Always remember how significant proper facial care is. The essential role here is played by choosing appropriate cosmetics and the regularity and order of individual treatments. We can distinguish three fundamental stages: facial cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection. In the case of the first one, thorough make-up removal and subsequent skin cleansing with a gentle cleansing agent are significant. Let's not forget about regular exfoliation of dead skin with a scrub—depending on the skin type, we can do it 1-2 times a week.
The first step will undoubtedly be the correct diagnosis of skin type. This will make it easier to determine which nutrients are helpful for a specific skin type and to select the right cosmetics.
Remember that problematic skin and, for example, normal skin require some caution. Therefore, let's not introduce several products into facial care simultaneously. Instead, let's gradually make any changes to the routine, observing how the skin reacts to individual substances and whether a given cosmetic brings the desired effects.
Daily skin care should be tailored to your skin problems and type. Although there is no universal scheme, the basics are the same and include:
The above three steps are the pillars of proper skin care
, without which introducing active substances is pointless.
Remember to remove your makeup and cleanse your skin thoroughly as the foundation of your skincare routine. Washing your face twice daily is essential, although you may need to adjust this if you exercise regularly.
In the morning, opt for gentle products to clean away the residue of your nighttime skincare, any sebum, sweat, and dust that may have accumulated while you slept. Look for mild gels, emulsions, or foams containing nourishing ingredients for your morning cleanse.
Evening cleansing should be adapted to what was applied to the skin during morning care. If we have makeup and cream with a filter, perform two-stage cleansing.
In the first step, choose a product to help remove makeup. You can choose micellar fluid (remember not to rub the skin too intensively with cosmetic pads), milk, or oil formulas, depending on your preferences. In the second cleansing stage, you should choose a product to combine with water.
A special protective layer on the skin's surface ensures proper functioning and protects against external factors. The skin becomes rough, red, and tight if it is damaged.
Take care of the way you take a bath or shower. We are starting with trivial and seemingly frivolous issues, such as closing the bathroom door, where we retain moisture while washing, lowering the water temperature, or shortening bath time itself. It is also good to remember to use delicate, preferably fragrance-free, shower gels, mousses, and creams for washing, free of strong surfactants (SLS, SLES, EDTA). Including good quality dermocosmetics, emollients, or natural oils in your care may be a good idea, as they will help retain moisture in drying the epidermis.
After bathing, remember to take care of your skin immediately—apply a moisturizing or oiling cream or skin oil. Ointments, creams, and balms (simply any moisturizing agents) work by retaining moisture in the skin. Apply cosmetics within a few minutes after gently drying the skin with a towel. Dry skin also needs regular exfoliation.
Fine- or coarse-grained exfoliation works perfectly for this purpose, thanks to which we will increase the effectiveness of all cosmetics used in the next stages of care. Putting another layer of cosmetics with occlusive–closing properties – on light products, such as aloe gel, is good.
According to some dermatologists, it is worth adding that it is sometimes better to use an ointment or body cream instead of a balm. These preparations are sometimes more effective and less irritating to the skin than balms.
Look for a cosmetic with one or more of the following components:
Stop utilizing products that have the following ingredients:
Whether you opt for natural toning with hydrolase or traditional tonic, the key is not to skip this step. Cleansing products often disrupt our skin's natural pH balance (4.5-6), so restoring it while taking care of your face is important. All skin types' slightly acidic natural reaction protects against bacteria that cause imperfections and acne. Using a tonic in your daily morning and evening routine yields excellent results while moisturizing, regulating sebum production, and rejuvenating the skin.
If you have sensitive or dry skin, it deserves a vitamin boost with additional active ingredients. If you're not a fan of masks and face packs, don't worry – these products don't need to be used daily. You can start by using essences, a nourishing night cream, or a serum, particularly those with added vitamin C.
Peeling not only exfoliates the epidermis or its dead cells. They are invisible, but they create a keratinized layer on the face. Its removal makes the skin softer, more pleasant to the touch, and much more radiant. Because we remove the old epidermis, cosmetics are absorbed faster, and the skin cells are prepared to absorb nutrients from other care products.
We exfoliate the facial skin with a massage by the fingertips. This is the best way to stimulate microcirculation in the tissue, which improves the complexion and makes it more oxygenated. Massage and peeling also improve the skin's firmness, slowing its aging process.
Many people wonder what to use to exfoliate the epidermis on the face at home. There are many exfoliating cosmetics, and you can also find numerous recipes for homemade exfoliating products. Be careful with the latter. The exfoliating particles may be too harsh for your skin type.
Appropriate exfoliating cosmetics also contain additional nutrients that positively affect the skin's condition. That is why it is worth seeking specialist products ideally matched to your skin type.
The last but not least important pillar of care is daily, systematic skin protection from the sun. Although the choice of products is wide, use of creams with the SPF50 factor. We remember sun protection all year round. Even on winter, cloudy days, solar radiation reaches our skin.
Introducing active ingredients into skincare without taking care of its foundations is pointless. Without thoroughly cleansing the skin, cosmetics, even those with retinol, will not be able to work adequately. Poorly cleansed skin does not absorb active ingredients. A damaged hydrolipid barrier makes the skin more “permeable”. Applying cosmetics containing active ingredients to it can cause significant irritation. On the other hand, a lack of sun protection can contribute to discoloration. Many active ingredients have an effect that sensitizes the skin to sunlight.
