What is the best daily skincare routine at home in India for all ages?
Why do you need a skincare routine?
Prioritizing your skin’s health from an early stage through consistent skin care can not only provide it with a strong defense against the severe impacts of winter but also maintain your overall appearance and well-being throughout the year.
Remember that your skin cannot fully restore itself independently; it requires your assistance to appear and function at its optimum level.
Integrating beneficial skincare habits into your everyday regimen guarantees healthy and vibrant skin.
it is a common misconception that the skin’s daily shedding process means it self-maintains. This is not the case.
Failing to remove the dead skin cells can result in new skin layers becoming patchy, lackluster, and susceptible to blemishes, potentially leading to scars and other skin problems.
When considering various strategies for maintaining health with aging, most people will likely think of exercising, eating healthily, reducing stress, and quitting detrimental habits such as smoking and excessive drinking. However, the significance of the skin’s contribution to healthy aging is often overlooked.
Maintaining your skin is more than just striving for a youthful appearance. It’s crucial to uphold a skincare routine for overall health. A consistent skincare regimen can mitigate the impact of aging and environmental elements, boosting your skin’s vibrancy and elasticity over time.
The skin acts as your body’s primary barrier against harmful bacteria and infections. Adhering to a suitable skincare routine will help eliminate most impurities and bacteria on your skin’s surface. If not, these can clog pores or be absorbed, leading to potential illness.
A skincare regimen also aids in maintaining the hydration of your skin. Hydration is essential as dry skin can develop cracks and become more susceptible to infections, particularly during winter.
Your skin also serves a crucial function in shielding you from the harmful UV rays of the sun. Skin cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer and can affect people of all age groups. Hence, applying sunscreen is mandatory, even on overcast days.
Possessing clear and radiant skin boosts your self-esteem. Good skin is often linked with a wholesome lifestyle and attractiveness, implying that your psychological and emotional health can be affected by your self-perception and how others view you.
Adhering to a well-structured skin care regimen provides a feeling of order and satisfaction in your day-to-day activities, aiding in combating pessimistic thoughts and promoting mental awareness. This is especially advantageous for individuals grappling with anxiety and depression.
Engaging in self-nurturing rituals for your skin also triggers the release of endorphins in your brain, leading to feelings of calm and joy and effectively lowering stress levels. Nurturing your skin is a method of demonstrating to yourself that you appreciate and deserve the finest. This self-care sentiment can greatly improve your mental condition and perspective on life.
When to start a regimen?
Your 20s is the perfect period to establish a skin care regimen and cultivate habits beneficial for your skin. The decisions you make about skincare at this age will determine the appearance of your skin in the following decade and beyond.
In a world full of skincare products and trends, it can be challenging to understand what’s beneficial for your skin. Hence, we sought advice from two board-certified dermatologists.
Here is the skincare advice that is recommended for women in their twenties:
Be sure to include these two skincare products in your daily routine: Professionals suggest using these items consistently to enhance the health of your skin. Make it a habit to apply these two essential skincare products every day: Skin experts advise integrating these two items into your regimen to sustain the vitality of your skin. Here’s the skincare guidance they provide for women in their 20s:
Add these two skincare essentials to your everyday regimen:
Specialists recommend utilizing these products daily to support the well-being of your skin. Remember to apply these two skincare items each day: Dermatologists encourage the daily use of these products to preserve your skin’s healthHere’s the skincare advice they suggest for women in their 20s:
Incorporate these two skincare items into your daily routine:
Experts recommend utilizing these products each day to ensure the well-being of your skinApply these two skincare products daily: Dermatologists suggest using these two skincare products every day to maintain your skin’s health:
A gentle cleanser:
While choosing a cleanser, pick one that suits your skin type. For instance, if your skin is prone to acne, opt for a gentle cleanser that eliminates oil. A hydrating cleanser works well for dry skin.
To maximize the effectiveness of your facial cleanser, ensure you wash your face two times a day — once upon waking and once before bedtime. Also, cleanse your face after sweating.
