Taking time to take care of our skin is no longer an indulgence. Skincare fanatics, especially women, are in a never-ending quest to get that smooth, clear, and healthy skin. For those looking for immediate results, they opt to trust their skin to professionals. Today, skincare services range from facial centers, waxing salons, and beauty spas. Services may vary depending on your skin woes.
But for those who don’t have the time and budget, these people turn to ready-made skincare products to maintain their skin for less effort and money.
With every beauty aisle overflowing with skincare must-haves, finding the right skincare routine is more challenging than ever. Being bombarded with skincare ads, social media, and influencer recommendations can make us confused and overwhelmed by which product suits our skin. Some even come with hefty price tags, which can make us feel that skin care is a luxury we can never afford.
But worry no more skincare fans; there are plenty of ways to maintain good skin with less budget and effort! Believe it or not, we can still get by with our skin maintenance by doing the bare minimum! Read below for the expert-backed guide to bare minimum skin care.
Step #1: Begin with a cleanser
The skin is the largest and most exposed organ of the body, which is why you should take time to clean and take care of it. Our skin accumulates oil, dirt, and other impurities throughout the day. The sun’s UV rays and pollution exposure from daily activities both age and damage the skin. By the time you retire, your skin has already suffered a major beating from harsh outdoor elements.
It isn’t enough to wash your face with soap and water, especially for those who wear makeup every day. Clean your face using a mild, non-irritating cleanser to remove everyday grime and makeup without stripping the skin. This will also remove the gunk trapped between pores, which causes breakouts. A great tip is to use lukewarm water to unclog pores and take out excess dirt and oil.
Step #2: Don’t skip the sunscreen
The sun’s harmful UV rays damage the skin regardless of the season, not just during summer. You may have heard this many times, but we cannot stress enough the importance of sunscreen in your daily skincare routine.
Sunscreen serves as your first line of protection against skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation, skin cancer, sun spots, uneven skin tone, and even skin aging. Your best bet is to use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.
Step #3: Moisturize twice a day
Ever notice how your skin looks less hydrated as the day progresses? Keeping it hydrated is the key to making it look glowing and plump. Like cleansers, a moisturizer is another skincare product you should never neglect. After all, almost every skincare routine focuses on keeping the skin hydrated.
Moisturizers come in different types, but you can choose the ones with essential ingredients to reap the best benefits. These include vitamin C, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid.
Step #4: Exfoliate a few times a week
Leftover grime and gunk build up on skin over time. It also includes dead skin cells which cause acne, dullness, and irritation. That’s why it’s crucial to allow the skin to renew itself once in a while through exfoliation.
Exfoliation removes your skin’s old layer to pave the way for the new skin to emerge. But make sure to do it occasionally because over-exfoliation leads to flaky, dehydrated, rough, and patchy skin.
Step #5: Fight the signs of aging
The previous steps are all essential to maintaining healthy skin. But if you have the extra time and budget, optimize your skincare routine by adding an anti-aging product.
Ampoules and serums make great additions to your skincare routine. They serve as treatment boosters that contain essential ingredients to hydrate and saturate the skin with ingredients that fight skin aging. Consider adding retinol to your lineup since it is scientifically proven to even out pore size, wrinkles, fine lines, and texture.
Step #6: Don’t stress about it!
Skin care is something you should enjoy and not be stressed about. Don’t let yourself get pressured by all the skincare noise online. In the end, good skin care should make you feel comfortable without breaking the bank.
Every person has unique skincare concerns that require certain products and treatments. But experts say we can still take care of our skin even by doing the bare minimum. So don’t feel too overwhelmed or left out if you can’t keep up with skincare fads or whatever you see on social media. Your skin doesn’t need all the expensive products you find on the market. Just make sure you find time to take care of it.
