10 Steps to a Thorough Skincare Routine

How do you get the most out of your skincare routine? If you want your skin to stay looking young and healthy, you have to take care of it both on the inside and outside. Follow these ten steps for the best skincare routine that’s as thorough as it is easy, and you’ll see results in just weeks. Skincare takes time, but with these tips, you’ll be well on your way to smooth, glowing skin!

1) Cleanse Face

Cleaning your face is a crucial part of healthy skin. Keeping your skin clean, by either washing it with soap and water or using facial cleanser, will keep your pores from becoming clogged with dirt and other debris. And that can help prevent acne breakouts along with lessening wrinkles, preventing sun damage, and more. Choose products designed for you skin type and pay attention to instructions on how often you should be cleaning your face (some products require daily use). The key is developing a routine that works for you; don’t follow someone else’s advice if it doesn’t match up with what works best for you.

2) Exfoliate Face

Taking advantage of your exfoliation step twice a week is key to keep your skin clean and healthy. Exfoliating before you go to bed each night will make sure that your skin has time to heal itself while you sleep. This means that when you get up in the morning, there won’t be as much dirt or oils clogging up your pores which will leave your face feeling soft, smooth, and fresh-looking. Start with a gentle scrub for sensitive skin. Once or twice a week should do it!

3) Moisturize Skin

A healthy lifestyle is essential for healthy skin, but some simple steps can go a long way in ensuring that you keep your skin looking and feeling its best. Using an oil-free moisturizer daily can help keep your skin clean and promote collagen production so that wrinkles don’t become more pronounced as you age. Sunscreen is another important step in keeping your skin looking its best; even on cloudy days, it’s possible for harmful UV rays to penetrate and cause issues with pigmentation. Remember, prevention is better than cure! Avoid smoking, use sunblock every day of year – not just in summer – and eat well.

4) Use Eye Cream

Most people forget about their eye area, which is important when it comes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. When you’re considering skincare products, remember that what you put on your skin absorbs into your bloodstream and therefore can have effects on more than just your external appearance. By using an eye cream, you’ll help keep your eyes healthy as well as be protecting them from being exposed to harsh elements in daily life. Don’t forget about them! Always make sure that you also wear sunglasses or use some other type of eyewear that protects against UV rays. You can find some fashionable styles now too! Also consider taking breaks from electronics that emit blue light: Some evidence suggests these devices may speed up signs of aging around the eyes.

5) Wash Hair

You’ve already taken one important step toward healthy skin by washing your hair regularly, but it’s possible you could be doing it all wrong. We consulted with Atlanta-based dermatologist Dr. Neil Sadick, who told us that too much shampooing can dry out your hair and strip away natural oils and moisturizers. To keep your scalp from getting irritated or burned from using too much shampoo, make sure you only apply a dime-sized amount of cleanser (ideally sulfate-free). Then lather, rinse and repeat as usual. If you find that scrubbing your scalp daily is key for keeping oil under control, we recommend trying gentler Clarifying Shampoo like Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo.

6) Take a Bath or Shower

One of your first steps in maintaining a healthy lifestyle should be keeping your skin clean. Keep in mind that even if you shower daily, your skin can still become dirty. Make sure you take time each day to really wash yourself up and keep dirt and bacteria from accumulating on your skin. Exfoliate: If you have problem areas with acne or dry, flaky skin, consider exfoliating—you’ll keep oil from building up and will also unclog pores by opening them up and removing dead cells. Scrub gently but frequently; at least once every two days is recommended for most people.

7) Keep Hydrated

While not directly related to skin care, drinking water is one of those things you can do right now that will yield results as well as serve you for years into your future. Staying hydrated keeps your skin looking healthy and prevents dehydration that causes lines and wrinkles. Keeping hydrated also helps reduce stress so it’s important for maintaining an overall healthy lifestyle. Set a reminder on your phone or put up signs around your house to remind yourself!

8) Eat Healthy

Eating healthy is key for glowing skin. However, not all skin is created equal. Skin can be oily, dry, acne-prone or any combination of these characteristics. In order to keep your skin clean and healthy you must adopt a skincare routine that addresses your particular needs. A good place to start is by eating healthier foods that your body will thrive on while taking care of yourself from within as well as without. One of the best ways to ensure radiant and healthy skin is by maintaining proper hydration levels inside and out so make sure you consume plenty of water every day!

9) Wear Sunscreen & Avoid Tanning Beds

Tanning beds are dangerous. Too much sun can cause wrinkles, premature aging, even skin cancer. Slathering on sunscreen protects against all of these things. Be sure to wear an SPF of 30 or higher every day in order to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. You should reapply after sweating or swimming and before going out at night, as well. If you have sensitive skin or allergies, it may be best to avoid common ingredients in sunscreen like oxybenzone and retinyl palmitate. Try mineral-based sunscreen instead; zinc oxide and titanium dioxide provide excellent protection without clogging pores (some studies even show they are more effective than chemical sunscreens).

10) Get Enough Sleep

Not getting enough sleep at night can result in compromised skin during your waking hours. While you’re sleeping, your body is performing important maintenance work, including processing waste and fighting off free radicals. When you don’t get enough sleep, there’s not enough time for all of that maintenance work to happen, leaving your skin open to additional damage. To keep skin clean and healthy-looking through your skincare routine, make sure you get enough zzzzs each night.

Final Thought

Keeping your skin clean is just as important as caring for it. It’s easy enough to keep it fresh and free of blemishes, even when you’re on-the-go. Take it from me: Once you get into a habit of proper cleansing and moisturizing, you won’t want to give it up!