Taking care of your skin every day can help keep it healthy and improve its appearance. The proper daily skincare routine can also prevent skin issues down the line. But what should you be doing to care for your skin each day?
Your Daily Skincare Routine
Everyone’s skin is different, so your exact daily skincare routine may vary from the below list, but these are the basic steps you should aim for every day.
1. Cleansing
The first part of your daily skincare routine should be cleansing. But try to find a mild cleanser that is gentle on your skin. You want to clean your skin, not strip it of its natural oils. Choose a cleanser that doesn’t leave your skin tight after washing. Clean your face no more than twice a day, or just once if you have dry skin, and don’t wear makeup. Avoid washing for that squeaky-clean feeling because that means your skin’s natural oils are gone.
2. Toner
Toner is an optional step, but if you have a toner, you like that your dermatologist signs off on, you can make it part of your daily skincare routine. If you have acne-prone skin, look for a toner with ingredients like salicylic acid to calm breakouts. If you have dry or sensitive skin, opt for a hydrating toner to soothe.
3. Serums and Treatments
Ask your dermatologist about which serums and treatments would work best for your individual daily skincare routine. Common serums and treatments include vitamin C, retinol, peptides, collagen, and topical acids. A serum with vitamin C or growth factors or peptides would be better in the morning under sunscreen. At night, retinol or prescription retinoids work best.
4. Eye Cream
Eye creams are an important part of many people’s daily skincare routine. They can help with the appearance of lines and inflammation. Often they are used as a part of the nighttime routine. Dab on eye cream using your ring finger (your weakest finger) so you don’t unintentionally cause damage to your eye area. And while cream is the most common form of skin treatment for the eye area, you can also find serums and gels.
5. Moisturizer
Even oily skin needs moisturizer, but use one that is lightweight, gel-based, and non-comedogenic or doesn’t block your pores. Dry skin may benefit from more cream-based moisturizers. Most brands will label their products as gel or cream on their packaging. Again, your dermatologist is your best resource for finding products and formulas that will be best for your skin.
6. Sunscreen
It can’t be stressed enough that sunscreen should be a key part of your daily skincare routine. It prevents damage that can be detrimental to the skin’s appearance as you age. More importantly, it helps protect you from harmful UV rays that can cause skin cancer.
Apply sunscreen with at least 30 SPF 15 minutes before heading outdoors, as it takes a while for sunscreen to activate. Darker skin tones actually need more sun protection because hyperpigmentation is harder to correct. Sunscreens come in many forms that suit different skin types. Ask your dermatologist for recommendations on the formulation of sunscreen that would work best for you based on your skin type.
Talk to a Dermatologist
If you have questions about daily skincare, we are here to help. Blue Ridge Dermatology is proud to offer medical and cosmetic dermatological services that can help you get the results you want. So if you are interested in making a skincare plan for this year, call our office today at 919-781-1050.
