Right now, the world is a stressful place. So it might feel tempting to watch TV late into the night and then roll into bed without so much as splashing your face with water — you’re just too tired. But what if, instead, you focused on taking care of yourself in this small way. By spending five extra minutes to treat your skin, you’re sending a message: “I’m worth it,” says Traube. This is akin to the perk you might get when you swipe on a coat of mascara in the morning, apply color on your cheeks to make them pop, or smooth on that tinted moisturizer that makes your skin glow.
What might be one of the more impactful steps is finding a moisturizer that you really love. (Some things to consider: Does it feel good going onto your skin? Does it smell pleasant? Does your skin feel good after?) “Moisturizing serves to improve the overall look and appearance of the skin, while also restoring and maintaining the skin’s function as a barrier to the environment. It also helps improve circulation to the skin, which can help better your general sense of well-being,” says Daisy.
There are two basic steps that should go into every skin care routine, no matter how old you are. They are to cleanse and to moisturize. You will want to find a cleanser that is gentle for your skin while still helping to remove oil, dirt, makeup, etc. A good moisturizer acts as a barrier between your skin and the environmental things that can harm it.
Many people find it beneficial to add a third step to their basic routine, called “toning.” There are many toners out there, all with different goals. This step generally goes between cleansing and moisturizing.
To suit your specific needs, there are many products on the market that can be incorporated into your skin care routine. There are products out there aimed at oily, dry, or combination skin. Rather than just blindly pick and choose, it is a good idea to consult a professional to help you determine the products that will benefit your skin the most. You do not want to start too many things at one time, as this can damage the skin and make it difficult to tell what is working and what is not.
