Do you have a skin regimen?
What’s your usual skin care routine?
How do you keep your skin looking so good?
Most of us have heard these first two questions before, especially when we visit a dermatologist’s office. And most of us hope to hear the third question, but the truth is that healthy skin doesn’t happen overnight. Achieving this goal often requires creating a skin care routine – and, most importantly, sticking to it.
Following a skin regimen every day may sound too high-maintenance for some, but it’s a lot easier and more beneficial than you think. The skin care experts at The Derm are here to guide you through the thousands of skin care products on the market today and create the right skin regimen for your unique skin.
Why it’s important to have a skin regimen
A regular skin care routine goes beyond washing your face, although that is certainly an essential part of it. For maximum results, your skin regimen should be a twice-a-day endeavor. Morning skin care focuses on prevention and protection for the day, while evening skin care focuses on cleansing and repair.
It’s amazing what you can accomplish in a matter of minutes! Some of the many benefits of a skin regimen include:
Overall skin health
Following a skin care routine helps prevent skin concerns and resolve them faster when they arise. For example, depending on your skin type and goals, your dermatologist may recommend products specifically designed to treat dry, oily, or acne-prone skin.
Using the right skin care products also encourages the shedding of dead skin cells and the regeneration of new skin cells, leaving you with the healthiest skin possible.
Hydration
Like the rest of your body, your skin needs enough water to stay fully hydrated. Otherwise, it loses its elasticity and can no longer stretch the way it should. Without adequate moisture, you may develop dry, itchy skin, dark circles under your eyes, deeper fine lines and wrinkles, and other unwanted results.
By making moisturizing as high of a priority as drinking water, you can help your skin maintain the proper moisture levels and stay healthy and glowing.
Protection from the elements
A skin regimen that includes sunscreen protects your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays, which are still present on cloudy, gloomy days. On a sunny day, fresh snow can reflect up to 90% of UV rays – that’s more reflective than the rays off Lake Michigan in the summer.
Skin that is overly dry, cracked, bleeding, or has open sores or wounds can also expose you to external elements like germs, infection, and airborne illnesses. Keeping your skin healthy helps reduce your risk.
Self-care
Any healthy routine that you follow regularly can benefit your body-mind connection. Caring for your skin is a great opportunity to practice a few minutes of mindfulness and notice the sensations you are experiencing, such as the soothing feeling of warm water.
Gently rubbing your face, relaxing while wearing a mask, and other skin care steps are simple acts of self-care that you can enjoy to the fullest.
What to include in your skin regimen
Of course, a skin regimen is only as good as the products you use. Here’s a list of basic items you should include in your skin care routine.
Cleanser
In the morning, rinsing your face with warm water is usually enough. However, it’s a different story at night. After a full day of exposure and damage (including the inevitable build-up of excess oils and dirt), your face will need some extra care.
Instead of using regular bar soap or body wash, we recommend using a cleanser designed especially for your face. Wash gently without scrubbing too hard and then rinse with warm water. (You should never use hot water, which removes the natural oils in your skin and can cause dehydration.)
If you have dry skin, an alcohol-free cleanser is likely best for you. Cleansers that contain ceramides, hyaluronic acid, or glycerin also help hydrate dry skin.
If you have oily skin, use an oil-free cleanser instead. Cleansers with benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid, or salicylic acid help control excess oil and lessen acne breakouts.
Moisturizer
Moisturizers are a vital part of any skin care routine. A quality moisturizer increases the water content in your skin and prevents your skin from drying out, leaving your skin properly hydrated and smoother. Moisturizing also helps repair your skin barrier, which is the protective top layer of your skin (known as the epidermis).
It’s best to apply moisturizer to your skin while it is slightly damp – after taking a shower, washing your hands, etc. – to lock in moisture. Even a quick spritz of water on dry skin can make a difference. You should moisturize your face twice a day and your whole body at least once a day.
If you have dry skin, choose a rich moisturizer with ceramides, glycerin, or shea butter for extra hydration.
If you have oily or acne-prone skin, go with an oil-free or lightweight gel moisturizer that won’t clog your pores. Moisturizers containing hyaluronic acid are also suitable for this skin type.
Toner
Toner is an optional step that benefits people with dry or oily skin, depending on its ingredients. You can use a toner after washing your face in the morning and at night.
To apply, soak a cotton pad with toner and gently pat it onto your face. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, be sure to focus on the “T-Zone” (the T-shaped area that includes your forehead, nose, and chin).
If you have dry skin, use a hydrating toner with hyaluronic acid or rose water.
Toners with oil-absorbing ingredients, such as salicylic acid or witch hazel, are better for oily or acne-prone skin.
Serum
A serum is also an optional addition to your skin regimen. If the serum has antioxidant properties (such as vitamin C, vitamin E, or niacinamide), it’s best to apply it in the morning. Each of these ingredients helps reduce UV damage throughout the day.
The right serum can help brighten your skin, reduce redness, improve texture and firmness, and more. To apply the serum, simply tap the product into your face and neck.
Serums that contain vitamin C work for all skin types, while serums with vitamin E and hyaluronic acid can help hydrate dry skin.
If you have oily or acne-prone skin, try a serum with niacinamide (a form of vitamin B3 that can also help shrink pores and soften wrinkles). However, niacinamide should never be mixed with a vitamin C serum. Ask your dermatologist for more details.
Sunscreen
Again, protecting your skin with sunscreen is crucial. Sunscreen should always be the final step of your morning skin regimen, even on gray and windy Chicago winter days.
Wearing sunscreen regularly reduces your risk of skin cancer as well as the signs of aging – in fact, UV exposure is the number-one cause of wrinkles. UV exposure can also cause dark spots, freckles, and more.
Before you leave home, apply a nickel-sized amount of sunscreen to your face, ears, neck, and chest. Be sure to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or higher that protects against UVA and UVB rays. Reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or sweating.
When to adjust your skin regimen
It’s natural to adjust your skin regimen as you age. Collagen production is stronger in your 20s and 30s, which helps keep your skin looking healthy. Cleansers and moisturizers will likely be fixtures in your skin care routine. As time passes, your dermatologist will likely recommend serums, exfoliators, and other products to help reduce the signs of aging.
The weather can also play a role, especially if your skin reacts to changes in temperature. In the winter, you may need a stronger moisturizer to fight the cold, dry air. But in the summer, you may want a lighter moisturizer and higher SPF for your sunscreen. Regular visits with your dermatologist can help ensure that you’re using the right products at the right time.
When to see a dermatologist
With an endless array of skin care products to choose from, finding the ones that work best for you can be both costly and time-consuming. Using the wrong products for your skin type can lead to breakouts, allergic reactions, or worse.
Here’s the good news: you don’t have to come up with a skin regimen by yourself! Let the skin care experts at The Derm examine your skin, learn about your goals, and create a customized skin regimen just for you.
Take the first step today
With three convenient locations in Glenview, Park Ridge, and Wilmette, The Derm provides exceptional skin care to patients of all ages. Schedule an appointment now to get started!
