We must always all have a skincare routine. In any case, as Dr. Rosemarie Ingleton, Medical Director of Ingleton Dermatology says, consistency is considered one of the keys to healthy skin. “It is vital to notice the four-week turnover time in skin to see how products actually affect the skin,” Dr. Ingleton continues. Moreover, “we need to make the routine easy and pleasurable to make use of.”

With so many products and skincare categories to select from, it could be difficult to know what order it is best to use each product in. To make it just a little easier, below, Dr. Ingleton breaks down the best skincare regimen – from cleanser to sunscreen – to follow for optimal skin health. 

Step 1: Cleanse

A cleanser is the muse of your skincare routine. As step one at your bathroom sink, a cleanser can wash off makeup, dirt, excess oil, or other pollutants from an extended day. Use lukewarm water and massage the cleanser into your face, spending not less than one to 2 minutes on this essential step. 

It’s possible you’ll think your cleanser has to strip your skin with a dry, tight feeling to be clean. Nonetheless, the important thing to a facial cleanser is to retain moisture without stripping away natural oils, even for oilier skin. “You certainly need to avoid any harsh cleansers that may strip the skin,” she says. “Also, go for patting the skin dry as an alternative of wiping or scrubbing it dry.”

Step 2: Treat

Because the second step, use a treatment to focus on your specific skin concerns. From pimples and hyperpigmentation, to hydration and brightening, a skincare treatment is a customized step for healthier skin. “I like to recommend a mild, exfoliating toner for just about all my patients to make use of two to thrice per week,” Dr. Ingleton says. “Otherwise, the treatment step may very well be a serum or essence based in your needs.”

Step 3: Hydrate

Now that your skin is prepped, let’s move on to step three. Just the way you hydrate your body, your skin needs hydration on the in and out. Because the third step in your skincare routine, use a hydrator to seal within the treatment. Apply “an easily absorbed, non-comedogenic moisturizer” to avoid clogging your pores as you add hydration to your skin.

Step 4: Sunscreen

Sunscreen is a vital, final step in any daytime skincare routine. Finish your routine with SPF protection to assist reduce the chance of hyperpigmentation, skin cancer, and slow the looks of aging. The SPF may be your moisturizer or a standalone product, “so long as you’re protecting the skin from the sun and damage it does to all skin,” she concludes.