5 Tips To Streamline Your Skin Care Choices

When you visit a beauty products retailer, it is easy to get overwhelmed with the vast array of products on the market that promise benefits to your skin. The internet is just as saturated with reviews and expert testimonies aimed at getting you to purchase this cream and that cleanser, all adorned with too-good-to-be-true promises on the packaging. 

Skin care routines are as varied as personalities, and the routines of skin care are intensely personal. Products and routines that work for you are not the same ones that are best for your friend, no matter how many retailers try to sell one-size-fits-all systems. If you find yourself stressed out by all the choices that a skin care routine presents, here are five concepts that will help you sort through the complexity.

Protecting

According to experts, the sun causes 90 percent of the skin’s aging. Sunscreen is not just for hot summer days. If your aim is to improve the overall health of your skin, you should use organic sunscreen that protects your skin from UV damage year-round. UVA rays can penetrate windows, so even if your work days are spent indoors, sunscreen protection is worthwhile.

Experts recommend choosing an SPF of at least 30 that is not combined with another product—that foundation with SPF 15 is probably not sufficient; instead, choose a tinted mineral sunscreen. For true summer rays, choose a stronger sport sunscreen with a higher SPF. 

Cleansing

Washing your face is the most basic and essential step of your skincare routine. After all, your skin comes in contact with pollution, dirt, and environmental contaminants all day as it protects your internal systems from that same grime. You probably wash your face in the morning, but you should also make washing your face an important part of your nighttime routine. This will help your skin repair itself overnight, reducing dullness and clogged pores. 

When choosing a cleanser, keep in mind that the fewer ingredients the product has, the easier it is to detect if it causes any reactions to your skin. When you see the term non-comedogenic on a product, this means that the product should not trigger acne or clog your pores. Experts recommend that you should not overdo exfoliating scrubs; once a week is a good guideline. It may take a few tries to find a gentle everyday cleanser that suits your skin. 

Moisturizing

As part of your twice-a-day cleansing routine, you should moisturize. A quality moisturizer will hydrate and soften your skin. Doctors recommend that everyone should use a moisturizer year-round, regardless of their skin type. The best texture and composition of your moisturizer will vary depending on whether your skin is dry, oily, or combination.

Toning

A toner is like a supplement for your skin. Just like you might take a multivitamin to help balance your diet, the right toner will deliver an extra dose of nutrients to your skin and help to balance your complexion. Toners might include some acids that remove dead skin cells or boost hydration or rose water to calm irritation. Toning is optional, but depending on your skin’s characteristics, it might be the difference between average and glowing skin. Consult an aesthetician or dermatologist for advice on choosing the best toner for your skin type.

Simplifying

The simpler and more common sense your skin care routine is, the more likely that you will be able to stick to it. No matter how many products you see on the shelf, the basics of a good skin care routine are the same. Experts suggest that you should introduce only one new product at a time, to give yourself a chance to adapt and detect any adverse reactions. 

Start by finding a cleanser that you like, and lock in the routine of using it twice a day. This basic first step sets a foundation of self-care that will allow you to integrate more when you are ready.