Have you ever walked down the skincare aisle with a confused look? The market is flooded with skincare products, and you might need help understanding what to apply during the morning and evening to keep your skin looking plump and hydrated.

In this post, we’ll discuss the significance of skincare and offer practical advice on how to take good care of your skin. This is a beginner friendly, easy to follow guide to build your skincare routine for youthful, glowing skin!

5 steps for your morning skincare routine:

1. Cleanse: A cleanser will remove excess oil, sweat & dirt from your face. If your skin is oily or acne prone then use a foaming deep cleanser and if it’s dry, then use a hydrating, non-foaming deep cleanser to preserve your skin’s pH. If your skin is acne prone, you can also benefit from a cleanser with AHAs or BHAs.
   • Exfoliate: the purpose of exfoliation is to remove dead skin cells. Most deep cleansers act as an exfoliator for your skin.
2. Toner: The next step is to apply a toner. Toner removes the extra dirt & debris stuck in your pores, tightens your pores without overly drying out your skin, and control sebaceous activity. They prepare your skin to absorb hydration and any additional skin treatments you might use. You can opt for salicylic acid or tea tree oil toners if you have acne-prone or oily skin. If your skin type is combination to dry, you can opt for glycolic and lactic acid toners.
3. Hydrate: Hyaluronic Acid is an excellent moisturizer, suitable for all skin types. It makes your skin look vibrant and plump by holding moisture inside your skin. This can have various benefits for your skin including reduction in the appearance of wrinkles & fine lines as well as increased skin elasticity. In addition to HA, you can use over the counter moisturizers such as ceramides, Vitamin E, and Vitamin B5.
4. Correct: If you suffer from acne, dual tone, melasma, or some other skin condition, you can apply day serums prescribed to you by your dermatologist. Examples include niacinamides or lightening serums.
5. Protect: The last step is application of sunblock or sunscreen to protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun. You can use a physical sunblock which creates a physical barrier on your skin to reflect sunlight and protect your skin from sun damage. A physical sunblock can leave a white cast on your skin so you may want to opt for a chemical sunblock. Chemical sunblock, also known as sunscreen, contains ingredients that absorb the UV light. This energy is then dissipated from your skin in the form of heat.

5 steps for your evening skincare routine:

What are the 5 things to consider when starting out on your skincare journey?

1. When choosing which hyaluronic acid to use, consider their molecular sizes as some of the sizes only suit dry skin, while others suit combination to oily skin.
2. When cleansing, exfoliating, hydrating, applying sunblock, & using your skincare items don’t forget your neck, peri orbital area & peri oral area. Topical collagen can also be used around your eyes & lips to reduce signs of aging.
3. Topical creams and solutions are useful for skin conditions like dual toning, visible pores, comedones, sagging skin, and lentigines etc.
4. Some retinols are water based and some are squalene based. Water based retinols increase the roughness of your skin. Therefore, squalene-based retinols are encouraged.
5. Wear sunglasses that prevent UV A, B, C rays from reaching your eyes during the day.

What about the hands and feet?

Your hands and feet are as exposed to the external pollutants and harmful sun rays as your face. Therefore, it is crucial to give them proper care to preserve their healthy and wrinkle-free appearance.

• Start by deep cleansing and exfoliating your hands and feet. If you struggle with open pores or dual toning etc. on your hands & feet, apply the serums & creams recommended for your face on the problem area.
• Don’t forget to apply sunblock in the morning on your hands and feet. Sun protection is necessary to protect them from sun damage and avoid them from losing their collagen, keeping them youthful for longer.
• You may also apply retinol to your hands and feet in the evening to rejuvenate your skin, so your hands and feet do not age faster than your face.
• Applying a urea-containing cream to the feet can help the skin stay hydrated and reduce dead skin cells as urea is a topical emollient & keratolytic agent.

Final Words

Regardless of your skin type, prioritizing skincare is indispensable. To maintain a youthful & healthy appearance, and safeguard your skin against potential concerns, it is vital to take care of your skin. The above mentioned five uncomplicated steps can be easily incorporated into both your morning and evening skincare routines for glowing, plump & hydrated skin. If you require assistance in determining the suitable products for your specific skin type, you can schedule a consultation with Dr. Amna and her proficient team, who will be more than happy to offer guidance.