The online and offline marketplaces are full of ‘instant solutions’ for every conceivable skincare need. But in my years of practice as a dermatologist, I still have not come across any true miracle cures that can instantly solve skin problems.
The only thing that truly works miracles is consistent skincare habits. The earlier one starts with a proper skincare routine, the more one can stave off any external interventions in later life. Good skincare is all about habits, and I encourage my patients to start with healthy skincare habits right from their teens.
Before starting on any skincare regimen, the first thing to do is to know your skin type. For example, you have oily skin if your T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) and the C-zone (outer area of the face) are oily to touch or shiny in the morning. On the other hand, if your entire face feels stretched or taut in the morning, your skin is probably dry. Most people, however, have combination skin--when your T-zone feels oily, but the C-zone feels taut or stretched.
You are what you eat and drink
The single line advice that I give to my patients about nutrition and its relation to the health of your skin is to always opt for a balanced diet that does not favour a particular food group. Fad diets that favour a particular macronutrient tend to have disastrous results on the health of your skin. Like the rest of your body, your skin absolutely needs carbohydrates, proteins, and fats to maintain its health.
As for micronutrients, I recommend that one opt for foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids,recommend that one and antioxidants. This is because the skin's health in terms of its barrier function, its elasticity and its oxidative stress levels depends on the consumption of these micronutrients.
Regarding water intake, the general guidelines that one should try following are consuming about 2.5 litres of water per day for women and 3.5 litres of water per day for men. This is because water consumption plays a major role in the hydration levels of the skin and its biomechanical functioning.
Time to restore your skin
Ageing and environmental exposure take their toll on the health of our skin. However, now there are an adequate number of skincare products with ingredients that can help stave off the signs of ageing and skin damage for a long time. Therefore,I commonly recommend serums with the below ingredients to patients above 25.
Vitamin C: This reduces oxidative stress on your skin and increases collagen synthesis. These features help control the melanin formation in your skin and help decrease fine lines and wrinkles.
Retinoids: These are derivatives of vitamin A which encourage cellular turnover and stimulate collagen production. This is often hailed as an elixir for anti-ageing.
Hyaluronic acid: This molecule can hold large quantities of moisture and help it penetrate the deeper layers of the skin, hence effectively making the skin more hydrated and supple.
The sequence of a skincare routine
The products you use are important for your skincare routine and the sequence in which these products are used.
A basic morning time skincare routine can look like this:
Gentle facewash
Gentle soap for the body
Full body moisturizer
Targeted corrective serums
Light moisturiser for face
Sunscreen
A basic nighttime skincare routine can look like this
Makeup removal
Cleanser or mild facewash
Targeted corrective serums
Moisturiser for face and body
Things to never try in your skincare regimen....
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