Make no mistake, having a clean and clear complexion can be difficult, but it certainly isn’t as hard as you may think. Healthy Skin starts with how well you take care of your body from the inside-out. It requires a soulful connection between your mind and body that can be emphasized through a consistent daily skincare regimen as well as adequate products suitable for your skin type.

So, while it does take time and patience, achieving the ultimate glow can certainly be accomplished. There are plenty of ways in which you can begin to form this link between your soul and your skincare, just follow this guide to learn what exactly you need to know!

UNDERSTANDING YOUR SKIN TYPE

The first step to your soulful skincare experience is to understand your skin type. As you may already know by now, not everyone shares the same type of skin, meaning the products they use and the routine they follow will be unique to each individual. That’s why compartmentalizing your skin as either oily, dry, sensitive, normal, or combination is critical to determine before doing anything else. Identifying your skin type will allow you to better treat and take care of both your skin and the rest of your body.

Although each individual will have their own set of unique characteristics, most people tend to resonate with the following skin types:

Oily Skin: Usually can be described as someone with excess sebum (the natural oil of the body) that causes one’s complexion to appear shiny with visible pores.

Dry Skin: This skin type has a lack of sebum production, which oftentimes results in tight, flakey-looking skin.

Sensitive Skin: Sometimes confused for other skin types, sensitive skin can lead to redness, dryness, burning, or itchiness when using products that irritate the complexion.

Normal Skin: This skin type is neither here nor there, meaning it may experience a few bumps and blemishes, but nothing that is too severe or noticeable at surface level. Those with normal skin do not have to worry too much about the products they use as this type of skin is normally equipped to handle it all, meaning their complexion is generally pretty radiant.

Combination Skin: Combination skin can be characterized by blackheads, shiny T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin), with pores that appear larger than normal because they’re open.

DETERMINE YOUR SKIN CONCERNS

Now that you have a better idea of what type of skin you’re working with, you should now focus on any problem areas you may have on your complexion. Whether that’s sun spots, fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, acne, etc., determining your skin concerns will help you to figure out which approach and skincare products are best for targeting these particular issues.

For example, some people may experience more success using a holistic approach to treat minor conditions like acne using products such as tea tree oil, turmeric, or apple cider vinegar to combat these impurities. Others, however, may resort to using acne products that are prescribed by a dermatologist if their blemishes are more severe and recurring as this typically requires harsher treatments to properly target the condition.

Neither of these approaches to skincare are wrong, but this goes to show that it’s important to acknowledge your skin concerns first so that you can ensure your treatment method is well-suited for your specific skin type and specific problem areas.

BUILD A ROUTINE

After you’ve determined your skin concerns, you’re ready to get started on building your soulful skincare routine! Depending on the answers you’ve uncovered in the prior steps, the types of products and steps your regimen should consist of may vary.

Still, in spite of the fact that everyone’s skincare supplies and routine will be special to their own individual skin needs, most regimens should include the following products in this exact order: cleanser, treatments, moisturizer, and SPF.

Cleanser: Incorporating a skincare cleanser is a must as this is what is key to freeing your complexion of any dirt, bacteria, pollutants, and other impurities it’s been exposed to throughout the day or night. Keeping a fresh face is necessary to obtain the results you’re looking for, but it’s critical that you find a cleanser that’s compatible with your skin. Too harsh of a cleanser can strip your skin of the natural oils it produces, which can lead to dryness and worsened skin conditions. Be sure to review the product label before using it.

Treatments: Regardless if you use serums, at-home face masks, or both, using treatments is a great way to target your problem areas. Most treatment products have “active ingredients” in them, which are the ingredients that serve to target the skincare concerns. Refer to this infographic below to uncover the uses behind these common active ingredients:

Moisturizer: Of the many ways’ makeup can be used to cover up any impurities on the skin, texture is not one of them. That’s why adding a moisturizer should be a non-negotiable part of your skincare regimen. Even if you have oily skin, you’ll still want to

opt for a lightweight face lotion to help preserve the natural moisture in your skin, especially as the colder months approach. For those of you with a dryer complexion, you’ll want to search for a heavier moisturizer like these ones here.

SPF: End your skincare routine with some sunscreen or SPF to further help preserve your gorgeous glow. The sun’s ultraviolet radiation is powerful, even on the cloudiest and coldest of days. It’s also the primary reason people develop signs of premature aging, so remember to apply sunscreen as the last step of your morning skincare regimen to assure your complexion remains youthful looking in the years to come.

SELF-CARE WITH SOULFUL SKINCARE

Finally, embark on your soulful journey by practicing self-care with your skincare. With all of the steps completed, there is nothing stopping you from forming that mind-body connection through your products and daily regimen.

In the same way you practice building resilience and happiness through other mindfulness activities, you can also incorporate those same techniques when it comes to skincare. Use this routine as an excuse to solely concentrate on you and your well-being by creating time in the morning and night to perform your unique regime. Then, watch as your soulful story truly begins to unfold. Good luck!

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