How to have an efficient skincare with few products – 04/23/2023 – Equilíbrio

Gone are the days when content about skincare was new on social media. The trend has been consolidated in recent years, popularizing skin care and expanding access to specialized products. However, the large amount of cosmetics available and the routines that involve many items can raise doubts about which are the essential assets.

A Sheet spoke with experts to understand which products are needed in a skin care routine and clarify doubts about treatment possibilities.

What is essential in a skincare routine?

The first step is cleansing your face in the morning. The director of the cosmiatrics department at the SBD (Brazilian Society of Dermatology), Elisete Crocco, recommends using a suitable soap, followed by cleaning with micellar water or tonic with cotton.

The next products will depend on the skin type. A cream for the eye area can be used, which can have a whitening, moisturizing or rejuvenating action. However, this step can also be included in the night routine, depending on the specific characteristics of the patient.

After that, a product for the face will be applied, which normally has a moisturizing or antioxidant action. “Generally, we suggest a serum, because it’s a product that will stay on the patient’s face all day, and we want to avoid building oily skin,” says Crocco.

The last element of the morning routine should be the application of sunscreen. It can be colored or not, as long as it suits the person’s skin and routine. In addition, it must be reapplied in the middle of the day.

At night, Crocco recommends repeating the cleaning of the face and following with the application of the “key” product of the treatment. “If the patient has melasma, he will receive a lightener, if it is for photoaging, a retinoic acid or glycolic acid. And sometimes with alternations to better tolerate the treatment.”

What are the most suitable assets?

Putting together your own skincare routine based on social media content and friend referrals can be difficult, as well as contraindicated.

Despite this, there are actives indicated by dermatologists with proven benefits. Some of them are:

• Retinol and retinoic acid

Retinol is an asset derived from vitamin A that promotes cell renewal. According to Crocco, products based on this compound and its derivatives (retinoic acid and retinaldehyde, for example) are those with the greatest scientifically proven benefits.

These assets have an impact on improving skin texture and preventing aging, for example. However, not all skin types receive these compounds well, which are more suitable for mature people with a tendency to oiliness.

Hyaluronic acid is produced by the human body. However, over time, its concentration in the skin decreases. Therefore, products based on this compound are indicated to keep hydration up to date. It is recommended for mature and sensitive skin.

Glycolic acid has a number of benefits, from skin rejuvenation to treating acne and oiliness. It is an asset recommended especially for oily and mature skin.

This compound is the active form of vitamin B3, which plays an important role in the energy cycle of the body’s cells. It also has different benefits in the treatment of the skin and is indicated mainly for sensitive ones, according to Crocco.

Can I formulate my own skincare routine?

Despite the abundance of content available on the internet about skin care, it is not recommended to rely on other people’s experience when purchasing products.

Each cosmetic is recommended for a certain type of skin, and specialists advise looking for a dermatologist to find out what your particular needs are. “When a person uses a product that is not suitable for their skin, it can worsen an existing condition”, points out Crocco.

The expert especially points out the risks of using over-the-counter acids, which can cause skin irritation or aggravate conditions such as rosacea in sensitive skin.

In addition, Evandro Prado, coordinator of the Scientific Department of Atopic Dermatitis at Asbai (Brazilian Association of Allergy and Immunology), says that combining contraindicated products can cause unwanted skin reactions, such as irritation or irritative or allergic contact dermatitis.

“Any prescription drug can present potentially sensitizing substances and trigger allergic reactions on the skin”, says Prado. The expert warns of compounds that, when used in cosmetics, tend to cause problems, such as polyethylene glycol and resorcin.

When starting a new product, it is important to be aware of signs of allergic reactions. “Redness, eruptions, papules that appear with the use of topical treatment, usually accompanied by itching, should call the attention of both the individual who uses it and the doctor who prescribed it”, says the professional.