As a child you washed your face with the same bar of soap you used for your hands. As you passed through puberty, that bar didn’t quite cut it any more. You had to wash, exfoliate, cleanse, tone, and perhaps apply special ointment or lotions.

And of course, your regimen depended on the type of skin you had. Today, things are pretty much the same. There are so many skin care choices out there and since they all claim to care for your skin, how do you even know where to start?

Everybody has different skin. You can have dry skin, or oily skin, or maybe you are more prone to breakouts than others. There are soaps, toners, masks, lotions, and serums within each of the major beauty lines and they each come with their own routines or guidelines.

You could always go for a trial-and-error approach, but your skin would pay the ultimate price for a bad combo. It is better for your skin to keep it simple; there are things you must do, and things that are nice to do.

What You Must Do for Good Skin

Cleansing, exfoliating, moisturizing, and wearing sunscreen are the actions you must take to have good skin, according to the experts. Once these steps have become part of a regular routine for you, you will notice healthier and happier skin.

The specific brand of products you choose to use is personal preference. What matters is that each of these steps is included in your daily care routine.

1. Cleansing

Putting on makeup and walking around outside every day exposes your skin to chemicals, toxins, and pollution. These harmful elements cause tissue damage and are responsible for speeding up the aging process.

At the start of your day, you want to wipe all collected toxins away with a gentle cleanser and soft pad.

At the end of the day, you need to remove all makeup with a soft pad or cloth and gentle cleansing oil. You can use a lighter product in the morning, since you will not have as much dirt and grime to remove upon waking.

You also need to check labels to make sure you get a cleanser that is suited to your skin type. For example, foaming benzoyl peroxide cleansers are great for oily skin but can damage sensitive skin.

2. Exfoliating

Depending on the day you had, you may feel tempted to exfoliate every day after you cleanse your face. There is a refreshing feeling that comes from exfoliation, but too much of good thing can turn out to be bad.

Over time, too much exfoliation can irritate your skin and make it more sensitive. With daily cleansing, you do not need to exfoliate every day, too. The frequency recommended for exfoliating depends on the product you use.

Fancy machines, like the Clarisonic brush, are intense and only need to be used once a month, but less harsh scrubs can be used more often. You can also combine cleansing and exfoliating with a combo cleanser, such as salicylic acid for oily skin.

What matters is that you listen to your skin and look for signs of irritation or inflammation. Your skin will tell you when enough is enough or if you need to scrub a little harder.

3. Moisturizers and Sunscreen

You need to choose your lotions carefully. Dry skin likes thicker, more occlusive (locks in moisture) blends, whereas oily skin or skin prone to acne wants something a little lighter.

As for sunscreen, you need a broad-spectrum SPF 30 lotion to be applied throughout the day.

If you are going to be outdoors for most of the day, there is no need to apply a moisturizer and sunscreen. That is too much moisturizing, which will do more damage than good in the long run. With a broad-spectrum lotion, you will get protection and moisturization all in one.

What Is Nice for Your Skin

With all the must-haves included in your daily routine, your skin will already feel well taken care of. But if you want to give it that extra special feeling, there are a few additional things you can do to really pamper your skin.

Toners: Toners help to remove any particles that are hidden deep down in your pores. They are especially useful for removing trapped sweat after a workout session.

Toners used to have a bad reputation for being too astringent, but there is a much milder selection available these days, and many options for sensitive skin. Toners help to oxygenate and let it breathe, giving it a much healthier appearance.

Serums and Oils: Serums are designed to target a specific problem, so it is not likely you will find them in a lotion or cleanser. You must buy them separately for application to wrinkle-prone areas or to remove dark spots.

What you need to remember is that it is easy to go overboard with serums and oils because there are so many to choose from. Application of too many can have adverse effects and can end up causing the damage you were trying to prevent in the first place.

Masks: A mask is more therapeutic than good for you and should be done on a limited basis. The reason is that a mask does everything your daily routine does, but in one sitting.

Too many can end up irritating your skin. Masks should be seen as a treat and a way to unwind after a particularly tough day as opposed to a regular skin care option.

The Natural Conclusion

Your skin is the first noticeable part of you that shows the aging process. While aging is inevitable, there are ways to prolong its appearance.

Daily skin care routines can keep your skin young and healthy, so long as you keep it simple. By following these steps, you can have beautiful and younger-looking skin for years to come.

Since there are no rules about acting your age, there is definitely no reason to start looking it either!