The Ultimate Guide to Building a Natural Skincare Routine
This might come as a shock but having great skin is neither miracle nor luck. Great skin needs the right care to stay healthy and glowing. The reality is that our lifestyle and environment have such great influence over the general health and state of our skin. One great example of an environmental factor is sun exposure. Overexposure to the sun's UV rays may cause premature aging of the skin and signs of sun damage such as wrinkles, leathery skin and liver spots. Luckily there are steps you can take to repair and manage what is in actuality, the largest organ in the human body. Read on for the ultimate guide to building a the best skincare routine possible.
A. Know Your Skin: Skin Types Explained
The first step towards healthy skin is knowing your skin and opting for a skincare regimen accordingly. You are unique and so too should be your skin care routine.
Here is a brief look at the FIVE skin types and their characteristics:
Dry Skin: tight, rough and sometimes flaky
Oily Skin: oily, greasy, most likely large visible pores
Normal Skin: neither dry nor oily. It is clear and balanced
Combination Skin: dry in some spots (cheeks) and oily in others (usually the T-zone: forehead, nose and chin)
Sensitive skin: redness, itching, overly dry, may burn with the application of certain skincare products or makeup.
B. The Skincare Routine
The best skincare routine is the one that is easy, quick and effective. There are FIVE daily crucial steps that must be followed in order to achieve healthy, glowing skin. Then there are TWO weekly steps that should also be implemented if you truly want to kick it up a notch. Here’s is a quick glance at these steps listed in the order in which they should be done.
Daily
Cleansing
Toning
Serum
Moisturizing
Sunscreen
Weekly
Exfoliation
Mask
1. Cleansing: For Different Skin Types
Cleansing is the first and most important step in any skincare routine. It removes dirt, dust, makeup residue and excess oil from your skin. Proper cleansing also prepares your skin for the next set of products in your skincare routine.
An IDEAL cleanser should be:
Gentle
Foaming ingredients in cleansers often interfere with your skin's natural pH and can damage your skin. Opt for a mild foaming cleanser that is clean, natural and free of harsh chemicals.
Moisture Restoring
Your skin should feel squeaky clean and fresh but not dry and tight. Make sure to choose a cleanser that does not strip away the moisture from your skin.
Deep Cleansing ( but not over cleansing)
A cleanser should deep cleanse to remove dirt and debris from your skin, but not over cleanse. Learn the difference. A deep cleanser should not remove the skin’s natural oils. Over cleansing usually disrupts the skin's natural barrier, making it prone to bacterial infections.
Tip: Use your cleanser twice-a-day as part of your daily skincare routine. Once in the morning and once in the night before bedtime.
Best Cleansers for Dry Skin
Cleansers for dry skin should contain ingredients that have a moisturizing effect on the skin. You don't want to dry out your skin further with the use of harsh cleansers. Pick a cleanser that has hydrating ingredients like Aloe Vera, glycerin and essential oils.
Cleanse