Did you know that we shed skin cells throughout the day? With new skin constantly being exposed, it is essential to keep it in good condition. Skin is also one of the most significant organs our body has, and since it works hard enough to protect our bodies from harmful elements, it would be a good idea to give it a helping hand. Practising an effective skin-care routine can help prevent acne, treat wrinkles, and keep us looking and feeling our best. With a sea of products and information, it is easy to drown in the proverbial pool of skin care. Here at GetLocal.ie, we have created this list of basics on a skin-care routine as a life vest for those who need somewhere to get started. Remember, all skin types are different, and what works for your favourite celeb or best friend might not work for you. So, start by looking at these tips and build the perfect routine for your skin.
getlocal.ieSkin Type
There are four basic types of healthy skin; normal, dry, oily, and combination. Before establishing a skin-care routine, you need to know your skin type. Think about how your skin acts after applying make-up or towards the end of your day. Check out the graph below to help you figure out which skin type you have.
Cleanse
Cleansing once in the morning and once before you sleep at night is an ideal place to start your skin-care routine. Your morning wash will help remove oil and sweat that has built up overnight. It is important to note that if your skin tends to be dry, you should only cleanse with water in the mornings or skip the morning wash altogether. It would be best if you never overlooked your evening scrub, as it removes skin care products, make-up, dead skin cells, sweat, oil, and debris that collect on your skin throughout the day. When choosing a facial cleanser, you should start with the gentle and hydrating one and then work from there. If you are unsure how your skin reacts to different additives, then grab a cleanser that is also fragrance-free and has minimal ingredients. We are trying to start a healthy skin-care routine here; not the fastest way to get to the GP office with an allergic reaction.
Moisturise
It doesn’t matter which skin type you have; moisturiser is perfect for incorporating into your daily skin-care routine. The oil glands that keep our skin healthy begin to slow down as we age, and fewer oils mean less healthy skin. When you moisturise, it helps those glands not have to work so hard and will keep your skin hydrated and refreshed. You might think that adding moisture to your face wouldn’t be a brilliant idea if your acne prone or your skin type is oily. You would be wrong because over-washing can cause your skin to overproduce oil which will then cause more of a breakout. When choosing the right moisturiser for your skin, look at the ingredients. Now, we know that the list of skin-care ingredients can be hard to pronounce, let alone logically make sense if you aren’t a scientist. So we have grabbed a list of some of the top ones to look out for:
- Ceramides: These are crucial for skin-barrier strength and overall health. This ingredient is extra essential if you have dry skin.
- Vitamin C: Provides antioxidant protection and overall skin brightening.
- Hyaluronic acid: Plumps skin and restores lost hydration.
Protect
The last step in your basic skin-care routine should be to protect. Even though this is the final step, it is the most important one. Sunscreen defends and protects your skin from skin cancer, so if implementing this list for your routine is hard, choose this step to begin with. Opt for a sunscreen that is SPF30 or higher, and apply it daily, even if it is cloudy outside. When choosing the right sunscreen for your skin, your options are chemical-based, mineral-based, or a combination of both. Chemical sunscreens protect the skin against UV rays by absorbing them through ingredients like avobenzone and octocrylene. Mineral sunscreens work as a shield using ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to keep UV rays from penetrating the skin. Some moisturisers contain sunscreen, which could combine two steps on this list into one! Look at you being a multi-tasking skin superstar.
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