There are a plethora of skin care products and brands available in the market. However, to be effective in your skin care routine, it should be straightforward, constant and practical. There are 5 basic skin care steps and routines which are essential to prevent skin aging. We know that there are different skin types which may need different skin care products. Nonetheless, these 5 basic skin care routines are suitable for all skin types.
What Are The 5 Basic Skin Care?
There are five essential skin care procedures that you should never omit in your skincare routine. These 5 steps include cleansers, exfoliants, retinoids, moisturizers and sunscreens.
- Cleansers
Some people wash their face with soap and water while they shower, but this is not recommended because facial skin is very delicate and sensitive. Instead, you should use cleansers which can effectively remove excess oil, makeup, debris, and dead skin cells while also preventing dehydration of the skin. This is the initial important step of your skin care.
First, use a facial wipe to remove all grease, dirt and dust from your face. Apply cleansers on your fingertips or a cotton wipe, and gently tap or wipe all over your skin. Then rinse your skin or face with lukewarm water. You may do this procedure twice a day, in the morning and at night to keep your skin cleanse at all times. The importance of this step is choosing the right cleansers according to your skin types, and not over irritating your skin while applying the cleansers. Remember to rinse your face after applying cleansers or it may make your skin too dry.
- Exfoliants
Exfoliation is used to brighten and smoothen the face, balance out pigmentation, unclog pores, and minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as exfoliants have the ability to remove the outer layers of dead skin cells. You may gently scrub your face with exfoliants for about twice a week to remove excess grime, oil, and perspiration; thrice a week if you have oily skin. Nevertheless, it must be performed after cleansing to ensure it functions properly. If you have rather sensitive skin, exfoliation may not necessarily be suitable for you, and may cause skin irritation if you overdo it. Hence, if you have never tried exfoliants before, you may start by once a week and watch for the effect.
- Retinoids or Toners
Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives that have been found to be beneficial in treating acne and decreasing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Toners on the other hand included active substances that completely cleanse your skin, eliminate germs, and help balance the pH levels of the skin. This step is particularly crucial because cleansing and exfoliating can open skin pores, allowing germs to enter and cause acne. Apply toner on a cotton pad and gently smooth it over your face everytime after cleansing, and use the same method to apply retinoids. However, retinoids may not be suitable for everyone as its contents may be sensitive to certain individuals. To be safe, start using retinoids once a week, then twice or thrice a week, followed by daily and/or up to everytime after cleansing.
- Moisturizers
After cleansing and exfoliation of your face, it is normal for your skin to become dehydrated and lose moisture. Therefore, moisturizing is the most crucial element of any skincare routine, regardless of your skin types, either dry or oily, sensitive or average. The efficient way to keep your skin hydrated, moisturise is to cover the forehead, nose, cheeks, chin, and neck evenly with a small quantity of moisturizer.
- Sunscreen, SPF
Sunscreen is a must-have since it protects the skin from UV radiation, which is a risk of causing skin cancer and premature ageing. Apply sunscreen all over the exposed skin at least 15 minutes before going outside, 30 minutes before going into water, and reapply every two hours if you remain outdoors. Check and purchase sunscreen with at least 30 SPF, which is the effectiveness of the sunscreen to block and filter UV rays. Sunscreens are typically less prone to irritate the skin, but sometimes they can be thick and pastier. So just choose whichever sunscreen of your preference to use on a daily basis, which you are comfortable with.
