Your skin is among the most important organs in your body. It performs several crucial functions, not only shielding the body from harmful bacteria, chemicals and radiation, but also helping it to retain water, fat, and other essential substances.
Leaving aside these essential functions, the skin is also critical from an aesthetic perspective, because, we all want to our appearance to look as good as it can both from a physical and mental health standpoint.
Caring for it properly can help you to avoid problems like acne, eczema and excessive dryness. But doing this requires an understanding of how the skin works – and how your particular skin type should inform your daily skin care habits.
Understanding Your Skin Type
Effective skin care means being able to recognise what kind of skin you have. Skin tends to fall on a spectrum, ranging from oily to dry. ‘Normal’ skin is somewhere in the middle. Skin can also vary across the body of an individual, being dry in some places and oily in others. This is so-called ‘combination’ skin.
You might already have an idea of what kind of skin you have. If you don’t, then you might test it by washing, and then waiting thirty minutes without applying any product. In some cases, it can be helpful to take photographs – but you’ll need a camera that’s good enough to pick up the subtleties of your skin.
The Essential Skincare Steps
Whatever kind of skin you have, your skincare routine will in most cases be based around a handful of critical steps. First, you’ll want to cleanse your skin of any grime or residue. Cleansers tend to be either oil or water-based, and the one that’s right for you will depend on the type of skin you have.
After cleansing, you’ll want to moisturise – typically with a cream, gel, or balm. Creams tend to work best with dry skin, while gels might be preferable if your skin is oilier. Finally, you should apply some sun protection. This will help to slow the ageing process and reduce your risk of skin cancer.
Choosing the Right Products for Your Needs
How do you pick out the right product for your circumstances? You’ll not only need to think about your skin, but also your budget. The best approach is often to experiment with different products, and to settle on the one you prefer best. If you’re struggling with your skin, it might be best to keep a diary so that you can maintain a sense of perspective throughout your quest for perfect (or at least healthier) skin.
If you have a particular skin problem, you might look for products designed and marketed with those issues in mind. However, you might also get good results from inexpensive home skincare recipes.
Adapting Skincare for Different Seasons
What works during summer might not be appropriate during winter. In some cases, cold weather can cause skin to dry up. On the other hand, excess sunlight can lead to other problems. If you’re sweating excessively during the summer, you might look to exfoliate more intensively to open up those pores. You might also choose a higher-factor SPF product to protect against harsh sunlight.
