A Skincare Routine For All Skin Types

Finding a skincare regimen that works can be a difficult and frustrating process. No one wants to spend tons of money searching for the right products. The good news is you don’t have to. This skincare routine works well for all skin types and doesn’t require expensive products to achieve good results.

Wash With a Gentle Cleanser.

The first step involves washing with a gentle, water-soluble cleanser, meaning that it dissolves in water. The cleanser you choose should not contain any irritating ingredients like alcohol or witch hazel. The cleanser should be as pure and natural as possible. Did you know it isn’t worth having ingredients such as salicylic acid within your cleanser because this ingredient will not stay on the skin long enough to be beneficial?

Cleansing should be done once in the morning and evening to take off all the day’s dirt and grime. Be careful not to scrub the skin when cleansing as this could also cause irritation. Skin is a delicate part of the body, so be gentle with it! Some brands that carry gentle cleaners include ECooking, RA Oils and Verso. Try looking for cleansers that say “for sensitive skin” on the label.

Exfoliate.

Exfoliation is the process of sloughing off dead skin cells to keep skin looking radiant. A good exfoliator will keep pores clean and balance out dry or flaky skin. Exfoliating can be done manually with a scrub, or it can also be done chemically using an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) or a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA). AHAs are best for sun-damaged or dry skin because they exfoliate the surface and help to even out skin tone. BHAs are best for acne-prone or oily skin because they can penetrate into the pore lining and help unclog pores.

Exfoliation can be done in the morning and evening, but if skin becomes too dry, it is best to exfoliate once a day or every other day if necessary.

Treat.

Some skin is more prone to breakouts than others, and for those suffering from acne breakouts, a good benzoyl peroxide (BP) product can significantly reduce the problem. According to acne.org, reports have been done to show that a 2.5% BP product works just as well as a 10% BP product without excessive dryness.

This third step in the regimen should be applied twice daily, morning, and night. It’s important to gently apply the product and let it absorb into the skin before applying any other products. People using BP should start off with a small dose and gradually increase the amount of product used. Acne.org sells good sizes of product for the money. It’s a great deal compared to the products you’ll find at the drugstore.

For those who aren’t suffering from acne but maybe are concerned about wrinkles, a product containing antioxidants or retinol can be applied during this step instead.

Moisturise.

Moisturising is a vital step in a skincare regimen, especially if you’ve been using benzoyl peroxide. As great a product as BP is, it can be a little drying, so a good moisturizer should be used to help balance out the skin.

Sometimes people with oily skin skip this step, but even oily skin still needs to be moisturized. Look for moisturizers designed for oily skin if this is a concern. The Mayo Clinic says that moisturizers soothe dryness, smooth the skin, and act as a temporary barrier. Moisturising can be done morning and night, or whenever needed if the skin appears drier.

Protect.

Skin cancer can affect anyone, so the best way to prevent this disease from occurring is by protecting yourself with a good sunscreen. Applying sunscreen is often skipped as part of a skincare regimen. Sunscreen should be applied at least twenty minutes before sun exposure. An SPF of at least 15 should be applied, but a higher level is always better, especially for fair skin. Some products like moisturizer and makeup contain SPF if you don’t like the feel of greasy sunscreen on your skin.

It takes time for products to work and for the skin to respond, so make sure you wait at least six to eight weeks before deciding to try something else if you are having problems. Another important factor is consistency. Any regimen will not work if you aren’t consistently using it daily.

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