Top 14 Skincare Questions You Always Wanted to Know the Answers To

Skincare is the hot topic these days with everyone from Instagram influencers to celebrities bringing out lines and discussing the dos and don'ts of taking care of the skin on your face.

Skincare can be slightly overwhelming, with all of the different treatments, moisturiser types, skin types, concerns, and whether to use a chemical or a physical exfoliant! So, to make it slightly easier, we have gathered 14 of the most popular skincare questions and answered them below to help you out if you're feeling a little skittish around the skincare section of your local pharmacy.

We're going to cover the basics of skincare, skincare routines, skin types, including oily skin, sensitive skin, and combination skin, and how food can help with the maintenance of healthy skin. This blog post is for everyone who has ever felt overwhelmed in the face of skincare. We hope it helps!!

What are the basics of skincare?

There are a few basics of skincare to cover. The first, that our skin is actually our largest organ. This means that whatever we put onto it is absorbed into the body, which means that if we're putting products loaded with toxic chemicals onto our skin, that stuff is getting into our bodies too! This is why we recommend seeking out natural and organic skincare products!

The other of the basics of skincare everyone should know is actually the three simple steps to good skin care, which are cleansing, moisturising and protection (by wearing sunscreen). Everything else, the serums and the oils and the treatments, are secondary to these three things.

What is a skincare routine?

A skincare routine is the steps you take each morning and evening to cleanse, moisturise and protect your face. The morning routine will differ slightly from the evening one but both consist of mostly the same elements, cleansing, moisturising and protecting.

In the morning, you should lightly cleanse your face and exfoliate, though this should only be done 1 - 3 times a week, then you should apply any treatments, eye creams, and moisturisers, before adding sunscreen to protect the skin from skin cancer and signs of ageing.

Your evening skincare routine should mean a double cleansing, preferably with an oil-based cleanser and then a water-based one, then treatment of the skin, and then applying a heavier moisturiser to wear overnight.

Skincare routines can be simple, with just a few steps or they can include treatment steps too. Serums can be applied to the skin to help with skin texture, acne scars, and dry skin. Vitamin C is used in some products for glowing skin and dark spots and alpha hydroxy acids (or AHAs) can be used as chemical exfoliants to remove dead skin cells, excess oil and reduce the look of enlarged pores.

What is the purpose of skincare products?

Skincare products are generally designed to treat a range of skin concerns. Each step of the skincare routine process has a different purpose, for example, exfoliation removes dead skin cells whereas moisturisation restores moisture lost to cleansing.

Some skincare products are much more targeted, like eye cream products that help to reduce the look of fine lines and dark circles, and vitamin C serum which works to brighten dull skin and improve overall skin tone.

Generally, skincare products will tell you their purpose on the packaging, making it easier to pick out the products that are right for you and your skin!

What are the different skin types? Oily skin, Sensitive skin, acne-prone skin etc.

Skincare products often come catered to specific skin types, but what are the different skin types. We've summarised each skin type below, take a look now.

• Oily skin. Presents with excess oil and tends to be more acne-prone than other skin types. This skin type requires light moisturisers and more exfoliation usually.
• Normal skin. This kind of skin has the right amount of oil and can usually take most skincare products on.
• Combination skin. This is a fun skin type because it's a bit of both. You can have oilier skin that presents with dry patches and sensitive spots, or skin that produces excess oil but dries out easily in winter. Combination skin is difficult but there are a number of products now catered specifically to this skin type.
• Dry skin. This skin type tends to be the most sensitive and presents with dry and flaky patches. Drier skin usually needs heavier creams and oils to prevent irritation.

How do I know my skin type?

Knowing your skin type is key to picking the correct products to treat it. We've summarised the various different types of skin above but to work out your own skin type, you're going to need to look at your own face. Does your skin dry out easily? Does it react to even the most gentle of skincare products? You may have dry and sensitive skin. If your skin is the opposite and you find that it feels oily, you get frequent breakouts, and your skin feels greasy particularly in the T-zone, you may have an oily skin type.

Working this out may take some time but once you do, you can start looking for products that are designed for your skin type.

Is soap a skincare product?

Technically, as a product that goes on your skin, soap is a skincare product, however, we don't recommend washing your face with regular bar soap. Regular bar soap is drying and can cause irritation on the delicate skin on your face. There are now multiple soap products designed for the skin on our face which have added moisture and can be used as cleansers. In addition, somebody soaps are also suitable for the face, but make sure to check before using any old soap as a cleanser!

Do we really need skincare?

Yes. Yes, we really do need skincare. While there may be some debate as to whether we need to apply all of the different treatments we do, you should be looking after your skin. Not least because it is your biggest organ, but also because irritated skin that is cracked can become infected too. Additionally, having good skin can help to boost self-esteem and make you feel more confident which is great for your mental wellbeing!

