne, look for nonprescription drugstore products that contain salicylic acid, alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), benzoyl peroxide, or adapalene. To get rid of sebaceous filaments, rely on an extraction tool, or apply topical preparations with retinoid or retinol. In case of dark spots, blemishes, or scars, look for ingredients such as niacinamide, retinoic acid, honey, silicone, or vitamin C. Addressing your skin problems the right way will spare you the hassle of dealing with scars, darker skin spots, open wounds, and infections, which often occur as a result of picking at skin problems.
Know when to visit a dermatologist
Over-the-counter products can be quite effective when it comes to addressing certain skin problems, but they can only do so much. If skin problems persist and OTC products turn out to be ineffective, it’s recommended that you schedule a dermatologist appointment. It’d also help if you’d take a couple of photos of your skin during a breakout and give them your doctor names of treatment products and medications you’re currently using so that they know which treatments to prescribe.
Depending on whether you’re dealing with scarring, severe acne, or other skin issues, your dermatologist may prescribe treatments that involve the use of birth control, oral antibiotics, or topical retinoids to address your skin concerns and treat them effectively.
Wrapping up
What we see in the mirror has a lot to do with skin care habits we practice on a daily basis. From the foods we eat to the products we use to the way we deal with particular skin problems, there are a plethora of external factors that influence our skin’s health and overall look. While taking care of your skin is something personal, learning a general tip or two on how to create an effective skincare routine is something everyone can benefit from.