Developing a practical skincare routine can be challenging for anyone, but it’s especially difficult for young adults. From finding out your unique skin type to trying out countless beauty products, there’s no denying how frustrating and overwhelming it is to discover what works best for you and what doesn’t. Nevertheless, it’s imperative that you take the time to discover these answers now so that you can adequately protect and care for your skin. To do this, you must first concentrate on building an effective daily skincare routine. If you’re unsure of where to start, don’t panic. Just follow this simple guide!
Understand Your Skin Type
Understanding your skin type is arguably the most essential step to creating the most effective skincare routine. This will make it easier to determine which products you’ll need to keep your skin looking and feeling healthy. To evaluate your skin type, analyze the amount of water and oil in your skin. Depending on how well the two balance out, the type of product you’ll need may vary. For example, if your skin produces more oil than it does water, you probably have an oily skin type, which is a common skin concern for teens once hit puberty. As a result, you might be struggling with things like acne or excess shine. Lucky for you, oily skin can be treated with several over-the-counter options. It might take some trial and error before you find out which ones are most suitable for your unique skin.
Oily skin may benefit from products that contain an ingredient like retinol, which works to boost cell turnover and clear out your pores. Still, you must keep in mind that not all oily skin is the same. Depending on other personal factors like age, genetics, and hormone levels, finding the right skincare products can be tricky. For some females, the same over-the-counter acne products may prove to be successful throughout their teen and adult years. Other females, however, may not be as lucky and choose to speak with a doctor about getting a prescribed acne treatment if the issue remains prevalent once they’ve reached adulthood.
Cleanse Skin 2 Times a Day
After you’ve categorized your skin type and carefully selected your skincare products, it’s time to develop a routine. Cleansing your face when you wake up in the morning and before going to bed at night, is necessary for clean and clear skin. Not only will it work to remove dirt and other impurities from your skin, but it will also refresh your complexion. In the morning, the cleanser should be the first skincare product you apply to your skin. At nighttime, cleanser should come directly after you remove any makeup you wore throughout the day.
Before you use your cleanser, splash some lukewarm water on your face. When you’re done, apply your cleanser to the tips of your fingers and massage the product onto your skin in a circular motion. Do this for about 60 seconds, then rinse with water. To finish up, grab a towel or washcloth and gently pat your skin dry.
Apply Toner (optional)
Similar to a cleanser, toners are used to freshen your skin by removing oils from the skin and replenishing it with moisture. Although this is an optional skincare step, the benefits of facial toners are great for all skin types and ages.
If you do choose to use a toner, make sure you apply it after your cleanser in the morning and at night. Normally, toners come in liquid form and may either be applied to your face with a light spritz or with a cotton pad.
Hydrate Skin Using a Moisturizer
Regardless of whether or not your skin is oily, moisturizers are a must-have product for your daily skincare regimen. This is because moisturizers add a protective layer to your skin, while also keeping it hydrated. As you age, your skin’s ability to retain moisture weakens over time. Therefore, getting into the habit of using it now will allow you to maintain your youthful complexion later in life.
Moisturizers should be one of the last steps to your daily skincare routine. When you wash your face regularly, it’s easy for the skin’s surface to get stripped of its natural hydrators. This is why it’s best to spread it all over your face and neck afterward. For those of you with dry skin, consider applying a heavier moisturizing cream at night to repair and restore dehydrated areas of your skin.
Protect With Sunscreen
Finally, wrap up your daytime skincare routine by putting on a light layer of sunscreen. Daily use of sunscreen can help prevent future fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots that typically occur from excess sun exposure. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, wearing a water-resistant, broad-spectrum protection sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 is best.
For the perfect coverage, use a pea-sized amount of sunscreen on your face and neck and wait 15-30 minutes before going outdoors. Or, if you’re running short on time, you can also skip the sunscreen entirely if you have other skincare products that meet the recommendations of the American Academy of Dermatology. From face moisturizers to certain skin cosmetics, keeping your skin protected has never been so effortless!
