Healthy Skin: 5 Things You're Missing in Your Skincare Routine

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Skincare has received a lot of attention over the past few years, with different people having different goals for their skin. Regardless of the goal or purpose, everyone needs to take care of their skin.

The skin is the largest organ of the body. It also shields the cells from pollution and other environmental factors.

Skincare, then, acts as protection and a preventative measure for future issues. While problems may not arise right now, they can manifest in the future. You may not need the full 10-step routine, but the fundamentals should not be taken for granted.

5 Common Things People Are Taking for Granted in Their Skincare Routine

Sunscreen

Never skip sunscreen. You don’t only need it when you go to the beach. You need it every day—every time the sun is up.

UV rays are harmful to the skin. They damage the skin and cause aging, and excessive exposure may lead to skin cancer. By acting as a protective barrier, sunscreen prevents these effects from happening.

Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going out. The recommended sun protection factor (SPF) is at least SPF 30. Following these two rules of thumb guarantees the maximum effectiveness of sun protection.

Cleansing

Sebum, pollution, dirt, skincare products residue—these are only a few things that can cause acne and blemishes. Even if you don’t feel them on your skin, they are present. This is why cleansing your face properly is a crucial step.

To ensure that your skin is perfectly clean, you need to cleanse twice. Double cleansing involves a cleansing balm or oil before washing your face. The balm or oil ensures that makeup, sunscreen, and other waterproof products are easily removed by your cleanser.

Wash your face twice a day, although some skin types need more cleansing or less cleansing.

Exfoliation

Dead skin makes your skin appear dull. It also clogs pores and causes blemishes. The remedy for removing dead skin is exfoliation.

You need to exfoliate your skin at least once or twice a week. There are physical and chemical ways to exfoliate. Physical exfoliation involves scrubs. Chemical exfoliation uses ingredients such as alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) and beta-hydroxy acid (BHA).

Chemical exfoliation is much gentler than its physical counterpart. Physical exfoliation is abrasive and hurts the skin, causing little, invisible scars.

Moisturizer

The natural moisture of the skin is stripped away after a shower. As a result, you will need to replenish it. This is where moisturizer comes in.

Moisturizing deals with texture, dryness, and damage taken by the skin throughout the day. It boosts skin elasticity, keeping that youthful glow intact.

The kind of moisturizer varies for every skin type. Dry skin benefits from heavier creams. Oily skin would love water-based and oil-free moisturizers. Consider trying different moisturizers until you find the perfect one for your skin.

Spot Treatment

The best way to prevent acne marks is to treat acne as early as possible. The moment you see that red dot in the morning, apply spot treatments to aid in the healing process and prevent scarring.

Several options are available when it comes to spot treatment. Here are a couple of common options:

Pimple patches. These are hydrocolloid patches—the same thing as hospital bandages. These patches are supposed to accelerate the healing process. They also absorb fluid from the pimple. If you’re one to pop or pick a pimple, a pimple patch serves as a shield from these habits.
Spot correctors. These promise to target dark spots and blemishes. Consider reading the label since they contain various ingredients that deal with blemishes. The common ingredients are niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and salicylic acid.

Healthy Habits to Boost Your Skincare Routine

A skincare routine is more than just applying products to your face. It involves taking care of your entire body. Practicing these healthy habits will boost your routine:

Get enough sleep. Sleep is the ultimate restorative process of the body. Experts recommend the best time to fall asleep is by calculating 7-8 hours from the time you’re supposed to wake up.
Change your pillowcase regularly. Sebum, traces of skincare products, debris from hair, and dead skin are transferred to the pillowcase while you sleep. Change them at least once a week to prevent acne and blemishes.
Visit the doctor. When nothing works, and things get out of hand, consulting a dermatologist is the best thing you could do. They will know any underlying issues and the right treatment for your skin.

Rather than buying things off-the-shelf at supermarkets, it is best that you used dermatologic skin care products. This will have the best effect on your skin and ensure that there are no side effects.

Have the Basics in Your Skincare Routine

Cleansing, exfoliating, moisturizing, applying sunscreen, and spot treatment all have different functions in your skincare regimen. Most of all, they cover the basics of your skin’s needs. Diligently following these steps can give you brighter, healthier, and protected skin.

Developing healthy habits along with your skincare routine gives good results, too. Catching enough sleep restores the skin while changing pillowcases regularly prevents dirt from clogging your pores. Last but not least, visit the dermatologist to know the best treatment for your problems.

By Pia Rodriguez
who is a content marketing manager of Maybelline, a global cosmetic brand offering innovative, affordable, and effortless cosmetics for every woman. With years of experience, she manages Maybelline’s marketing content from creation down to its production. For Pia, being able to create content that helps empower women is a dream come true. She likes to spend her free time reading books, visiting art galleries, and watching feel-good movies.

Member since June, 2021
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