In this blog, we discuss basic
skincare and the ideal regimen
for your skin.
At the heart of any well-rounded skincare routine are the basic steps: cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection.
Each step is essential for healthy skin:
Cleansing: removes dirt, oil, and makeup.
Moisturizer: reinstates much-needed hydration back into the skin.
Sun Protection: helps keep the skin well
protected and less subjected to photoaging.
We all have different skin types, and the skincare products in our skincare routine
should always reflect our skin’s needs.
For some skin, hydration is a must, while others need more help dealing with breakouts, and some skin types require a boost when tackling rough textures. Each skin type—dry, oily, normal, combination, or sensitive— influences product selection.
Staring at your arsenal of skincare products trying to determine the right application
order can be really intimidating. Odds are that you have a ton of different products
that you don’t actually know how to use!
It’s about time that you learned the correct order to apply your skincare routine from start to finish. After a bit of experimentation and consistency, you can develop a beneficial skincare routine for your unique skin.
Cleansing
MORNING & NIGHT
This is Step 1 and remains true both morning and night. If you washed your face
properly the night before, you may not need to use an actual cleanser in the
morning -- warm water on its own will be sufficient.
However, at night, you’re definitely going to need an actual cleanser to remove dirt, oil, sweat, pollutants, makeup, etc. that have accumulated onto your face throughout the day.
Many people assume that cleansing and makeup removal can be performed in the same step. However, many dermatology experts recommend “double cleansing” which essentially means removing makeup with a cleansing substance like micellar water before
actually cleansing your face with a gentle product. This is because cleansing without removing your makeup beforehand can simply move makeup around on the face or worse, push it deeper into the skin.
There are so many different types of cleansers out there with different consistencies, how can you choose the right one for your skin? If you have oily or combination skin, GA-10 Cleanser is ideal for your skin type. If you have dry, sensitive, or acne-prone skin, Revitalizing Cleanser is ideal for your skin type.
Face Serums
MORNING & NIGHT
The second step in your skincare routine should be face serums. Many people are intimidated by serums because they don’t really know what to do with them!
Perhaps you have heard that you’re not supposed to combine certain serums or don’t know which ones will work best with your skin. Thankfully, we’re here to help you with that!
Face serums are a great way to provide your skin with a highly concentrated boost of nutrients and antioxidants. There are many different varieties out there to choose from, so it’s recommended that you choose serums based on your skin type and skin concerns.
If you have acne-prone skin, you should consider serums with niacinamide, salicylic acid, alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids, and zinc.
If you have dry skin, you should consider serums with glycerin, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, rosehip oil, and argan oil.
If you have mature skin, you should consider serums with retinol, Vitamin C, peptides, evening primrose oil, and grape seed extract.
If you have dull or uneven skin, you should consider serums with licorice root extract, kojic acid, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E. Using Vita C & E Serum with Ferulic in the morning will protect the skin from UVA/UVB damage and help neutralize free radicals. Using Advanced Retinol Serum at night is designed to brighten the skin and promote cellular turnover.
Moisturizer
MORNING & NIGHT
The third step is moisturizing. If you don’t have time or energy to go through your entire skincare routine, cleansing and moisturizing should be the bare minimum of what you do without fail. This is true no matter your skin type.
While it’s true that oily skin is technically “moisturized” by these oils, skipping out on moisturizer could be doing more harm than good.
Instead of skipping out on moisturizer as a result of oily skin, instead you just need to find the right formula. Oily skin does not need thick or heavy moisturizers that will just exacerbate oiliness, cause shine, and clog pores. Oily skin needs lightweight moisturizers with ingredients like hyaluronic acid that is able to hold 1,000 times its weight in water.
On the other hand, dry skin does need thicker and heavier moisturizers to provide the skin with some much-needed moisture and nourishment. Look for moisturizers with ingredients like shea butter, nopal cactus, glycerin, ceramides, or vitamin E such as our Intensive Recovery Cream.
Sun Protection
EVERYDAY
The final step in your skincare routine should be sun protection. Experts recommend that you apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen product with at least SPF 30 each and every day no matter how cold or cloudy it is outside.
This is because the sun’s powerful rays are able to penetrate and damage the skin even on the coldest, windiest, and cloudiest days. The best and easiest way to routinely apply sun protection without a second thought is to use a moisturizer with built-in SPF. Doing so cuts
down on the steps in your routine and ensures that even if you don’t have time to do all your steps, you’re able to confidently go about your day knowing that your skin is clean, nourished, and protected.
There are a couple of different types of sunscreens to choose from.
Mineral sunscreens act as a physical barrier for the sun’s rays and reflect them from the skin’s surface. They sit on the skin’s surface and need to be reapplied often for adequate protection. They may also come tinted to give a quick timesaver to your day and a flawless glow. Try Sheer Defense Tinted SPF 46 with a high level of niacinamide or HA Physical Tint SPF 44 with a moisturizing base of hyaluronic acid.
Chemical sunscreens convert the sun’s rays into heat that is then released from the skin. They are absorbed into the skin and aren’t as effective at combating all types of UVA rays. Chemical sunscreens can be problematic for different skin types, including acne-prone skin, sensitive skin, or hyperpigmented skin.
Shop Love Dermatology Skincare
Shop dermatologist-tested products by Dr. Breedlove, made with natural ingredients and free of sulfates and parabens.
Also available are a complete offering of UV skin care products by EltaMD.
We're here to help if you have questions about selecting the right product for your skin type!
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