body, made up of water, nutrients, lipids, and mineral deposits. It tries
to defend you against pathogens and regulates your body temperature. The
skin nerve endings help us to feel heat and cold. It protects against
robotic, thermal, and physical harm, as well as hazardous substances. It
prevents water loss. It reduces the adverse effects of UV radiation. It
serves as a sensory organ (touch, detects temperature). when skin does so
much for you, what are you doing to protect your skin?
So, you want to start a proper skincare routine, but you have some
questions: How many skincare products do you have to use? Which ones are
right for your skin? In what order should you be applying these products?
And what do the products even do? We spoke with top dermatologists to help
you figure out where to start and what to keep in mind while building the
best routine for your skin.
Three Main Skincare Routine Steps.
To get the most benefit out of a daily skincare regimen, no matter what
your skin type, you should start with three simple steps, according
to Ashley Magovern, M.D., dermatologist and owner and founder of Manhattan
Dermatology in Manhattan Beach, California:
Cleanse
Treat
Moisturize
You probably already know that cleansing means washing your face and
moisturizing means hydrating your skin, but what does “treating” involve?
Well, in addition to keeping your complexion in tip-top shape, the goal of
any good skincare routine is to target problem areas. So, treating means
incorporating serums or creams packed full of beneficial skincare
ingredients like vitamin C, retinol, alpha hydroxy acids and others,
depending on your skin type and the results you want to see, explains Dr
Magovern. “Adding a middle step in between the cleansing and moisturizing
components is really important,” Dr. Magovern says. “It can make a huge
difference over time and in the health, appearance and aging of your skin.”
Stick With It
Good things come to those who wait — and that includes skincare routines.
Even the best skincare products take time to work, so don’t expect results
overnight. If you stick to a consistent, daily routine, you can
likely expect to see some benefits within six to 12 weeks — and it can
often take at least three to four months to know if your new routine is
really working.
