What steps and contents does the skin care process include?

The core of the complete skin care process can be divided into two major parts: basic care and functional care. Cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection are the three must-do steps that cannot be avoided regardless of skin type and skin care needs. The remaining functional steps all depend on the individual skin condition and demands. There is no standard answer.

I have been involved in skin care for almost 10 years, and I have seen too many cases where people follow the trend and engage in complicated "ritual skin care", which actually damages the skin. I helped a best friend with oily skin adjust her skin care routine. She learned the 7-step skin care routine from an internet celebrity. After washing her face, she had to apply two layers of water, apply primer, essence, lotion, and cream, and then layer on sunscreen. She was so stuffy that her chin and forehead were all closed, even her T-zone. She was prone to redness and sensitivity. Later, she cut her routine to only use amino acid cleansing + refreshing gel + sunscreen in the summer. Occasionally, she would apply an anti-acne gel on red and swollen pimples. Within half a month, 70% of her skin was gone, and her face was no longer red.

The most controversial issue on the Internet about skin care procedures right now is whether toner is an IQ tax. One group, mainly dermatologists, believes that toner has a very low concentration of active ingredients, and it is easy to add irritating ingredients such as alcohol and fragrance. If you apply it, it will be in vain. It is better to save money and buy better essences and moisturizers.； The other group are skin care enthusiasts who are more practical. They think that for dry skin or in autumn and winter, when the face is not completely dry after washing, apply a mild toner to replenish the stratum corneum first. The subsequent moisturizing products will be much more effective in locking in moisture. In fact, this completely depends on personal use. You can leave it on as long as it feels comfortable, does not irritate acne, and does not sting. If you feel that it is useless, you can omit it. There is no need to follow other people's procedures.

Normally, the focus of the morning and evening procedures is different. There is no need to over-cleanse in the morning. Unless you have oily skin and applied a heavy sleeping mask the night before, you can just use warm water or mild amino acid cleansing. Follow up with moisturizing and sunscreen. If you have whitening and antioxidant needs, just add a corresponding essence before moisturizing. The core of the night is cleansing. If you have applied sunscreen or put on makeup that day, you must first remove makeup and then cleanse to avoid makeup and sunscreen residue from clogging pores. At this time, if you have needs such as anti-aging, repairing, and acne removal, you can apply corresponding functional products after cleansing, and then seal with moisturizing products.

In fact, it is particularly appropriate to compare the skin care process to dressing the skin. Cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection are close-fitting underwear. You must choose something that is comfortable and suitable for your skin type, otherwise you will feel uncomfortable no matter what you wear.； Functional products such as essences, facial masks, ampoules, and serums are equivalent to outerwear and accessories. When the temperature is cooler, add a thick coat, and when the sun is strong, add a sun protection garment. If you want to attend an important occasion and want your skin to be in better condition, you can apply a mask in advance for emergency relief. There is no need to forcefully put on seven or eight pieces on your body regardless of whether the weather is hot or cold. If you pile too many, you will panic and cause a lot of skin problems.

If you encounter a sensitive period on your skin, or after acid treatment or medical treatment, you need to simplify the process. A few years ago, I did not control the concentration of salicylic acid, and my face became red and stinging for several days. At that time, I stopped all effective products. I only used warm water to wash my face every day, and applied a mild repairing moisturizer. When I went out, I relied on a hat and mask to block the sun. I didn’t even apply sunscreen. I recovered in less than a week. It was much more effective than applying a bunch of essences called "first aid repair". By the way, there are still people who are confused about whether to apply facial masks every day. In fact, for normal healthy skin, you can apply facial masks 2-3 times a week for 15 minutes each time. It is okay to apply medical dressings continuously according to the doctor's instructions after just finishing the medical art. Ordinary people should not apply facial masks every day. Previously, a colleague followed suit and applied Internet celebrity moisturizing masks every day. The application made the cuticles over-hydrated and thinned, causing allergies and redness when the season changed. It took more than half a year to heal.