When it comes to skincare, a lot of people get confused about what products to buy and how to go about applying them. Some people buy lots of products and find it difficult knowing which comes first in application.

If these products are not properly layered, you could end up irritating the skin and causing more harm than good.

In the course of searching for opinions or advice on how best to use the products you have, you can get overwhelmed and confused. At the end of it all, skin care is a personal journey. Hence, as a guide, follow this steps to help you filter out what is best for your skin:

THREE(3) MAIN STEPS TO BUILDING A SKINCARE ROUTINE

Skincare routine consists of three major steps:

• Cleansing — Washing your face. 
• Toning — Balancing the skin.
• Moisturizing — Hydrating and softening the skin.

The aim of skincare is to target areas of the skin you want to work on and ensure it is functioning at its best.Consistency is key when it comes to using skincare products. There is no such thing as instant fix. Generally, aim to use a product over at least six weeks, once or twice daily, to notice a difference.

Tip: With any skin-care product, apply in order of consistency — from thinnest to thickest. For example, cleanser, toner (if you use it), serum, and then moisturizer.

Strive to follow these three steps above as a guide in building a routine.

1. CLEANSING:

New York City dermatologist Dr. Carlos Charles says washing your face is the most basic and important step in any daily routine. “Our skin is exposed to environmental pollutants, dirt and other factors every day and should be gently removed.”Wash twice a day in the morning and in the evening to avoid clogging pores, dullness and acne.

FIND YOUR FACIAL CLEANSER

The right recipe cleans your skin without peeling the necessary, healthy oils. Relax with an exfoliating scrub(once a week), avoiding the use of crushed walnut shells or abrasive ingredients.

For daily cleaning, here is what to look for:

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR A PRODUCT TO BE NON-COMEDOGENIC

Non-Comedogenic is a term used to describe certain products that shouldn’t clog pores or cause acne. Typically, the fewer ingredients a product has, the easier it is to determine if it will cause any reactions.

2. TONING:

When we talk about toning, it requires the use of toners. What are toners and why are they necessary. Toners are thin liquid used on the skin(face) that are gentle and soothing, to help unclog pores by removing oil and leftover dirts. Toners are best applied after cleansing the face, before applying any other products by using cotton pad or use clean hands to apply it (some people believe its best done this way). They are necessary for people with oily skin or people that needs extra cleansing after wearing heavy skin product. However,these are not the only functions of a toner; other benefits includes:

• it shrinks pores
• adds a layer of protection
• restores your skin’s PH balance
• it refreshes the skin
• acts as a moisturiser
• it can prevent ingrown hair

The key ingredients to look out for in a toner are;

• Alpha and beta hydroxy acids to gently remove dead skin cells that can clog pores, improve sun-damaged skin and minimize dullness.
• Hyaluronic acid to boost hydration, seal in dewiness and plump skin to subtly treat fine lines.
• Rose water and green tea to calm irritation and reduce redness with an anti-inflammatory effect.
• Vitamin E and C to fight daily exposure to free radicals that can age your skin.

Most formulas can be used morning and night, but you might want to use those with exfoliating acids only at night or every other day.  

3. MOISTURIZING:

The main function of a moisturizer is to keep the skin soft and hydrated. “Skin naturally loses the ability to retain moisture as we age,” Dr. Nazarian insists, “and daily activities, such as washing, can strip natural hydrators from the surface.”

PICKING THE BEST MOISTURIZER FOR YOUR SKIN

We all need moisture for our skin. But your skin type will determine the texture of moisturizer to go for to achieve the best result.

USE OF SUNSCREEN

Sunscreen is the most critical skincare product. According to Dr. Charles this is ” essential as part of a year-round wellness program.” “Daily and consistent use of sunscreen helps prevent the development of fine lines and wrinkles, texture blemishes,and changes in the appearance of pores over time. What’s more, daily use of sunscreen can help prevent the formation of certain skin cancers.For ease of memory, experts recommend a daily moisturizer with at least 30 built-in broad-spectrum SPF.

credit: nytimes.com

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