Skincare Products Every Woman Should Own

Everyone’s skin is different and unique. Even members of the same family can struggle with different skin types and concerns. So there’s really no one-size-fits-all skincare routine, but there are four products that are the basic building blocks of a solid skincare routine. If your skin type is normal and you don’t have any problems, you can get away with having just these four products in your routine. Read on to learn more about the skincare products every woman should own:

A Good Cleanser

A lot of people think that all there is to cleansing is washing your face with soap twice a day and rinsing it off. The truth is that there’s a lot more to cleansing than you might think. Using the wrong cleanser can really disrupt your natural skin barrier and lead to all sorts of problems like breakouts, rashes and irritation. Switch to a gentle yet effective pH-balanced cleanser. There are plenty of organic beauty products that fit the bill.

Avoid cleansers with harsh ingredients like alcohol and sulfates. These tend to dry your skin out, and while the “squeaky clean” feeling they give can be satisfying, you risk stripping your skin of its natural protective layers and essential oil and moisture. A good cleanser will leave your skin feeling clean yet still soft, smooth and hydrated.

A Lightweight Moisturizer

Dry skin isn’t the only skin type that can benefit from moisturizer. Oily skin types also need to moisturize to restore balance to their skin. Many people avoid using moisturizer because they don’t enjoy the heavy, greasy feeling. The trick is to find a lightweight moisturizer that absorbs quickly and feels comfortable on your skin. You can also look for a moisturizer with added benefits, like an antioxidant moisturizer or one with a brightening effect.

An Exfoliator

Regular exfoliation helps to keep our skin clear, bright and smooth. However, it’s easy to overdo it. Over-exfoliation can lead to damaged skin, irritation or inflammation. Exfoliate once or twice a week with a gentle exfoliator of your choice. There are hundreds of options available these days, and it all boils down to preference.

If you prefer a physical exfoliator like a scrub or an exfoliating clay mask, make sure to choose one with gentle ingredients that won’t scratch or damage your skin. Use a very gentle touch, and never aggressively scrub or rub your skin.

If you’d rather use a chemical exfoliator, make sure to choose one that is compatible with your skin type. Oily and acne prone skin usually responds well to salicylic acid and glycolic acid, while lactic acid and mandelic acid work well on dry skin types. For mature skin, retinoids are the gold standard when it comes to exfoliation and anti-aging.

Sunscreen

If you could only have one other product in your skincare routine besides cleanser, it should absolutely be sunscreen. The sun’s powerful rays can be extremely harmful, and can cause a wide range of skin problems, including sunburn, dark spots, fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. Protect your skin by wearing sunscreen every single day, even on cloudy or rainy days.

Choose a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, and broad spectrum protection to keep you shielded from both UVA and UVB rays.

Once you’ve found these four products that work for you, be sure to practice your skincare routine consistently. Regularly applying skincare will result in healthy, beautiful skin that you can enjoy for many years to come.