Importance?
All over social media, many influencers do “Get Ready With Me” where they use millions of different products. That brings up the question: is that safe? Is that worth it? Is that even healthy? Honestly, skin care is beneficial and healthy as long as you use the right products for your type of skin, and the correct amount.
See, our skin is our one and only barrier from dirt, pollution, “external objects,” and the sun (its harmful rays). Skincare helps your skin maintain a good condition. Proper skin care can prevent diseases like skin cancer, acne, skin diseases, and damage.
What Should Your Skincare Routine Look Like?
A healthy skin routine really is customizable and tailored to you. Everyone’s skin is different and a healthy skin routine is only as good as the products you use. So, for the best skincare routine, you’ll have to experience different brands and products. However, always remember to do a skin patch test, on your hand or a small side of your face. Be very careful as your skin could be allergic to the products.
The following components are important to an effective skincare routine (but not definitely crucial):
Cleanser: It is used to wash your face. Remember, skincare depends on YOUR skin; if you have dry skin, you’ll want a cleanser that is alcohol-free and if you have oily skin then look for an oil-free cleanser. Lastly, always rinse with warm water. This is because hot water removes natural oils and also dehydrates your skin.
Toner: Restores nutrients and diminishes redness and dry patches.
Moisturizer: These should be used every time you wash your face. Like cleansers, it’s a bit tricky. This depends fully on your skin. If you have oily skin, use oil-free or gel products. Moisturizers prevent your skin from drying out, so it's very crucial.
Exfoliation: Exfoliators are entirely optional. These are usually after a cleanser but before a moisturizer, but ONLY once or twice a week. Exfoliation removes flaky skin, removes dead skin, and cleans pores.
Many dermatologists recommend chemical exfoliants over scrubs. This is because physical scrubs cause micro-tears and irritation on your skin's surface. This damages the natural protective barrier of your skin. Chemical exfoliants, however, break your dead skin cells with acids (less likely to disrupt the skin barrier).
Serum: This is again an optional addition to your skincare routine. This supports your skin health by calming redness and improving the texture and firmness of your skin.
Cleanser, toner, and moisturizer are crucial to your skincare. Exfoliation and serum are completely optional.
Sunscreen?
Sunscreen is an amazing addition to your skincare routine. It is very important, hence why it gets its very own section. Sunscreen protects your skin from UVA and UVB rays. These are types of UV rays that basically damage and cause skin issues like wrinkles, uneven skin tone, loss of firmness, and aging signs. If that still doesn't convince you, sunscreen protects your skin from skin cancer. Sunscreen should be worn every day whether there’s a hurricane outside, it's cloudy, rainy, humid, or the sunniest day of the year.
Now what is SPF? SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor which is the amount of protection that specific sunscreen provides against sunburn. It's basically measuring how long it would take for your skin to burn while wearing sunscreen. For example, if you wear SPF 30 sunscreen that means it takes 30 times longer for your skin to burn under the sun than if you weren't even wearing any type of sun protection or sunscreen. SPF protects your skin from the UVB rays. It is also important to mention that some makeup products also do contain SPH, and can be used as an alternative.
Lastly, is wearing sunscreen every day harmful? Recently, it has come to question whether sunscreen is even safe as it is absorbed into the bloodstream. However, the FDA hasn’t determined if it is harmful in any way and has suggested that it is important as it protects your skin from the sun.
Customizing Your Skin Care Routine
Remember your skin is different from everyone else’s. If you have oily skin, it's best to use moisturizer once (best at night). If you have dry skin, facial oil and moisturizers can help hydrate
your skin. If you have sensitive skin, skip the exfoliation step (or use a gentler exfoliant). Your skin care is only as good as the quality of your products. So make sure to use high-quality products that do not cause irritation to your skin.
All in all, your skin is your largest organ and should be taken care of. Different skin care can help you protect and make your skin healthier and clearer. Have fun experimenting and always value your skincare.
References
Northwestern Medicine. “Do You Really Need a Skin Care Routine?” Northwestern Medicine, www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/do-you-really-need-a-skin-care-routine. Accessed 12 Sept. 2024.
Reese, B. M., & Reese, M. (2022a, July 29). What is the importance of skin care?. Colorescience. https://www.colorescience.com/blogs/blog/importance-skin-care#:~:text=Using%20Correct%20Face%2DWashing%20Technique,open%20to%20lock%20in%20hydration.
Skin Center of South Miami. (2022, April 20). The importance of facials and skin care. https://www.skincenterofsouthmiami.com/2018/06/the-importance-of-facials-and-skin-care/
Written by Pooja Gopinathrao from MEDILOQUY