You want your daily skincare routine to be effective and bring the desired results. That is why, at the very beginning, you should define your skin type and learn its features and needs in detail—this is the only way to know how to properly care for your condition.
Most common in children and less common in adults, normal skin is considered the ideal type with a smooth surface, barely visible sebaceous gland openings, even tone, adequate moisture levels, and a well-maintained hydrolipid layer. It responds well to proper care, doesn't feel tight after washing, and doesn't get excessively oily throughout the day.
It is skin that does not produce enough sebum. It is dull, rough, tight, and more sensitive to external factors such as wind and frost. It disturbs the keratinization and exfoliation of the stratum corneum of the epidermis. You will notice dry skin, discomfort after washing, and the need to apply cream immediately after drying. Pimples rarely appear on it, and narrowed pores. Unfortunately, signs of aging are visible the fastest on dry skin.
This type of skin may not appear until many years later because the activity of the sebaceous glands decreases with age. The first thing to focus on is rebuilding the hydrolipid coat, which is usually damaged, does not retain enough water in the epidermis, and does not perform its function correctly.
With overactive sebaceous glands producing excessive sebum, oily skin exhibits constant shine throughout the day. It's typically thicker, has an earthy tone, and enlarged sebaceous glands, especially in the T-zone and the cheeks. Blackheads and occasional pimples are common. Oily skin is less sensitive to external factors, but aggressive cleansing, frequent exfoliation, and excessive oil control can perpetuate a cycle of increased sebum production. It's essential to be mindful of this when planning a care routine for oily skin.
This skin type combines features of both oily and dry skin. It's often characterized by excessive sebum production in the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) and dry cheeks. Sometimes, these zones may vary, such as only the forehead being oily while the rest of the face is dry or normal. While combined skin is common, it can be challenging to care for as it requires treating dry and oily skin and finding the right balance in skincare.
Different products for different parts of the face or universal products that provide adequate hydration without overloading the skin can be effective. Establishing a distinction between day and night skincare routines is also beneficial. This guide will outline the fundamental rules for caring for combination skin.
Each skin type can have its subtypes, so it's essential to pay attention to them. Below are the characteristics of the most common subtypes.
This skin type tends to redden easily and may have visible dilated blood vessels, typically on the cheeks and around the nose. Sensitive skin is highly sensitive to external and internal factors such as wind, temperature fluctuations, UV radiation, stress, spicy food, alcohol, or physical exertion. This sensitivity can be inherited or acquired after dermatological treatment. It commonly appears with dry skin but can also occur with other skin types. Proper care of sensitive skin requires gentle treatment, protection, and suitable cosmetics. Understanding how to care for this type of skin is essential as it is a long-term condition, and proper care can prevent discomfort.
Currently, it is an increasingly common type of skin. It is characterized by a tendency to develop various non-inflammatory and inflammatory changes. Of course, there are many types of acne, hence different changes may occur in its course. Non-inflammatory changes are closed and open comedones, while inflammatory changes are pimples, lumps, bumps, and cysts.
Acne skin often affects teenagers during adolescence, but it also occurs more and more often in adults. There can be many causes of acne, which is a complex problem that should be approached holistically. While it's possible to alleviate acne, it's crucial to care for it properly due to its tendency to form.
It reacts intensively to a given factor that would not typically cause an allergic reaction. It is a temporary condition that stops after the allergen is eliminated. The factor causing an allergic reaction can be anything, and it is a very individual matter. Any ingredient in a cosmetic (including natural ones), even potentially safe ones, can be an allergen.
Other allergies, such as food allergies, can also cause skin symptoms. Such skin often has a disrupted protective barrier; taking care of the microbiome and the hydrolipid layer is necessary. The sensations on the skin are primarily intense itching, rash, burning, redness, and sometimes even blisters, swelling, peeling, or pain. An allergic reaction does not have to appear immediately after the first contact with the allergen, and it may only make itself known after the second or third contact. In the case of severe allergic reactions, see a doctor immediately.
Table of Contents
Acne is a skin disease whose main cause is the production of too much sebum. How does it manifest itself?… read more »
Pimples are small inflammations of the skin caused by the blockage and infection of oil glands. How to get rid… read more »
Dry skin is a bothersome problem that can affect everybody. Find out what dries out your skin. Learn about moisturising… read more »
Dry scalp is a condition characterized by the scalp skin becoming dry, irritated, and flaky. It often results in itching… read more »
Freckles are small, flat, brownish spots on the skin that often appear in sun-exposed areas. They are more common in… read more »
Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that is sometimes mistaken for acne, allergic reactions, eczema, and other skin conditions.… read more »
Dandruff is the result of excessive skin exfoliation, overproduction of sebum, or the presence of Malassezia yeast on the skin.… read more »
Folliculitis is a skin disease that appears very often. What are its causes and symptoms? What is the treatment for… read more »
Heat rashes are skin lesions. They occur as a result of excessive sweating due to overheating of the body and… read more »
