Want Glowing Skin? Try This 6-Step Skin-Care Routine
Picture glowing skin. If the image in your head is anything like the upwards of 11 million Instagram images using the hashtag, then it’s likely well hydrated, even-toned, and bouncing light at every angle. But with so many products out there—seriously, so. many. products.—how do you achieve a complexion that Instagram proves possible day after day?
It’s actually not as difficult as it may seem. By adding the proper skin care into your regimen and by streamlining your routine into a few simple (but essential!) steps, you can begin to address common skin conditions like acne, hyperpigmentation, dryness, redness, and leave skin glowing.
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6-Step Skin-Care Routine for Glowing Skin
If you’re ready to get going, keep scrolling for the details in six simple steps.
1. Cleanse Your Skin with a Gentle Cleanser and Pat Dry
Most dermatologists recommend cleansing your skin twice a day: once in the morning when you wake up and once at night before you go to bed. You’ll want to reach for a gentle cleanser that doesn’t use soap as its key ingredient but instead taps milder surfactants (another word for cleansing agents), like those sourced from coconuts.
The best cleanser for you depends on your skin type and how you want your skin to feel post-wash. Those with acne may want to reach for a cleanser with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid as an active ingredient, which studies have shown can help address breakouts. Gel or lightweight, foamy cleansers tend to be good options for people with oily complexions because they have more surfactants, which can help break through oil, sweat, and dirt in a single wash.
People with sensitive skin should choose a micellar cleanser, which works to attract oil and dirt and wash them away using micelles, and avoiding harsh cleansing agents. Those with dry skin often benefit from grabbing a creamy or oil-based cleanser, which dissolves dirt and grime from the skin while adding hydration back to it.
Once you’ve found the right cleanser for your skin type, take a quarter-sized dollop, apply it to your skin, and wash thoroughly for about 30 seconds to a minute with lukewarm water. After that, you’ll want to make sure all of the product is removed, and—here’s the important part—you’ll want to pat your skin dry with a towel. Rubbing with an abrasive cloth can disrupt or damage your skin barrier, leading to problems for you down the line.