Just because you have to put some effort into your skincare routine doesn’t mean it has to be overly difficult — involving dozens of complicated steps and various products.
In fact, PROVEN Skincare makes it totally simple and realistic for you to take proper care of your skin without spending a ton of time and money in the process.
While every skincare routine should include six key steps, PROVEN simplifies this even further, expertly combining steps to make your skincare routine easier and more effective than ever before.
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Step 1: Cleansing
The first step in your skincare routine should be cleansing. Cleansing your skin allows you to remove dirt, sweat, and oil from the surface of your skin that can lead to clogged pores. While cleansing may seem like a simple and straightforward process, it still requires some thought.
For example, many people tend to want to either over-cleanse or under-cleanse their skin. However, it’s extremely important to strike the proper balance of cleansing.
As a result, we recommend cleansing twice a day: once in the morning and once at night.
Under-cleansing the skin can lead to the development of acne blemishes caused by clogged pores. Over-cleansing can actually strip the skin of its natural oils — leading to increased oil production that can also end up clogging the pores.
Another thing that many people misunderstand about cleansing is that it’s not the same thing as makeup removal. In fact, you should remove most if not all of your makeup before you actually cleanse your face.
From there, apply your gentle cleanser using lukewarm water. Let the solution sit on your skin for about 30 seconds to allow the ingredients to really absorb into the skin. Then thoroughly rinse your face with lukewarm water and pat dry with a soft towel.
Step 2: Exfoliation
While you definitely don’t need to exfoliate every day, you need to incorporate this essential step into your regular skincare routine. Depending on your skin type, you may need to exfoliate once or twice a week in order to get rid of dry skin cells and other built up substances. When it comes to exfoliation, there are two different types to choose from: chemical exfoliation and physical exfoliation.
Chemical exfoliation involves the use of chemical reactions to dissolve areas of dead skin. Chemical exfoliation usually involves acids, specifically alpha hydroxy acids like glycolic acid, lactic acid, and citric acid.
Physical exfoliation, on the other hand, involves the use of rough particles to physically scrub the skin and remove areas of dead skin. Some examples of natural physical exfoliants include sugar, coffee grounds, and oats.
No matter which type of exfoliation you choose, it’s important to closely follow the directions provided on your exfoliating products because exfoliants can be harsh and damaging if used incorrectly.
Step 3: Toning
After exfoliating, the next step in your skincare routine should be toning. Many people think it’s safe for them to skip this step, however this could be doing your skin a huge disservice. The main purpose of toners is to replenish the skin after cleansing and help prime your skin for the remaining steps in your skincare routine.
This is because the toner helps remove those stubborn remnants of makeup, dirt, and oil that your makeup remover and cleanser left behind. Toner also helps to balance the pH of the skin that may be otherwise affected by cleansing. Finally, facial toners help the rest of your skincare products to penetrate deeper into the skin and work more effectively.
Toning is especially beneficial for oily skin, and can be done either once or twice a day depending on your skin’s needs. Simply soak a cotton ball or cotton round with your toning solution and swipe it across the face. In just a few seconds, you’re ready for the rest of your skincare routine!
Step 4: Serums
Once your skin is toned and prepped, it’s time to move on to serums. Skincare serums are a great way to provide your skin with highly concentrated ingredients that pack a big punch. You should choose your serums based on your specific skin concerns.
For example, if you’re dealing with signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles, you may want to consider using a retinol serum. On the other hand, if you’re dealing with acne and blemishes, you may want to consider using a salicylic acid or niacinamide serum.
Also, don’t be afraid to mix and match different serums to address your various skin concerns. Just be careful about the different ingredients that you’re combining and make sure that they are compatible (we do this for you here at PROVEN with your custom skincare formula!).
Step 5: Moisturization
After applying your serums, you should then apply your moisturizer. Moisturizer nourishes your skin and allows it to maintain a soft and smooth appearance.
That being said, those with oily skin may be under the impression that they can skip this step since their natural oils provide the skin with enough moisture. However, that’s definitely not the case! Skipping moisturizer on oily skin can cause the skin to produce even more oil — effectively locking you into a vicious cycle that can be hard to break.
As a result, it’s important to choose a moisturizer based on your skin type. For example, those with oily or acne-prone skin should avoid heavy moisturizing ingredients that can further contribute to oil and clogged pores. Instead, look for lightweight moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid. On the other hand, if you have chronically dry skin, choose a heavier moisturizer with ingredients like shea butter or cocoa butter.
Finally, it’s important to note that you may have to adjust your moisturizer throughout the year as the weather changes. You may need a lightweight moisturizer to combat oiliness and humidity in the summer before switching to a heavier moisturizer to combat dry and harsh air in the winter.
Step 6: Sun Protection
Speaking of seasons, sun protection is the final step of your skincare routine that you’re going to want to cover all year long. Many people falsely assume that they can skip sun protection if it’s cloudy outside or if they aren’t planning on spending a lot of time outdoors that day. However, the sun has extremely powerful rays that can cause a lot of damage even when you least expect it. That’s right — the sun can damage your skin on cloudy days or from within your home through your windows.
As a result, it’s recommended that you apply at least SPF 30 on a daily basis to provide your skin with adequate sun protection. Additionally, if you plan to spend extensive time outdoors or it’s particularly sunny outside, you may want to apply supplemental SPF protection and take additional protective measures like wearing protective clothing or spending time in the shade. Also be sure to reapply early and often, especially if you’re exercising outdoors or swimming.
Put All These Steps Together With Your PROVEN Skincare Routine
We understand that six skincare steps on a regular basis may seem like a lot — which is why we simplified skincare.
PROVEN offers three unique products that are able to comprise your entire skincare routine. We provide you with a custom cleanser, moisturizer, and night cream for an effective and comprehensive routine.
But what about toning, exfoliating, and SPF protection? PROVEN has you covered with innovative formulations. For example, your cleanser will also contain gentle toning and exfoliating properties for a 3-in-1 effect. Your moisturizer will also contain SPF 40 to nourish and protect your skin within a single step. Additionally, your night cream will contain highly concentrated amounts of the beneficial ingredients your skin needs to look and feel its absolute best.
If this sounds too good to be true, don’t just take our word for it! Try it out for yourself by taking our skin quiz to receive your unique formulation included in a cleanser, moisturizer, and night cream. Our skin quiz takes a whole host of factors into account when creating your custom formulas, including things like skin concerns, environment, lifestyle, heritage, and more.
All it takes is a few minutes to complete the quiz and our award-winning skincare database will instantly sort through countless ingredients to find the best fit for your unique skin.
Our reviews and third-party clinical testing results speak for themselves. So before you spend another day going through countless steps of an ineffective skincare routine, consider what PROVEN Skincare could do for your skin.
Sources: 42 Responses to “Skin Cleansing 101: Why Washing Your Face is Important” | Westlake Dermatology Cosmetics Alpha Hydroxy Acids | FDA How to safely exfoliate at home | American Academy of Dermatology 10 ways to protect your skin in cold weather | University of California Irvine Health