Radiant And Healthy Skin: Sunscreen, cleansing, and vitamins C and A play vital roles in achieving glowing skin.
The skincare industry, with its myriad of options ranging from moisturizers and cleansers to anti-aging and rejuvenating products, can feel overwhelming.
However, the sheer number of skincare products doesn’t mean that we need them all. A successful skincare routine varies from person to person.
Radiant And Healthy Skin, The number of products we use ultimately depends on the time we dedicate to skincare and the results we desire. Yet, dermatologists agree that everyone should have at least a basic daily skincare regimen.
Radiant And Healthy Skin, To understand how many steps are essential and what those steps entail, we consulted Dr. Melanie Palm, a board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon.
Achieving Radiant And Healthy Skin
1. Steps One And Two
According to Dr. Palm, there are two fundamental steps in skincare that everyone should follow.
Radiant And Healthy Skin, While the number of steps in a skincare routine can depend on an individual’s goals, Dr. Palm told The Independent that the two steps no one should skip are applying sunscreen at the start of the day and washing your face at least once daily.
Sunscreen, according to Dr. Palm, is “the most important skincare product” because it prevents premature aging. She adds that some sunscreens can even reverse skin aging and reduce oxidative skin damage, making it worth finding the right sunscreen for your skin.
Daily cleansing is equally essential, as it removes dirt, debris, and environmental pollutants while preparing the skin to absorb topical skincare products effectively.
Radiant And Healthy Skin, For those who can devote more time to their skincare routine, Dr. Palm suggests adopting a pyramid-based approach.
She explains: “I classify skincare products in a pyramid. The base contains the most essential products, and the rest are placed in descending order of importance toward the tip.”
3. Step Three
Radiant And Healthy Skin, After applying sunscreen (the “most essential step”) and cleansing, Dr. Palm recommends using topical derivatives of vitamin A, such as retinol or retinoids.
“Vitamin A has numerous positive effects on the skin, supported by four decades of research,” says Dr. Palm, making it a key ingredient in skincare routines.
These Benefits Include:
Thickening the middle layer of skin by stimulating collagen production.
Smoothing the skin’s texture.
Reducing pigmentation irregularities.
Enhancing the penetration of other active topical ingredients.
Preventing pre-cancerous spots.
Preparing the skin for quicker recovery from laser treatments or deep chemical peels.
For optimal results, retinols and retinoids should be used at night.
For those with sensitive skin prone to irritation from strong retinols, Dr. Palm recommends products containing bakuchiol, a plant-based alternative that delivers similar benefits without causing redness or irritation.
4. Step Four
Radiant And Healthy Skin, In addition to sunscreen and retinoids, Dr. Palm suggests applying topical antioxidants such as vitamin C in the mornings.
“Vitamin C prevents abnormal pigmentation, protects the skin against oxidative stress, and is a necessary cofactor for producing new collagen,” she explains. Other effective antioxidants include green tea extract, vitamin E, or resveratrol.
5. Step Five
Radiant And Healthy Skin, Step five involves using alpha and beta hydroxy acids (AHAs and BHAs), supported by evidence for their efficacy.
Dr. Palm highlights that AHAs, such as glycolic acid, can “reduce pigmentation irregularities, improve skin renewal, and boost collagen production, resulting in more radiant and glowing skin.”
BHAs, like salicylic acid, help “reduce pigmentation issues and regulate shedding around hair follicles,” making them particularly beneficial for acne control.
6. Step Six
The sixth and final step in a comprehensive skincare routine is incorporating growth factors or products containing stem cell extracts.
According to Dr. Palm, the large proteins in these products do not penetrate the skin but instead signal skin cells to combat aging.
A Flexible Routine
Radiant And Healthy Skin, In summary, a skincare routine can range from the first two fundamental steps to a more comprehensive six-step regimen, provided the chosen products are effective.
Dr. Palm notes that an effective product meets three criteria:
It has a mechanism of action that impacts the skin positively.
Its biological efficacy is proven through clinical trials.
Its concentration is sufficient to deliver the desired effect.
Radiant And Healthy Skin, By following these principles, you can build a routine tailored to your needs, ensuring radiant and healthy skin.
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