How to have perfect skin? This seems to be the million-dollar question for many teens and adults, but is perfect skin real or attainable, and is that the look we should all reach for or attain?
Everyone’s body is different, and that includes the skin. This means we all can’t have the same skin “look.” We are going to start by pointing out four different skin types: normal, combination, oily, and dry. These are the primary skin types, but there are also variations between them. Someone can have normal to combination skin, normal to oily, dry to combination, and the variations can go on. First things first, it is essential to know what your skin type is. Knowing your skin type, you can begin your research on achieving the perfect skin for you.
Because of social media and celebrities, there is an image of perfect skin, but that doesn’t mean it’s healthy or “perfect.” Even those with the most beautiful skin have things they are doing to maintain it; regardless, they still have some imperfections. So, let’s focus on healthy-looking skin and not perfect skin.
What Actually Keeps Skin Looking
Good & Healthy
Before we get into what keeps the skin healthy, we have to define what healthy skin is.
Our skin is made up of layers, the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. Each of these layers has a role they play, and each is important. Overall they protect the skin from dust and many other harmful things in our everyday lives. If any of these layers happen to be damaged, then there can be damage left on the skin. So healthy skin is skin that is not damaged, so we should focus on undamaged or close-to-intact skin.
Know that aiming for non-damaged skin is just the surface. You can aim for much more, and that is where the perfect skin image comes from (but remember, we are aiming for healthy, not perfect). Minimal dirt, moisture, and protection from UV rays are what keep the skin looking good. If you’re looking for the ultimate guide to getting the skin you want, you should focus on this. Our skins need to have dirt removed from them daily using some form of cleanser and water. After that, it needs to be rehydrated with moisturizer. Finally, we see the sun every day, so we must protect ourselves against UV rays because they can cause damage over time to the skin.
If you can keep to these three main steps, then you’re guaranteed to have healthy skin.
What You May Be Doing Wrong
If you don’t have a skincare routine, you may want to rethink that. Your skin needs tender love and care, and the only way it will get that is if you start to take care of it. If you have a skincare routine but are not seeing any positive changes, then you may want to examine your routine and figure out what is not working for you.
Here are some of the skin sins or mistakes many Americans make in their skincare.
- 55% of Americans have admitted to not cleansing their skin every day.
Of those that do happen to wash their face
- 48% say that they have never used a cleanser
- 47% say they used shampoo or conditioner to wash their face
- 41% say they have used hand soap
- 53% say they only use water to wash their face
- 42% will use the same clothe to clean their face about 4 times.
These are some of the skin sins that people are committing. If this sounds like you, then it’s time for a change. Being consistent with your skincare goes a long way, and it helps even more if you’re doing it correctly.
Is Seeing A Dermatologist Worth It?
I mentioned before that cleaning, moisturizing, and protecting your skin from UV rays are necessary to create healthy skin. While this remains true, sometimes we must do a little more. Our hormones, life experiences, and overall health also play a part in how healthy our skin stays.
Acne is something that comes with the change of hormones when crossing the line of puberty. So, targeting acne is an additional step in the routine. Besides acne prevention, many are born with or develop skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, and more. If you have any of these conditions, you may also have to add steps to help treat the condition(s).
That said, it will be advised to see a dermatologist or a professional skin doctor. There are a lot of benefits to seeing a dermatologist, whether you have a skin condition or not. Dermatologist work with you to find the products that will work for you and your skin. As mentioned before, everyone’s skin is different. So having a professional look at your skin will let you know what you should and shouldn’t be doing in terms of a skincare routine, and this will all be science-based. If something doesn’t seem to be working or has an opposite effect, they’ll re-recommended a product and even take a look at the ingredients with you to ensure that it will work.
So, if you’re having doubts about seeing a dermatologist, let us tell you that it may be worth the time.
General Skin Care Steps to Follow
Meanwhile, there are some general skincare steps you can follow every day to get you to that healthy skin goal. Take a look at the steps below and implement them into your everyday routine. Remember to do your research when it comes to products and consider your skin type. After choosing products to use, ensure that you are using each product properly. This has a big impact on how effective it is in your routine. Now let’s get into that routine!
Step 1Start by splashing water on your face and using a face cleanser. (This face cleanser should be separate from your body cleanser.) Step 2Pat your face dry with a clean face towel. (Try not to rub your face with the towel, this can irritate the skin.)Step 3Use a toner. (Choose a toner that works well with your skin type; this can also be an exfoliating step) Step 4Use your acne or skin condition treatments (If you have any of these products, now would be a great time to use them.) Step 5Moisturize! Moisturize! Moisturize! (Not sure how many more times it can be emphasized. This is a very important step.) Step 6Use sunscreen. This should always be the last step so that the protection can be very effective. (Find a sunscreen that you like and stick to wearing it every day.
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General Tips
- Try to use lukewarm water instead of hot water when washing your face.
- Avoid touching your face. Your hands have germs and bacteria that can transfer to your face.
- Wash your face twice a day. Make it a habit to complete your skincare morning and night.
- If you wear makeup, always take it off before bed.
- Stay hydrated. Water has been proven to have a positive effect on the skin.
- Have multiple towels after cleansing. Ideally, it would be best if you used a different towel daily.
- Always use moisturizer and sunscreen. These two are always a recipe for success.
Resources
Cleveland Clinic: Skin Conditions
Medical News Today: How to get clear skin fast
News Medical: What is Healthy Skin
New York Times: How to Build a Skin Care Routine
SWNS: Study-Majority of people don’t wash their face…
