Canadian seasons can be rough on your skin. You might end summer with dewy skin, only for it to become itchy and dry as soon as the temperature plummets. It can be challenging to stay on top of taking care of your skin and ensuring it looks its best all year long.
Incorporating a skin care routine into your morning and nighttime habits is a great way to nourish your skin. Your skin is your body’s largest organ. You need to give it as much attention as you give the rest of your body.
Your skin works hard to protect you from pollutants and other harmful materials every day. This guide will discuss why implementing and adhering to a skin care routine is important.
Why You Need a Skin Care Routine
A regular skin care routine will ensure you have healthy and beautiful skin for many years. Personalize your routine to fit your needs and skin type.
Maintain Healthy Skin
It takes time to achieve an amazing glow. A clear complexion and reduced wrinkles don’t happen overnight, either. Sticking to a consistent routine each day will help ensure your skin gets the nourishment it needs.
Your skin also changes every day. That’s because the outer layer sheds so the new skin underneath can appear. Failing to shed old skin cells will result in your complexion looking dull.
In addition to your regular skin care routine, you’ll also want to get rid of dead skin cells by exfoliating. You can do this a few times a week.
Preventing Skin Conditions
Many people suffer from various skin conditions. Some of these include:
- Acne
- Psoriasis
- Alopecia
- Rosacea
- Contact dermatitis
You can tailor your skin care routine to address any condition you might be dealing with. You can either treat the symptoms of a condition, or if possible, prevent it from occurring in the first place. Speaking with a health care professional can help you determine if you have one of these conditions, and how best to treat or prevent it.
How to Pick a Skin Care Routine
There are two things you should consider when picking a skin care routine. A great routine should address the following:
- Cleansing
- Toning
- Moisturising
There is a wide range of products that can be incorporated into your routine based on these factors.
Consider Your Skin Type
Care for different skin types varies on whether your skin is dry, oily, or a combination of the two. Research to find the best products for your skin type.
The Types of Products
Figuring out the difference between serums and face oils can be challenging, especially for beginners. Let’s discuss the different types of products you might look into.
Cleanser
Cleansing your face twice a day should be the first step in your routine. You need to do it to remove the following from your skin:
- Pollutants
- Dirt
- Bacteria
Your cleanser is the foundation of your routine. Using the incorrect cleanser could either leave your skin feeling too oily or too dry.
Follow these tips for purchasing the right cleanser:
- Oily Skin: Gel cleanser with lactic acid
- Dry Skin: Mild cleanser for dry/sensitive skin or micellar water
- Combination Skin: A lightweight creamy or gel cleanser
Exfoliator
As we mentioned earlier, sloughing off dead skin cells will reveal new and healthy skin underneath. An exfoliator is a device or product that removes old skin cells. You can choose from manual or chemical exfoliators.
A manual or physical exfoliator removes dead skin cells using mechanical force. Chemical exfoliators use ingredients like glycolic or salicylic acid to dissolve dead skin cells.
Both methods are effective at helping your skin shed old skin cells. They also open up your pores, helping them get cleaned out. You’ll notice less inflammation and acne when you exfoliate.
If you have sensitive or dry skin, avoid manual exfoliation and opt for something like glycolic acid. Look for labels that indicate a product is good for sensitive or dry skin.
Acne-prone and oily skin can also benefit from exfoliation. Try soaking a facial pad with salicylic acid. This method can also prevent and treat acne breakouts.
Toner
Make sure you apply your toner after you cleanse your skin and before you apply moisturizers or serums. You’ll want to find a toner with the following ingredients:
- Salicylic acid
- Lactic acid
- BHAs
These ingredients work together to balance your skin. They can also remove skin layers your exfoliator missed.
The best way to apply toners is by spraying them onto a cotton pad. Swipe the pad across your face. You’ll notice leftover makeup and dead skin cells on the pad.
Serum
Serums should get applied before you moisturize. Think of serums as vitamins for your skin. The moisturizer is the drink of water you take to swallow the vitamins.
Moisturizers, like lotions and face creams, create a barrier on top of your skin to keep all of the good stuff in. Serums penetrate the deep layers of your skin.
Serums are packed full of nutrients and other high-potency ingredients. These items work together to give your skin a boost. The most common ingredients in facial serums include:
- Hyaluronic acid
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Natural extracts, like acai berries and aloe vera
- Ceramides
- Retinol
- AHAs
- BHAs
You can apply serums at night so they do their work while you sleep.
Moisturizer
Applying your moisturizer after the other steps will ensure you won’t need to use as much of it. You should apply a moisturizer to your entire body, not just your face.
The type of moisturizer you pick is also dependent on your skin type. A thick ointment is a good choice if you have dry or itchy skin.
Creams are a great option if you have normal skin. That’s because they’re more lightweight and can help hydrate. Lotions are the lightest of them all and an excellent match for oily skin.
Sunscreen
You’ll want to apply a moisturizer with sunscreen in it no matter your skin type or colour. Shoot for an option that has at least SPF 30. Wear sunscreen all year long, no matter what the weather is outside.
Some sunscreens are oily and might clog your pores. That’s why you should try to find a moisturizer that has sunscreen in it. It’ll be better formulated to protect your skin without overpowering it.
Eye Cream
Many people suffer from dark circles under their eyes. They might feel self-conscious about fine lines and wrinkles around their eyes as well. If this is the case, you can incorporate an eye cream into your morning and nighttime routine.
You might want to explore a hydrating eye cream for your morning application. Try an anti-aging eye cream in the evening. Those products are usually heavier, making them a great choice to wear while you sleep.
The Changes You Will Notice
You’ll notice amazing benefits once you implement a morning and nighttime skin care routine. Let’s talk about some of the most common ones.
Improved Hydration
Being hydrated from the inside out is key to a glowing and healthy complexion. When you implement a multi-step skin care routine, you’re ensuring that your skin stays moisturized and hydrated. Your skin will also look plump, which can help you appear more youthful.
A Boost in Confidence
When your skin looks healthy, you’ll feel the same way. Your skin will look younger, helping you feel more confident.
Your mental health will also get a boost when your skin is healthy. You’ll feel great every time you look in the mirror, instead of dreading what you might see.
Decreased Signs of Aging
Many high-quality skin care products include ingredients that reduce the signs of aging and dark spots. These ingredients work together to increase collagen production. A boost in your skin’s collagen production will work to slow down the signs of aging on your skin.
Some of these signs include:
- Enlarged pores
- Discolouration
- Fine lines
- Age spots
- Dullness
Easier to Take Care of Your Skin
You won’t have to deal with as many pimples and other skin conditions when you have healthy skin. Staying on top of your routine will keep your skin nurtured. It’ll be more resistant to irritations, injury, and other changes.
The Takeaway
Starting a morning and nighttime skin care routine is important for your health and wellness. It’s also a great opportunity to work some self-care into your day. Use a jade roller or another facial massage tool to help you apply your skin care products.
The staff at MC Laser Clinic and Hair Salon provides innovative and restorative services for your skin. From facials to AFA Peels to dermaplaning, you’ll find a treatment that works for you. Contact us to schedule an appointment.
