Is Skincare Really That Important?

The meaning of a skincare routine is much more than hitting the goal of having perfectly clear skin, it’s the importance of taking care of yourself. 

Skincare has been around for thousands of years, originating in ancient Egypt. Cleopatra was said to bathe in milk and a solution with Aloe Vera and to make her skin smoother. The act of using pumice stones, and making scrubs with plants and sand was also commonly used. Skincare has now evolved into millions of different products and serums, all having their own purpose.

Now finding out what helps your skin can be as easy as taking a trip to the dermatologist and getting products prescribed to you, or doing your own research to find what is best. Products may not always work and can lead to one’s skin breaking out instead of clearing. Skin differs from person to person, and certain ingredients might irritate one person’s skin, but not others. 

Every skincare routine starts with a cleanser, which is supposed to be used every morning and night. Cleanser removes the layer of dirt, makeup, oils, and anything else the skin has encountered. It helps with clearing the pores and unclogging them, making skin feel and look much cleaner. 

The second step in the routine is a toner or essence. These products help with rebalancing the moisture in the skin, minimizing the look of pores, and gently exfoliating the skin. This product helps with removing any leftover dirt or oil before applying any other products. A toner is not necessary to achieve the goal of clear skin but is a helpful product. 

Another accommodating step in the routine is serums. A serum is an oil or water-based liquid that you rub into your skin. There are many different kinds of serums made for different things. Serums can be used to help improve wrinkles, dark spots/hyperpigmentation, acne, hydration, and improve the appearance of the skin. Using a serum isn’t necessarily required, but it certainly can be beneficial when being used to target certain skin concerns. 

One of the most important steps of the routine is a moisturizer. This product is used to trap the products and hydrate your skin. It’s the second to last step and is necessary. Moisturizing can keep your skin from becoming too dry or oily, protecting it from any dirt and environmental factors that you come in contact with. 

The last, and most important step is an SPF or sunscreen. Sunscreen is used to protect the skin from UV rays, used commonly in the summer. UV rays are present throughout the year and can be damaging even when the temperature drops or the sky is cloudy. SPF has other benefits to your skin than protection from UV rays. It protects your skin from premature aging, plus improves the skin’s overall appearance. 

Sometimes a skincare routine starts with trial and error to figure out which products work best for you. Some may take your skin downhill before it starts clearing up. New products may disrupt your skin’s PH level and cause your skin to have to rebalance itself, all while getting used to the new product. Choosing the best cruelty-free, vegan, and healthy products will benefit the skin in the long run. Skincare isn’t just taking care of your skin, it’s taking care of you.