Skin Care Basics

A good skin is not only a source of confidence but also important for your health. The key to maintaining a beautiful skin is a good skin care routine. A skincare routine can be described as the set of activities you do in combination with the products you use to keep your skin healthy and radiant.

Dermatologists define three main steps in a skincare routine:

1. Cleansing
2. Treatment
3. Hydration.

In addition to performing these steps, it is important to think about what can be done to improve each one and to know what other daily actions can affect our skin health.

Here are some methods to follow for flawless skin:

1. Cleanse;
2. Treating;
3. Sun protection;
4. Moisturisation;
5. Healthy eating.

 

Cleansing

The first step is to cleanse the skin. It may sound easy, but there is much more to cleansing than one may think. Cleansing removes dirt, oil and other unwanted impurities. It is important to know which type of cleanser is right for your skin. Use gentle facial cleansers rather than aggressive products, which can break down your skin barrier and cause more damage. To find a gentle cleanser, go for products with natural ingredients. Avoid products with sodium lauryl sulphate, which is often associated with skin rashes, scalp scruff, allergic reactions, eye irritation and even hair loss. You can also use a toner to support the cleansing process. A tonic is useful as an extra moisturiser and can also get rid of certain impurities. An additional benefit is that they prepare your skin for other beauty products.

 

The treatment

This involves the use of serums and creams that are rich in essential vitamins and other useful ingredients. When treating the skin, one of the most recommended serums to use is vitamin C. Vitamin C has the advantage of reversing the damage our skin suffers from harmful sunrays and pollution. (+anti-oxidant) Other useful serums for facial skin are based on ingredients such as glycolic acid and hyaluronic acid. You will find serums in the form of oils, gels and light creams. Serums can be used for specific purposes:

• Getting rid of wrinkles 
• Minimising dark spots
• Treating acne
• Exfoliating
• Replenishing volume.

Within this last group belong the eye creams that aim at reducing puffiness and dark circles.

Sun protection 

Sunscreen is perhaps the most important part of one's skincare routine. According to dermatologists, protecting the skin from UV rays is important to prevent premature skin ageing. Don't skip sunscreen in your daily skincare routine, even if you don't go out or if it's not sunny. UV rays can still damage your skin, so it is important to use sun creams or serums regularly to protect your skin.

Moisturising

Keeping your skin hydrated is the final step in a good skincare routine. Hydration keeps your skin hydrated and helps strengthen the skin's barriers. The ingredients of moisturisers are usually water, glycerine, petrolatum and stearic acid. For added effect, some moisturisers may contain oils from coconut, jojoba and safflower. Moisturise your skin twice a day for better results.

 

Healthy eating

And finally, let's talk about eating healthy food. You can't have healthy, glowing skin if you don't eat healthy. Our skin is like a sponge, so whatever we eat will show up on our skin. You may have noticed that people with oily skin have acne if they eat mostly junk food or fried foods. Similarly, people who eat fresh fruit, juices and vegetables have a clearer complexion. Another part of a healthy diet is water. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and keep your skin glowing!

Starting point for your own routine

These are just the main steps to a good skincare routine. It is important to know your skin type before you start setting up your own routine. Most treatments should be carried out twice a day: once in the morning and the second time just before going to bed.