Uzone.id — Putting on full glam or ‘no makeup’ makeup is indeed important to boost your beauty and confidence, but you know what’s more important than that? It’s your skin.
Skin is your first layer to ‘face’ the world, that’s why taking care of your skin is important to keep your skin healthy, glowing, and protected.
“The skin provides a barrier to protect the body from invasion by bacteria and other possible environmental hazards that can be dangerous for human health,” said NIH dermatologist Dr. Heidi Kong.
When it comes to skincare, consistency is key, but knowing what works best for your skin is just as important. With the right skincare routine and product, you can protect your skin throughout summer till winter. These essential tips will help you keep that glow in every season. Let’s dive in!
Sunscreen is Your Best Friend
Sunscreen is the closest thing to maintaining your youthful skin and protecting you from the sun with its UV exposure.
“The sun can damage your skin as well. Sunlight contains ultraviolet (UV) light that causes sunburn and makes your skin age faster, leading to more wrinkles as you get older. Also, there’s a strong link between UV exposure and skin cancer,” said NIH dermatologist Dr. Heidi Kong.
Sunscreen is not applied only when you’re at the beach, but for any occasion, including indoors. Because even when it’s clouds or night, those UV rays can still get into your skin and cause damage. Sunscreen is also needed when you’re going outside at night. But still, it’s not recommended to sleep with it.
Use a minimum SPF 30 or a stronger one like SPF 50 sunscreen and make sure it’s protecting against both UVA and UVB rays. Don’t forget to reapply it every two hours if you’re out and about, especially if you’re sweating or swimming.
Moisturize Is a Need
Dehydrated skin can lead to breakouts, irritation, and a dull look. That’s why you need moisturizer to keep your skin healthy, and hydrated and reduce the chance of developing extreme dryness or oiliness.
According to UT Medical Center, extreme dryness or oiliness is harmful to the skin and causes common skin conditions like acne.
Find a moisturizer that matches your skin type—light, gel-based for oily skin, and richer creams for dry skin. Also, choose a moisturizer with plenty of vitamins, like Vitamin A and B5, and Antioxidant Vitamins C and E.
Another tip you can follow is to find moisturizing products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which is a moisture magnet. According to a study published in The Journal of Dermatology, hyaluronic acid can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, making it an excellent hydrator.
Water to Stay Hydrated—Inside and Out
Drinking water is not only healthy for your body, but an essential ‘product’ to keep your skin fresh. Hydration starts from within, so make sure you’re drinking enough water throughout the day. Aim for around 8 glasses—minimum, but remember that you might need more because it depends on your activity level and your body condition.
Drinking water is not the only way to keep your body hydrated. You can also eat water-rich foods like cucumbers, watermelon, and oranges to boost your hydration levels and help maintain that glow.
Double Cleanse for Clear Skin
Washing your face at night is a must, especially if you wear makeup or SPF during the day. Double cleansing is one of the simplest ways to keep your skin good. Just like the name, the ritual of double cleansing uses two different cleansers, which is an oil-based or a balm or oil-based micellar water.
The second one is the water-based products, which focus more on getting into the skin to remove everything else from the surface. This 2 step is a game-changer for many people who struggle with breakouts or dullness.
According to DermStore, this double-step approach to cleansing leaves the skin much cleaner so that it’s softer, more glowy, and less likely to break out—and it’s also perfect for removing every last trace of makeup.
Night Skincare is a No-Skip Routine
Your skin goes into repair mode at night, so it’s the perfect time to load up on nutrients. Based on Watson Indonesia, your skin will start to regenerate the synthesis of proteins like collagen and elastin during the night.
Nighttime skincare routine uses more potent ingredients like night serums and creams with ingredients like retinol, niacinamide, or peptides, or skincare acids like AHA and BHA to boost collagen production and reduce wrinkles. But be careful, these products are sensitive to sun rays and if you’re just starting, go slow as it can be a bit strong for beginners.
Listen to Your Skin—Not Trends
Trendy products and viral skincare hacks might look fun and tempting, but you should note that not all products will work for you. Your skin is unique, they have their type of product that matches them.
So, what works for someone else might not work for you. Take your time to figure out your skin type and what product it needs. New products need at least two weeks to react, and you can see whether it’s good or not for your skin.
Just a reminder that trying out new products too many times will mess up your skin barrier and cause breakouts.
Let’s put aside skincare products and routine, having a healthy mind is one important thing to keep your skin glowing. Little did you know, stress is a major trigger for skin issues like acne and redness.
Practicing mindfulness, yoga, or just having some chill time can work wonders for your skin. When your body feels calm, it’s less likely to produce stress hormones that lead to skin flare-ups.