Maintaining the health of your skin is a daunting task which requires patience, regular care, and a skincare routine. A skincare routine can help you maintain and even improve your skin when done regularly. It can also help you address your skin problems actively. Such a routine is a must for dry and sensitive skin which is prone to drying out during the day. But that doesn’t mean it’s not good for other skin types. However, no matter what your skin type is, a good routine can help you deal with a lot of skin problems and prevent premature aging.
And those of you who have oily skin would know exactly what we’re talking about. Greasy, oily skin is the root of many skin problems. There are many reasons for having oily skin. It can be hereditary or caused by a change in the weather or hormonal changes in the body. A well-thought skin care routine with correct products can help you keep the oiliness at bay and avoid other skin problems caused by oily skin. Here is a 6-step skincare routine that can alleviate your oily skin troubles and help you keep your skin soft and supple.
{ 1 } Start With A Cleanser
Cleansing is the first and foremost step in any good regime. Cleansing removes all the excess sweat, dirt, oil, and impurities from the skin. When your skin is clean, it can absorb all the other ingredients of your routine properly. You should cleanse your skin twice daily in the morning and evening. For mornings, choose a mild and lightweight cleanser that the skin can absorb easily. For dry and sensitive skin, go for cleansing oils or a mild cleanser to maintain the oil balance of the skin. However, for oily skin, it is best to go for water-based or gel-based foaming cleansers that remove excess oil from the skin.
For a night-time routine too, cleansing is imperative. Although, it’s better to double cleanse your skin at night to completely remove the dirt and other pollutants that accumulate on the skin throughout the day. Start with cleansing oil or micellar water to remove all the dirt and impurities from the skin. Then follow it up with a good cleanser that cleans dirt and excess sebum from deep within your pores before starting your regime.
{ 2 } Exfoliate For Oily Skin
Exfoliating removes the build-up of dirt, oil, and dead skin from the top layer of your skin revealing a smoother and brighter complexion. It deep cleanses your pores to remove excess dirt and impurities and helps keep your skin soft and supple. It also stimulates skin cells and blood circulation giving you a rosier complexion. For dry and sensitive skin, exfoliating twice a week gives good results. However, for oily skin, it is especially important as it is prone to blackheads, clogged pores, and dead skin build-ups. It is absolutely necessary to exfoliate your skin at least twice or thrice a week to avoid clogged pores and rough skin.
{ 3 } Add Toner In Skincare Routine
Use A Soft Cotton Pad To Apply Toner To Your Skin By Roman Samborskyi/Shutterstock
A good toner preps your skin and makes it ready to absorb the active ingredients from your other routine products. Experts believe that adding a toner to your skincare routine can have many beneficial effects. A good toner penetrates your skin and removes the leftover dirt or oil. After you cleanse your face, toner removes any leftover makeup or oils from the skin. Not only that, but it also removes any residue left from the cleanser. Using a toner after cleansing can thoroughly clean your skin and make it easier for other beneficial products to work on your skin more effectively.
You can use a soothing toner to start your day with soft and supple skin. However, at night you should use a potent toner that can deep cleanse your pores and moisturize your skin. Use toners that contain AHAs as they can penetrate your skin and give you the deep cleanse you need.
{ 4 } Serums For Targeted Treatments
This is the step where you can tackle your particular skin concerns and work on them. Serums are highly concentrated formulas that address specific skin issues like acne, dryness, premature aging, pigmentation, etc. These rich solutions are brimming with nutrients and ingredients like antioxidants, retinol, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, etc. that are great for solving skin problems. However, it’s important that you apply your serums right after your toner to get the best results. After you have properly cleansed and toned your skin, it can absorb the serum more easily. Leave your skin alone for 2-3 minutes after application to allow the nutrients to penetrate the skin. Follow it up with your regular skincare routine.
{ 5 } Moisturizing Is Essential In Skincare Routine
Moisturizing is the most important part of any skincare regime. Moisturizers penetrate the skin and provide a protective layer that locks in the moisture. It helps in keeping the skin hydrated throughout the day and prevents dryness. Moisturizing twice a day is a good practice that will keep your skin smooth and glowing. Many people with oily skin think that moisturizing will make their skin more greasy and hence skip this step. However, not moisturizing can lead to drying skin even in case of oily skin. Even if your skin is greasy it may still be dehydrated below the excess oil. In fact, dryness and dehydration cause the skin to produce more oil. Hence, it is better to moisturize daily to balance the moisture and oil levels in the skin.
A creamy moisturizing lotion or cream can prevent dryness in normal to dry skin. However, for oily skin, you should choose a lightweight water-based gel or lotion to nourish and hydrate the skin without leaving it oily and sticky. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to protect and nourish your eyes with a good eye cream. The area around the eyes is more sensitive than the rest of the face and hence needs extra care.
{ 6 } Don’t Forget Sunscreen
You can ask any dermatologist for skin care tips and the first thing they’ll tell you is to use sunscreen daily. Sun is the biggest cause of a majority of skin problems including premature aging, pigmentation, and inflammation. It takes years to see the effects of sun damage on the skin, but it is very hard to reverse these effects. Hence, it is better to lather a layer of sunscreen and prevent sun damage to give longevity to your skin. Choose a lightweight sunscreen that absorbs into the skin with at least SPF 15+ for better results. However, if you’re wary of layering on sunscreen over your moisturizer, you can choose a moisturizer that also has SPF 15+ and can give you protection from the sun.
Following a daily routine can be challenging indeed! You will certainly be tempted to skip a step or two or the entire regime for a day here or there. However, staying focused and thorough with your skincare routine will certainly give your skin a soft, healthy and youthful glow.