Topical skincare is extremely important for your skin health and its appearance and one should never ignore it.
Topical skincare means the products that you apply directly to your skin on your daily skincare routine to maintain its health or to address your existing skin issues. It usually involves cleansers, moisturizers, sunscreens, toners, serums, exfoliators, etc.
Each one of them has their own functioning but it is not necessary for you to use them all.
A skincare routine should be simple and effective. Using too many products at a time can negatively affect your skin.
Skincare has evolved quite a lot in recent times. You may get confused about whose product and which product to use because there are hundreds of thousands of different brands selling a wide range of products.
In this article, I’ll be outlining the simplest skincare routine and, most likely, the only topical skincare routine you’ll ever require. So let’s get started:
Cleansing
This one might be rather evident to everyone. Washing the face is the first and most crucial step in any topical skincare regimen.
Regular cleansing is vital to get rid of extra oil and filth so the face can stay clean. Extra oil and grime on the skin are one of the key contributors to skin problems. Therefore, it is essential to wash them out in order to have clean and fresh skin.
When bacteria, dead skin cells, and debris that has gathered on your skin combine, acne can form. Regular face washing maintains your skin clear and aids in the prevention of these issues.
Your skin will absorb subsequent items like moisturizers and serums more readily if you cleanse your face first. These products absorb better into freshly cleaned skin.
Selecting a good cleanser is something you need to spend some time on. Depending on your skin type and skin problems, you must choose one. Always go with a gentle cleanser because it won’t hurt your skin back.
The main consideration when choosing a cleaner is the active ingredient present in it. Try using a cleanser that contains Benzoyl Peroxide if you have acne-prone skin because it is clinically proven to fight acne-causing bacteria.
Similarly, if you have oily skin, a cleanser with salicylic acid as the active component would be a better choice. I would advise using a gentle foamy cleanser with ceramides for those with dry skin.
What About Double Cleansing?
Double cleaning can be a better choice for you if your skin is excessively oily or you frequently apply makeup. Extra oil and makeup can be removed more successfully by using an oil-based and foamy cleanser in combination.
Over-Cleansing is Harmful
Over-cleansing the skin is a mistake that many individuals do frequently. Sebum creates a barrier on the skin that stops dangerous germs or other substances from penetrating deeply into the skin.
If you wash your face too often or too harshly, you might even remove the necessary amount of sebum, which would allow bacteria to enter your hair follicles. This causes skin inflammation and irritation.
Over-cleansing also removes friendly bacteria from the skin that are there to protect the skin and maintain skin barrier.
How Often to Have a facewash?
It is preferable to wash your face twice daily. You can cut back to once a day in the evening if you have dry or sensitive skin. Stick to that twice-daily schedule, if you have oily or acne-prone skin.
Moisturizing
Not applying moisturizer after having a facewash is one of the biggest skincare mistakes that people often do. It adds even more problems if you have sensitive skin or certain skin problems.
Skin problem, in general, is the result of some kind of imbalance in the skin. Proper moisturization can fix most of those imbalances up to a certain limit.
The skin on our face regenerates new skin cells more often than any other body part, hence requiring proper moisture to repair them and allow the new cells to stay healthy.
Properly moisturized skin is also less likely to have acne and breakouts. This is because when your skin lacks moisture, it tends to produce more oil, thus clogging your pores and causing breakouts.
Moisturizing also soothes the skin reducing the problem of skin irritation. It helps in reducing the appearance of rashes and blemishes and also provides anti-aging benefits.
How to Pick a Good Moisturizer?
Always look for a non-comedogenic moisturizer as it won’t clog your pores.
It’s crucial to pick a moisturizer that works for your skin type and takes care of any particular issues you might have.
If you have dry skin, you’ll need slightly thicker moisturizer like creams or ointments that has higher concentration of active agent. Also, look for the moisturizer that has Glycerin or Hyaluronic Acid as active ingredients.
Similarly, if you have oily or combination skin, try using a water-based light weight moisturizer that has ceramides or hyaluronic acid as active ingredients.
For sensitive skin, always go for a moisturizer that has no artificial fragrance in it.
How to Make Your Moisturization Extra Beneficiary?
A good practice is to massage your face while applying moisturizer. It not only helps in spreading moisturizer evenly but also assists in increased blood circulation and deep penetration of moisturizing ingredients.
