Good skincare is more than just a routine; it’s a reflection of your daily habits, signalling how serious you take your well-being. Through my own skincare journey, I have gone from finding skincare a foreign concept to looking forward to it. I want you to feel the same, so let’s help you find your skin type, build a skincare regime, and debunk some common misconceptions.
With so much skincare advice available, it’s easy to get swept up and fall for misconceptions. One such myth: you must exfoliate daily for healthy, glowing skin. In reality, exfoliating your skin two to three times a week is enough. Too much can irritate and damage skin.
Another common myth claims that oily skin doesn’t need moisturizer. The truth is, skin oils and skin hydration are different. Skin oils are generated by sebaceous glands to protect your skin, but they don’t moisturize. No matter your skin type, be it oily or dry, it’s important to moisturize.
There are also many false beliefs about sunscreen, such as not needing sunscreen indoors, that dark skin doesn’t need sunscreen at all, or that you only need one application a day. All of these are untrue! No matter the location of your body, skin colour, or skin type, you must put on sunscreen. When exposed to the sun, apply sunscreen every two hours for adequate protection.
The foundations of a skincare regime are the same for every skin type: cleansing, exfoliation, moisturizing, and sun protection. But before building a routine, it’s important to know your skin type, as this will determine the best products and methods for you. One of the easiest ways to do this is the “wait and watch method.” Wash your face with a mild cleanser, pat it dry, and wait 30 minutes. If the skin on your face looks shiny all over, you likely have oily skin. If the shine is only around the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin), you have combination skin. If your skin feels rough or tight, it’s dry. But, if your skin doesn’t fit any of these, then it’s likely you have normal skin (neither too oily or dry).
Cleansing is one of the most crucial steps of skincare, helping to remove dirt and debris. The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) suggests using a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser that doesn’t contain alcohol and avoiding scrubbing to prevent irritation. Once the first cleanse is done, you may choose to repeat the process using a method called “double cleansing” with either the same or a different cleanser. It’s recommended to use an oil-based cleanser first to remove any impurities, like makeup, followed by a water-based cleanser to help you deep clean and open your pores, minimizing bacteria to fight concerns like acne.
Next, we exfoliate. While we normally shed dead cells around every 30 days, cells are often left behind. Exfoliating assists in removing those leftover dead cells, prevents clogged pores, and reduces skin itchiness. It is recommended that people with dry or sensitive skin use a mild exfoliator to avoid irritation, while those with oily skin may opt for stronger treatments.
Moisturizing is our next step. A good moisturizer helps repair skin, stimulate circulation, and prevent extreme dryness or oiliness. Heavier, oil-based moisturizers may work better for dry skin, whereas lighter water-based moisturizers are often recommended for oily, normal, and combination skin. When working with more sensitive skin, choose a soothing moisturizer that won’t cause irritation.
Finally, we have sun protection — a very underrated part of skincare. It’s recommended to use sunscreen daily to help prevent premature skin aging and decrease the risk of skin cancer. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has proposed ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to be skin safe while ingredients including aminobenzoic acids and trolamine acids are not. They recommend using sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher that provides broad spectrum protection.
You can also increase protection by wearing full coverage clothes, switching to darker clothes, and wearing sunglasses with UV protection. The central idea is to incorporate habits which protect bare skin from the sun.
After you figure out your routine, it’s important that you stay persistent. It can take up to four weeks of consistency, loyalty, and patience for results to appear. When your skin is trying to adapt to the new regime, it’s recommended against flitting between one product to another.
Here’s my tip for you: look at skincare as a form of self-care: sit in your room, play your favourite songs, and make it fun — whatever makes it an easier process for you. And remember: it’s only a hassle if you tell yourself it is.
