There are tons of skincare products to choose from, and the options can be pretty overwhelming. From pore strips to protective treatments, you may not know what you truly need and what’s a gimmick! My shelves were lined with unnecessary products until I followed the “top five” method. Below you’ll find the five types of skincare products you need to have healthy, glowing skin.
1. Cleanser
Doctors recommend that people with healthy skin only need to wash their face once per day. This should be done at night to remove oil, sweat, and other residue. As someone with oily skin, I prefer to wash my face twice daily.
If your skin feels tight or dry after you wash it, you may be using a cleanser that is too strong. If you experience this issue, look for a cleanser with works like ‘gentle’ or ‘sensitive skin’ on the bottle. No matter what your needs are, you can find the right facial cleanser for your skin type.
Tip: If you wear makeup, remove it prior to using your cleanser. You can use petroleum jelly, cold cream, oil, or a designated makeup remover. I simply use cold cream or coconut oil to remove cosmetics.
2. Exfoliator
There are two types of exfoliators for you to choose from – physical and chemical. Physical exfoliators are usually cleansers that contain granules designed to remove dead skin cells. There are downside of using physical exfoliations. They can be jagged which irritates or tears your skin, and they may not exfoliate evenly. Dermatologists often recommend using a clean, damp microfiber cloth to physically exfoliate.
Chemical exfoliants dissolve dead skin cells to reveal brighter, fresh skin. Common ingredients used in chemical exfoliants include glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and lactic acid. These chemicals can help diminish blackheads, treat acne, and more. If you have never used a chemical exfoliant, start by using one with a low percentage of the active ingredient.
Tip: Over-exfoliating can cause irritation and redness, and it can lead to increased oil production and acne. If you have sensitive skin or don’t feel the need to exfoliate, you don’t have to!
3. Toner
Toning is a skincare practice that is often overlooked, but it’s very crucial. Dermatologist Dr. Hadley King describes the importance of toning in this Today article. To sum it up, toners remove traces of excess oil, balance your skin’s pH levels, and much more. Toning is especially important if you wear makeup, heavy moisturizer, sunscreen, or have acne prone skin.
The type of toner you choose depends on your skin type. Some people need a gentle toner designed for sensitive skin; this type of toner is usually low in alcohol or alcohol-free. Others may need facial toner to minimize pores. Fortunately, you have plenty of options to consider.
Tip: If you aren’t sure what toner to use, use witch hazel. It’s gentle, effective, and cheap. I personally use a spray bottle of witch hazel mixed with five drops of tea tree oil. It’s gentle and really helps with my oil-prone skin!
4. Moisturizer
Moisturizing is one of the most essential parts of skincare. Apply moisturizer every time you finish cleansing and toning. There are many types of moisturizers available; finding one to suit your needs is easy. Some people use a gentle, all-over moisturizer twice daily. Others opt for a high-quality night cream that targets wrinkles and dark spots.
There’s a misconception that people with oily or acne prone skin don’t need to use moisturizer. I fell prey to this myth for years! When you use cleansers and toners, you dehydrate your skin to some extent – especially if you used chemical based products. This can cause your skin to produce excess oil, which causes more breakouts and acne.
Tip: If you have oily skin, use a gel-based moisturizer instead of a lotion-based one. This can reduce the shiny appearance that moisturizers tend to leave on skin.
5. Targeted Treatments (As Needed)
Target treatments are designed to treat problem areas or specific issues. I often use the Queen Helene Mint Julep mask from this BaumBeauty list of affordable face masks. Others use spot treatment creams for acne or retinol serum to treat wrinkles. Targeted treatments are a necessity for many people and a luxury for others.
Tip: When you start using a targeted treatment, always do a patch test. This can help prevent allergic reactions, irritation, and other problems. If irritation occurs, discontinue use.
Find Your Fab Five To Achieve Ideal Skin
Five is the magic number when it comes to healthy skin. Wash, tone and moisturize on a daily basis. Exfoliate and use spot treatments as needed to give your face an extra boost. If you stick to a consistent routine, you’re sure to notice an improvement in the look and feel of your skin.