Skincare Routines (Products and Ingredients)
Written by Tommy Li and Jerry Lau
Taking care of your skin has been a human habit since the beginning of civilization. With both men and women trying a variety of products to keep discolorations, acne, and wrinkles at bay. Women in ancient Rome used face masks, the ancient Greeks used cold cream, and the ancient Egyptians used an ointment moisturizer (1). Thanks to the power of the internet, the world’s population has been exposed to celebrities and influencers with flawless skin; this has led to an explosion of growth in the beauty industry with a plethora of products to sell. As consumers, it is tough to weed out the products that actually work as advertised and not break the bank at the same time. This piece hopes to give clearer information on what is needed in a skincare routine and what products are available to you.
All skincare routines should have these essential steps: protection, prevention, cleaning, and moisturizing. This routine should be done consistently and for a time before results are revealed. Any product that promises otherwise is not a trustworthy product or is making too bold of a claim. Two of the most important factors of a routine are protection and prevention. Daily use of sunscreen is important whenever you go out, as sun damage results from everyday, incidental ultraviolet exposure. Dermatologists recommend sunscreen that has either the active ingredient zinc oxide or avobenzone for blocking out ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B.
The other factors, cleaning and moisturizing, are also important. Dermatologists recommend products that specify which skin type is formulated for: dry, oily, combination; this information combined with evidence of clinical testing with before and after photos that is readily available to the consumer indicates if a product should be recommended or not (2). Oily skin type requires gel-based and bar cleansers while dry skin type better uses cream or lotion-based ones.
There are other important processes of skin care besides protection, prevention, cleaning, and moisturizing. First, improving texture and tone is the key to youthful skin with radiance. Radiance decreases as people age (2). Toning products can help to remove excess corneocyte buildup by exfoliation. Using toning products can stimulate cell turnover and polish a smoother surface. Then, the aging of skin will nevertheless emerge. Noticeable contour, firmness, wrinkling, and lost of elasticity changes will come out and say hello. Vitamin A related products have been used to redensificate skin by upregulation through collagen and glycosaminoglycans. Lastly, keeping balance of the skin and managing sensitivity are crucial to a perfect skin on your own.
A perfect skin is the most universally desired gift as a human feature. Taking care of skin is a long-term mission. Humans tend to focus on certain aspects of problems, and neglect the overall picture. Skin care is advanced from the basic and expanded to a higher level as human society develops. By enriching our knowledge and using our intelligence, we can help an increased number of patients with skin problems. Solutions are always there to help our patients to maximize their life quality and beauty.
References:
Claudia D. Through the Ages: A Brief History of Skincare. L’Oreal. skincare.com/article/history-of-skin-care. Accessed 31 Aug 2021.
Rodan K, Fields K, Majewski G, Falla T. Skincare Bootcamp: The Evolving Role of Skincare. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2016;4(12 Suppl Anatomy and Safety in Cosmetic Medicine: Cosmetic Bootcamp):e1152. Published 2016 Dec 14.