There are three key elements to skincare: first, consistency; second, active ingredients tailored to your skin’s needs; and third, the method of application. With just a few products, you can achieve flawless skin. What are these essential skincare products? Here are the top five must-haves.
It can come in liquid, foam, gel, or cream form—the important thing is that it effectively removes impurities from the skin before applying further skincare products. In the morning, we wash away everything the skin has brought to the surface overnight; in the evening, we remove not only makeup but also the dust that has settled on it during the day, as well as sebum. – Cleansing is really the most important step in skincare, the very first one. After waking up, we can wash our face once, but after a full day, it’s worth doing it in two steps – suggests Angelika Sochacz, a cosmetologist. “We remove makeup using micellar water, gel, or foam, and then cleanse the skin again, also with a cleanser, this time with water. And only then do we proceed to further skincare.”
The fastest way to refresh your skin, specifically designed for gentle exfoliation. Without it, even the best cream will eventually just sit on top of dead skin cells and fail to penetrate deeply into the skin. Depending on your skin’s sensitivity, use enzyme peels or scrubs with exfoliating particles two or three times a week.
Someone once compared it to a slip worn under a dress. There’s something to that: toner is the layer that allows the cream to “work” better. All because of a property of toner that is still underappreciated: restoring the skin’s proper pH. Many facial cleansers raise the skin’s pH, and sometimes water itself has a more alkaline pH, which can lead to dryness. Toner lowers the skin’s pH to the desired range of 4.5–6 to prevent dryness and irritation. And by the way, toner itself is a carrier of valuable active ingredients, supplementing your skincare routine with vitamins or hyaluronic acid, while also smoothing and moisturizing the skin.
For nearly every other woman, face cream is the most important skincare product she uses*. A face cream has two key functions: it should moisturize the skin and protect against premature aging. When is it most effective? When it has antioxidant properties—meaning it contains vitamins C and E, coenzyme Q10, and flavonoids—and also provides sun protection. After all, light is one of the strongest factors accelerating skin aging. “However, to truly experience the cream’s skincare benefits, it’s best to let it ‘work’ on your skin for an extended period,” advises Angelika Sochacz. “It’s best to use it for at least a month, as that’s how long the skin’s renewal cycle lasts. And to see the full effect of the chosen product, it’s best to give it a full three months.”
It’s packed with active ingredients—it contains far more of them, and in a much higher concentration, than a cream. It can moisturize and nourish the skin more effectively. And it works instantly, which is especially appreciated right before a big night out. To make the effects last longer, it’s a good idea to use the mask regularly, for example, once or twice a week. As Angelika Sochacz suggests, tired skin will benefit from a vitamin C compress, dry skin from one with hyaluronic acid, and for skin with imperfections, one with white clay, for example, will be great. Apply the mask after cleansing the skin with a scrub; this is when it absorbs most effectively. Next, it’s a good idea to lie down (don’t pace nervously around the apartment with it on!) to relax your facial muscles.
The skin under the eyes is up to five times thinner than on the rest of the face, which means it loses its elasticity sooner, becomes saggy, and starts to wrinkle. To slow down this process, take good care of it with products designed specifically for this area. Contrary to what you might think, such cosmetics do not contain more or stronger active ingredients—on the contrary, the sensitive skin around the eyes prefers gentle formulas. The best options are creams with moisturizing and softening properties, containing natural hyaluronic acid, which binds water in the epidermis. It’s a good idea to keep them in the fridge and gently pat them on while chilled, especially in the morning, suggests the cosmetologist. This method stimulates blood circulation and helps reduce puffiness under the eyes.
It delivers concentrated active ingredients. It can be used in two ways: either to enhance your daily skincare routine—in which case you should choose a serum with ingredients similar to those in your face cream—or as a supplement to it. For example, when using an anti-wrinkle cream, add a vitamin C serum to it, which will further strengthen the skin and even out its tone. It’s best to observe your face and its needs, as they change. In the fall and winter, it will benefit from nourishing and moisturizing ingredients, suggests Angelika Sochacz. The skin is particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of external factors (such as frost, cold wind, and heating) and is often dry. In the summer, it will appreciate lighter textures, because it’s warm and the skin can easily become
The skin on your stomach or legs isn’t as demanding as the skin on your face, but it still needs regular care. A good body butter should contain plant oils and extracts that effectively nourish, moisturize, and hydrate the skin. It’s important to choose products with organic, high-quality ingredients. After all, remember that the skin is our largest organ, and everything we rub into it enters the bloodstream. It’s best to apply the body butter right after a shower, while your body is still slightly damp, as this is when it absorbs most easily. While you’re at it, massage the areas where you’ve applied the lotion, always toward the heart. This will stimulate blood circulation, which will also improve the absorption of nutrients.
* Studies on the use of cosmetics by women and men,
Studies on the use of cosmetic agents by women and men, Ewa Kleszczewska, Agata Jaszczuk, 2017
