What Order Should You Tackle Skin Concerns?

Nowadays, more and more people are realizing that when it comes to skincare, less is more. Many people are switching from multi-step routines in favor of simple but effective regimens. More steps means more chance of irritating your skin and damaging your skin barrier. However, finding the right solution can be difficult, especially if you are not only targeting one but multiple skin concerns.

Fret not, there will always be a solution.

Skin Type Matters

You may suspect you have dry, oily, or sensitive skin, but do you know? Knowing your true skin type can help you in choosing a routine or even a product. Misleading your skin’s needs by using the wrong products based on your skin type can trigger acne, dryness, and other skin issues. You can determine your skin type through a physical test. Sebum is a waxy, oily liquid produced by your pores. The amount of sebum produced by your skin can indicate whether your skin is:

• dry
• oily
• normal
• combination

Most Common Skin Problems

Some skin conditions are minor, while others result in severe symptoms. The following are some of the most common skin concerns:

Rosacea and Eczema

Rosacea and eczema are two common skin conditions with symptoms that are similar. Itching, bumps, and redness are examples of these symptoms. Rosacea is characterized by flushing or blushing, which is the rapid reddening of the skin and is accompanied by red blotches, and it usually appears on the cheeks and bridge of the nose. It causes the small blood vessels in the center of the face to swell, making them visible underneath the skin.

Eczema, on the other hand, typically manifests itself in specific areas of the body. It is most likely to affect the eyelids and skin around the mouth on the face, and there is no flushing or visible appearance of blood vessels.

Also Read: Is Stress making your Rosacea Worse?

Skin Barrier, Sensitivity, and Redness

A healthy skin barrier keeps irritants out while locking in natural oils and moisture. Dryness, dullness, redness, sensitivity, and breakouts are all signs of a damaged skin barrier.

Acne

It’s a skin condition caused by clogged hair follicles and oil glands, which are frequently brought on by hormonal changes and can also appear on other parts of the body, such as the back and chest. Find out how to get rid of stress acne here.

Scarring

A scar can be smooth, lumpy, sunken, colored, and could be painful, or itchy. The final appearance of a scar is determined by a variety of factors, including skin type.

Anti-aging

Wrinkling, loss of elasticity, laxity, and a rough-textured appearance are all signs of skin aging.

Dry and Oiliness

Dry skin is a condition characterized by scaling, itching, and cracking while oiliness occurs when the sebaceous glands in the skin produce an excessive amount of sebum.

Quick Guide to Addressing Multiple Skin Concerns

If you have more than one skin problem, don’t overdo it on products and ingredients. Let’s keep it short and simple. Here is a quick guide to doing so:

1. Identify All Skin Issues

Let us begin with the simple part. Begin by listing your skin concerns in descending order of importance. Make it as specific as possible.

2. Hunt for the Best Active Ingredients

Once you identified all your skin concerns, next is to list all of the active ingredients you should include in your skincare routine. This will assist you in selecting the appropriate products that you will eventually use. In this step, hitting two birds with one stone is a must! Here’s a quick cheat sheet to help you figure out which ingredients can help with specific skin issues.

• Dehydration/Dullness: Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramides
• Hyperpigmentation/Uneven Tone/Sun Damage: AHAs, Vitamin C, Niacinamide
• Acne: BHAs/AHAs, Niacinamide
• Skin Barrier Damage/ Redness/Sensitivity: Niacinamide, Ceramides
• Aging: Retinol, Vitamin C, AHAs

3. Establish a Morning & Nighttime Routine

A basic skincare routine contains fewer steps than an elaborate one, but it keeps your skin clean and healthy. The steps you take will be determined by your needs and the amount of time you have.

Before you go any further, the key to developing a simple routine is determining when you should use these active ingredients. In general, active ingredients can be divided into two categories: morning and night use. Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid, and Vitamin C are the best used in the morning, while Niacinamide, AHAs, BHAs, and Retinol should be used at night.

4. Search for the Right Products

Do you have a specific skin issue? Solutions include eating a healthy diet, seeking treatment when necessary, and of course, now comes the exciting part: shopping!

The next step is to find the right products that seamlessly incorporate your active ingredients. Before giving away hefty cash for a certain product, always do your research. Remember to hit those two birds with one stone and by sticking to the general rule that less is more.

At the end of the day, the most important thing is to develop and stick to a skincare routine that works for you. If you are dealing with multiple skin issues, it can be difficult to simplify your routine, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Knowing which ingredients are the most effective for your skin conditions is all that it takes. Who knew that healthy skin is just a couple of products away?