How to Build a Skin Care Routine

Great skin is not simply a matter of DNA — your daily habits, in fact, have a big impact on what you see in the mirror. But depending on which product reviews you read or online searches you’ve done, there is a dizzying number of opinions on everything from how to moisturize to how to protect yourself from UV rays. Ultimately, caring for your skin is simply personal. Here’s what you should keep in mind to sort through all the noise in skin care and discover your ideal routine!

Skin Care Tips Before You Start

Three Main Steps

Think of your skin care routine as consisting of three main steps:

• Cleansing — Washing your face. 
• Toning — Balancing the skin.
• Moisturizing — Hydrating and softening the skin.

The goal of any skin care routine is to protect and maintain your complexion so it’s functioning at its best, and also troubleshoot or target any areas you want to work on as you go. They are not always the same week after week. Beauty routines are an opportunity to notice changes within yourself. As your skin needs shifts with age, so will your products. Allow these three steps to become your daily ritual that fortifies your skin and grounds your day.

One Major Point: Give it Time

The science behind skin care products has come a long way but there’s still no such thing as an instant fix — you need time to reap the benefits. Results are only seen through consistent use. Generally, aim to use a product over at least six weeks, once or twice daily, to notice a difference.  

Another Tip: With any skin care product, apply in order of consistency — from thinnest to thickest. For example, cleanser, toner (if you use it), serum, and then moisturizer.

Cleansing

Washing your face is the most basic and essential step of any routine. Our skin comes in contact with environmental pollutants, dirt, and other factors each day that should be gently removed. Wash twice a day, morning and night, to avoid clogged pores, dullness, and acne.

Find Your Facial Cleanser

The right formula cleanses your skin without stripping essential, healthy oils. Take it easy with exfoliating scrubs (use once a week) and avoid those with crushed walnut shells or abrasive ingredients as they can irritate and create more melanin over time. 

Toning

How to Use Toner

For many, the word “toner” brings to mind stinging astringents from the ’80s. The original was an alcohol-based product that was used to dry up oily skin and remove any leftover dirt following cleansing. Today’s formulas, however, have evolved. Think of them as supplements — these thin liquids deliver an extra shot of nutrients, helping the other products in your regimen absorb better, while still balancing your complexion. But it is considered to be optional! It can be a good way to add in specific ingredients that you may not have in your other products or add another layer of skin-replenishment. If you have the time and inclination, here are some hero ingredients to look for, not just in your toner: 

• Alpha and beta hydroxy acids to gently remove dead skin cells that can clog pores, improve sun-damaged skin, and minimize dullness.
• Hyaluronic acid to boost hydration, seal in dewiness, and plump skin to subtly treat fine lines.
• Manuka honey or coconut oil both are anti-aging, moisturizing and help balance out any skin irregularities.
• Vitamin E and C to fight daily exposure to free radicals that can age your skin.

Treating with Serums

Simply put, serums are powerful skin allies. Filled with concentrated doses of active ingredients, these elixirs can mitigate a number of issues, from dark spots to wrinkles. Even if you don’t have any specific issues, everyone still needs a general antioxidant serum in the morning to protect from daily aggressors. While there are limitless options for ingredients, to handle specific issues, look for these products:  

• Hyaluronic acid to seal in hydration and strengthen the barrier function (the top layer of your skin) to prevent moisture loss.
• Vitamin C to help brighten dull skin and decrease dark spots with continued use.
• Retinol, vitamin B3, peptides to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, proteins in the body that help prevent lines and skin sagging. 
• Colloidal sulfur, niacinamide to calm redness and irritation by decreasing inflammation, and improve acne with its antimicrobial effects.

Helpful Hints and Pointers

• If you have multiple concerns, you might want to use multiple formulas. Treat different areas with different products.
  
• To save time, don’t try mixing a serum into your moisturizer. This lessens the ability of the serum to absorb effectively. Products should be applied one by one.
  
• Not all serums are applied with the same frequency. This varies with the ingredients. Apply antioxidants in the morning because they give you additional protection from the environment, and most of us don’t use enough sunscreen as is. Yet certain ingredients are best when slathered on at night. For example: Retinols are not sun-stable and will degrade if applied in the daytime. Bottom line: Read the label instructions carefully.

Moisturizing

The most basic function of a moisturizer is to hydrate and soften the skin. Essentially, moisturizers assist in preventing water loss through the outer layers of skin. They can also complement the naturally found protective oils and other building blocks within the skin, such as ceramides. Skin naturally loses the ability to retain moisture as we age and daily activities, such as washing, can strip natural hydration from the surface.

How to Pick a Moisturizer

Everyone needs moisture, but the texture of your moisturizer will differ depending on your skin type. For dryer skin types, choose a thick cream-based moisturizer. Oily/combination skin types should find a gel moisturizer. Normal and sensitive skin types would benefit from a normal cream moisturizer.

Eye Creams, Explained

Can you survive without an eye cream? Absolutely. But, if you have specific concerns — like hyperpigmentation, dryness, fine lines around your eyes or puffiness — you might want to try one. The skin around the eyes is quite thin and delicate, and more likely to react to irritating ingredients than other areas. Therefore, dermatologists typically recommend an eye cream that considers the potential sensitivity and has more tolerable concentrations of active ingredients.

For undereye bags and inflammation, caffeine, peptides, and hyaluronic acid can be soothing. Dark circles can be due to visible veins or actual discoloration common in darker skin tones. Look for brightening ingredients like vitamin C, kojic acid, and niacinamide.

Protect With Sunscreen

All of the experts unanimously agree on one thing: that sunscreen is, hands down, the most crucial skin care product. It’s of utmost importance as part of your year-round regimen. Daily and consistent sunscreen use help to prevent the development of fine lines and wrinkles, textural imperfections, and changes in the appearance of pores over time. More importantly, daily sunscreen use can help to prevent the formation of certain skin cancers. To make it easy to remember, try using a daily moisturizer with a built-in broad-spectrum SPF of at least 30.

Wild Naturals Skin Care

While harsher acids and chemical peels should be left to the professionals, your regular skin care routine should be consistent and have everything you need in the basics. Wild Naturals has all the key products you need, especially for those on the go or with tight schedules that still want to fit in taking care of their skin in the morning and at night. Plus, the ingredients in our products go far and beyond compared to store brand products!

Don’t believe it? Try for yourself! Shop our online store today to discover the powerful results Wild Naturals skin care can offer you!