5 Steps to A Daily Skincare Routine + 7 Tips for Radiant Skin

Having soft, youthful, and glowing skin doesn't only make you look better, it adds to your confidence too. And while not everyone is born with flawless skin, following a daily skincare regime can help you keep skin problems at bay. Since it requires consistent effort and commitment, many people tend to avoid following a skincare routine.

But, despite what you might think, following a skincare routine isn't a complicated affair that takes up a lot of time. Spending a mere 10-15 minutes is more than enough to keep your skin looking absolutely gorgeous. Read on to know how!

5 Essential Steps That Should Be a Part of Your Daily Skincare Routine

A regular skincare routine can work wonders in improving your skin’s health, when done the right way. For starters, you shouldn't apply just any skincare product - you need to identify the ones that suit your skin condition and type. Also, there is a golden rule when it comes to skincare - you should apply the products in order of their consistency, from thinnest to thickest.

Of course, you can't expect to notice changes in your skin right from the first day of application. But, with consistent efforts, your skin is sure to improve a considerable extent within a few weeks’ time. Below are the steps you can follow to make your skin healthier and more radiant.

1. Start with A Cleanser

To be healthy, you need to let your skin breathe. Therefore, it's best to start your daily skincare routine with an effective cleanser that rids your skin of all the accumulated dirt, grime, or makeup. It's important to wash your face at least twice daily to keep your skin feeling fresh along with eliminating acne and clogged pores.

But, you should make sure to choose a cleanser that's gentle on the skin - harsh cleansers can strip your skin of essential oils, leaving it feeling dry and rough. For the best results, make sure to go for a cleanser specially formulated for your skin type.

For example, if you have oily or acne-prone skin, choosing gel-based or foam-based cleansers is the best decision. On the other hand, cream-based cleansers are best for people with dry skin. And if you aren't sure of your skin type, going for micellar water may be the safest bet. This soap-free cleaner effortlessly removes dirt and makeup while being extremely gentle on the skin.

Apply a small amount of cleanser on a cotton pad and then gently wipe over your face and neck to remove all impurities. Wipe your face with a clean, soft towel after cleansing.

2. Use A Toner

After cleansing your face, it's time to follow it up with a toner. Toning your face not only helps balance the pH level of the skin but also gets rid of any leftover dirt or dead skin cells from its surface. These products penetrate your skin and give it a smoother appearance.

Many toners contain ingredients that replenish the nutrients in your skin, boost moisture, reduce inflammation, and remove dullness. It also improves your skin’s ability to absorb other products easily.

Applying toner is easy - just pour some on a cotton pad and spread it evenly all over your face and neck. You don't need to rinse it off, just let your skin soak up all the goodness. Make sure that the toner is fully absorbed into your skin before moving on to the next step of your daily skincare routine.

3. Apply Serum

Using a serum is an effective way of dealing with skin issues like blemishes, dryness, and premature aging. These are concentrated formulations with active ingredients that can penetrate the deepest layers of your skin, making it glow from within. As these are lighter and much easier to absorb than moisturizers, including these skincare products can help you deal with problematic areas of your skin like fine lines or dark spots effectively.

Even if you don't have any specific skin problems, using a serum can give your skin a much-needed boost of nutrients, helping protect it from environmental agents. To apply, take a small amount of serum and use your fingertips to firmly yet gently work it on the skin in small, upward motion. Never mix your serum into a moisturizer.

4. Don't Skip the Moisturizer

While it's true that using a serum will hydrate and nourish the skin, that doesn't mean that you can skip applying a moisturizer. Moisturizers not only soften your skin but help seal in moisture to keep your skin hydrated all day.

No matter what your skin type is, if you don't moisturize it regularly, your skin will slowly lose its elasticity and appear dry and dull. This is because your skin gradually loses its natural ability of retaining moisture as you grow older. But, you need to choose a moisturizer according to your skin type - using a heavy cream-based moisturizer on oily skin will only aggravate your existing skin problems further.

Take a fair amount of moisturizer and massage it on your face and neck slowly in upwards circular motions. Continue until it is well absorbed into the skin. And while you are on it, don't forget your hands, pamper them with a bit of moisturizer to help keep them soft and supple.

5. Never Forget the Sunscreen

Many would end their skincare routine with moisturization, but we don't agree! Using sunscreen should be an integral part of your daily skincare regimen if you want to maintain its health. Being exposed to the harsh UV rays of the sun can not only lead to dark spots, sunburn, and premature aging; it can even increase your risk of skin cancer.

But, applying just a small amount of sunscreen with appropriate SPF can shield your skin from all this and more. The SPF level depends on your specific needs, but it's best to go for one with at least SPF 30. Apply it liberally on all the exposed parts of your body for at least 30 minutes before going out in the sun. And if you are out for prolonged durations, it's best to reapply the sunscreen after every two hours or so to maintain protection.

