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January 4, 2024

Skincare 101 – A Step-by-Step Guide to a Healthy Skin

Our skin is more than just the largest organ in our body; it also reflects our health and well-being. Caring for your skin involves using products and ingredients that suit your skin type and condition. Proper skincare can help you prevent or treat skin disorders such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, skin cancer, and others as well as enhance your confidence and looks.

In this article, we will discuss some of the most common and effective skin care practices, such as cleansing, toning, moisturising, sunscreen, and more. We will also explain the science behind skincare products, their ingredients, and how they work on your skin.

Skin Types: Recognizing and Taking Care of Yours

To begin with, let’s talk about skin types.

Your skin type depends on how much and what kind of sebum your sebaceous glands produce. Sebum, an oily substance, moisturises and protects your skin and hair. There are demands and obstacles specific to various skin types, and using the wrong cosmetics or ingredients can harm your skin or cause new problems.

Dry skin

Dry skin lacks sebum, which makes your skin dull, flaky, and tight. Age, arid conditions, low humidity, and harsh or drying products can all contribute to dry skin. This kind of skin needs gentle cleansing, toning, and moisturising to help moisturise, nourish, and shield it from irritation. Dry skin requires creamy, hydrating, and emollient products that lock in moisture and protect the skin barrier.

Suitable substances and products for dry skin include:

Creamy or milky cleansers that preserve your skin’s natural oils. Avoid cleansers containing alcohol, sulphates, or fragrances.
Hydrating toners enriched with humectants like glycerin, hyaluronic acid or aloe Vera. Avoid toners containing witch hazel, alcohol, or menthol.
Rich and creamy moisturisers with occlusive ingredients like petrolatum, lanolin, or shea butter. Steer clear of moisturisers that include alcohol, retinoids, or alpha-hydroxy acids.

Oily skin

Oily skin makes too much sebum making the skin look shiny and prone to clogged pores, blackheads, and acne. Hormonal changes, stress, hot and humid weather, or harsh or drying products can all cause oily skin. This kind of skin needs gentle cleansing, toning, and moisturising to balance oil production and prevent breakouts. All products used for oily skin should be oil-free, non-comedogenic, and mattifying that do not clog the pores or make the skin greasier.

Some examples of good products and ingredients for oily skin are:

Gel or foam cleansers containing benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or tea tree oil. These ingredients help remove excess oil and dirt. Avoid cleansers with alcohol, sulphates, or fragrances.
Astringent toners that tighten pores and minimise oiliness, particularly those containing salicylic acid, witch hazel, or niacinamide. Avoid toners that contain alcohol, menthol, or citrus extracts.
Lightweight and water-based moisturisers that hydrate the skin without adding oil. Try to find moisturisers that have glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or dimethicone. Avoid moisturisers that contain petrolatum, lanolin, or mineral oil.

Combination skin

Combination skin has different amounts of sebum, which makes the skin oily in some areas (usually the T-zone) and dry in others (usually the cheeks). Genetics, hormonal changes, or inappropriate products can all contribute to combination skin. Combination skin needs gentle cleansing, toning, and moisturising to maintain the proper ratios of oil to moisture and address the different needs of your skin. You should also use products suitable for your skin type or different products for different areas of your face.

Products and substances that are beneficial for mixed skin types include:

Gentle and pH-balanced cleansers that do not irritate your skin. Select cleaning products with low surfactant content, like Cocamidopropyl betaine, or natural extracts like chamomile or green tea. Avoid cleansers that contain alcohol, sulphates, or fragrances.
Balancing toners that hydrate and regulate your skin, particularly those enriched with humectants like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, Aloe vera, vitamins C and E, and antioxidants such as green tea.
Light, oil-free moisturisers that provide hydration and protection for your skin, and avoid those containing petrolatum, lanolin, or mineral oil.

Normal skin

Normal skin is smooth, soft, and clear, with balanced sebum production. It does not have any significant skin problems. Such types of skin need a simple, consistent skincare routine with gentle, hydrating, and protective products.

Good nourishment and products for normal skin include:

Mild, gentle cleansers with natural extracts such as cucumber, rose, or lavender. Avoid alcohol, sulphates, or fragrances.
Refreshing toners with floral waters, such as rose, lavender, or chamomile water. Avoid alcohol, witch hazel, or menthol.
Light, moisturising creams or lotions enhanced with antioxidants such as green tea, vitamin C, or vitamin E, and pair them with sunscreens containing zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or avobenzone. Avoid alcohol, retinoids, or alpha-hydroxy acids.

Sensitive skin

Sensitive skin, which may produce normal or low sebum levels, reacts swiftly to allergens, irritants, or emotional changes. Its causes include genetics, allergies, certain skin conditions, or harsh or irritating skincare products. Sensitive skin needs gentle cleansing, toning, and moisturising to help calm and relax the skin and avoid inflammation. You should look for hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and delicate products that do not trigger skin reactions.

Products and ingredients that are beneficial for sensitive skin include:

Creamy or micellar cleansers that include calming components, including oatmeal, calendula, or aloe vera and steer clear of products containing alcohol, sulphates, or fragrances.
Calming toners infused with anti-inflammatory ingredients like chamomile, liquorice, or Centella Asiatica, and avoid those containing alcohol, witch hazel, or menthol.
Gentle and moisturising creams or lotions containing barrier-repairing components such as ceramides, fatty acids, cholesterol, and skin-identical ingredients such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or urea. It is best to avoid products with alcohol, retinoids, or alpha-hydroxy acids.

