You’ve probably heard this before: your skin is your body’s largest organ. Knowing this, it makes sense that caring for your skin properly is pretty important. But you likely also know that it’s not as easy as that.
Skincare can be complicated and learning what steps and types of products work best for your skin type is a large part of making sure your skin is as healthy as it can be.
Understanding the science behind skincare involves learning about your skin, but also why daily skincare routines differ from person to person. The best way to take care of all the layers of your skin is to know what skin type you have and what products it needs to look and feel its best.
This guide is here to lay it all out for you. Keep reading to learn what you need to know, then choose from the products we’ve suggested to get started on loving the skin you’re in.
Layers of the Skin
Knowing and understanding the layers of skin is a great first step in learning to take care of the skin all over your body. There are three layers to consider, moving from the outside to the inside of your body – the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis.
Each has a role to play and is connected all over your body. Together, the three layers of skin regulate your body’s temperature, fight off pathogens and other toxins, and protect your internal organs. Let’s break it down a little further.
The epidermis is your skin’s outer layer – the layer you can see and feel. It is composed of skin cells connected with lipids. The skin cells that make up your epidermis create a skin barrier and contain cells that create the pigment, or color, of your skin. It also controls the way you feel things and plays a role in overall body immunity.
Your dermis is underneath the epidermis and is where you find sebaceous glands, which are responsible for helping regulate moisture in your skin. This is also where hair roots and nerve endings originate, as well as where sweat glands and blood vessels can be found. The dermis circulates blood and nutrients to the epidermis and is where collagen and elastin are created.
Finally, the hypodermis is your innermost layer of skin and its primary role is to store fat. It also works to keep your upper layers of skin connected to the bones and muscles.
Your skin’s layers are composed of several elements, proteins, fats, and peptides among them. They include collagen and elastin, as well as lipids, keratin, and peptides. Collectively, these elements provide structure to the skin and keep it healthy.
The Relevance of Skin Type
When you shop for cosmetic products, chances are you’ve seen labels that promote certain products for certain skin types, from flaky skin to combination skin to normal skin. Finding effective products for your skin type is one of the best things you can do for every layer of your skin, from the top protective barrier to the deeper layers that play a role in the health and structure of your skin.
There are four main skin types, which are determined by genetics, but also your diet and skincare habits. They are normal, oily, dry, and combination. Your skin type should play a role in your choice of products, as well as the ingredients they contain.
For well-balanced skin, you want something to cleanse, moisturize and fight the signs of aging. That’s why when you choose products you create skincare layering routines that work for your specific needs.
- Normal skin is considered that which is without sensitivity, is radiant in complexion, and has very few visible pores.
- Combination skin has a few clogged pores, is shiny, and may contain blackheads. It can be oily in some areas, and dry in others. It may also fluctuate between being oily and dry.
- Dry skin is dull, has red patches, has visible lines and/or wrinkles, and may sometimes have a feeling of tightness.
- Oily skin has enlarged pores, is shiny, and has imperfections. Oily skin tends to be more acne prone than other skin types.
As well as your basic skin type, you may also have sensitive skin, which can appear as redness, dullness, itching, tightness or rashes, and acne. Understanding your skin type can help you choose the right products for your skin health, whether that’s over-the-counter products or those like we sell.
A few examples include our Revitalizing Exfoliate product for acne-prone skin, which has salicylic acid and other gentle ingredients to clear clogged pores and revitalize even the deeper skin layers.
If your skin needs some Vitamin C because it’s dry and you want to fight fine lines and wrinkles while preventing damage from environmental stressors to your skin, you’ll love our Vitamin C-Fusion, which also brightens your skin.
What are Collagen and Elastin?
You’ve probably heard of both collagen and elastin, even before you read the information above. They are the skin’s building blocks and are both found in the dermis and play a part in healthy connective tissue and overall healthy skin.
Collagen production is important because it provides strength to your skin. Collagen decreases with age so it’s important to use beauty products that help increase it. Products that boost collagen can help combat many signs of aging, including wrinkles, dull skin, and fine lines.
Your skin relies on elastin production for resilience. A decrease in elastin causes sagging skin, which can be counteracted with a topical product that contains it. Try our Restorative Neck and Body Cream, which contains both collagen and elastin and is designed for use where the skin is prone to sagging with age, including the neck.
A good sunscreen can also preserve collagen and elastin, thereby helping reduce the signs of aging. In addition, using SPF to fight ultraviolet radiation is a vitally important step for preventing skin cancer. It is recommended that you wear sunscreen every day regardless of the weather.
You’ll love our Sun Defense SPF 45, which fights premature aging, while also containing ingredients that ward off UVA and UVB rays. It can be used on all skin types, including oily skin and sensitive skin.
Cleansing Your Skin
Cleansing your skin is an important skincare step. Choosing a good facial cleanser involves, again, finding one that contains ingredients that meet your needs. If you have dry skin, a highly moisturizing product is ideal, while normal skin may need something less customized. If you are fighting aging, look for a cleanser that decreases the appearance of wrinkles.
