Everyone at one time or another wonders what an ideal skin care regimen is. We now live in a world filled with pollution, dust, stress (both physical and mental) and not to forget unhealthy eating habits. Each of this definitely has an effect on the appearance of the skin. This has given rise to an umpteen number of skin care products which have landed on the shelves of supermarkets and departmental stores. One often gets confused as to which of these would suit them, this leads to lighter wallets, heavier shopping baskets and battered skin.

All of us desire flawless baby like skin with radiant complexion, but is this achievable given the current environmental condition? Yes, it is. But for some it would require more effort than the other as not all of us are blessed with good genes.

An ideal skin care regimen can be prescribed by us only after examining the skin closely and therefore, catering to your skin’s needs. The skin regimen would be face washing/cleansing, toning, moisturising and last but THE most important step being use of adequate use of sunscreen.

Face wash is the product which gets rid of all the sweat and dirt on your skin primarily and also maintains the pH of the skin (4.7-5). It is advisable to wash your face at least twice a day, on the other hand repeated washing would lead to drying of skin. You may be prescribed face wash containing salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or other ingredient depending on your requirement.

Toning is done after face wash, to maintain the pH balance of the skin and it may also contain brightening ingredients for added benefit. Once the tonner dries moisturiser can be applied. Moisturising can be done either in two steps, by using a serum and then a moisturiser or by using either one based on the requirement. Serums are highly concentrated with the active ingredient which is readily absorbed by the skin faster and hence more effective. Moisturiser locks the moisture in the skin and therefore, prevents drying. This is prescribed based on your skin concern, it is an essential step of the skin care regimen no matter what skin type you have.

Last but definitely not the least, the life changing step/product of this whole process is SUNSCREEN. One cannot stress enough about using a good sunscreen and its benefits. When applied properly it protects the skin from the harmful radiations of the sun and thereby prevents skin cancers, premature aging, sun burns, uneven skin tone and uneven skin texture. It is therefore required to apply adequate amount of sunscreen 30 mins before leaving your house and also to be reapplied every 3 hours. If it does get washed off by sweat or water, one can reapply it as often as possible.

All products require 3-5 weeks before it can bring about a noticeable change to our appearance. Using plenty of products and switching it out frequently because we don’t have the patience to wait and give some time for the product to work is what we see mostly commonly in our daily practise. Procuring good skin will require diligent application and compliance towards the products prescribed, eating healthy and maintaining a good lifestyle.