Having a skincare routine can be beneficial in many ways. Keeping a skincare routine helps keep your skin stay hydrated, protects your skin, and prevents blemishes. Because many people do not think that properly taking care of their skin is necessary, they do not have skincare routines. It is important to start looking out for your skin because as we age our skin loses hydration, brightness, and collagen. Collagen is a protein that strengthens and keeps our skin from sagging. 

Skin types 

There are four different skin types: oily, dry, normal, and combination skin. Each skin type responds differently to certain products and ingredients which is why it is important to know what skin type you have as it will determine what type of products you should use. 

If you have oily skin your face usually looks greasy and your skin is prone to acne breakouts. Oily skin is caused by the excess production of sebum. Sebum is produced to help keep the skin moisturized and acts as a waterproofing mechanism that keeps water from leaving your body. It also acts as a barrier to protect the skin from bacteria and fungal infections. 

Dry skin is usually flaky and has a rough texture. It can cause irritation and sometimes feel tight because it does not have enough moisture. Normal skin is neither oily nor dry. It has a good balance of blood circulation and sebum production. 

Lastly, there is combination skin which is a mixture of oily and dry skin. Usually, when having this skin type, the cheeks will be dry but the T-zone will be oily. The T-zone is the area that includes the forehead, chin, and nose. It is usually more oily than other areas, shines, and develops impurities throughout the day.

Cleanser

There are three fundamental products to include in your everyday routine. The first is having a good face wash. This will help ensure that you get all of the dirt, allergens (which can be fragrances or things that may cause allergic reactions), and makeup off of your face. When looking for a good face wash, make sure that it has no fragrances or alcohol. It is also important to avoid exfoliators and other products that contain glycolic acid which dries out the skin. An example of this would be the commonly used St. Ives scrub which is commonly used but is not good for everyday use. These types of products can cause dry or irritated skin as it is meant to exfoliate once in a while. You should take your skin type into account when picking out these products. 

There are different types of cleansers, such as clay, oil-based, cream, gel, and foam cleansers. Foam cleansers create a lather and are more suitable for oily skin as they remove excess oil and dirt from your face. A face cleanser is made to purify and soothe the skin these are usually watery, creamy, or more gel-like while face wash is made to clean your pores more deeply. It is important to use a good moisturizer after using foam cleansers as it strips the skin of oils. 

Gel cleansers are used for a deep cleanse of the skin and are always clear. They are made for oily or sensitive skin and it is a great way to clean your face without being too harsh. These types of cleansers are good for unclogging pores, controlling acne, removing excess oils, and can easily be used twice a day. 

Clay cleanser draws out any excess oil and toxins from your pores. They are good for oily, combination, and sensitive skin. They are great at keeping away acne and unclogging pores. It is highly recommended that clay cleansers are only used in summer. 

Oil-based cleansers are suitable for all skin types. They are good for removing waterproof makeup and cleaning clogged pores. Oil-based cleansers are not meant to be used by themselves and should be paired with your regular face wash right after. 

Lastly, cream cleansers hydrate the skin while also deep cleaning it. Because of their thicker consistency, they are good for removing makeup. Cream cleansers are for all skin types and should be used especially in the winter. 

Moisturizer

Moisturizer should be applied twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed. Many people believe that moisturizers and lotion are the same things but moisturizers are specifically for the face and are more hydrating. Face cream is thicker than body lotion as lotion has a higher water content to be easily spread and absorbed by the skin. If lotion is used on the face it will most likely cause breakouts and clogged pores due to the lotions formulation containing oil.

Moisturizers replenish the moisture in the skin male the skin soffit brighter. There may be some moisturizers with SPF which protect against the sun. These can be helpful to protect the face throughout the day. Some moisturizers may contain vitamin c if they do they can prove to be more helpful as they can even out the skin tone and fade dark spots.

Humectant moisturizers contain hyaluronic acid or other acids which hydrate the skin by drawing moisture from the air to the outer skin layers. Occlusives are oil ingredient moisturizers which may be beeswax, silicone, and petroleum jelly. These provide a protective seal over the skin to prevent the loss of moisture. Emollient moisturizers have oil-based ingredients such as cocoa butter, collage, and shea butter. These moisturizers tend to work by filling in the crevices in the skin to make it look smoother. Some emollients may be used to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles as they contain collagen.

If you have dry skin it is usually better to use a cream moisturizer for dryness because it is thicker. Dry skin may need humectants to draw in moisture and oil ingredients to retain moisture. A moisturizing cream is ideal as it contains both oil and water ingredients. These moisturizers may feel heavier on the skin and take longer to dry due to the ingredients.

 Gel moisturizers are lighter and are good for acne-prone skin. If you have oily skin the best moisturizer to use is gel as it is water-based and oil-free. 

If you have combination skin you can try different types of moisturizers like gel base or cream as different things may work for everyone. It is important to buy fragrance-free moisturizers and more so if you have sensitive skin as fragrances may have irritants. 

It is important to add sunscreen as the final step in your daily routine. Even if you are inside, wearing sunscreen is important as UVA rays penetrate through glass. The higher SPF provides more protection for the skin so make sure to keep this in mind before buying. 

Creating a daily routine can not only improve your skin but may also improve your daily mood as you refresh yourself in the morning and before bed.