An Effective Skincare Regimen Must Include These 6 Essential Products
1: Cleanser
Even the best facial treatment can’t work to its full potential if its applied to skin that has not been freed of pore clogging debris. Healthy skin begins with regular cleansing, every morning and every evening. In most cases, you don’t need two separate cleansers. One possible exception would be if you’re treating two separate conditions, such as acne and fine lines. You will see better and faster results if you address each condition separately by using an anti-acne cleanser and treatment in the evening and an anti-aging cleanser and treatment in the morning.
2: Toner
The purpose of a toner is to restore the skin’s proper pH balance. It also removes any remaining traces of cleanser and chlorine/mineral deposits left over from rinsing. Toner creates the ideal environment for your skin to absorb your facial treatment product.
3: Facial Treatment
A facial treatment is often referred to as a moisturizer, although not all skin is in need of additional moisture. It can be in the form of a gel, serum, lotion or cream. Look for a facial treatment that addresses your skin’s unique requirements. If your skin is oily, you don’t need a moisture rich treatment nor do you necessarily need an oil free product. Look for ingredients that will balance out the skin, as this will help to regularize excessive oil production. If you have combination skin, that’s oiler in the “T” Zone, you should focus on treating the oily skin. Products that treat oily skin should not cause excessive dryness; if they do, your skin will over compensate by sending more oil to the skin’s surface to replace what has been taken away by these over drying products. Facial treatments should be applied before applying sunscreen.
4: Sunscreen
Sunscreen should be applied every single morning, rain or shine, even if you don’t plan on going outside. Exposure to UVA/UVB rays will increase your risk of getting skin cancer, cause premature wrinkling, darken areas that are already hyperpigmented and can cause dark spots, also known as “sun spots”. Everyone should wear a sunscreen or sunblock with a MINIMUM sun protection factor (SPF) of 15. I prefer physical sunscreens that use titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, as opposed to chemical sunscreens.
5: Eye Cream
The use of an eye cream every morning and evening is, in my opinion, essential. The skin under the eyes is very thin and contains only a small amount of oil producing glands. Daily use of a nourishing, moisture rich eye cream will keep the skin moist, supple and reduce or prevent the appearance of fine lines.
6: Masque
There are several different types of facial masques, so the kind that you use depends on your skin type. In general, clay or mineral mud based masques are best for oily or acne prone skin, because they absorb excess oil and help to clear embedded pore clogging debris. Fruit enzymes and alpha hydroxy acid masques to help speed up cell turn over and get rid of hyperpigmented skin. You can use most masques multiple times a week, if needed. Stronger alpha hydroxy acid masques, however, should be used once or twice a week, maximum, on non-consecutive days.
Remember your neck when you are cleansing, toning and treating your face! You want to keep this area as youthful, healthy and radiant as your face.