What is the best skin care routine?
What’s the Best Skin Care Routine for Glowing Skin?
We get asked all the time, “What should I be doing regularly to preserve a youthful look?” To that we answer (no, sometimes shout), you need a good, consistent skin care routine! Of course, everyone’s skin is different, so the best skin care routine for you, may not be the best routine for someone else. If you have sensitive skin, you might find it hard to find products that do not cause itchiness, redness, dryness, or some other reaction. With so many products on the market, choosing the right one might feel overwhelming or confusing.
But fear not! Our team is here to offer you the right information on the products you should be using so you can confidently build out the best skin care routine for YOU and enjoy a natural, youthful glow throughout your lifetime.
The Four Foundational Steps of Any Skin Care Routine
Let’s start with the basics! There are four areas you will need to address when you design a skin care regimen:
- Cleansing
- Treating
- Moisturizing
- Protecting
Choose the Right Cleanser
A cleanser that is mild on your skin, yet strong enough to remove oil, dirt, bacteria, and make-up is key as the first step in the best skin care routine. For example, our own Nurturing Botanical Wash, is a favorite with our patients. However, there are many cleansers on the market. They generally fall into two categories: bar soaps and liquid cleansers. While both can get the job done, we recommend sticking with cleansing creams, lotions, or oils if you have sensitive skin. Additionally, liquid cleansers with foaming action are harsh and can irritate your skin.
Boost Your Skin’s Health with Vitamin-rich Serums
Serums and other treatment products help keep your skin looking its best by replenishing important nutrients. Serums contain high concentrations of skin-boosting ingredients like antioxidants, vitamins, and peptides, these products should be applied after cleansing but before moisturizing so your clean skin can absorb the benefits. Even though serums are concentrated and vary in their ingredients based on what you are trying to treat, they should be a part of your regular skin care routine to yield the best results. Long-term use helps to prevent and reverse signs of aging, while also keeping your skin hydrated and healthy.
A word of caution: Watch for serums that contain alpha-hydroxy or retinol. These ingredients tend to over-dry the skin and cause irritation, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Maintain a Healthy Skin Barrier
Since our bodies are made up of nearly 70% water, it is very important to keep the largest organ (your skin) well hydrated! Moisturizers help hydrate the skin and prevent water loss, which can be more common in people with sensitive skin. Again, there are many products on the market in this category. We recommend choosing a thick cream moisturizer for the most effective water retention and products that are free from fragrances and preservatives.
Protect Your Skin Now and in the Future
Of all the skin care steps, protection from the sun may be the most important! When it comes to choosing a sunscreen, the best advice is to just choose one that you will wear daily! Some protection is better than none. However, if you have sensitive skin, or want to know more about the ingredients, we recommend sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, known as physical or mineral sunscreens.
Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide create a physical barrier on the skin, preventing the sun’s rays from getting through. They are also gentler on sensitive skin. Look for broad spectrum with SPF 30 or higher, and non-comedogenic. Wear sunscreen every single day, regardless of rain or shine, because UV rays will come through clouds and windows and damage skin no matter what it’s like outside!
Ready to Develop Your Best Skin Care Routine? Schedule an Appointment
Dr. Desjarlais and his staff are ready to meet with you to discuss your skin care and offer solutions to any issues or sensitivities you may need to address. Helping our patients become the healthiest, most youthful version of themselves is our number one priority. Contact us!
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