Don’t know anything about skin care? Don’t worry, these 7 products will help you conquer your skin care routine.

    1. Cleanser

Everyone should have a trustworthy cleanser in their collection. If you wear makeup and heavier products that contain SPF daily, use a cleansing oil right before applying your regular facial cleanser. This process is referred to as “double cleansing”,  and it’s a great way to ensure your skin is completely clean. If you have dry skin, a hydrating cleanser will be more beneficial to the overall look and feel of your skin. Oily, acne prone skin should seek out lighter cleansing formulas that are non-comedogenic, meaning the product will remove oily residue from the skin without blocking pores. More sensitive skin should avoid formulas with fragrance and known irritants. Deciding what kind of formula to use, whether it’s gel, foaming, or micellar cleanser is up to individual discretion. Whichever cleanser you choose should not leave your skin feeling dry, tight, and irritated!  

    2. Toner

If you already find yourself cleansing your face daily, toner is crucial to boosting the look and feel of your skin. Toner is meant to  be used directly after cleanser. Generally, toner is meant to balance your skin’s pH, lock in moisture, remove traces of dirt, oil, and any leftover makeup. Think of toner as the primer of your skin care routine. To use just dampen a cotton pad with your favorite toner, apply to face and neck using upward gentle strokes. Any lingering residue should be evident on the cotton pad after you’re done. Toner should restore your skin back to its natural acidic state, therefore your skin should never feel dry and tight after toning. Keep in mind there are several types of toner, focusing on different desired needs and skin types.  

    3. Hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid is a holy grail product for keeping your skin hydrated. It is a naturally occurring molecule in the skin, and its main focus is retaining water into the skin. Allergic reactions to hyaluronic acid are rare because our skin naturally produces it. Hyaluronic acid boosts the elasticity of the skin, which can lead to less redness and faster healing skin!  By forming a moisture barrier for your skin, hyaluronic acid can also help protect against environmental irritants and pollution. As we age our natural levels of hyaluronic acid slowly deplete, so it is important to keep hyaluronic acid in your skin care regimen everyday. Hyaluronic acid needs to be applied to damp skin for optimal results. Lightly mist over your face with water then apply hyaluronic acid to really lock in the moisture. Use your hyaluronic acid after cleansing and toning your face and neck.  

   

    4. Moisturizer

Hyaluronic acid is not enough to keep your skin moisturized all day, you need to apply moisturizer too. It is very important to choose your moisturizer based on your skin type and desired needs. Moisturizer will also act as a barrier against environmental irritants. Finding the right formula is key, moisturizer needs to hydrate and restore your skin’s moisture without leaving your skin looking too greasy and shiny. Finding the right moisturizer will also reduce the chances of skin problems popping up. Skin that is too oily or too dry may be more prone to redness and acne. For skin that is especially prone to breakouts, finding a non-comedogenic moisturizer formula that won’t clog up your pores is imperative. Along with keeping your skin looking younger and fighting wrinkles, moisturizer will also help your skin feel better!  

    5. Sunscreen

Think of sunscreen as your best friend! It is your most important weapon against preventing wrinkles and dark spots on your skin, also known as hyper-pigmentation. If you’re going to be in the sun for more than 15 minutes then you need to apply sunscreen. How your skin ages is very much within your control, studies show signs of aging are directly related to sun exposure. Continuously being unprotected from the sun’s powerful rays can result in premature signs of aging, deeper fine lines, wrinkles, hyper-pigmentation, and it can also lead to skin cancer. SPF 30 or higher is recommended for every skin tone and type. A chemical sunscreen should be applied after cleansing and toning, give it a few minutes to absorb before continuing to apply any serums or moisturizers. If you use a sunscreen with a physical block, the most common is zinc oxide, apply your sunscreen a couple minutes after using your moisturizer. Remember, the most vital skincare products you will ever own is sunscreen.

    6. Exfoliants

Regularly exfoliating ensures you are accelerating your skin’s natural cell renewal process. As we age our natural cell renewal process slows down, which can cause the skin to appear more dull and dry. A good exfoliant works deeper than a cleanser to shed older, dead skin cells. There are two different kinds of exfoliants, you can choose between a mechanical exfoliator and a chemical exfoliator. Examples of mechanical exfoliants are a facial scrub and microdermabrasion. Chemical exfoliants like glycolic acid, lactic acid and salicylic acid work just as well, if not better than their mechanical counterparts. They go deeper into the skin than mechanical methods, producing desired results faster. Chemical exfoliants are less harsh on the skin, and if used properly, they run little risk of damaging your skin (3 times a week at most depending on your skin type). Pro tip: If you are prone to breakouts or easily get sun damage, go for a chemical exfoliant. People with normal, dry and mature skin can use a combination of both a mechanical and a chemical exfoliants.  

    7. Eye Cream

The skin around your eyes is much thinner and more delicate than the rest of your face. Because the skin around your eye is so thin, it is more prone to wrinkles and damage. It also contains less oil glands, so keep the area around your eyes well moisturized. If you are looking for wrinkle prevention, find an eye cream with antioxidants. Other ingredients to look out for in an eye cream are retinols and hyaluronic acid, both help to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Apply your eye cream every night. Overtime, regular use of eye cream will help the eyelid skin become more elastic and can improve or prevent fine lines and collagen loss. Remember consistency is key, results don’t happen overnight!