Always apply moisturizer on damp skin. Many dermatologists consider this as one of the main skincare mistakes that people do. Since moisturizers are there to lock the water, but for that, there needs to be water present in the pores. So it is important to apply the moisturizer before the skin completely dries out.
Sun Protection
Sunscreen is vital for skin more than you can ever imagine. Many people usually don’t like wearing it but skipping it can really mess things up for your skin.
The UVA and UVB rays emitting from sun are really harmful to the skin. While UVB radiation can lead to sunburn and can play a role in the development of skin cancer, UVA rays are linked to premature aging, including wrinkles and age spots. Sunscreen protects the skin from direct contact with those harmful radiation acting as a barrier.
Sun exposure is directly related to dark spots and melasma increasing the risk of hyperpigmentation. It is also highly capable of irritating the skin and causing skin redness.
Regular sunscreen keeps you safe from all of this. Sunscreen is the key to maintaining skin health in long run. It is vital in preventing signs of premature skin aging.
How to Choose a Good Sunscreen?
Always choose a broad-spectrum non-comedogenic sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30. Make sure the sunscreen has Zinc oxide or Titanium oxide in it as they are considered the best in terms of sun protection.
Do Not Forget to Reapply
If you are constantly under the sun, do not forget to reapply your sunscreen in every 2-3 hours. You should always apply it while going outside even if it is cloudy or raining since the UAV rays can still penetrate through the clouds.
The effect of sunscreen is less noticeable during early stage, but it is worth the effort in long term. So stick to it and do not stop using it.
Treatment Agent/Serum
Your daily skincare routine should always include cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection. Although adding a few treatment agents to your routine is somewhat optional, I strongly advise you to do so because they can significantly improve your outcomes.
Choosing the right treatment agent is the key. When choosing a treatment agent, you should never forget about the type of skin you have. Additionally, you should choose your treatment ingredient in accordance with any specific skin problems you may have.
There are many effective treatment agents that can give you the required benefits. Let me recommend a few of them to you:
Few Serums to Add to Your Routine
You can add Hyaluronic acid to your routine if you have dry or dehydrated skin. It is capable of holding water 1000 times its weight and helps in keeping the skin hydrated without clogging pores.
Another ingredient that has gained huge popularity in recent times is Retinol. Retinol is well known for its all-round benefits, improving overall skin texture. It boosts skin cell production, increases collagen production, reduces hyperpigmentation and slows down aging process. However, you should start slow with retinol as it increases the skin’s sensitivity.
For Skin Brightening: When it comes to brightening the skin, vitamin C always tops the chart. It is an excellent antioxidant that fights free radical damage and makes the skin bright and clear.
It is also excellent in fading acne scars and reducing hyperpigmentation. It doesn’t have any side effects and anyone with any skin type can use it.
For Acne-Prone SKin: If you have acne-prone skin, you should not miss adding Benzoyl peroxide to your routine. It is among the best when it comes to fighting acne-causing bacteria.
It is always recommended to include benzoyl peroxide as a cleanser but if you are using it as a serum or cream, follow the instructions properly since leaving it for too long on the skin is not so recommended.
For All-Round Benefits: Niacinamide is another ingredient that provides all-round benefits. It is mostly popular for its soothing nature, reducing skin irritation. It is also excellent in repairing and maintaining the skin’s protective barrier. It can be used by anyone with any skin type.
For Oily Skin: For people with oily skin, Salicylic acid can do wonders. It helps in dissolving the keratin which is responsible for blocking the pores, thus providing exfoliating benefit. It also helps to balance the excess sebum production.
An important thing that needs to be kept in mind while using any treatment agent is that some people may notice redness, skin burning or skin irritation after using them. In that case, you should avoid using them any further.
Some people believe that if it starts to give you a burning sensation, it has begun to work. That is wholly incorrect.
Read More: 5 Best Skincare Ingredients of All Time
Conclusion
Cleansing, moisturizing and sun protection are the three fundamental steps of a skincare routine. You cannot miss even one of them if you want clear flawless skin. It is recommended to add a few treatment agents depending on your skin type and skin concern. And trust me, this is all you need as your topical skincare routine.
Adding more ingredients to your routine and making it complicated will increase your skin’s sensitivity making it more prone to skin problems. Also, it takes time to get noticeable results so don’t give up after trying for a few days. Just stick to your routine and give your skin enough time to get used to it. Your skin will thank you for that.
