There are many reasons why you should all have an effective daily skincare routine.
The skin is your largest organ, and it protects your body against microorganisms, dehydration and toxins. It also regulates your temperature and allows you to experience the world through touch, pain and physical sensation.
Skincare should be a part of your daily routine, not just because it cares for and protects your skin now, but because it’s an investment in your future. By caring for your skin now, you can help prevent issues like premature ageing, sunspots and scarring, and safeguard against skin cancer.
Here’s what an effective skincare routine looks like and the role each step plays.
Step 1. Cleanse
Cleansing is one of the most important steps in your skincare routine. Cleansing your skin morning and night removes grime and excessive oil that might otherwise clog your pores, leading to blackheads and blemishes.
It’s essential to choose a cleanser that complements your skin type and requirements. Too strong a cleanser might damage sensitive skin, while a cleanser designed for sensitive skin might be too gentle for oily skin.
The active ingredients of different cleansers will determine which is best for your skincare routine. Salicylic cleansers target acne and blemishes, glycolic cleansers focus on exfoliation, and oil-based cleansers are most effective for removing make-up and excess oil and grime.
Step 2. Tone
Toning is the one skincare step everyone in a hurry skips, but if you want to make the most of your skincare routine, you’ll be as diligent with toning as you are with cleansing and moisturising – and you’ll choose wisely.
Different toners perform different tasks. Some help remove oil and dirt that wasn’t picked up by the cleanser, leaving a tingly clean feeling, while others are more hydrating and leave the skin feeling nourished.
It’s essential that the toner you use is one that’s created for the specific needs of your skin.
Step 3. Apply serum
Everybody is talking about serums – that extra layer of skincare that sits between toning and moisturising that can have noticeable results.
Face serums are often water-based, but some are oil formulations. They have highly concentrated active ingredients, created to address specific skin concerns such as fine lines, dark spots, and uneven skin tone.
Hyaluronic acid serums, which sit on the surface of the skin, provide an extra boost of hydration and are suitable for dry or dehydrated skin. This enhanced hydration aids in reducing the appearance of fine lines and can make the skin glow.
Niacinamide serums reduce the visible appearance of dark spots and uneven skin tones. They help exfoliate the skin, leading to brighter, fresher looking skin.
Vitamin C serums are anti-ageing serums, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improving skin tone, and in some cases even promoting collagen production.
Niacinamide (vitamin B3) and vitamin C (in the form of L-ascorbic acid) serums are two of the most well studied antioxidants for the skin.
Copper peptide serums contain peptides, a naturally occurring amino acid that can help stimulate the production of collagen and elastin – two types of tissues that cause smooth and firm skin, and often diminish with age.
Step 4. Moisturise
It’s the last step in your skincare routine, but the moisturiser you apply in the morning should be different to the one you wear at night.
Your morning skincare routine must contain SPF, to protect you during the day when you’ll be exposed to the sun. It’s a crucial way to safeguard against skin cancer. Our skin doctors recommend using a separate moisturiser and SPF, so you can ensure the sunscreen you use is SPF50+.
At night, it’s important to choose a moisturiser that is tailored to your skin’s needs. If your skin is dry or dehydrated, you may want to opt for a richer night cream, while those with acne may require a less occlusive moisturiser. Ask your skin doctor or nurse to recommend a moisturiser best suited to your skin type.
Masks
While masks won’t be part of your daily skincare routine, they should be part of your overall regime. Consider doing a mask once a week, or as recommended by your skin doctor.
Masks are a great way to address specific and individual skin issues. Clay masks, for example, can help deeply cleanse your skin and draw out impurities. On the other hand, a leave-on, non-drying mask can give your skin an extra boost of hydration.
At Bass Coast Skin Doctors, we like to recommend the SkinCeuticals Biocellulose Restorative Mask which helps to soothe skin. The mask is optimal for sensitive or stressed skin, and creates a protective barrier that helps alleviate discomfort after laser procedures and chemical peels, or can be used as a bi-weekly replenishing treatment.
Talk to our skin doctors about creating the ultimate skincare routine
Every person’s skin is different, and the best skincare routines are created by working with an experienced skin doctor or nurse to develop a regime to suit your individual needs.
Book an appointment with one of our experienced and highly trained practitioners who can walk you through skincare routine options for optimal results, now and into the future. Call (03) 5618 7007 or book an appointment online.