Consider this your expert-backed guide if you’re unsure how to put together a skin-care routine (no judgment here) or you want to review the fundamentals.
One thing should no longer be viewed as an indulgence or even a luxury when it comes to taking care of oneself in light of the many, many uncertainties that currently exist in our world. In fact, it is more important than ever right now for a variety of reasons. However, there is another irrefutable fact about skin care: It frequently feels overwhelming.
A board-certified dermatologist in New York City claims that “the skin-care market has really boomed in the last several years.” “While this is fantastic since it introduces us to a range of new components and formulations, the consumer — especially a rookie — may find this to be quite perplexing.”
There are some skin-care guidelines that are typically applicable to all people, despite the fact that everyone’s skin is unique and hence has various skin issues, worries, goals, etc. These are also referred to as the fundamentals, and we visited numerous doctors to validate their existence and provide general skin-care advice that can be used by both beginners and specialists. Here is your expert-backed beginner’s guide to skin care if you’re unclear of how to put together a skin-care routine (no judgment here) or you’re wanting to brush up on the fundamentals.
Put together — and stick to — a simple daily routine
Keep it basic when developing your first skin-care regimen, suggests a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
In Torrance, California, a board-certified dermatologist concurs. Keeping things simple is the most crucial piece of skin-care advice, according to Shokeen. “Start with the fundamentals, then grow as you see fit.”
The following three actions, carried out in the following order, should always be part of those fundamentals:
Step 1: Cleanse
The ideal scenario here is to cleanse your complexion twice daily, ideally in the morning and in the evening. Cleaning in the morning will help get rid of any sweat or oil that may have gotten on your pillow or in your hair while you were getting some beauty rest.
The twice-daily recommendation has one typical exception: dry skin. It’s acceptable to use plain water in the morning if you tend to be dry.
But you should never skimp on or neglect cleansing your skin at night.” It’s crucial to cleanse your skin at the end of the day to get rid of excess oil, sweat, dead skin cells, pollutants, and other impurities that accumulated on your skin throughout the day in addition to the skin care products and cosmetics you used in the morning.
According to experts, beginners should select a gentle, moisturizing face cleanser. “A moisturizing cleanser will be tolerated by all skin types. Additionally, she advises searching for one that has no scent, few chemicals (to prevent irritability), and ceramides and glycerin to maintain and rebuild the skin barrier.
Some tried-and-true cleanser choices that are great for skin-care beginners are Cetaphil’s popular Gentle Skin Cleanser and CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser (a 2019 Best of Beauty winner) (a multiple-Best of Beauty award winner).
Second step: moisten
Apply a moisturizer or other moisturizing product next. As this will be well accepted by [all] skin types, from acne-prone to sensitive, he explains, “I normally recommend an oil-free, fragrance-free moisturizer.”
In addition to these restrictions, you can use this step to simultaneously address particular skin issues by looking for a moisturizer that is made with additional compounds that address particular needs.
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser, a 2019 Best of Beauty winner, and Cetaphil’s popular Gentle Skin Cleanser are two tried-and-true cleanser choices that are excellent for skin-care beginners (a multiple-Best of Beauty award winner).
Step 2: Moisturize
After that, apply a moisturizer or other moisturizing lotion. He explains, “I usually suggest an oil-free, fragrance-free moisturizer as this will be well accepted in [all] skin types, from sensitive to acne-prone.”
Beyond these limitations, you can also use this phase to simultaneously address particular skin issues by looking for a moisturizer that’s made with additional ingredients that focus on particular requirements.
The general list of skin-care ingredients is a very long and ever-changing one, so for the purpose of this article, here are some of the top ones to know as they pertain to moisturizer:
- Hyaluronic acid: Plumps skin and restores lost hydration.
- Ceramides: Crucial for skin-barrier strength and overall health (and important for those with dry skin and eczema).
- Vitamin C: Provides antioxidant protection and overall skin brightening.
If you have oily or acne-prone skin, don’t think you can (or should) bypass daily moisturizer use. “Over-washing without the appropriate use of a moisturizer will actually trigger an overproduction of oil on your skin,” Shokeen explains.
No matter how oily or acne-prone your skin may feel, it will become dry without rehydration, and dried-out skin is irritated skin.
However, those with oily skin should seek out non comedogenic moisturizers. The term non comedogenic on a product label means that the ingredients will not block pores and cause further breakouts.
Step 3: Protect
Sunscreen is your first line of defense and protection against skin cancer.If you were to do nothing else for your skin, sun protection is the most important.
Opt for a sunscreen that is SPF 30 or higher, and apply it daily (even when it’s cloudy), always as the final step in your skin-care routine
When choosing which type of sunscreen to apply, there are two routes to go: Chemical or mineral-based (in some cases, both are combined into one formula). Mineral sunscreens work as a shield, blocking the sun’s rays from penetrating the skin, thanks to ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, protect the skin against UV rays by absorbing them, relying on ingredients such as octocrylene or avobenzone.
Add in extra steps as needed (or wanted)
Once you have a basic routine down, you can begin to add in extra steps here and there, as needed. A good place to start is with exfoliation, adding it in as an additional step once or twice per week using alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), which work in different ways to slough off excess buildup on the skin’s surface.
As with types of sunscreen, there are also two different methods of exfoliation you can choose between: Physical and chemical. The aforementioned AHAs and BHAs are chemical exfoliants, and they’re excellent for inducing cell turnover, increasing collagen formation, and improving dullness.
Physical exfoliation, on the other hand, is just what it sounds like — manually sloughing away dead skin cells, excess oil, and buildup via a face scrub. Sensitive skin types may want to steer clear of physical exfoliants, Shokeen says, as they can irritate the skin and can induce broken blood vessels.
Additional add-on steps you can rotate in and out of your routine as needed include serums and masks. Facial serums are high-potency, lightweight topicals that are formulated with a higher concentration of active ingredients — such as vitamin C and hyaluronic acid — to target more specific skin concerns. They should be layered underneath your moisturizer — a general rule of thumb is to apply products with a thinner consistency underneath thicker ones, such as moisturizers and oil.
You can also add in a face mask here and there — though she recommends doing so no more than once or twice per week. “Face masks should be used periodically,” she explains, and applied onto clean, dry skin. Seek out a face mask that’s formulated to target whatever specific skin concerns you’re facing that day; common examples include hydrating, clarifying, calming, and brightening masks.