How to Establish a Good Skin Care Routine

The key to flawless and youthful skin is sticking to a good skincare routine. Establishing a routine that will keep your skin looking it’s best takes time, but with these simple steps you can make a plan that works best for you.

Step 1: Figuring Out Your Skin Type

Before beginning a new skincare routine it is important to figure out what type of skin you have. This will make the difference in the products you will want to buy.

Normal Skin: Normal skin is usually smooth and even and does not contain many blemishes. This type of skin is the easiest to care for.

Dry Skin: Dry skin is categorized by flakes of dry and dead skin on the face. If you have this skin type you may notice a dull and ashen look or you may even have red patches in some places.

Oily Skin: People with oily skin often notice a shiny look to their face. Characteristics of this skin type also include black and white heads or other blemishes.

Combination Skin: Combination skin is a mixture of normal, oily and dry skin. Most common is an oily T-Zone which starts at the fore head, down the bridge of the nose to the chin. In most cases the rest of the skin is normal to dry.

Sensitive skin: Sensitive skin is prone to irritation. This irritation can be caused by the use of skin products or environmental factors.

Step 2: Choosing a Daily Face Wash

There are a variety of products sold for all of the skin types and when selecting a daily face wash it is important to choose one that works best for you. One of the best ways to achieve healthy and radiant skin is to wash you face with a good cleanser and warm water twice daily. Once in the morning to wash away any oils or dead skin that have accumulated over night and once before bed to cleanse the skin of any makeup or dirt that may have built up throughout the day.

Step 3: Toners, and Moisturisers

Aside from washing with a good cleanser, there are other products that should be incorporated into a good skincare routine.

Toners: Toner should be applied directly after washing and drying the face. Toner helps to shrink down the pores and eliminate any oils that may still be lingering on the skin. Remember to use cotton swabs to apply toner and not your hands which may contain dirt and oils.

Moisturiser: A good moisturiser is a great way to keep skin hydrated and protected throughout the day. There are a variety of moisturisers to chose from out there. Some include UV protection which can shield your face from the harmful rays of the sun. Others are specifically formulated for dry or oily skin types. Remember to always choose the one that works best for you.

Step 4: Additional Skin Treatments

Everyone’s skin is a little bit different so you may need additional products to keep your skin looking its best. If you have persistent blemishes you may need to employ an acne treatment. There are many over the counter solutions but a dermatologist can prescribe something suited to your skin. Another popular product is anti-aging and wrinkle creams.

These are great for firming the skin and creating a more youthful appearance.

Step 5: Stop Picking

One of the worst things you can do to to your skin is to aggravate blemishes by picking at them. It is important to try to avoid touching your face as much as possible as the oils in your hands can clog pores and create other skin problems. If you do have a blemish you want to fix, you should apply a spot treatment before bed. These can drastically decrease redness and swelling overnight and even clear them up altogether.

Establishing and sticking to a skin care routine may be a challenge at first, but if you keep it up you can get your skin looking better than ever!