How to establish a facial skincare routine?

A skincare routine refers to thecombination of actions to be taken and products to be used, morning and evening, to care for one's skin. Indeed, as our skin protects us daily from external aggressions (sun, pollution, wind, etc...), it needs care to regenerate and prevent the discomforts it may endure, or even to treat existing skin problems. Moreover, a tailored routine allows forproviding hydration, thereby limiting the early onset of signs of aging.

To establish your skincare routine, follow these steps deemed essential regardless of your skin type

1. The cleansing.

   The first, and arguably the most essential step in a skincare routine, is cleansing. Indeed, at the end of the day, the skin is covered with dust, pollution particles, dead cells, and various types of impurities accumulated throughout the day. These contaminants can lead to imperfections (blackheads, pimples, etc.) or a dull complexion by clogging the skin's pores.

   Therefore, it is imperative to cleanse your skin. Additionally, a properly washed face forms the basis of the rest of your skincare routine. During this step, use a gentle cleanser that is suitable for skin issues, because if the skin feels "attacked", it will start to produce sebum in large quantities, leading to the appearance of blemishes and redness.

   However, if during the day you wear makeup or even to remove traces of cosmetic products applied in the morning, opt for a double cleansing method, particularly by adding a makeup remover before the cleansing product for optimal cleaning. If the cleansing step was properly done the night before, in the morning it is enough to just soak a cotton pad with a toner or a hydrosol in order not to damage the hydrolipidic film that has reformed during the night. This step is particularly recommended for dry and sensitive skin.

   Little Extra : Not mandatory, you can complete this step with the use of a tonic lotion or a hydrosol to refine the cleansing step by removing the last little traces of forgotten impurities, but also to rebalance the skin's pH by neutralizing the drying effect of the limestone present in the tap water used to rinse the face.

2. Hydration.

   For skin to be healthy, it requires a certain level of moisture. Hydration applies to all skin types, even oily skin. It retains the skin's natural moisture to keep it hydrated throughout the day by providing a protective layer.

   A good moisturizing cream should contain humectants, that is, compounds capable of penetrating the superficial cells of the epidermis to attract and retain water molecules due to their hygroscopic properties (glycerin, hyaluronic acid, urea, propylene glycol, provitamin B5, etc.), emollients which are substances that will soften the skin and contribute to the preservation of the skin barrier (fatty acids, fatty acid esters, ceramides, etc.), and occlusives that will form a film on the surface of the skin to physically limit water loss and thus prevent the skin from dehydrating (silicones, butters, waxes, etc.).

   For dry skin for instance, favor a moisturizing cream with a thicker texture rich in emollients and occlusives, whereas combination to oily skin types should turn to a facial cream with a more fluid, light, and less rich texture so that the skin does not shine more throughout the day.

3. Sunscreen protection.

   This is an essential step to maintain healthy skin for a long time. Available in various galenic forms, the sunscreen product has the sole purpose of protecting the skin from the sun's UV rays. This care product, equipped with an SPF, thus helps to reduce exposure to harmful UVA and UVB rays and therefore the discomfort they can cause.

   natural aging process of the skin , by triggering the synthesis of free radicals that target the cell membrane and degrade collagen, a crucial element involved in the formation of wrinkles.

Once the basic routine is established, you can customize it according to your concerns and needs (enlarged pores, brown spots, dull complexion, wrinkles, redness, blackheads, etc.) by introducing targeted products that contain active ingredients with a recognized effect.

• If you have blemishes such as comedones or enlarged pores, use a treatment based on azelaic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, gluconolactone (less irritating than AHA) or glycolic acid. These ingredients help to prevent pore congestion, reduce the formation of blackheads, make pores less visible, and have an exfoliating effect to achieve a uniform skin texture.

  You can supplement with a niacinamide or zinc PCA-based treatment, which helps control sebum production. In the event of a breakout, introduce into your facial routine a serum based on active ingredients with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties such as the local imperfections serum with salicylic acid.

• If your skin is showing signs of aging, among the most potent active ingredients in cosmetics recognized for this issue are vitamin C and its derivatives, coenzyme Q10, peptides, and retinoids. These components will boost collagen production by fibroblasts and protect the skin against the attack of free radicals, which are responsible for premature aging. You can also incorporate into your routine products containing ingredients with a keratolytic action such as the exfoliating serum with glycolic acid or the gentle peeling serum with lactic acid.

• If you have brown spots on your face, incorporate skincare products containing azelaic acid, tranexamic acid, arbutin acid, licorice extract, or niacinamide into your routine. These active molecules have the ability to directly inhibit the process of melanogenesis (melanin production) at various stages (tyrosinase synthesis, tyrosinase activation, transfer of melanin by melanosomes to keratinocytes, etc...).

  Follow up with the application of an exfoliating treatment. These peeling agents work to break down the bonds between the most superficial skin cells in order to restructure the epidermis by accelerating the shedding process and inducing the rapid dispersion of melanin granules within the keratinocytes.

• If you have redness caused by dilation of the blood vessels in the skin at the level of the dermis layer, then you also have an alteration of the epidermal barrier function. However, for better healing, the skin needs water and therefore must retain its hydration. The treatments to use should therefore target both inflammation, and the repair and maintenance of the skin barrier. Therefore, favor products based on niacinamide, polyglutamic acid, ceramides or extract of Centella asiatica, appreciated for calming inflammation and improving skin hydration by restoring the lipid layer of the epidermis.

At Typology, to simplify your life, we have developed a skin diagnosis based on scientific methodology, cataloging 24 different skin types. To receive a personalized routine tailored to your skin's needs, complete ourskindiagnosisby answering a few questions about your skin and sharing your specific concerns.

The skin changes according to its environment, seasons, or emotions. Indeed, the cold and wind in winter, and the sun in summer pose different challenges. For instance, during the winter period, the skin produces fewer lipids, making it more sensitive to external aggressions (cold, wind, etc...), and therefore tends to dehydrate more easily. The skin will then require a more hydrating and nourishing day cream. On the other hand, in summer, opt for a lighter cream to avoid the feeling of greasy and heavy skin. Therefore, remember to adapt your routine according to the season and weather conditions.

Similarly, before giving up or overhauling your facial routine with the introduction or replacement of a treatment, be patient and rigorously consistent in the application of cosmetic products, regardless of your skin type and the chosen routine, especially if you want to achieve optimal results quickly. Depending on the chosen cosmetics and the skin issue to be corrected, the first results can be observed within a few hours to several months.