7 Effective Tips to Keep Your Skin Radiant and Healthy

Want to wake up with a healthy, radiant glow every day? Well, that's not hard to achieve, as long as you are willing to put in a little bit of effort. Apart from following the right skincare routine and taking care of your skin, making some simple lifestyle changes can positively impact your skin’s health.

If you are unsure of how to start, here are some pretty effective skincare tips that you can follow for achieving a healthy boost of radiance.

1. Exfoliate Your Skin Regularly

Our skin is capable of naturally shedding away the layers of dead skin to reveal the younger, more-youthful-looking skin layer below. But with age, this ability of the skin decreases, causing a layer of dead skin cells to build up. So, while cleansing your skin regularly removes most of the dirt and grime, it may not be enough to wash away all the dead skin cells.

As the dead skin cells build up, your skin may start noticing dry, dull-looking skin with a patchy appearance or uneven skin tone. The dead skin may also clog pores, leading to breakouts and spots. But all this could be avoided with regular exfoliation.

Exfoliating your skin gently removes the dead cells from the surface of your skin, making it look noticeably softer, smoother, and more radiant. Try exfoliating your skin at least twice a week for the best results. Make sure you don’t exfoliate too often, however, as it could dry out your skin and cause irritation and redness.

2. Moisturize Your Skin Twice Daily

It's no secret that moisturized skin looks and feels better, but the question is, how often should you moisturize? Unfortunately, many people tend to only apply moisturizer when their skin feels dry or flaky - but that isn't the right way.

You see, moisturizing daily helps shield your skin from outside elements by restoring and strengthening your skin’s natural barrier. It can also delay the appearance of fine lines and improve the appearance of blemishes.

So, no matter what weather it is or whether you are staying at home or going out, make sure to moisturize your skin twice daily - in the morning and at the end of the day. Do it for a few days, and you will soon notice the difference.

3. Carefully Choose Skincare Products Depending on Your Skin Type

Have you noticed a new skincare product in the nearby supermarket that promises healthier skin and are tempted to purchase it? Well, you need to stop and question yourself if the said product actually suits your skin.

You see, not all skin types are the same. Your skin may be normal, oily, dry, sensitive, or a combination of these - and you need to find a product that suits your specific type. If you are unsure of your skin type, it's best to visit a dermatologist. They will help you identify suitable products with the right ingredients that would help improve your skin condition.

4. Don't Overload Your Skin with Products

While skin care is important, it's not a good idea to overload your skin with too many products. You see, not all ingredients used in skincare products are compatible with each other. And if the ingredients of one product react with another, the effects can be disastrous for your skin. So, if your skin feels irritated or you notice any inflammation after applying a combination of products, it may be a sign that you are overloading your skin.

The same is true for makeup, too - using too many makeup items with harsh ingredients can damage your skin in the long run.

5. Maintain A Healthy, Balanced Diet

The food you eat reflects on your skin - unless your body receives the right nutrients, your skin may seem dull and dry. A balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables provides your body with a good dose of powerful antioxidants and vitamins, which help boost skin health. These antioxidants help skin repair and protect it from further environmental damage. When your skin is nourished from within, it appears supple and radiant.

6. Keep Yourself Hydrated

Drinking water can actually improve your skin. Of course, it cannot magically rid your skin of wrinkles or age spots, but keeping yourself hydrated can help maintain a healthy appearance. Your body needs adequate water to flush out the toxins accumulated inside and keep all the systems hydrated. And when your skin is hydrated, you are less likely to notice any dryness or dullness.

Make it a habit to include several glasses of water and fruit juice in your daily diet, and you will notice not only an improvement in your skin, but also in your overall health.

7. Remove Makeup Before Going to Bed

No matter how tiring your day is, if you care about your skin, you shouldn't go to bed without removing all traces of makeup from your face. Makeup products can clog pores when left on for long periods, leading to dryness, acne breakouts, and dull skin.

Try keeping a makeup remover handy on your bedside table, and take a few minutes to cleanse your face before bed. This small action can make a huge difference in maintaining your skin’s radiance.

Summing Up

Our skin is very sensitive; therefore, the slightest form of neglect may manifest itself in the form of skin issues. So, if you have been troubled by dull or dry skin for some time, or have noticed an increase in dark spots or acne, maybe it's your skin’s way of reminding you to pay more attention to its needs.

Try following the 5-step daily skincare routine mentioned above, and you will probably notice signs of improvement within a few weeks. And with the tips mentioned above, it won't be long before you are on the receiving end of compliments for your flawless, radiant skin!