Sunblock (SPF 30 or above, broad spectrum, and water-proof):
Whenever you anticipate being outdoors during daylight hours, whether it’s for a stroll or commuting to work, your skin is exposed to the damaging rays of the sun.
When you plan to spend time outdoors during the day, ensure your skin is protected. Apply sunscreen to your face and all other exposed skin areas 15 minutes prior to stepping out. Sunscreen should always be applied after other skincare products and before applying makeup.
Choose a sunscreen that is suitable for your skin type, similar to your cleanser. If you have greasy skin, opt for products labeled as “non-comedogenic” or “won’t block pores”. For women with darker skin tones, a tinted sunscreen might be a good choice. The majority of tinted sunscreens do not leave a white residue on your skin.
Incorporate a skincare product that tackles your main skin issue:
In their 20s, the skin care concerns of women can differ significantly. While acne is a problem for some women, others observe fine lines and other aging indicators. Dark spots may be the major worry for some.
To tackle your concerns, use a skincare product with ingredients supported by scientific research. The suggested ingredients:
- Use of Vitamin C serum or cream. Research confirms that this ingredient can decrease skin aging and diminish dark spots.
- Similar to other skincare products, it’s crucial to use a product tailored for your skin type and specific concern.
- Ideal time to use vitamin C is to apply it post face wash in the morning, prior to applying your sunscreen.
- Use retinoid: The term “retinoid” encompasses a wide range of vitamin A-based skincare products. It’s effective in treating mild fine lines, wrinkles, acne, and dark spots. Moreover, it helps in enhancing skin texture.
- For addressing issues like uneven skin tone, dark spots, or texture, search for the term “retinol.” This is a form of retinoid that’s employed for these tasks.
- Retinol can contribute to a youthful appearance of your skin by accelerating the turnover of new skin cells, a process that begins to decelerate once you hit your 20s.
- In the case of acne treatment, dermatologists commonly prescribe these retinoids — adapalene, tazarotene, tretinoin, or trifarotene. Adapalene is also included in an acne-combatting product that can be purchased over the counter.
- Applying a retinoid on skin susceptible to acne can unblock pores, leading to improved skin clarity and boosting the performance of other acne treatments.
- The timing for retinoid application is at night before sleep. Once you’ve cleaned your face, wait for 20 to 30 minutes before applying.
In case the retinoid leads to severe dryness, use a non-comedogenic moisturizer immediately after washing your face. Subsequently, apply the retinoid after a gap of 20 to 30 minutes.
Adapt, Maintain, and Personalize (AMP) your skincare regimen.
Your skincare regimen must be adaptable to truly serve your needs. For instance, a moisturizer may become necessary during winter when the atmosphere is typically dry. Adjustments to your skincare will also be needed as years go by. If a product causes skin irritation, you should immediately discontinue its use.
It’s vital to set up a skincare routine, with consistency being a key factor. Unless a specific skin care product is triggering discomfort, you should continue using it. Give it at least 30 days to evaluate its effectiveness.
The plethora of skincare trends and products available can make sticking to one routine difficult. The results showcased on social media might tempt you to include more products, which is totally understandable.
Remember, consistency in application is vital when you feel the inclination to try out a new product or regimen. Observing changes demands patience.
Regularly alternating between various skin care products can obstruct any visible enhancements. The sole result could be an aggravated skin condition.
As previously stated, it’s crucial to establish a skincare routine that caters to your personal requirements.
Maintaining a skincare regimen isn’t solely about washing your face, it’s also about moisturizing your skin, addressing skin issues, and shielding it from environmental damage. At a minimum level, your skincare regimen should consist of a cleanser, a moisturizer, and a sunscreen.
Your skin type and your skin objectives may necessitate the inclusion of extra treatments in your routine to manage dry, oily, aged, or acne-prone skin. Here’s a guide to devising the optimal morning and evening skincare regimen for your skin.
Morning Skincare Regimen
Your morning skincare regimen is designed to cleanse your skin from any impurities and oils built up overnight. Furthermore, it aims to hydrate your skin barrier and provide protection against harmful UV rays and pollution. Below is a guide on how to tailor your regimen according to your specific skin type.
