Most of us already know that good skin care involves more than just washing your face, but once you get past exfoliators and moisturizers, you might begin to feel a little lost. There are so many types of products out there, and there’s no way to craft the right routine for yourself if you don’t even know what these products do.
If you’re scratching your head wondering what the difference is between face oil and serum—and how the heck you use either of them—stress no more. Dermatologists Dr. Margarita Lolis and Dr. Debra Jaliman are here to give you the rundown on all the types of products for skin health, so you know what they are, what they do and how to properly use them.
1. Cleanser
Most dermatologists agree it is important to cleanse the face twice daily to get bacteria, dirt and pollutants off your skin. However, there are different types of cleansers that are more ideal for certain types of skin.
“The common mistakes people make are using the same product in the morning and at night and not getting a product that is ideal for their skin type,” says Dr. Lolis. “For example, someone prone to breakouts may use a cleanser with salicylic acid only to find it has a reverse effect. When skin is dried out, it increases oil production, which can only make a breakout more prevalent. The best approach would be to see a dermatologist for a skin assessment and a product recommendation that is most suitable for your skin type.”
2. Exfoliator
Exfoliation is a crucial part of any skin care routine, but it can also be intimidating for those who are just starting their beauty regimen and are unsure of what exactly an exfoliator does. To put it simply, any product or device used on the skin to remove dead skin cells is an exfoliator, which can then be classified as either chemical or physical.
Physical or manual exfoliators slough away dead skin cells on the surface layer using mechanical force. On the other hand, “Chemical exfoliators (like salicylic acid or glycolic acid) chemically breaks or dissolves bonds between dead skin cells,” explains board-certified dermatologist Viseslav Tonkovic-Capin, MD. “The dead skin cells become loose and shed off, making the skin look [more] radiant and youthful. They also open the pores, enabling their contents to discharge on the surface to prevent acne and inflammation. Given that exfoliators are mild acids, they also lower the pH of the skin, killing the harmful bacteria,” he explains.
When choosing an exfoliator to add to your skin care routine, Dr. Tonkovic-Capin says it’s important to first consider your skin type. “Oily and acne-prone skin would benefit greatly from daily use of facial pads pre soaked with salicylic acid because they will treat and prevent acne breakouts,” he suggests. For combination skin, he recommends slow exfoliation that can be done as often or as less frequently as your skin sensitivities would allow. For those with mature skin, he suggests choosing an exfoliator with anti-aging ingredients like resveratrol for their skin-rejuvenating properties.
“I do not recommend any exfoliation for dry and sensitive skin because such skin has already exfoliated itself and any additional exfoliation would be damaging,” he adds. Read more
Also read 25 Best Derm-Approved Products For Treating Acne Scars
