The Ultimate Skincare Guide for Day and Night
Skin is complicated. Finding a skincare routine that works for you? Even more complicated. While some people are blessed with good genes and great skin, most of us are not. From sensitive skin to fine lines and dry skin, there are countless skin woes we have to worry about. And let's not forget acne... hormones, stress, junk food, and certain skincare products can cause a pimple to appear out of nowhere. We wish there was a magic potion to make all these issues disappear, but we don't live in a fairytale. The good news is, there is skincare out there that does work. You can achieve glowing, healthy skin by utilizing a good skincare regimen, and by eating anti-inflammatory foods that heal the gut and boost your skin health from the inside out. Through a combination of skincare, diet, and regularly seeing a dermatologist or esthetician, you can get your skin on track to where you want it to be. There's so many differing opinions on which skin products you should use. The truth is, there's likely a lot of trial and error that will need to be done until you find a regimen that works for you. It could be one brand, or a combination of products from different brands that provides the right treatment and maintenance necessary for your skin. From elaborate skincare routines that include several products and devices, to simple routines that involve two steps, there's something that works for everyone. Read on to find out more about skincare and skin types, and learn about the ultimate skincare guide for day and night.
Is a simple skincare routine better?
You know what they say: less is more. In most cases, this is definitely true. If you have little to no issues with your skin, or if you have problematic skin, your skincare routine can be as simple as cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. That's it! These are the three most important steps of any skincare routine, whether it's simple or elaborate. Cleanser removes dirt, impurities, and makeup. Moisturizer repairs the skin barrier and hydrates your skin. Sunscreen protects against UVA and UVB sun damage, which causes wrinkles, sun spots, and can worsen scarring and pigmentation. It also helps prevent against skin cancer. Even on cloudy and rainy days, make sure to use SPF, because the sun's rays can still penetrate your skin. If you have extremely sensitive skin, you might want to try cutting out all the extra serums and creams. When you mix too many ingredients and products, it's possible your skin will have a reaction, especially if it is sensitive. You want to calm the skin down, reduce inflammation, and restore your skin to a "normal" state. That's why it's best to use only what is absolutely necessary, and slowly start to add more products in if you think you need them. Just because you see 20-step skincare routines on Instagram and YouTube doesn't mean you need that many products to achieve the results you want.
Do you really need a skincare routine?
At the end of the day, you know your skin best, and you know what to do to make it look its best. Some people swear by just splashing some water on their face and using no products at all. But, it's important to think about the future of your skin. Maybe you don't need products right now because you have a strong skin barrier, but not cleansing and moisturizing could affect your skin later in life. As we age, our skin barrier breaks down and we have a decrease in natural collagen production. This leads to wrinkles, dead skin cells, dark spots, and other skin concerns, no matter your skin type. That's why having a skincare routine now will help prevent these issues from occurring. You can stick with the simple skincare routine we outline above for both day and night (minus the sunscreen at night), or you can try a more extensive routine if your skin is less prone to sensitivity.
Your morning skincare routine can include the basic cleanse, moisturize, and sun protection (try and use at least SPF 30). This is also a time to use extra hydrating products like hyaluronic acid, or antioxidant serums that help prevent damage from free radicals you may encounter during the day. Your nighttime skincare routine can include a cleanser, makeup remover, a toner, a heavier night cream, and products with more active ingredients such as vitamin C, retinol, exfoliators, and acid-based products (such as beta hydroxy acid and alpha hydroxy acid). Some people like to do a double cleanse at night, especially if they were wearing makeup. This involves first using a cleansing oil or micellar water, and following that with a gel cleanser or foaming cleanser. You can also use an eye cream to help with puffiness and dark circles. The eye area is especially delicate, so it's important to be gentle when applying your cream. Don't tug or pull the skin. Exfoliants can be either chemical or physical, meaning either the product itself breaks down dead skin, or there are tiny particles in the product that physically scrub the dead skin off. There are also devices with brushes that physically exfoliate as well. Your nighttime routine is also a great time to use a face mask for any specific issues you may have. Some people use face masks once a week, while others use them nightly.
How do you get clear skin?
There's not one straight answer or path when it comes to clearing up your skin. The first step is to see a dermatologist to address any of your concerns. That way, you will know if you have any underlying issues and which types of products will be beneficial for your skin concerns. Something that many people don't consider is how their diet can affect their skin. You may be using good, quality skincare products, and find your issues still persist. This may be due to certain foods you are eating. For example, dairy and greasy foods can often lead to pimples. Try cutting these things out and then see if your skincare then works better. For an issue that is internal, it's likely external products won't help. Rosacea is a similar problem. It's caused from inflammation, and can be triggered by various external conditions, foods, drinks, and products. Finding and eliminating your triggers may do more for controlling the rosacea than actual products will. Supplements like turmeric and vitamins, like A and C, that promote skin health can be helpful. Finding snacks and foods that help keep your skin clear is essential as well. Kalumi BEAUTYfood is skincare you can eat. It works from the inside out to assist with skin issues like hydrating, brightening, and breakouts. With ingredients like lemon, sweet potato, yacon syrup, and cocoa, the bars are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and other beauty-boosters that can help improve your skin and overall health. The bars also contain 12 grams of hydrolyzed marine collagen, which can help with a variety of issues including acne, wrinkles, lack of glow, and hydration. Many beauty products can temporarily fix damage and skin issues externally. What really matters is strengthening and healing the skin from the inside out, in order to maintain skin health and beauty. It may take time, but there is a regimen that will work for you.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Sources:https://www.nytimes.com/guides/tmagazine/skincare-routine
https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/order-of-skin-care
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-build-a-skin-care-routine
