The quest for balanced skin can often manifest in unbalanced ways… by either doing too much or too little to address oily zones, dry patches, acne and other blemishes. While balanced skin is both an internal and external job, one of the most effective approaches is to simplify your skin care ritual. That way, you can measure the efficacy of your routine, and adjust from there.
Cleanse: No need to double or triple cleanse. Just use an effective cleanser that removes bacteria without stripping your skin. A multiple-product cleansing ritual can strip and/or stress your skin, and make it less receptive to accelerating the healing process.
Tone: A good toner or essence helps balance your skin, and can begin the process of depositing essential hydration to your face, neck and decolletage. Essence works best when it is pressed into the skin with palms and fingertips; using a cotton pad can waste product.
Moisturize: The kind of moisturizer you choose depends entirely on your skin’s individual needs. You don’t have to use a designated ‘moisturizer’ to hydrate your skin. You can also use just a serum if it serves the purpose. A common mistake is to layer essence, serum, and moisturizer. In truth this layering effect works best for a drier skin type. If your skin is intolerant to layers (typically you’ll experience a small breakout within 24 hours), listen to it. Use one layer to hydrate and let your skin settle on its own.
More is not more. Overdoing it with cleansing and hydrating more than twice a day can backfire. Using copious amounts of product per care session can backfire. Feel your way through your perfect ritual. While effective ingredients do play a part in the products you choose, the magic of striking that balance for perfect skin actually lies with you. Build your routines around real life; if you wear a lot of makeup , use a remover before using your cleanser. If you are very active and sweat and lot, schedule your routine after the fact to keep your skin clear and balanced. The key is to do what works for your face and for your life. Balancing skin is a constant practice, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Keep it simple… and smile. You got this.