The phrase skin care brings to mind three things: skin cancer, dry skin and a long aisle of beauty products at your local drugstore. But it’s more than a surface-level concern. While a skin care routine may sound like high maintenance, in reality, the steps for healthy skin are not only necessary, they’re easy to implement too. Investing early in the health of your skin, with regular skin care, will not only better protect it from the harsh effects of winter and aging but also keep you looking and feeling your best throughout the year. The key to skin resiliency is knowing your skin product (read the full ingredient list). First, you’ll want to take into account your skin type. The primary skin types are dry, oily or combination and while your skin may get drier or oilier based on the season, the majority of the time it should be relatively consistent.
What Belongs in Your Skin Care Cabinet
Next, you should know what makes up a healthy skin routine. Which is to say, what types of products do you really need to keep your skin healthy and clean? Cleanser Cleanser is what you’ll use to clean your face and it’s important to use a product intended for your face – not just whatever bar or body wash you have lying around. You’ll want to clean your face gently and take care not to scrub too hard or strip off the good bacteria that your body makes to protect. Then, wipe of the cleanser with a damp cloth, because washing with hot water removes natural oils and causes your skin to become dehydrated. Finding the right cleanser for you may be a process of trial and error. If you have dry skin, oily skin or sensitive skin you’ll want to use one without alcohol, synthetic chemicals or fragrance.
Exfoliation Here’s a product you might not need or want to apply every day. If you have dry skin, including winter-air-induced dry skin, you may exfoliate more than usual, but you should still keep it to 2 or 3 times a week – max. Exfoliation can be used after cleanser but before moisturizer, as it helps to removes flaky skin by increasing skin cell turnover. The benefits are real – removing dead skin and buildup for smoother skin and clearer pores – but most dermatologists will recommend chemical and mechanical exfoliants.
Learn more about Vooqo Scrub Face Exfoliator > Moisturizer Like cleansers, moisturizers are for everyone and should be used every time you clean your face. And like cleansers, a little trial and error is totally normal when you’re looking for the right one. Moisturizers prevent your skin from drying out, leaving your skin hydrated and smooth. They are most effective when applied while your skin is slightly damp to seal in moisture. Moisturize in the morning to protect your skin during the day and before bedtime to restore and repair.
Learn more about Vooqo Night Cream > Serum Another addition to your skin care routine, serums contain ingredients like antioxidants, hyaluronic acid or retinol that support skin health in a number of ways, such as calming redness, anti-aging and improving texture and firmness. As in time our body loose the ability to properly regenerate, our skin needs vitamins and other additions that doesn't properly occure anymore.
When You Should Use What
The easiest way to remember when you should be doing and what for your skin is to think of it like this: Morning skin care should focus on prevention and protection for the day and your nighttime routine should focus on cleansing and repair. Most people will only need to really wash their face once a day. In the morning, rinsing with warm water before applying moisturizer and sunscreen should suffice, while at night, after a full day of exposure and damage, more dedicated care is recommended. As such, before bed, you should clean your face with a cleanser to remove dirt and makeup then use exfoliant and serums if you so choose. In any case, always end with a night moisturizer. Regardless of the time of day, you should also always wash your face with warm water after working out or working up a sweat, as sweat can clog pores and make acne worse. As a rule, remember to take your makeup off before bed and resist picking at your skin.
What About the Weather
Season’s change can bring about adjustments to your skin care and maybe the products you use, but it shouldn’t require any major overhaul of your routine. In the winter, it’s all about extra moisturizing. The cold weather contributes to dryness (as does the heat from radiators) and wind can chap skin too. You may want to shift to more cleansing (morning and night) and supplement your daily moisturizer. Furthermore, remember you don’t have to wait for the leaves to fall or the snow to melt to use your skin care routine. If your skin changes – due to the environment, hormones or anything else – it’s totally fair to adjust your routine in kind.
Adjusting for Age
Good skin care is essential at any age and healthy habits in your 20s and 30s can strengthen and prepare your skin for the effects of aging down the road. Skin has strong collagen and elastic production in your 20s and 30s. Cleanser and SPF moisturizer will be fixtures in your routine, and some dermatologists may recommend an antioxidant serum as a preventative measure to stimulate collagen production. While you may associate collagen with keeping skin looking plump, it also gives skin its strength and structure and plays a role in the replacement of dead skin cells. As women enter the period before menopause (perimenopause) and menopause, their hormones are in flux and the natural forms of aging begin to kick in. While serums and creams that support collagen production may be added to their skin care arsenal, the foundation will remain a gentle cleanser and a strong moisturizer. Many factors can affect your skin – as your largest organ and first line of health defense – deserves to be protected. When considering skin care, you’ll want to be aware of your environment and daily health, such as diet, stress and fitness, but most important read the full ingredient list from the back of the product - as that is the only place where they must be in full.
Still, at the end of the day, a skin care routine involving cleanser and moisturizer can go a long way.
Best advise when buying skincare: always read FULL ingredients list and reserch each and every ingredient.