Taking care of your skin is not just about aesthetics; it is an investment in your long-term health and well-being. Your skin is a part of your body that is continuously exposed to stressors, pollutants, and harmful UV rays, which makes skincare all the more important. Maintaining a daily skincare routine protects your skin and helps improve its overall health by keeping it hydrated, balanced, and glowing.
The best part is that you don’t need fancy products or spa appointments to get healthy skin. Everything you need is already in your home, and you just need a few minutes a day to get glowing skin.
Understanding your skin type is crucial before you start using products and regimens. Determining your skin type will help you choose the right products and avoid unnecessary issues like breakouts, irritation, or excessive oil production.
Understanding Skin Type
Your genetics decide the type of skin you have. The amount of oil your sebaceous glands produce, the texture of your skin, and the size of your skin pores are all determined by genes. And these factors contribute to the dryness or oiliness of your skin.
Generally, there are five variations of skin types:
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- Normal skin
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- Dry skin
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- Sensitive skin
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- Oily skin
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- Combination skin
We advise you to consult a professional to find out your skin type. However, we also have an easy test you can do at your home to determine your skin type. Follow the steps:
- Cleanse your face with a gentle cleanser and wait for an hour.
- Don’t apply any products and blot your skin with a tissue.
- Now, observe your skin:
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- If your skin feels comfortable and there is no residue on the tissue, you have Normal skin.
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- If your skin feels comfortable but there is residue on the tissue, you have Oily skin.
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- If your skin feels comfortable, and there is some residue on the tissue plus your cheeks feel tight, you have Combination Skin.
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- If your skin feels tight, itchy, or inflamed, then you have Sensitive skin.
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- If your skin feels tight but there is no itchiness or inflammation, you have Dry skin.
Once you know your skin type, you can customize your skincare routine and choose the products suitable to your skin type.
Before we dive into the step-by-step daily skincare routine at home, one thing to remember is that whenever you apply any product on your skin, make sure you apply the products from lightest to heaviest (in consistency). There is no point in having a skincare routine if the products don’t penetrate your skin.
Morning Skin Care Routine: Starting Your Day Right
A morning skincare routine preps your skin for the day ahead, protecting it from pollutants and UV rays once you step outside.
Step 1: Cleansing
Cleanse your face with a gentle cleanser suited to your skin type to remove the excess oil, sweat, and impurities that build up overnight. Use an oil-based cleanser if you have dry skin, and water-based cleansers for oily skin. Gently rub the facewash with your fingertips and use lukewarm water to rinse. Pat dry using a soft towel.
Step 2: Toning
Toning is a great way to hydrate your face and remove any leftover oil or dirt. It also helps balance your skin’s pH levels and prepare your skin for further product absorption. Choose a toner that suits your skin type—whether it’s hydrating for dry skin, calming for sensitive skin, or clarifying for oily skin. Soak a cotton pad with the toner and dab it gently on your face. In case you have acne-prone skin, focus on the ‘T-zone.’
Step 3: Serum
This step is optional and depends on your skin type. Serums can help you address specific skin concerns. Use serums that contain antioxidants like Vitamin C in the mornings, to prevent your skin from environmental damage, and brighten your complexion.
Step 4: Moisturizing
Moisturizing your skin is a must, even if you have an oily skin. Moisturizing your face and neck keeps your skin hydrated and protected throughout the day. Moisturizers lock in hydration, keeping your skin soft and smooth. Choose a moisturizer based on your skin type. Go for non-greasy formulas for the daytime.
Step 5: Sunscreen
The final and most crucial step is applying sunscreen. Sunscreen protects your skin from UV rays and reduces the risk of skin cancer, sunspots, and wrinkles. UV damage is the leading cause of premature aging. Applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every day is non-negotiable, even on cloudy days.
Evening Skin Care Routine: Prepping for Overnight Skin Repair
At night, your skin goes into repair mode, regenerating cells and healing damage from the day. Hence, an evening skincare routine is crucial as it removes all the dirt and residues left from the day, and adds moisture to the skin.
Step 1: Makeup Removal
If you are wearing any makeup, the first thing is to remove it using an oil-based cleanser or micellar water. This step ensures that all traces of makeup, dirt, and pollutants are removed, allowing your skin to breathe.
Step 2: Cleanse Again
Cleanse your face again to remove any excess oil and dirt that you accumulate throughout the day. The second cleanse ensures that your skin is completely clean and free from impurities preventing clogged pores and breakouts.
Step 3: Applying a Treatment or Serum
Nighttime is great for treatments such as retinoids, anti-aging serums, or acne treatments as your skin does not get exposed to dirt or pollution. Products work best when your skin is in the repair phase giving you a boost in treating specific concerns.
Step 4: Night cream or Moisturizer
You can hydrate your skin at night with a rich night cream or your regular moisturizer. Go for formulas with nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, or peptides. Night creams aid skin repair so that you have plump and hydrated skin in the mornings.
Weekly Additions to Your Skin Care Routine
Along with your daily skincare routines, incorporating weekly skin treatments can enhance the texture of your skin and make it healthier.
Exfoliation
Exfoliate 2-3 times a week to prevent dead skin buildup. Opt for mild exfoliators that come in the form of cleansers, toners, peels, or serums rather than physical scrubs which can be harsh on your skin. Exfoliating more than 3 times a week can cause redness and irritation.
Face Masks
Use face masks that target your specific skin concerns like acne, dryness, or dullness. You can use masks to reduce excess oil production, hydrating masks for dryness, or clay masks for detoxification. No matter which face mask you choose, avoid using any serums or treatments after as these face masks mostly have active ingredients. Instead, after rinsing your face, lock everything with a gentle moisturizer.
Facial Steaming
Facial Steaming once a week is an excellent way to deep cleanse your skin. Steaming opens up the pores of your skin thereby deeply cleansing your skin and softening the blackheads which can then be easily pulled out. It is especially helpful if you have oily or acne-prone skin.
Common Skin Care Mistakes to Avoid
Even with the best intentions, some common skincare mistakes can hinder your progress.
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- Over Cleansing is a very common mistake that most people make. Cleansing more than required will not make your skin flawless, instead, it will strip you off of natural oils leading to dryness or excess oil production. Cleansing once in the morning and once at night as mentioned above is enough for your skin.
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- Skipping Sunscreen is a disaster even when it’s cloudy outside or you are inside your home. Applying sunscreen is a must to protect your skin.
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- Using the wrong products for your skin. Whenever you are choosing a product that has specific chemical concentrations, it is always wise to consult a professional as choosing the wrong products will lead to breakouts and irritation.
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- And finally, inconsistency is the biggest barrier to achieving healthy and glowing skin. Stick to your routine for visible results.
Achieving healthy skin doesn’t happen overnight. Remember, by following a consistent daily skincare routine you’re setting a foundation for long-term skin health. Be patient and enjoy the process of finding products and routines that suit your unique skin and lifestyle.