The Importance of Skincare

So, What Should the Average Routine Look Like?

Cleanse

No matter whether you live in a bustling city or out in the countryside, your skin will be subjected to pollutants in the air and environment. These pollutants, along with oil, dead skin cells, impurities and other bits of debris have the potential to clog your pores and cause breakouts. Certain types of cleansers, like cleansing oils, help break down makeup and pollutants that sit on your skin’s surface. Regular and thorough cleansing is key to keeping your skin clean and preventing clogged pores.

Tone

While the skin’s pH constantly changes depending on what you eat, how much you sleep, the environment you live in, and what products you’re using, the ideal pH for women is between 4.5 and 5.5, which is slightly acidic. The aim, of course, is to reach this ideal pH balance. That’s where toner comes in. Using a toner to suit your skin type can help get things back into balance and may contain active ingredients that are soothing and beneficial to your skin.

Exfoliate

Did you know we lose about 30,000 to 40,000 dead skin cells every minute of the day? That’s 200,000,000 skin cells every hour. And, whilst we can’t see it happening, you don’t want these cells to sit on top of your skin as it can make it look dull and clog up your pores leading to future breakouts. Exfoliators, both physical and chemical, are a great way to slough off dead skin cells, revealing the brand-new cells underneath.

Protect

Some say protecting your skin from damage is the best way to look after it. They would be right!

You can’t always reverse the signs of damage, but you can protect your skin from being damaged in the first place. Antioxidants are great for fighting free radicals, responsible for breaking down our skin's collagen, and oxidative damage which can lead to fine lines, dark spots and sagging skin. It goes without saying, using an SPF is crucial to protect against UV and UVB radiation damage which can also cause premature ageing and dark spots

Replenish

Actives have become a bit of a buzzword when it comes to skincare, and for good reason: they work! Active ingredients like vitamin C, retinol, beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) and alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) are great for targeting specific skin concerns such as dark spots, wrinkles, dryness and acne.

They can be derived from either natural organic sources or synthetic, but they will work in the same way. Whilst many people can benefit from adding actives into their skincare routines, it’s important to be mindful about which ones you decide to use, how you use them and when to use them. We advise talking to a skincare professional like us to find out which ones are best for your skin type.

Now you know what a good skincare routine should consist of, it’s time to start slowly adding in anything that might be missing to ensure you are covered on all bases. But, finding the right products to suit your skin type and to deal with your skin concerns can be overwhelming when there’s so many products and brands to choose from. That’s why we recommend popping in to see our expert team of practitioners at Skin Medical so we can advise and help you reach your skin goals.