Skin Care Guide
We know more about how to carre for our skin than ever before, but with a dizzying array of science based options out there all vying for a spot on our bathroom counter, things can get overwhelming fast. If you're evere bailed out on a shopping carl full of serums, moisturizers. exfoliants and creams in a state of skin care routine overload. Skip trying to maintain a 10 step routine every day and break dozen your regimen into daily. weekly, and monthlu tasks. WHAT TO DO EVERY DAY 1. Cleanse every night
Your skin may be fine with skipping an AM wash, or sticking to just water or a very quick wipe with cleansing water. But when it comes to your PM routine, cleaning off the slurry of makeup, sunscreen, dirt, oil, and bacteria teeming in your pores is a must.
2. Wear sunscreen
Yes, we’ve all heard the warnings and are still tempted to zip out for errands sans sunscreen, or to dodge that familiar greasy, heavy feeling but sun damage goes far beyond just a tan: UV radiation is behind photoaging, inflammation, and skin cancer.
SPF tip:
Use a stand-alone sunscreen. Even if your daily moisturizer or makeup has a stated SPF, keep in mind that
SPF rating is based off a volume of sunscreen that’s far more than people think. Imagine using up an entire bottle of foundation in less than four weeks that’s how much you’d need to be protected!
3. Skip a step, if you can
Don’t feel like you have to slather on everything every day. Instead, focus on what your skin needs. Does it need a moisturizer to fight dryness? Or is it dehydrated? Are you using a prescription that needs to be applied daily? Your skin’s needs may change wildly due to climate, season, weather, and age. If you wake up on a humid day and can’t bear the thought of applying your usual rich moisturizer, skip it! Don’t feel like you have to do the same thing every day your regimen should be enjoyable and relaxing.
Tip: The best routine is a doable one. Once you’ve taken care of the basics, it’s OK to stop there, or add steps and products if you feel like it.
WHAT TO DO EVERY WEEK 1. Exfoliate with restraint
Not everyone needs to exfoliate their skin, but even with regular cleansing, layers of dead skin can build up on the surface, leaving your face feeling grimy, rough, or dull. Exfoliating once a week can help your skin look and feel smoother, brighter, and will reduce the likelihood of clogged pores.
Scrubs featuring rough or sharp particles can cause microtears in the skin. Scrubs can also worsen acne, instead of a scrub, consider a chemical exfoliant, such as an AHA or BHA. These dislodge excess dead skin, allowing it to be gently wiped away.
Pro-tip: Daily or weekly, not both. Some AHA/BHA chemical exfoliants are designed to be used daily. If you’re already using a daily exfoliant, you may want to avoid a more intense once-weekly exfoliation, as your skin will already be more sensitive. If not, your skin might benefit from a weekly exfoliant to slough off dead skin.
2. De-clog your pores
Check out the state of your pores: Is your nose teeming with blackheads and sebaceous filaments? Even though you shouldn’t try to extract them yourself, congested pores are annoying at best and inviting acne at worst.
A purifying face mask, such as a clayor charcoal-based mask, or gentle oil massage may help to loosen clogs and minimize the appearance of your pores. Just don’t pick at your skin!
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE ONCE A MONTH 1. Check your expiry dates
From face masks to serums, you may not use up products before they expire. Once a month, check the expiration dates of your products for anything due to be tossed. Even though the sweltering humidity may have you skipping your richer moisturizers, leftovers don’t mean it’s still good to use especially if it’s a product you scoop out with your fingers. This method could possibly introduce bacteria or contaminants, allowing them to thrive in the jar. Consider discarding these products after six months.
2. Skin self-check
A monthly skin self-exam to identify
any spots that might need the attention of a dermatologist. Learn how to do a thorough self-exam to detect skin cancer.
WHAT YOU SHOULD
LEAVE TO THE PROFESSIONALS 1. Chemical peels
Daily chemical exfoliation is one thing, but full-on chemical peels aren’t something you should be trying at home. Did you know that glycolic acid, one of the most commonly used alpha-hydroxy acid exfoliants, causes increased photosensitivity that can last up to a week even at a low daily concentration?
Considering the high concentrations and increased risk of damage with chemical peels, peels are best done in the office of a professional who can guide you through post-peel care and precautions.
2. Squeezing and popping clogged pores
We’ve all been there you wake up the morning before a big event and you’ve got an unwelcome blemish waving at you from every reflective surface. As tempting as it may be to squeeze that zit to oblivion don’t! See your dermatologist for something that will usually shrink this within 36 hours an injection of a dilute cortisone medication called Kenalog right into the cyst will do the trick.
Same with extractions
Those eye-catching blackheads and bumpy whiteheads that show as moguls under makeup may look ripe for emptying. But restrain yourself from going on a search-and-destroy mission! Extractions are something best done by a professional.
3. Skin diagnosis and treatment
As inviting as it is to look for solutions to serious skin troubles in over-the-counter products and popular remedies, self-diagnosis and DIY treatment can be frustrating at best. At worst, you may actually damage your skin. In the case of mild acne, overthe-counter medications along with aesthetician treatments may be sufficient, but for more inflamed, extensive, or unresponsive acne, prescription medications are usually indicated, and can only be obtained from a dermatologist or other licensed medical provider.