Don’t Overthink it, Skincare Can Be Basic!
Whatever your skin goals, there are four basic steps that every successful regimen requires. Basic doesn’t mean bad. The simple truth is you don’t always need a lot of products, you just need the right ones. A healthy skincare routine consists of a few effective products targeted to treat specific issues and designed to work synergistically. Four steps don’t necessarily mean four products. You might alternate or use multiple products depending on the season, your skin condition, or the issues you’re targeting.
Here’s your cheat sheet for the perfect daily four-step routine for radiant, youthful skin.
Step One: Cleanser
A cleanser is the foundation of your regimen. Cleansing the skin removes dirt, excess oil, cellular debris, and makeup to prep for the next steps and support a healthy skin barrier. You can opt for a wash or a scrub, depending on how much exfoliation you need. Lastly, be sure you’re using a cleanser that’s designed for your skin type or condition!
Step Two: Toner
Toners are skin optimizers. Aside from clarifying, toners balance pH, reduce the appearance of pores, introduce moisture to the skin, and generally improve skin health. They make your other products work better by clearing dead cells to enhance their absorption and accelerate your results.
All skin, even dry skin, needs a toner. The lack of moisture causes skin cells to die more rapidly than in properly hydrated skin, creating a buildup of dead cells. Those dead cells block the moisture barrier and keep your products from delivering their beneficial ingredients.
Step Three: Targeted Serums
Correctors are serums formulated to target specific skin issues, like acne, fine lines and wrinkles, or pigment issues, to change the look and feel of your skin. They repair and protect against damage, neutralize free radicals, and regenerate healthy skin.
Medical grade serums are formulated with maximum potency, using highly concentrated ingredients that target specific concerns. They are the workhorse of your skincare regimen, capable of transforming all your trouble areas. Often, you will have a daily corrector, or 2, and a nightly corrector, depending on your skin type, condition, and specific concern.
Step Four: Protect
Protectors nourish the skin, promote elasticity, fortify the skin’s barrier, and protect the skin from irritation and environmental stressors. Products in this category often rely on humectant and emollient ingredients to draw moisture into the skin and retain it. Humectants are like water magnets. Emollients provide the insulation, with the ability to act as a hydrophobic barrier over the skin to seal in moisture. Every skin needs hydration! Yes, even oily skin.
Remember, SPF is the ultimate protector! It should be used daily to guard against age-accelerating UV damage. No questions asked. You can use a combination of moisturizer and SPF or layer two products.
A rule of thumb with any skincare regimen, apply your products in order of consistency — from thinnest to thickest—for example, cleanser, toner, serum(s), and then moisturizer.
If you’ve struggled to see results, been overwhelmed by product choices, or just been unsure about where and how to start, keep it simple. The right products, not how many, diligent application, and daily lifestyle choices are what make the difference!
Emily Giddings, RN
