No matter what stage of life we’re at, everyone needs to take care of their skin. Some of us may not follow the best routine, but we should all look after our skin and give it a bit of TLC.
If you don’t know what you should be doing — or if you do, and you aren’t following the correct routines just yet — then here are some tips on what you could do to best benefit your skin.
What to Have in Your Daily Skincare Routine
The following tips can help to maintain your overall skin health and improve specific issues such as acne and scarring. Below are four steps you should follow in the morning and just before bedtime:
- Cleanse – choose a cleanser that doesn’t leave your skin too tight after washing. Clean your face no more than twice a day (or just once if you have dry skin and don’t wear make-up). Washing for that squeaky-clean feeling should be avoided, as it means your skin’s natural oils are gone.
- Use a serum – ones with vitamin C, growth factors or peptides are best for the mornings and underneath sunscreen; those with retinol work best at night.
- Moisturise – you should moisturise even if you have oily skin; if you do, use one that’s lightweight, gel-based or doesn’t block your pores. Dry skin may benefit from cream moisturisers.
- Use sunscreen – apply one with an SPF of at least 30 about 15 minutes before you go outside. This is because it takes a while for it to activate
Make sure you use products that fit your skin type and sensitivity, and read the labels as well. You can buy these products from online pharmacies, such as this trustworthy website https://www.chemistdirect.com.au/, where you can choose from a range of items.
You should also follow these points, regardless of skin type:
- Stay hydrated
- Change your pillowcases at least once a week
- Wash/wrap-up your hair before you go to bed
- Wear sunscreen daily and apply it 15 minutes before you go outside
How Else Can I Protect my Skin?
There are several different things to consider when taking care of your skin. You should protect it from the sun by — as well as wearing sunscreen — seeking shade and avoiding the sun between the hours of 10am and 4pm (when the rays are at their strongest). You should also wear protective clothing such as tightly-woven long-sleeved shirts, long trousers and wide-brimmed hats.
If you smoke, the best way to protect your skin is to quit smoking. Not only does smoking make you look older and contribute to wrinkles, but it narrows the blood vessels in the outer layers of the skin, which decreases blood flow and depletes the skin of both oxygen and nutrients.
You should also treat your skin gently by limiting bath time, avoiding strong soaps, shaving carefully, patting yourself dry with your towel, and moisturising dry skin. Also, maintain a healthy diet and keep yourself hydrated. Uncontrolled stress can trigger acne breakouts and other skin problems, so take care to manage stress as well.
