A Guide to Taking Care of Your Skin

Your skin type is important.

You may suspect that you have dry, oily, or sensitive skin, but do you really know? Knowing your true skin type can help you the next time you go shopping for cosmetics. In fact, using the wrong products — or even popular Internet hacks — for your skin type can aggravate acne, dryness, and other skin issues.

Continue reading to find out:

• how to create your own skin care regimen

• how to treat specific skin issues such as acne or scars

• which DIY skin care hacks are unhealthy, even if they appear to work

Creating a Skin Care Routine

A daily skin care routine can help you maintain overall skin health and improve specific concerns like acne, scarring, and dark spots, regardless of your skin type. A daily skin care routine consists of four basic steps that you can perform once in the morning and once before going to bed

Cleansing: Select a cleanser that does not dry out your skin after washing. If you have dry skin and don’t wear makeup, clean your face no more than twice a day. Washing for that squeaky-clean feeling is bad because it removes your skin’s natural oils. Cetaphil and Banila Clean It Zero Sherbet Cleanser are two cleansers that are known to work well for all skin types.

Serums: In the morning, under sunscreen, apply a serum containing vitamin C, growth factors, or peptides. Retinol or prescription retinoids work best at night. Makeup Artist’s Choice offers an effective vitamin C and E serum as well as retinol.

Moisturizer: Even oily skin requires moisturizer; however, choose one that is lightweight, gel-based, and non-comedogenic, or does not clog your pores, such as CeraVe’s facial lotion. More cream-based moisturizers, such as MISSHA Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Cream, may benefit dry skin. On their packaging, most brands will label their products as gel or cream.

Sunscreen: Apply sunscreen with at least 30 SPF 15 minutes before going outside, as sunscreen takes time to activate. Darker skin tones require more sun protection because hyperpigmentation is more difficult to treat. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends EltaMD’s sunscreen, which provides broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection.

Choose products that are appropriate for your skin type and sensitivity, and always read the labels. Certain products, such as retinol or prescription retinoids, should be used only at night.

Suitable for all skin types

• Keep hydrated.

• At least once a week, change your pillowcases.

• Before going to bed, wash or wrap your hair.

• Apply sunscreen 15 minutes before going out every day.

Begin with a simple routine to see how your skin reacts. Once you’re at ease, you can add exfoliants, masks, and spot treatments to improve the health of your skin.

Also, remember to patch test new products, especially if you have sensitive skin. This can aid in the identification of potential allergic reactions.

To patch test a new product, do the following:

• Apply a small amount of product to your skin in an inconspicuous location, such as the inside of your wrist or inner arm.

• Wait 48 hours to see if there is any response.

• Examine the area 96 hours after application to see if there is a delayed reaction.

Irritation, redness, small bumps, or itchiness are all symptoms of an allergic reaction. If you notice these symptoms, thoroughly clean the area you tested with water and a mild cleanser. Return the product and try another that is more suitable for your skin type.

DIY mistakes to avoid (even if everyone does it)

DIY hacks like lemon juice and toothpaste have been reported to work wonders for common skin problems like acne bumps and dark spots. Even Oscar winner Emma Stone claims that baking soda is her skin care secret. However, because these hacks can damage your skin’s barrier, they may cause more long-term harm than benefit.

Avoid these do-it-yourself hacks.

Lemon juice contains citric acid, but it is far too acidic and can cause dark spots after sun exposure. It can also cause skin irritation and dryness.

Baking soda: With a pH of 8, baking soda will stress your skin, significantly reduce its water content, and cause dry skin.

Garlic can cause skin allergies, eczema, skin inflammation, and watery blisters when consumed raw.

Toothpaste: While toothpaste contains ingredients that kill germs and absorb oil, they can also dry out or irritate your skin.

Sugar: Sugar is too harsh as an exfoliant for the skin on your face.

Vitamin E: Topical vitamin E application can irritate your skin and has not been shown to improve scar appearance.

