Having a good daily skincare routine can be a great first step to achieving a healthier and radiant glow. Here are 5 tips to help you set up your ideal daily skincare routine:
1. Drink plenty of water
Drinking plenty of water is essential in helping the skin stay hydrated and nourished. Aim to consume 8 glasses of water a day to keep your liver and circulation healthy, and your skin glowing
2. Exfoliate
Regular exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells and clogged pores and is an important step to get a beautiful, radiant complexion. Go for an exfoliator that’s appropriate for your skin type – physical scrubs for oily skin and chemical exfoliators for dry and combination skin.
3. Cleanse
Cleansing helps rid the skin of dirt and debris. The key is to find a cleanser that is appropriate for your skin type so that you don’t strip away important natural oils or over-saturate the skin.
4. Moisturize
Moisturizing is a key step of skincare to prevent loss of hydration. Even oily skin needs to be moisturized. Choose a moisturizer based on your skin type and be sure to apply it twice a day.
5. Protect
Don’t forget to protect your skin from the sun’s damaging rays. Make sure to apply a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher and re-apply every two hours or after swimming or sweating.
Bonus Tips
- Eat Healthily: Eating healthy foods like fruits and vegetables helps promote healthy, glowing skin.
- Get Enough Sleep: Get a minimum of 7 hours of restful sleep to give your skin time to repair and recover.
- Stress Management: Reduce stress levels as this can negatively affect your skin. Yoga, meditation and exercise are great ways to destress.
With these simple tips, you’ll be well on your way to having healthy, radiant skin. So, remember to drink plenty of water, exfoliate, cleanse, moisturize and protect your skin everyday – your complexion will thank you!
What should I consider when creating a skincare routine?
1. Know Your Skin Type: It’s important to understand your skin type in order to choose the right products that won’t dry out or irritate your skin.
2. Choose Products That Address Your Needs: Once you understand your skin type and any specific concerns you have, it’s time to create a routine that focuses on those needs.
3. Learn How to Layer the Products: Layering products correctly will maximize their effectiveness.
4. Use Sunscreen As Part of Your Routine: Sun protection is an essential part of any skincare routine.
5. Don’t Forget About Your Neck and Chest: Your neck and chest are just as important as your face when it comes to anti-aging and sun protection.
6. Overhaul Your Routine as Needed: As your skin changes over time, it’s important to adjust your skincare routine accordingly.
What are the most important steps in a skincare routine?
1. Cleansing: Start with a gentle cleanser to remove dirt, oil, and makeup without stripping away your skin’s natural oils.
2. Toning: Use a toner to balance the pH of your skin, shrink pores, and remove any excess dirt.
3. Serums and Treatments: Utilize skin-specific treatments and serums that address your specific skin concerns.
4. Moisturizing: Apply a moisturizer to help lock in hydration.
5. Sun Protection: Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher each day to protect skin from UVA and UVB rays.
6. Eye Cream: Use a dedicated eye cream to soothe, moisturize, and tighten the delicate skin around the eyes.
7. Exfoliating: Use an exfoliating scrub or mask up to twice a week to remove dead skin cells and reveal brighter skin.
What ingredients should be avoided in a skincare routine?
1. Fragrance (Synthetic and Natural): Fragrance, or parfum, is a common ingredient in skincare, but can be irritating and can cause redness and allergic reactions.
2. Parabens: Parabens are used as preservatives in skincare to extend shelf life and can be irritants and may be mildly hormone disruptive.
3. Sulfates and Phthalates: Commonly used as foaming agents and plasticizers, these ingredients can be irritating and suspected as endocrine disruptors.
4. Petrochemicals: Found in face creams, styling gels, and eye shadows, these are chemicals made from petroleum and can cause sensitization, dryness, and the thinning of the skin.
5. Oxybenzone: Commonly found in sunscreen, oxybenzone is a chemical that can cause allergic reactions, hormone disruption, and skin sensitization.
What ingredients should be avoided in natural skincare?
1. Parabens: Parabens are a type of chemical preservative used to extend the shelf life of skincare products. Studies have linked their use to hormone disruption, reproductive toxicity, and even breast cancer.
2. Synthetic Fragrances: Synthetic fragrances can contain hundreds of ingredients, many of which are toxic and have been implicated in asthma, allergies, headaches and hormone disruption.
3. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate/Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS/SLES): These ingredients are harsh detergents and surfactants commonly used in shampoos and body washes. They are known to be skin irritants and have been linked to cancer and endocrine disruption.
4. Phthalates: Phthalates are used in many personal care products to help fragrances last longer. These chemicals have been linked to reproductive and developmental issues, as well as infertility.
5. Formaldehyde-releasing Preservatives: Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen and yet it is still used as a preservative in some skincare products. Products containing formaldehyde-releasing preservatives are best avoided.