Step 1: Facial Cleansing
To avoid clogging pores and causing breakouts, it’s crucial to remove excess oil and dirt from your face.2 Choose a mild, alcohol-free cleanser, so you don’t strip away too many essential oils needed to maintain a healthy skin barrier. If you have -dry skin, a more moisturizing oil-based cleanser may be necessary. For morning cleansing, apply lukewarm water to your face and lightly massage it with your fingertips. Afterward, rinse and dry your skin gently with a towel.
Step 2: Applying Toner
Based on their specific composition, toners can either hydrate the skin or remove any residual oil and dirt.
While toning is not a mandatory morning routine, it can be beneficial for individuals with dry or acne-prone skin. To use, moisten a cotton pad with the toner and gently dab it onto your face. Concentrate on the “T-zone” (forehead, nose, and chin) if your skin is oily or prone to acne. Some toners can also be directly splashed onto the face.
Step 3: Acne or Spot Treatments
Post cleansing or toning, if you aim to manage acne outbreaks, make use of an acne treatment on the affected area or all over. Alternatively, for fading melasma (hyperpigmentation), a skin-brightening spot treatment can be applied. Spot treatments are meant for localized areas of skin and can be utilized as required.
Step 4: Serum Rich in Antioxidants
A serum in the morning can assist in hydrating, protecting, and brightening the skin. It is ideal to use a serum enriched with antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, or niacinamide during the day because these components can aid in minimizing UV and environmental damage. To administer a serum, lightly pat the product onto your face and neck.
Step 5: Applying Eye Cream
While not mandatory, eye creams can provide additional moisture and hydration to the skin beneath your eyes. Apply the cream under your eyes gently using your ring finger. For eye creams used during the day, opt for those containing hydrating peptides, antioxidants such as Vitamin C, and SPF to shield your sensitive undereye skin from sun damage.
Step 6: Hydration
Applying a moisturizer to your face and neck helps maintain your skin’s hydration and protection throughout the day. Moisturizers work by enhancing your skin’s water retention and locking in moisture. This crucial step aids in the restoration of your skin barrier—the top protective layer of your skin, also known as the Epidermis. Even those with oily skin require hydration and moisture to maintain skin equilibrium—decreasing the chance of excess oil production.
Step 7: UV Protection
The final step in your morning skincare routine should always be applying sunscreen to safeguard your skin against harmful UV rays. Regular use of sunscreen can lessen your risk of developing skin cancer, wrinkles, and sunspots. Opt for a sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum coverage and has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or above. To ensure adequate coverage, apply roughly a nickel-sized dollop to your face, neck, chest, and ears.
Nighttime Skincare Regimen
A nighttime skincare regimen helps to cleanse your skin from the day’s residues and hydrates it. It could also assist in addressing skin issues such as dryness, acne, hyperpigmentation, or fine lines while you’re sleeping. Sleeping with a clean face enables your skin to rejuvenate, as new skin cells actively work to mend any skin damage. Below is how you can personalize your evening regimen.
Phase 1: Facial Cleaning
Washing your face at night helps get rid of any dirt and oil gathered over the day. You can utilize the same mild, oil-infused, or acne combating cleanser in the morning and at night. The primary distinction in an evening cleansing regimen is that you might also have to eliminate makeup using an oil-free makeup remover or perform a double cleanse.
Phase 2: Applying Toner
It’s not compulsory to use a toner with a cotton pad or splash on the face during the night. However, toning at night can aid in moisturizing dry skin or eliminating residual dirt post cleansing. You have the option to replace your regular morning toner with an exfoliating toner during the night. An exfoliating toner can be used one or two times a week to aid in the removal of dead skin cells and freeing up pores.
Step 3: Targeted Treatment
At night, you can persist with a targeted treatment to eliminate blemishes or lighten dark spots. This may involve the use of a benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid treatment for blemishes.6 Alternatively, for hyperpigmentation, you can apply a hydroquinone or kojic acid treatment.9
Step 4: Acne Treatments or Serums
Applying a serum or a comprehensive acne treatment at night is not obligatory. However, integrating these into your regimen can aid in treating fine lines and acne. Ensure you select only one to prevent skin irritation from excessive active ingredients. Certain serums also function as a chemical exfoliator—eliminating dead skin cells that block pores and make the skin appear dull.
