Daily Skin Care Routine Tips | Build a Skin Care Routine

Overview | Acne or pimples | Pigmentation | Dry skin | Blackheads and whiteheads

Who does not dream of bright, healthy, flawless skin? We all want our skin to look young and spotless. However, that is not often the case; the skin is our largest organ and it requires special care. There are many common skin issues that can irritate the skin and make it appear dull and weathered. Skin issues like acne, pimples, dark spots, and uneven complexion can make you appear not only unhealthy but also unattractive.   

However, you do not have to continue living with these common skin conditions as they can be successfully treated if you are just a little careful. In this article, I will talk about a few skin issues and caring tips that can help your skin look healthy and youthful.

Acne or pimples

According to Harvard Health Publishing, acne can be a result of stress, hormonal changes, unhealthy diet, and harmful chemicals in your skincare product, and others. I advise to:

• Keep your face clean. Wash it at least twice a day, especially after sweating and after you have been outdoors
• Use skincare products that are alcohol-free and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Only use gently products that do not irritate it
• Use a non-abrasive cleansing product while cleaning the face. Try to use only your fingertips to apply it with a gentle touch
• Try not to scrub your face too hard as the irritation can lead to acne. Similarly, do not touch your face or the acne spots constantly as that leads to more outbreaks
• Avoid artificial tanning and exposure to the sun, as they can damage your skin, leading to more acne concerns
• Avoid pricking the acne as the marks can be very difficult to treat and can lead to more nasty scars
• Remember that extraction of the blackheads and white heads should be performed by a trained technician, otherwise it can lead to open pores later. Use of facewashes, which contain glycolic acid and mandelic acid, help to cleanse the skin without over drying it

Pigmentation

Uneven tone or hyperpigmentation on your skin causes dark patches, which makes your face appear dull and unhealthy. It occurs due to excess production of melanin, caused by sun damage, acne scars, and hormonal changes. I advise to:

• Use skin lightening creams on the pigmented areas to lessen the dark patches and make them even with your natural skin tone. Make sure to use products that are gentle on your skin
• Get a chemical peel treatment to fix pigmentation. It removes dead skin cells from the targeted area and resurfaces an evenly toned, healthy layer of skin
• Use Aloe vera to treat pigmentation successfully as it has been known to naturally lighten the skin. You can apply it on the affected areas at night and gently wash it off after you wake up. If you are using a skincare product with Aloe vera, ensure that it is alcohol-free
• Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF of 30 or higher. Use about 30 grams of the product for your entire body. It works best if you apply the sunscreen 30 minutes before going out and reapply it every two-hours

Oily skin

Your skin produces a natural lubricant to keep itself hydrated. However, it can sometimes create excessive oil, leading to oily skin. Below are few of my skincare tips for this concern:

• Always use skincare products that have been formulated for oily skin. Mattifying products will help reduce unwanted shine
• Cleanse your skin thoroughly twice every day: in the morning and at night. However, do not cleanse excessively as that can worsen the condition
• Moisturization is not required if the skin is naturally oily. However, if you use exfoliating products such as benzoyl acid or Adapalene creams, a moisturizer would help to keep the skin hydrated and less irritated
• Bring blotting paper wherever you go. If you have oily skin, it is necessary to gently absorb the excess oil off every few hours
• Cosmetic clay is a useful product for treating oily skin and many other skin conditions. You have to apply it on your face and let the clay soak out the excess oil

Dry skin

Dry skin can cause cracks, dullness, and other irritations. If you have dry skin, a few of my tips include:

• Keep your skin dehydrated. Drink plenty of water throughout the day and moisturize your skin well
• Do not take hot water showers as the heat can strip the skin off its natural oils. If you use warm water for bathing, make sure to bathe for under ten minutes
• Purchase a humidifier for your home. It will keep the atmosphere humid, which is essential for treating dry skin
• Use a gentle skincare cream to soothe itchiness due to dry skin. A cold compress can help too
• Hydrate by applying coconut oil. It can penetrate deep into the skin and nourish it from within to make it healthy and moist
• Argan oil or cold pressed almond oil also help to hydrate dry skin as they absorb into the skin without clogging up the pores. However, avoid the use of these oils in environments that are too humid 

