Develop a daily skincare routine
Creating and consistently sticking to a 3 step skincare routine is essential to maintaining healthy, youthful skin. I developed a skincare routine when I was in high school and began using “anti-aging” skincare in my 30’s.
1) Cleanse your face before you go to bed
Make it a habit to wash your face nightly before you go to bed. You have probably heard it a hundred times; never sleep in your makeup. Sleeping with layers of cosmetics on our face interferes with the renewal process of our skin.
Cleanse your face with the best product for your skin type. You don’t have to spend a lot to get a quality cleanser. Brands like Cetaphil, Neutrogena, and Garnier offer drug store solutions for all skin types. There are formulas for oily, combination to oily and dry or sensitive skin. Cleansers, Garnier SkinActive Micellar Foaming Gel Cleanser Combination to Oily Skin, and Paula’s Choice DEFENSE Hydrating Gel-to-Cream Cleanser touted for all skin types get high marks from Beautypedia.
For those nights that you are exhausted, keep a stock of facial cleansing wipes handy. A couple of good brands to try are e.l.f and Simple.
2) Exfoliate your skin
Skin exfoliation is the second step in the skincare routine. Exfoliation clears clogged pores of dirt and oil and removes dead skin cells. I recommend
Chemical exfoliants use “friendly” acids to clear clogged pores of dirt, oil safely. Dead skin cells are removed from the skin’s surface, and new skin cells can then migrate to the surface.
You can dig into the science behind this if you want. However, all you need to know is, in simple terms, the skin has an average PH of 4.7, and an effective exfoliant should have a PH level between 3 and 4. Chemical exfoliators come in different strengths, and it is a good idea to start at a concentration level of 8 – 10%. You should allow your skin time to adjust to the treatment. You can always go up in strength as your skin adjusts.
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I did a quick search on BeautyPedia for product reviews of both classifications and was pleased to see there were many good options for AHA’s. I didn’t find the same number of options available for BHA’s. However, Beautypedia reviews on Alpha Enhanced Renewal Cream and Dual Action Skin Lightener indicate they are excellent choices for every skin type.
3) Moisturize and treat your skin
The third and final step in your skincare routine is to moisturize and treat your skin. I suggest anti-aging serums or moisturizers. I recommend looking for products that contain skin-nourishing ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinimide, Retinol, Ceramides, and Peptides.
As a general rule of thumb, apply retinoids in the evening, and use anti-oxidants like vitamin C during the day in conjunction with your sunscreen. If you read my blog, Anti-Aging; 3 Products for Younger Looking Skin.
you will already know about the four anti-aging products I recommend.
4) Protect your skin from the sun and enviornment
Apply broad-spectrum UVA/UVB SPF 30 sunscreen daily. Adding in a dose of antioxidants for example vitamin C provides an extra boost of protection against free radicals that can damage the skin. You can choose a sunscreen that contains antioxidants or add a booster to your sunscreen product.
Developing a skincare routine is an investment in yourself, so take the time to treat your skin to some love!
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