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Charleston Dermatology Blog

Achieve Your Best Skin With These 3 Tips

  • skin-conditions
  • skincare-tips

If you are like many, you have a little more downtime this year. If so, why not give your skin some TLC? After all, the more effectively you care for your skin, the healthier it will be.

Consider the following tips to create a healthy skincare routine and lifestyle that will help you look and feel your best!

Choosing the Right Products For You

As you know, skin types range from normal to dry to oily. There’s even combination skin. It’s important to select products made for your specific type.

What kinds of products should you use then?

Dry Skin

Use a mild, gentle cleanser followed up by a rich moisturizer or cream. Creams are more moisturizing than lotion, so choose accordingly.

Oily Skin

Oily skin also benefits from a mild, gentle cleanser. In this case, however, you’ll want only non-comedogenic products and cosmetics. These won’t clog your pores, which can prevent acne breakouts and skin inflammation.

Combination Skin

What about combination skin? Look for oil-balancing products. You may also want to use a face mask with salicylic acid when your face feels oily non-comedogenic moisturizers when itis dry.

Acne-Prone Skin

Then there’s acne-prone skin. If you’re no stranger to breakouts, go with cleansers formulated for acne-prone skin. Often these contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide anti-bacterial agent that can calm acne. Light cleansers, non-comedogenic moisturizers and oil-free products and makeup are best in this case.

All Skin Types

Regardless of your skin type, though, one thing is for sure. You need a broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Whether you use a cream, a spray of some other form of sunscreen, make sure that it is SPF 30 or higher to provide ample protection. Be sure also to use the correct amount and re-apply if needed when you’re outdoors.

A Proper Face Washing Routine

When it comes to caring for your face specifically, there’s more than just products to consider. How you wash your face also matters. How should you do it then?

  1. Use a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser. Avoid cleansers containing alcohol as they’re known to dry out the skin.
  2. Wet your face with lukewarm water. Hot water can have a drying effect and cold water closes pores, which can trap dirt and oils before they can be washed away.
  3. Apply cleanser gently with your fingertips. Doing so can prevent irritation that sometimes results from scrubbing too hard or using washcloths, sponges, and other items for application.
  4. Rinse off your cleanser and pat your face dry with a soft towel.
  5. Apply any medications. If you wait until after you’ve used a moisturizer, you may not see the full benefits as it may not fully absorb into your skin.
  6. If you have dry or itchy skin, apply a moisturizer. Be especially gently when applying moisturizer to the delicate skin around your eyes. Use your ring finger in this area to ensure that you don’t apply too much pressure.

Repeat this routine once in the morning and once at night. Also, wash your face as soon as possible after sweating to prevent skin irritation.

Eating Right Makes a Difference

Lastly, remember that what you eat affects the health and appearance of your skin. Try to incorporate more healthy foods into your diet. Specifically, those rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and vitamins A, C, and E. These include fatty fish, avocados, walnuts, and tomatoes.

In addition to eating healthy, washing your face with care, and choosing the right products for your skin type, there’s something else you can do to achieve your best skin. Keep up with your annual—or more frequent, if you’re at-risk—dermatologist appointments. Contact us or give us a call at (843) 872-3015 to schedule your next check-up.

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