Sensitive skin

Having sensitive skin can be challenging as it is more prone to irritations and breakouts. However, with the right skincare routine, you can keep the issues to a minimum. My tips are:

• Being very gentle to your sensitive skin is the most essential part of its care. Whether you are washing it or removing makeup, ensure that you do not end up hurting the skin
• When sensitive skin is irritated, blood rushes towards the affected areas to treat inflammation, which leads to redness. Use a soothing moisturizer with anti-inflammatory elements to provide comfort to your skin
• Moisturization of your skin is vital for all types of skins. For your sensitive skin, use a moisturization product that offers additional protection from irritants like chemicals, weather, and pollution
• You do not have to skip on face scrubs just because of sensitive skin. Light scrubs with Vitamin E and Pro-Vitamin B5 can make your skin smooth and healthy

Rosacea

The National Health Service informs that Rosacea is a skin condition that makes your face appear red, and the effects can be long-term. Here are a few tips that will help you keep the condition under control:

• If you have the condition, it is normal to not feel like cleansing your face or irritating the skin further. However, it is important that you use cleanse your face twice a day; using a gentle, rosacea-friendly cleanser will be helpful
• Sun exposure makes rosacea even worse. To protect your affected skin from sun exposure, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen product with SPF of 30 or more regularly
• Choosing the right skincare product is vital to take good care of a rosacea-prone skin. Look for products that do not contain alcohol, fragrance, camphor, and harmful acids
• Before using any new makeup or skincare product, always test it on a small area of your face. Wait for a few minutes to ensure that it is not causing any flare-ups
• Avoid any kind of steaming of the face and excessive hot showers
• Avoid drinking excessive hot tea, coffee, and spicy food

Skin brightness

Having a bright complexion can make your skin appear youthful and healthy. These tips can help you achieve that:

• Skin brightening moisturizers and serums are easily available in the market. Look for products that contain ingredients such as vitamin B3 and vitamin C
• Azelic Acid, Retinol, Glycolic Acid, and mandelic Acid are ingredients one should look for in a skin brightener cream rather than over-the-counter steroid-based lightening creams
• Not keeping your skin hydrated is the worst thing you can do to its complexion. Use moisturizers twice a day and drink a lot of water
• Antioxidants can help keep the skin looking bright naturally. Look for antioxidants in your skincare products and eat foods that contain resveratrol and ellagic acid

Blackheads and whiteheads

Many would agree that clear and clean skin is the most beautiful skin type. If you are bothered by blackheads and whiteheads, follow the below tips for solutions:

• Take half a lemon, cover the surface with honey, and sprinkle a little sugar on the top. Massage your face with it to get the best result
• Warm a quarter cup of coconut oil and add some essential oils to it. Apply the mixture on the affected areas twice a day to get rid of the problem. Always perform a patch test before using it on the whole face to make sure that you are not sensitive to the ingredients 

Unwanted hair

If you have unwanted hair on your body and no solution has been able to help you so far, it is time to consider laser hair removal.

Let me assure that this treatment is quite safe and effective. A handheld laser device is used on the hairy area that heats up the hair follicles. Within a few days, the hair will fall off and new hair growth will be halted for many months. It may take more than one session to achieve the desired result.

Sun damage

The sun can damage your skin significantly, making it appear dull and aging. Protecting your skin from direct sun exposure is the best way to avoid sun damage.

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, wearing a sunscreen product is the easiest and most effective way to protect your skin against the harmful UV rays of the sun. If you already have clear signs of sun damage, use specially-formulated skincare products with ingredients such as niacinamide, azelaic acid, retinols, retinoids, vitamin C, and alpha hydroxy acids. 

Closing thoughts

Maintaining flawless and healthy skin is not an easy job, but it is essential if you do not want to appear prematurely aging and dull. Committing to a skincare routine matching your skin type and requirements is the best way to maintain youthful skin. All you need is to understand your skin’s needs and act accordingly. Visit The Bombay Skin Clinic today, where I can help chart out the best skincare plan for you.

References

1. Harvard Health Publishing: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/adult-acne-understanding-underlying-causes-and-banishing-breakouts-2019092117816
2. National Health Service: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/rosacea/
3. Johns Hopkins Medicine: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/sunscreen-and-your-morning-routine