Step 5: Utilizing Retinol
Including retinol, which is a form of retinoid, are derivatives of vitamin A that are used to treat acne and fine lines. They stimulate cell renewal and trigger collagen production, which enhances the overall skin texture and prevents pore blockage. Due to their sun sensitivity inducing properties, retinol and other retinoid treatments should always be applied at night. If you’re a first-time retinol user, it might cause irritation, hence, start by applying a pea-sized amount every alternate night.22
Step 6: Application of Eye Cream
Adding a night eye cream to your sensitive undereye can assist in increasing moisture, mending skin, and lessening fine lines. This step is not obligatory at night but is perfect for an anti-aging skincare regimen suitable for all skin types.
Step 7: Hydrating with Moisturizer or Night Cream
You have the option to hydrate your skin during the night with your regular moisturizer or use a more intense anti-aging night cream. Night creams are designed to support skin repair at night and possess a denser consistency compared to your daily moisturizer. Regardless, night-time skin hydration is crucial to restore moisture and hydration that was depleted throughout the day.
Step 8: Facial Oil
Facial oils are an optional step in the nighttime skincare routine that can provide additional hydration and moisture to the skin. Post moisturization, gently rub a few droplets of your facial oil onto your face and neck.
What Type of Skin Do You Have?
Understanding your skin type is essential in tailoring the best skincare routine for your skin’s requirements, both morning and night. The primary skin types are normal, dry, oily, combination, and sensitive. Here are some tips to determine your skin type:
- Normal: This type of skin is well-balanced in terms of oil and hydration. It’s neither too dry nor too oily and generally clear of acne and not sensitive to skincare products.
- Dry: This skin type lacks proper hydration and moisture, leading to rough, flaky, or itchy skin.
- Oily: For this skin type, the pores produce excess oil, resulting in a shiny and greasy complexion. This type is often prone to acne due to clogged pores.
- Combination: This is a mix of oily and dry skin—characterized by an oily T-zone and dry cheeks.
Sensitive: Sensitive skin is easily aggravated due to skin barrier issues, environmental factors, or skincare products. The outcome is itchy and reddened skin that may sting or burn upon product application.
Further Advice and Factors to Consider
When devising a skincare regime, it might be necessary to contemplate how to rotate products to prevent skin irritation. Some thoughts to keep in mind when stacking or replacing skincare stages include:
Avoid mixing AHAs or BHAs with retinol:
If incorporating a serum along with retinol is in your plan, think about alternating them every one to two days to avert skin irritation. Coupling retinol with Alpha-Hydroxy acids (AHAs)— such as glycolic or lactic acid— and Beta-Hydroxy acids (BHAs)— like salicylic acid —can result in dryness and irritation.
Exfoliate regularly, approximately thrice a week:
Gentle chemical exfoliators are available as cleansers, serums, peels, or toners. Nightly use of serums containing exfoliating elements is generally considered fine. However, it’s best to avoid blending your regular skincare serums and treatments with stronger exfoliating solutions like peels, toners, or cleansers. This mix could potentially irritate and strip your skin.
Incorporate a facemask into your routine:
Post cleansing and toning at night, consider using a facemask a couple of times weekly to either curb oil production or hydrate dry skin. Since these treatments often contain active ingredients, it’s advisable to avoid using additional serums, treatments, or retinol post facemask. Instead, after rinsing, lock everything in with a moisturizer.
Swift Summary
A skincare routine helps cleanse, moisturize, and protect your skin from environmental impacts. Essentially, your morning skincare routine should include a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. At night, just cleansing and moisturizing are enough. Later, you can add toners, serums, treatments, retinol, and oils that match your skin type. Seek advice from a professional dermatologist if you need help in choosing the right skincare for you.
Whatever your age or skin type, when you follow the skincare routine regularly, there is every likelihood that you can see visible proof of your efforts on your skin.