Looking After Your Skin with 3 Simple Steps

Step 1: Cleansing

To effectively cleanse your skin, remove dirt, oil, makeup, and impurities using a mild cleanser appropriate to your skin type and requirements. For those who wear makeup, a double-cleansing method can be particularly beneficial. It involves first using an oil-based cleanser to dissolve makeup and then following up with a water-based cleanser to clean your skin deeply.

Effective cleansing is gentle yet thorough, ensuring the skin is free of pollutants without stripping away its natural oils. Opt for cleansers with hydrating and soothing ingredients if you have dry or sensitive skin, and choose formulations with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide for oily or acne-prone skin.

Refrain from using cosmetics that are excessively abrasive for your skin type, leading to irritation, dryness, or damage. Avoid cleansers with high alcohol content, strong fragrances, or excessive sulphates, as these can strip the skin of its natural barrier, causing more harm than good.

Step 2: Toning

A toner balances, hydrates, and refreshes your skin. It is essential to use a toner that matches your skin type and needs and avoid toners that contain alcohol or irritants.

Apply a few drops of toner to your face or palms with a cotton pad. Avoid the eye area. Spray the toner if it comes in a mist bottle. Use exfoliating toner only at night and at most twice a week. Do not use exfoliating toner and other exfoliators together.

Effective toners hydrate, balance, and gently cleanse the skin without stripping it of natural oils. They usually contain healthy components such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or natural plant extracts, which help maintain the skin’s pH balance and enhance moisture retention.

Stay away from toners which contain harsh ingredients like alcohol, sulphates, or fragrances, which can irritate or dry out the skin. Also, toners not suited to your skin type or needs can cause more harm than good.

Step 3: Moisturising

Use a moisturiser to protect, hydrate, and nourish your skin that addresses the issues and type of your skin. Choose a moisturiser that contains SPF for daytime use.

How to moisturise your skin:

Put a small amount of moisturiser on your neck and face in the morning and at night.
Massage it gently until it is absorbed.
Use a different moisturiser for your eye area if needed.

Effective moisturisers hydrate and nourish the skin, often including ceramides, natural oils, and hyaluronic acid as components that enhance the skin’s moisture barrier. They are tailored to various skin types, from oily to dry, and can include soothing agents for sensitive skin. These moisturisers maintain skin health without clogging pores or causing irritation.

Skincare Best Practices

Now let us take a look at some of the dos and don’ts for maintaining healthy and supple skin.

Skincare Do’s

Wear sunscreen daily for protection against UV rays, which can cause sunburn, ageing, and cancer. Every two hours, reapply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF of thirty.
Cleanse your skin twice daily to help clear your pores of debris, oil, and makeup that could clog them and result in breakouts. Make use of a mild cleanser appropriate for your skin type and needs.
Moisturise daily to replenish the moisture and nutrients that your skin may lose. Choose a moisturiser based on your needs and the kind of skin you have.
To eliminate dead skin cells, exfoliate your skin once or twice a week. Exfoliating improves skin texture, tone, and brightness, and unclogs your pores. Use a physical or chemical exfoliator that suits your skin type and tolerance.
Use a mask once or twice a week to give your skin extra benefits, such as hydration, nourishment, brightening, or firming. Choose a mask that matches your skin type and needs.
Use a skin serum after toner and before applying the moisturiser. Serums contain a high concentration of active ingredients that are absorbed quickly. They soothe and nourish the skin and are especially useful for sensitive skin.

Skincare Don’ts

Don’t use products that contain harsh ingredients that can irritate your skin and strip, damage, or inflame it. Look for items with calming and soft components such as aloe vera, chamomile, or green tea.
Don’t use products unsuitable for your skin type or needs that can cause clogging, drying, or allergic reactions. Know your skin type and needs, and choose formulated products for them. Try a new product on a small patch of the skin to see if it suits you.
Don’t exfoliate your skin too hard or every day. That can damage your skin’s barrier, cause micro-tears, or lead to scarring or hyperpigmentation. Be gentle with your skin, and use a soft cloth, sponge, or brush to cleanse or exfoliate your skin.
Don’t pop, pick, or squeeze your pimples. Popping can cause inflammation, infection, scarring, or more breakouts. Leave your pimples alone and treat them with products that treat acne, such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or tea tree oil.
Don’t neglect your neck and décolletage, which may exhibit ageing symptoms like sagging, wrinkling, or pigmentation. Apply your skincare regimen to your chest and neck, and use the same products you use for your face. Additionally, you can use goods made especially for these areas, such as neck creams or firming lotions.

Healthy Skin is Not a Luxury, it’s a Necessity

Understanding your skin type is the first step in tailoring your skincare routine. Whether you have dry, oily, combination, regular, or sensitive skin, selecting the right products and ingredients is crucial for adequate care.

Regular cleansing, moisturising and using sunscreen are the pillars of a good skincare regimen. Additional steps like exfoliation and using masks or serums enhance benefits. Remember, the key is to be gentle with your skin, avoiding harsh ingredients and over-exfoliation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best care for skin?

The best skin care depends on your skin type, needs, and preferences. However, some general principles are to cleanse, moisturise, and protect your skin daily, to use gentle and suitable products and ingredients, and to avoid harsh or irritating substances and environmental factors.

How can I keep my skin healthy?

You can keep your skin healthy by following a regular and consistent skincare routine, eating a balanced and nutritious diet, drinking enough water, getting enough sleep and rest, managing your stress levels, avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, and consulting a dermatologist if you’re experiencing any skin problems.

Why is skincare critical?

Skincare is vital as it involves caring for your body’s largest and most exposed organ—your skin. Proper skincare enhances your appearance and self-confidence, preventing and treating various skin conditions and diseases.

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