Another bonus of skincare is that having a skincare routine can force you to take a few minutes, morning and evening, to practice self-care and just be in the quiet.

How to get clear skin?

Getting clearer skin takes a lot of work, good skincare, and a good diet. Though perfectly clear skin isn't possible all the time due to hormone fluctuations, weather conditions, makeup, mask-wearing, and hundreds of other external factors, it is possible to get healthier skin.

Healthier skin can be maintained through a skincare routine that removes impurities and adds moisture, as well as treating any skin concerns and protecting it from the sun daily. You will also need to look at your diet and consider foods that are causing breakouts. Sugar is a huge cause of poor skin health and certain intolerances, like dairy intolerance, can contribute to bad skin too.

Consider a diet free from dairy, and look into sugar alternatives as well as ensuring you drink plenty of water and are eating enough fruit and veg!

What foods help clear skin?

The best food you can eat for clear skin is fruit, particularly fruits that are high in antioxidants. Fruits tend to be high in vitamin C which is great for your skin. It is considered a super antioxidant and can help to improve the look and feel of the skin. Adding in other antioxidants from berries, like blueberries and acai berries, can help to improve skin too.

Drinking plenty of water can also help to keep the skin feeling hydrated and nourished while eating less refined sugar can help to keep breakouts at bay and help the skin to feel healthier.

Which vitamin is best for the skin?

There are a number of vitamins and minerals that contribute to good skin, these include:

• Vitamin A works to protect the skin from sun damage and can work to reduce inflammation and heal cuts.
• Vitamin C, both in our diet and topically, helps to protect the skin from free radicals and brightens the overall appearance of the skin.
• Vitamin E, found in tonnes of skincare products, is noted for its ability to slow the signs of ageing and reduce inflammation.
• Selenium protects the skin from UV rays. Indeed, selenium deficiency has been linked to a higher risk of skin cancer.
• Zinc can help to heal wounds and a lack of zinc can result in a rash that won't go away.
• Vitamin K works to reduce the look of dark spots and is essential in wound and bruise healing.

Nowadays, you can find supplements that are specifically catered to good and healthy skin. These supplements tend to have many of these vitamins in them, helping to keep your skin looking healthy.

What is exfoliation good for?

Exfoliation should be done 1 -3 times a week depending upon your skin type. Over-exfoliation can lead to irritation and dry patches on your face and so it must be done with care. There are two kinds of exfoliants, physical exfoliants like coffee scrubs, and chemical exfoliants. Chemical exfoliants fall into two categories, alpha-hydroxy acids and beta-hydroxy acids (AHAs and BHAs respectively).

Exfoliation is extremely important to good skin because it takes cleansing a step further and goes deeper into the skin to remove dead skin cells, excess oil and sebum, and other impurities that build upon the skin.

Exfoliation is particularly handy for those whose skin is prone to acne as it helps to reduce clogged pores which can lead to breakouts.

Are oils good for skin?

Face oils are generally good for skin, though care should be taken if you have naturally oilier skin when using them. Face oils add intense moisture to the skin and penetrate deeply, allowing more moisture to be absorbed. Particularly dry skin can benefit from face oils and help to prevent flaky and irritated skin. Some face oils now come with other benefits like anti-aging properties.

Do face masks work?

Apart from being really relaxing, face masks are designed to target different skin concerns. Some face masks add extra moisture whereas others promise to help even out skin tone and give you glowing skin. When using face masks, look out for products that aren't heavily fragranced as synthetic fragrances can dry out the skin and check that the ingredients on the label can actually do what the packaging promises.

What is glowing skin?

Glowing skin refers to skin that is healthy, hydrated and 'glows' throughout the day. Glowing skin can be achieved through a good skincare routine as well as a good diet and drinking plenty of water. Some people use vitamin C products to give their skin a boost when they feel it has become dull whereas others swear by regular exfoliation to get brighter skin. Glowing skin is desirable to everyone but the means of achieving it may be different depending on your skin type!

Conclusion

Skincare is a phenomenon that has been growing more and more popular in recent years. With new technologies and new standards of beauty, everyone wants to have good skin! There are now hundreds and hundreds of products on the market, all claiming to do different things.

We've gone over a few of the most frequently asked questions on skincare here but there is still lots more to find out! If you're feeling overwhelmed, remember that a basic skincare routine can consist simply of cleansing, moisturisation, and sunscreen.

Different products claim to do different things so it is always best to research the ingredients to ensure that they do. Avoid overly synthetic products and try to only put products onto your skin that you know will benefit it.

Remember that your skin is your biggest organ and so taking care of it is good for your physical health too! Check out our entire skincare range now and find some fantastic natural and organic products to start treating your skin well today!