Remember that retinoids take four to six months of consistent use to give you results, so consistency is key. The general rule of thumb here is that cleansing your complexion twice per day — once in the morning, once in the evening — is ideal.
Factors like age, skin type, lifestyle, and climate all play a crucial role in determining the ideal skincare routine for you. Just like a plant needs water to thrive, your skin requires moisture to look and feel its best.
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Even award-winning actress Emma Stone claims her skin care secret is baking soda. A daily skin care routine has four basic steps you can do once in the morning and once before you sleep.
Your morning skincare routine can be as simple as washing your face, applying moisturizer, and putting on sunscreen—but if you want to try out a more maximalist routine, that’s fine, too. Other than a cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen, you do not necessarily need to use additional products. A targeted treatment (like a personalized prescription formula from Curology) can be added for specific skin goals. If you want to add even more products to your routine, do so slowly and introduce them one at a time. “The three most important products in a skincare regimen are vitamin C, retinol and SPF,” says Dr. Lombardi. If you’re new to retinol, we recommend the Vichy LiftActiv Pure Retinol Serum.
STEP 4: Protect With a Broad-Spectrum SPF
Other reviewers say they like the rich texture of the moisturizer which makes their skin feel nourished. However, many reviewers suggest that this should only be used a few times per week — not once or twice per day according to the instructions — as it can cause over-exfoliation and lead to irritated skin if used too often. Paula’s Choice has become a cult favorite among beauty and skin care enthusiasts, and customers say the brand’s BHA liquid exfoliant lives up to the hype. Somewhat similar to jade rollers, gua sha tools are smooth stones can deliver a mini face-lift effect thanks to lymphatic facial drainage. Based on an ancient Chinese healing technique, gua sha tools are largely used as more of a massage technique and a self-care tool, using gentle upward strokes on the face and neck to quell puffiness and swelling.
Keeping the skin barrier healthy and strong keeps skin looking and feeling its absolute best. Evening primrose oil also helps keep the skin barrier strong while promoting elasticity to keep skin firm and flexible. Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser has been a cult favorite product for decades and is beloved by dermatologists.
Q: Is the Consistency of Serious Skincare Insta-Tox Supposed to Be Watery?
Likewise, using thicker products (like moisturizers) before thinner products(like serums) prevents the absorption of active ingredients. Sunscreen should always be your last step during your daytime skincare routine. Daily use helps protect your skin from ultraviolet (UV) rays that cause skin cancer and signs of premature aging—like sunspots and wrinkles. A toner is not always necessary, but they can add some oomph to your skincare routine. Toners can help remove additional oil and dirt after cleansing, which helps better prep your skin for other products. Toners can also hydrate dry skin and promote good skin pH, which may help prevent acne.
First rule of thumb is to layer your products from thinnest to thickest consistency, to ensure that lightweight formulations are absorbed first, followed by richer and thicker products. Occlusive products seal in the skin to trap hydration, but they’ll keep out active ingredients you want to absorb.
We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we love. Divya Shokeen, a board-certified dermatologist in Torrance, California, agrees. “The most important skin-care advice would be to keep it simple,” Shokeen says. All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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