Sure, we’ve all heard that a simple and balanced daily skincare routine is a smart idea. But, with so many lotions, creams, and tips out there, it isn’t easy to know where to begin! Furthermore, time is of the essence; no one wants to waste hours in the shower. We’ve got you sorted! From why we should use a toner and how to improve your facial daily skincare routine (three minutes? Yes please!).
Here’s is a daily skincare routine that helps clean, refresh, and prepare your skin for the day and a well-deserved rest at night.
Daily skincare routine:
Step 1: Cleanse
What it does:
Cleansing the skin removes Sweat, oil, dirt, and other toxins that the skin normally absorbs during the day and night. It’s the first step in your new easy daily skincare routine.
How to do it:
Cleanse your skin twice a day, in the morning and at night, to keep your pores clear and your face fresh. Your cleanser may differ depending on the skin type. But the consensus is that all cleansers should be used in an upward, circular motion to prevent wrinkles from forming. To prevent excess dirt from entering your pores, make sure your hands are clean. If you have extremely sensitive skin, just using water would also do the trick!
Word of advice:
When cleansing your hands, avoid using harsh bar soaps because they tend to dry out your skin and cause it to overproduce sebum, the natural oils produced by your skin for protection. This contributes to clogged pores and breakouts.
Step 2: Tone
What it does:
There is a lot of misunderstanding around toner. And it may even seem unnecessary when you first start establishing a daily skincare routine. However, most experts believe that toning is an effective part of your daily skincare routine that positively impacts your skin. Toner is used when cleansing the skin to remove any residue left by the cleanser and any cosmetics or oils that the cleanser may have missed. The additional cleansing results help prepare your skin for moisturizer absorption while also minimizing pores’ appearance. Few toners may also have PH balancing and antiseptic properties.
How to do it:
Toner should be used immediately after cleansing the face while it is still damp. The simplest method is to use a cotton pad or cotton ball, soaked with toner, and wiping upwards, beginning at your neck.
Word of advice:
Most dermatologists say avoid harsh alcohol or citrus-based toners because they can damage and irritate the skin. Check to see if a toner fits you, and if not, remove this step from your routine.
Step 3: Exfoliate
What it does:
Our skin loses millions of skin cells every day. But those cells may build up on the surface of our skin and need extra assistance to be removed.
Exfoliating gets rid of the dead skin cells that have accumulated in our pores. If you have blackheads, acne, or breakouts, you won’t want to skip this step in your daily skincare routine.
How to do it:
Exfoliating should be done after toning and before moisturizing. Most dermatologists recommend that you exfoliate once to three days a week, depending on the skin type and how it reacts to exfoliation. Experiment to see what works best for you. Chemical exfoliators and granule exfoliators, such as sugar or salt scrubs, are available. Both can be useful for removing dead skin cells.
Still, chemical exfoliating additives such as AHA and BHA are often more effective at getting deep into the pores and removing buildup.
Word of advice:
Use chemical exfoliators containing AHA and BHA instead of conventional granule scrubs if you have blackheads, acne, or sun injury. Look for an exfoliator containing BHA, which penetrates deeply into your pores and can help acne and blackheads. If you have sun damage, AHA is your best option because it exfoliates the top layers of skin.
Step 4: Moisturize
What it does:
Moisturizing the skin creates a protective barrier that locks in moisture and keeps the skin hydrated. This hydration is responsible for the skin’s smooth, luminous appearance. This is an essential step in your daily skincare routine that you should not skip.
How to do it:
Select a moisturizer that is appropriate for your skin type—it may be a cream, lotion, gel, or oil. Then gently massage it onto your skin in an upward motion, being careful not to tug on the sensitive skin around your eyes. Give time for the moisturizer to sink in so that you can receive its full benefits.
Word of advice:
Select a moisturizer that is appropriate for your skin. People with oily skin should use lighter moisturizers, and those with dry skin should use thicker, richer creams.
Step 5: Apply SPF
What it does:
The sun is the most dangerous to the skin and the main source of skin cancer. That is why using an SPF-containing moisturizer or applying sunscreen after your moisturizer is critical for protecting the skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays and preserving a youthful and healthy appearance.
How to do it:
Apply an SPF of at least 15 to your face during the day. And choose a higher SPF if you plan to be out in the sun a lot. According to one study, apply sunscreen to uncovered areas 15 to 30 minutes before walking out in the sun, then reapply 15 to 30 minutes after sun exposure starts.
Word of advice:
Whenever it wears off, reapply it every few hours.
Step 6: Making your daily skincare routine smart
Skin tests should be part of your daily skincare routine. Your skin is your body’s largest organ. This means that it is important to take proper care of it, which comes with some risks. Skin cancer is fastest-growing cancer, affecting one of every five people—Check in every three months to monitor progress and detect any changes early.
The ones to consider:
Vitamin C (best for the morning)
Dr. Ewoma recommends using vitamin C before moisturizing and applying SPF. It’s a good idea to have in your arsenal because it can fight inflammation, neutralize free radicals in pollution (which can exacerbate aging), and increase brightness. It is especially beneficial for city dwellers.
What About Eye Creams?
We left this step out of our routine guideline because you can use your usual daytime and nighttime moisturizers around your eyes. If you want to use a separate eye cream, choose based on how dry the skin around your eyes is as well as any other concerns you might have, such as wrinkles or puffiness.
Apply the eye cream before sunscreen during the day, or look for an eye cream with built-in sun protection.
The Bottom Line
So you’re all set to start your daily skincare routine! It won’t take you hours because one thing is certain: after you’ve learned the basics, everything will be easy-peasy.
