Skin Care Articles

Most dermatologists advise regularly following a daily skin care routine. Such a routine does not have to be complicated or long and drawn out. It can be executed by itself or as preparation for more advanced skin care methods.

Ideal Programs

The perfect daily method for skin care would require washing, toning, moisturizing, sun protection.

For most people, carrying out the routine two times a day is recommended. Some people with dry and/or sensitive skin may do better with once daily washing/cleansing but moisturizing two or more times a day. Some dermatologists feel that exfoliation should be included in a standard routine. However, daily exfoliation is unreasonable and could possibly lead to constant irritation in some people. A few times a week is sufficient for exfoliation, however some can go without any exfoliation.

Protection from ultraviolet light (both UVA and UVB) is important for any skin care regimen. A good UNA+UVB sunscreen can be applied on top of your moisturizer or other treatments as the last step of the regimen if sun exposure is expected. Some people use cosmetics with added UV blockers. It is always better than no sun protection at all and it can save time. However, using a single, specially formulated sunblock appears to be more effective.

Advanced Solutions

For best skin care benefits, the basic regimen is usually insufficient, especially for people over 30. The addition of a well-selected product or 2 with wisely chosen, proven active ingredients will further improve your results. However, the benefits of secondary skin care treatments partly depend on whether you properly integrate them with your basic routine. In particular, if you apply products to skin that has not been cleansed, the effectiveness of active ingredients is reduced. If you use the regimen then apply advanced products, the penetration of active ingredients can still be reduced because the moisturizer has blocked some the entryways.

The Routine for You

The steps of the general regimen should be adjusted to fit your skin type. You should keep in mind that your skin type can change with the season, diet and age. One huge change can come from menopause, women have been know to change from oily skin to dry skin after going through menopause. A change in the diet can also change the skin, a diet that has more fat will cause the skin to produce more oil.. Skin pigmentation can change the degree to which you need sun protection. While the sun damages any skin, the damage is far less in dark-skinned people. Conversely, fair skinned people need to be particularly meticulous about sun protection, i.e. minimizing sun exposure, choosing an the right sunscreen and applying it frequently and consistently.

The best time to use secondary products is right after you washed/cleansed, rinsed and slightly patted your skin with a towel, i.e. when your skin is clean, warm and still moist. Since many of the active treatments have moisturizers, you can usually skip a separate moisturizer whenever you apply such a product. If you think you need more moisturizing, wait a few minutes for the active product to finish, and then apply any moisturizer over it.