When your skin is in distress, you can see and feel it. It’s dry, flaky and tight, making you uncomfortable all day long. Or perhaps your skin is too oily and therefore prone to breakouts. Either way, you can take action to improve the condition of your skin by improving your daily skin care routine.
A skin care routine is crucial for protecting your skin and keeping it healthy. Your routine can prevent sun damage and fight signs of premature aging. Best of all, the things you do to protect your skin today will make your chances of developing skin cancer much smaller. Get familiar with these seven tips to improve your daily skin care routine, and then make an appointment with Dermatology Center of Acadiana for even more suggestions and advice.
1. Learn Your Skin Type
Is your skin oily or dry? Maybe it’s dry in some places and oily in others. Perhaps you have sensitive skin, which means that you may be more prone to burning or stinging when you use skin care products. On the other hand, you may be one of those rare people whose skin is normal, meaning that it is balanced and free of blemishes.
Regardless of what type of skin you have, it’s imperative that you buy products for your daily skin care routine that are formulated for that skin type. You may find that it’s necessary to make alterations to your skin care routine depending upon the season. As the weather changes, so does your skin.
2. Choose the Right Cleanser
It’s virtually always inadvisable to just use a bar of soap on your face. That’s because this skin may be more sensitive and it probably gets more environmental exposure than the skin on other parts of your body. Choose a gentle cleanser that won’t strip your skin of its natural oils. A formulation that includes ingredients like ceramides will protect your skin from getting too dry.
3. Don’t Skip Sunscreen
Too many people head out the door every day without even a drop of sun protection. Usually, that’s because they know they aren’t going to spend the day at the beach or on the water. The reality is that your skin, especially on your face and hands, gets more sun exposure than you think. This leads to wrinkles, spots and a greater potential for skin cancer. Make sunscreen a mandatory part of your skin care routine to prevent these problems.
4. Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize
It’s not uncommon for people to think that they are too young to need moisturizer or that their skin is too oily to require this step. Actually, everyone can benefit from moisturizing as a part of their skin care routine. You’re preventing lines and wrinkles every time you moisturize, so start now to ensure that you don’t look older than you are a few years down the line. A lightweight, oil-free moisturizer is ideal for someone who has oily skin, while something richer is just right for someone with drier skin.
5. Don’t Go To Bed Wearing Makeup
You’re tired at the end of another long day, making it tempting to hit the sack without washing your face. Unfortunately, that leads to clogged pores and the potential for an acne breakout. If you don’t want to bother with a full-fledged, nighttime skin care routine, at least use a gentle cleanser to wash makeup away before bed. While you’re at it, you might consider using an acne treatment if your skin is prone to breakouts.
6. Add Exfoliation To Your Daily Skin Care Routine
Exfoliation doesn’t necessarily need to happen on a daily basis. Once a week is sufficient for most people, while those with sensitive skin may prefer to do it even less. Nonetheless, a weekly exfoliation can really dial up the efficacy of your daily skin care routine, making the products you use more powerful because they can reach deeper under the surface of your skin. A gentle exfoliation product can work wonders.
7. Choose the Right Lifestyle
A good skin care routine is more than just the right products. People who drink plenty of water, don’t smoke and practice positive sleep practices tend to have healthier skin. Compound those habits with a diet that is rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, and you have the recipe for great-looking skin. If you’re looking to get your skin looking younger after years of not taking ideal care of it you can also take a look at some of the other cosmetic dermatology procedures we offer.
If you need assistance developing a skin care routine or have concerns about your skin, then contact your board certified dermatologists at the Dermatology Center of Acadiana. They can help you choose the right products for your skin and provide all of the healing treatments you need.