Cleansing your skin clears environmental stressors, such as pollution, while also clearing pores and removing dirt and debris that builds up during the day. You want a cleansing product that cleans but doesn’t remove the natural oils your skin needs. Micellar water is a great option for all skin types, but you can find customized versions too, such as a cream cleanser for dry skin or a foaming product for oily skin.
You should cleanse your skin twice a day, morning and evening. Try our Rejuvenating Cleanser, which revitalizes your skin, while also building your protective barrier. The special blend of ingredients is formulated to clean your face, while also infusing it with antioxidants to fight free radicals that lead to damage and aging. It’s packed with cleansing and hydrating natural ingredients, like cucumber and hyaluronic acid, both of which gently clean and moisturize the skin on your face.
Moisturizing Your Skin
Scientifically speaking, one of the best ways to ensure proper homeostasis on your skin is to consider when and how much to moisturize. Too much or too little can lead to skin issues and your skincare routine is an important factor in the balance you need for healthy feeling and healthy-looking skin.
Counteracting dry skin with proper moisturization is vital for its health. Dry skin is one of the top skin concerns reported to dermatologists. Research indicates that using products that contain active ingredients that promote healthy moisture can combat the effects of dry skin now and as a person ages.
Try our Soothe Rejuvenating Moisturizer, which is packed with hydrating natural ingredients, like vitamin E and ceramides, both of which gently moisturize the skin. This gentle cleanser is designed to remove impurities and dirt and debris from your face, while also combatting dry skin. It can improve skin moisture levels by up to 71%.
When you choose a moisturizing product, look for one that contains ingredients that mimic a natural moisturizing factor, such as aloe, which can also be found in the above product. You can also find moisturizing skin creams, eye creams, and many more, which treat dry skin on the face and body.
Toning Your Skin
Another step/product you don’t want to skip is toner. The toners of the old days were harsh astringent products that often stung the skin when used. But no more. Today’s toning products are much gentler and do the job of bringing nutrients into the skin, while also helping the other skincare products you use absorb efficiently. That means more active ingredients are making their way through the skin’s layers and you’re getting the most out of each one of them.
For many skin types, toner is optional but can be used as an effective way to get ingredients into the skin that aren’t available from your other skincare products. Look for ingredients like alpha and beta hydroxy acids, rose water, and green tea, each of which work to remove dead skin cells, while also hydrating and removing impurities. Toner should be applied to fresh cleaned skin before any other products are applied.
Anti-Aging Skincare
While the way your skin ages can be chalked up in part to a pre-genetic disposition, there are ways to ward off the signs, regardless of genetics and external influencers. While you only have so much control over your genetics, you can counteract extrinsic factors to help battle fine lines, wrinkles, enlarged pores, dark circles, and other skin issues that you might fight as you get older.
In addition to consistent sunscreen use, especially that which contains zinc oxide, you can keep signs of aging at bay by avoiding smoking, getting enough rest, and eating a healthy and well-balanced diet. Paying attention to your cosmetic ingredients is also important as you want only ingredients that support fragile skin as it ages. Fortunately, you can find a wide range of such products. Our Sun Defense SPF 45 is a fantastic choice for protecting your outermost layer of skin, as well as your inner layers. It also comes in a tinted version Tinted Sun Defense SPF 46.
Tips for a Skincare Routine that Helps You Achieve Perfect Skin
The skincare industry is awash with products that can treat all types of skin issues, from water loss to cell renewal to treating any number of compromised skin conditions. With all these choices at your fingertips, it can be difficult to decide what you should be using and what isn’t necessary. Fortunately, there are some tips that help you create the ideal skincare routine for your needs.
Consider using multiple products if you have more than one skin issue. For example, hydrate all of your skin, but only use a specialized serum on the areas that have hyperpigmentation, acne, or other skin problems. This way you are supporting the healthy natural function of your skin all over, but still treating specific trouble spots. Just remember not to mix products to save time. This can reduce the effectiveness of each product. It’s better to layer them separately for the best results.
Pay attention to application frequency too. Some products aren’t designed for everyday use, so be sure you are reading and following the directions carefully. There’s also a certain degree of trial and error when it comes to creating the perfect skincare regimen. Don’t be afraid to try something new, like our Moisturizing Body Repair cream, which exfoliates and hydrates your skin, while also targeting dryness, flaking, and irritation.
Summary
Creating a skincare routine should be something you work on carefully. It pays to use the right products, not only for the look and feel of your skin but for its health for a lifetime. Keep in mind that your skin needs may change with time, so don’t be afraid to ditch a product that’s no longer working in favor of one that does.
Flawless skin is as close as the nearest drugstore, but the specialized products at Zadeh MD Skin are designed with perfect skin in mind and come at affordable prices. You’ll thank yourself for every application when you use the products that are best for your body’s largest organ – your skin.