Although some of these ingredients are natural and inexpensive, they are not designed for your skin. Even if you don’t notice any immediate side effects, these ingredients can cause long-term or delayed damage. It is best to use products designed specifically for your face. Before attempting DIY skin care applications, consult with your doctor or dermatologist.

How to Treat Skin Issues

There are ways to treat skin problems without causing harm to your skin. Remember the first rule of skin care: don’t pick! Picking at acne, blackheads, scabs, or other skin issues can result in open wounds or darker skin spots called hyperpigmentation. Infections, more acne, and scarring can all result from open wounds. The deeper the wound, the more likely scarring.

Here are some scientifically proven methods for dealing with problem areas.

Acne

Acne treatment is determined by how severe or deep your acne is. The most important step in treating acne is overall skin care, but for mild acne, you can use nonprescription products from your local drugstore such as:

the acid salicylic (Stridex maximum strength acne pads)

peroxide of benzoyl (Clean & Clear Persa-Gel 10 acne medication)

• Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs)

• adapalene

• tea tree essential oil

Because these products can cause extra skin sensitivity, always apply sunscreen after using them in the morning.

Acne patches or stickers can also be used to treat immediate, inflamed, and individual pimples. These are clear, thick patches that act as spot treatments to aid in blemish healing and infection prevention. Acne patches, like blister bandages, draw out the fluid, sometimes overnight. Because makeup cannot conceal them, it is best to use them before going to bed.

Filaments of sebaceous glands

Sebaceous filaments are tiny, whitish yellow cylinder-like tubes in your pores. These are frequently confused with blackheads, but blackheads are a type of oxidized acne. Sebaceous filaments can distort the appearance of your pores, and you may be tempted to remove them by pinching your skin or using pore strips. However, if not done correctly, these methods may have more side effects than benefits for your skin.

You can also cause: over time

• irritation

• infection and open pores

• dryness

• redness

• peeling

Topical retinol or retinoid preparations can help keep pores clear and clean. You could also try massaging your face for one minute with mineral or castor oil.

An extraction tool can also be used to remove sebaceous filaments. This is a small metal instrument with a tiny circle on top.

The safest method is to have them removed by an esthetician or dermatologist, but you can also do it at home:

Begin with a fresh face and instrument.

Press the circle around the bump gently to see if the filament comes out. Excessive pressure can result in bruising and scarring.

Treat the area with toner and moisturizer after.

To avoid infection, always sanitize your instrument with rubbing alcohol before and after use.

Applying benzoyl peroxide after washing before extraction may also provide additional benefits.

Scars, blemishes, and hyperpigmentation

Blemishes, scars, and dark spots can take several weeks to several months to heal and fade. To avoid further sun damage and hyperpigmentation, scars and blemishes should be treated right away with makeup and sunscreen.

Other ingredients that have been shown to help fade scars include:

Topical silicone has been shown in studies to improve scar thickness, color, and texture. You can use silicone gel for eight to twenty-four hours per day. Look for products that list silicone dioxide as an ingredient.

Honey: Preliminary research indicates that honey can heal wounds and scars. If you’re looking for a home remedy, honey might be a good choice.

Vitamin C: When shopping for creams and moisturizers, look for this ingredient. When combined with other lightening ingredients such as soy and licorice, vitamin C performs better.

Niacinamide: According to research, niacinamide can help reduce blemishes and dark spots, particularly those caused by acne. People with lighter skin tones benefit from topical niacinamide concentrations ranging from 2% to 5%. The Ordinary’s Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% serum, which costs $5.90, is an affordable option.

Retinoic acid: According to one studyTrusted Source, a combination of retinoic acid and glycolic acid improved acne scars in 91.4 percent of people. The Ordinary also sells a two percent retinoid product for $9.80. Only use products containing this ingredient at night.

Look for products that contain these ingredients and incorporate them into your routine after washing your face. To avoid sun damage and hyperpigmentation, always wear sunscreen after application.