Your skin, the largest organ on the body, is exposed daily to environmental factors ranging from UV rays to blue lights to pollution. Left unaddressed, these factors can lead to premature aging and increased risk of skin cancer. However, with proper care and maintenance, your skin can reach its full potential, leaving you feeling beautiful and confident.
Everyone’s skin is different meaning that skin concerns, issues and goals also vary. A basic skincare routine is beneficial for all skin types. The basics of such a routine should include three steps, cleansing, moisturizing and protecting, performed daily in that order.
- Clean your face twice per day (morning and night) using a gentle cleanser. Pat skin dry.
- Moisturize your skin after washing, both morning and night, with a moisturizer selected for your skin type. Non-comedogenic moisturizers, which won’t clog your pores, are always a good choice. Yes, moisturizer should be used even on oily and acne-prone skin.
- Protect your skin by wearing sunscreen daily, even on cloudy days. The best protection comes from a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. Sunscreen should always be the last step in your daily skin care routine and never be skipped.
Once you have developed a good skincare regimen and made it part of your daily routine, you can start adding in extra steps as needed. Some of the most common “extras” include the use of eye creams, a toner to regulate skin’s PH level, vitamin C to brighten and protect and hyaluronic acid to plump skin and further restore hydration. Whatever skin care routine you implement, consistency is key.
If you are ready to explore options outside of your personal, at-home, skincare routine, a professional facial is a good place to start. A facial is a skin care treatment that cleans, exfoliates and nourishes your skin. When booking a facial, select a treatment that can be customized to your skin, uses products that are beneficial to your skincare journey and performed by a licensed professional. Since your skin sheds and produces new cells monthly, a facial every four to six weeks is ideal.
When you take good care of your skin, you can expect overall improvement in your complexion, resulting in healthier, more youthful looking skin.
