Caring for the face is very important for skin health. A good routine will ensure that your face is well-groomed and that you don't miss a step. The development of daily, weekly, and monthly routines starts from finding the type of skin you have and the type of care you need.
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Part 1 of 3: Determining the Type of Treatment Your Skin Needs
Step 1. Know your skin type
There are four main types of human skin, namely normal, oily, dry, and combination. Each of these skin types requires different care, and the use of appropriate products will improve skin health.
- Normal skin can be a bit oily in the T Zone (the area on the forehead, nose, and chin) in the summer, but not too dry and rough.
- Oily skin appears through oil production and large pores all over the face.
- Dry skin often feels tight and rough from lack of moisture, flakes in winter, feels itchy after swimming or bathing, and is accompanied by small pores.
- Combined skin is similar to normal skin in that it also produces oil, but has large pores in the T Zone.
Step 2. Understand the needs of normal skinned people
Normal skin tends to be easy to care for. The main thing to remember is to stay away from toners that contain alcohol as they can dry out the skin. Ingredients to avoid are:
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Denatured alcohol
- Ethanol
- SD alcohol 40
Step 3. Know how to recognize oily skin
The biggest challenge for owners of oily skin is the amount of excess facial oil products. Many people use products to remove oil from the skin, but the face will dry out and lead to increased oil production. Therefore, what you need is a light moisturizer:
- Wash your face with a dissolved cleanser or gel at least twice a day.
- Use an alcohol-free toner that contains sodium PCA and witch hazel.
- Use an oil-free moisturizer that contains glycerin.
- Use a zinc-based sunscreen.
- Try using an AHA, BHA, or retinol serum that reduces the appearance of pores.
Step 4. Learn how to care for combined skin type
Combined skin types can be a problem as some areas will be dry while others will be oily. In essence, use the same facial care products as treating oily skin, except moisturizer. Replace an oil-free moisturizer with a light moisturizer.
Many light moisturizers include the words “lightweight” or “light” (both meaning “light”) on the label
Step 5. Understand the needs of dry skin
Dry skin is very sensitive to products so it is important to use the right products. The key for those with dry skin is to stay away from products that add to the dryness of the skin and use products that restore moisture to the skin:
- Use a mild cleanser that doesn't lather or foam.
- Stay away from all products, especially toners that contain alcohol.
- Use a hydrating moisturizer with a thick consistency that contains sweet almond, jojoba, evening primrose, or borage oil.
- Try an antioxidant serum containing vitamins A, C, and E
Part 2 of 3: Taking Care of the Face
Step 1. Start every morning by cleansing your face
Wash your face with warm water. Dispense a coin-sized amount of cleanser onto your finger and rub it over your face. Rub in a circular motion for 30 seconds. Use your hands to rinse the moisturizer off your face, then pat the towel dry.
- Use warm water because hot water can erode the natural oils on your face.
- Do not rub the skin when it is dry because it can damage and irritate the face.
Step 2. Apply toner after washing your face in the morning
After the face is clean and dry, moisten a cotton pad with toner and rub gently on the neck and face. The toner will remove cleansing residue, residual dirt, shrink pores, and increase the skin's ability to absorb moisturizer.
Step 3. Moisturize skin after using toner
Moisturizers keep skin hydrated throughout the day and protect it from dryness and irritation. Dispense a coin-sized amount of moisturizer onto your fingers and apply circularly to your face. Let it sit for a few minutes to allow the moisturizer to absorb before continuing with your routine.
- We recommend using a moisturizer with an SPF 30 spectrum for added protection against UV (ultraviolet) rays.
- Make sure you keep moisturizing after washing your face, even if you don't use toner.
Step 4. Put on sunscreen every morning
Daily use of sunscreen is the best way to protect your face from wrinkles, freckles, melanoma (a type of skin cancer) and other sun damage. Take out a coin-sized amount of sunscreen and gently rub it over your face, neck, and ears.
- Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 every day, even in the middle of winter. UV rays are still harmful in winter, just like summer.
- Don't skip sunscreen even if your moisturizer contains SPF.
Step 5. Wash and re-moisturize your face before going to bed
Washing your face twice a day will keep your skin free of oil, pollutants, and other impurities. Before going to bed, wet your face, massage with cleanser, rinse, and pat dry.
Wash your face before going to bed, especially if you have oily skin or wear makeup. Never sleep while you have makeup on
Step 6. Use a serum before bed to find patches
Most serums are designed to be used at night to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, lines, blemishes, and blemishes. Dispense a pea-sized amount of serum into the palm of your hand and use one finger to rub it over the spots and lines.
- An ideal antioxidant serum to moisturize and nourish the skin.
- Retinol serums are great for reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
- AHA and BHA serums are often used to brighten the skin and reduce the appearance of pores.
Step 7. Exfoliate your skin 1-2 times per week
Exfoliating will remove dead skin cells as well as oil and other impurities. Take a coin-sized amount of exfoliant on your finger and gently rub it over your skin for 30 seconds. Rinse your face with warm water and pat it dry.
- You can use chemical exfoliants and exfoliating brushes if you don't want to use an exfoliating scrubber.
- Do not exfoliate more than 2-3 times a week as this can damage and irritate the skin.
Step 8. Perform monthly self-checks
Regular skin exams can help you detect skin problems, such as melanoma. Consult a doctor or dermatologist if you notice any changes in the skin. Take note of the following:
- New mole.
- Mole sticking out.
- Darkening of the mole.
- Change in the size of the mole.
- Open wound.
- A bulge with a protruding edge and a concave center.
- Red stripes sticking out.
- Striped red scaly skin.
- Small bulge.
- Flat yellow area.
Part 3 of 3: Developing Good Habits
Step 1. Create a facial treatment schedule
A good facial care routine consists of daily, weekly, and monthly tasks. Creating a schedule can help you keep track of these tasks, and make sure nothing important is missed. Here are some important parts of the routine to keep in mind:
- Morning and evening: cleansing and moisturizing.
- Daily: use toner, sunscreen, and serum if needed.
- Weekly: exfoliate at least once or twice a week.
- Monthly: self-check to check for changes and problem areas.
Step 2. Set aside a special time for facial care
Having a good routine means having good habits. The easiest way to do this is to spend the same amount of time taking care of your face. That way, you do the same thing every day, and it eventually becomes a habit.
- For example, if you go to school or work at 8 a.m., set an alarm at 6 a.m. every day to remind yourself to wash your face, apply toner, and moisturize.
- Similarly, if you go to bed at 11 pm every day, set a reminder to wash and moisturize your face before going to bed.
Step 3. Change your routine to deal with changes in your skin
Skin changes happen over time, and if they do, you may need to change the product you're using. Similarly, if you find that your skin reacts badly to a certain product or step in your routine, it's a good idea to use another product.
- For example, if your skin becomes drier as you age, you may want to switch to a more hydrating moisturizer.
- Similarly, if pimples appear more frequently, it is likely that the type of cleanser used needs to be changed.
