The Five Basics of Skin Care

With a job, family, hobbies, friends, and all of your other commitments, we realize how tough it is to find time to focus on your skin heal...

With a job, family, hobbies, friends, and all of your other commitments, we realize how tough it is to find time to focus on your skin health. Plus, it's easy to become overwhelmed by the hundreds of goods on the shelves at the drugstore's skincare section. So which products are essential and which can be skipped? We've put together a list of the five actions we believe should be included in everyone's basic skin care routine.

We all know that taking care of your skin is essential for overall health and reducing the signs of aging. However, with so many different beauty trends to choose from, finding a simple skincare routine, let alone sticking to it, seems nearly impossible. However, there are a few guidelines even if you're determined to keep your skincare routine as basic as possible. So we spoke to a few professionals to figure out precisely what you need to do—at the absolute least—to take care of your skin to get to the bottom of the skincare puzzle.

1. Cleanser - The first step in a basic skincare routine is selecting a cleanser intended explicitly for the face rather than the body. But how do you decide which is the best? Many acne or oily skin products contain particles to exfoliate the skin, but twice-daily exfoliation is more than enough for most individuals. In reality, many people's acne is aggravated and worsened by intense face washes. If you have acne-prone skin, search for products that are non-comedogenic or free of pore-clogging ingredients.
   

   For the most part, it's preferable to use things with a mild formula. Those with sensitive skin should use dye-free, fragrance-free, and alcohol-free washes to reduce irritation further. If your skin is dehydrated, cream or oil-based face cleanser may be preferable to a foamy product. The goal of cleansing is to get rid of makeup, filth, oil, and sweat from your skin without stripping it of healthy bacteria and moisture.

2. Toner - Is it better to tone or not to tone? It's a matter of personal opinion, but we like to sweep a moistened cotton pad across our skin to remove excess oils and dead skin cells and keep our skin happy! It's fantastic for energizing and refreshing skin, especially if it contains herbs like Witch Hazel and soothing Chamomile. Are you short on time? Start by buying a witch hazel spray from Somebody and save this step for the evening when you want to eliminate any residual remnants of makeup from the day.

3. Moisturizer - Then, apply a moisturizer or a moisturizing cream to your skin. We normally recommend an oil-free, fragrance-free moisturizer for all skin types, including acne-prone and sensitive skin. Beyond these limitations, you can use this step to simultaneously treat multiple skin disorders by seeking a moisturizer that has additional components that target specific needs.
   

   If you have oily or acne-prone skin, you should use a moisturizer every day. Over-washing without a moisturizer will cause your skin to produce excessive amounts of oil.

4. Sunscreen - Sunscreen is a must-have item. There are currently a plethora of formulations to suit all skin tones on the market. Active skincare ingredients like exfoliating acids, retinol, and vitamin C can make you more photosensitive, so sunscreen protects you from that and fine lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation worsening. Not to mention protection from UVB rays, which can cause the skin to burn.

5. Exfoliating - Over time, dirt and grime can develop on your skin. Dead skin that causes irritation, dullness, and acne can be removed by exfoliating your skin. While exfoliating should not be done every day, it should be done once or twice a week as part of your skincare routine. We recommend using a chemical exfoliator a few times a week once you've mastered your basic skin care routine to speed up the removal of superficial dead skin cells, allowing the active elements in your skincare products to penetrate deeper, resulting in healthier, smoother skin.