SELF-CARE OPTIMIZATION: SKINCARE ROUTINES

By Onyinyechi Obike

With the hustle and bustle of attending classes and being a regular Nigerian student, it is quite expected that you may pay little to no attention to self-care, which, of course, is understandable. However, it should also be prioritized alongside other important factors in your life.

Self-care is all about putting into practice those things that are needed to improve your health and well-being. It can vary from activities to awareness and also adhering to tips that are required to protect your mental health and happiness.

In a fast-moving world where everyone is occupied with work, schooling, family, and responsibilities, self-care has unfortunately been sidelined to something with minimal significance, possibly for those who are considered “not busy enough,” when in fact it should not be restricted to a set of people but rather be practiced by everyone.

Self-care is like a free ticket to happiness and balanced mental health. Over time, it has proven to boost self-esteem, improve one’s physical health, and reduce stress and anxiety. It’s wrong to feel that it may mean that you are being selfish to give yourself preference or that such attention can be used for something better; however, there’s a large tendency for you to end up losing yourself in the busyness of the world and eventually realizing you never did get the best of your life.

Self-care is not limited to taking a break or a vacation to pamper yourself; it also involves exercising, eating healthily, getting adequate sleep, and a lot more. Though not commonly referenced, there’s an important part of self-care that should likewise be prioritized: Skin care.

Yes, it seems like a fancy word, but it’s just the techniques that are involved in maintaining and improving the state of your skin. Knowing that the skin is the largest organ of the human body, it is vital that it remain healthy and protected from harm. Of course, there are a lot of assumptions that come with skincare routines, like the belief that they are expensive, strenuous, and time-consuming. However, this is completely untrue; as such routines are basic and can be practiced outside of your comfort zone.

And lucky enough, outlined here are some elementary practices that you can fit into your day-to-day activities to give you a seamless skincare journey. But before that, take a ride to learn about the different skin types, the peculiarities of their routines, and also get to know the skin type you have.

First off, you need to know what skin type you have before putting into practice the specific requirements for your skin type. This can be done with a simple blotting paper experiment: Get a blotting paper and pat it on the surface of your skin. Hold it up in a bright light and observe.

If it has little to no oil, you most probably have dry skin. If it contains some oil, especially in the T-zone, you may have a combination or normal skin type. If it is oily, you definitely have oily skin.

Now that you know your skin type, walk down the lane of exploring the different practices you can put into place to care for your skin.

Skin type one: oily skin

Oily skin is characterized by being greasy as a result of the excessive production of sebum (oil) by the sebaceous glands. Oily skins are prone to acne breakouts, consistent sweating, and are most often shining. It can be genetic, caused by hormonal changes, or even the climate.

Routines for oily skin

1. Regular Moisturizing: It is advisable to use a light-weight lotion-based moisturizer on oily skin. This will help keep the skin hydrated and reduce the overproduction of sebum.

2. Wash your face at least twice a day with plain water, but be careful not to overwash. Washing your face helps to eliminate the dirt and oil that clog the pores of the skin; however, over-washing will cause the removal of the necessary oil needed to keep the skin healthy.
3. Ensure to be hydrated all day long. Taking in adequate water will keep your face moist and also reduce the production of sebum on the skin.
4. Abstain from picking your pimples, as it can damage your skin while increasing the amount of oil on your skin.
5. Engage in scrubbing your skin while showering to remove the dirt and oils that may clog your pores.

Skin type two: sensitive skin

The sensitive skin is characterized by its oversensitivity to environmental conditions, products and even food. This is due to the easy irritability of the nerve endings on the skin, which causes a continuous trigger. As the name implies, it is pertinent that such skin types be taken care of with extreme caution, as any slight changes can lead to reactions.

Routines for sensitive skin

1. Be extra careful about the cosmetics you use. Go for those that have fewer chemicals and give a soothing sensation upon use.
2. Avoid the use of products with alcohol and antimicrobial chemicals.
3. Use skin care products with anti-inflammatory effects. You can also frequently use cooled lotions that have stayed in the refrigerator for a while to reduce inflammation.
4. Regularly take vitamin supplements to give you healthy skin. Vitamin C and E help prevent sun damage on the skin, and Vitamin A improves cell growth and is an anti-aging treatment.
5. Resist using products with fragrances and dyes, as well as alcoholic toners. Instead, use light and thin-weight moisturizers.

Skin type three: combination skin

Combination skin is characterized as being oily on the T-zone areas of the skin and dry on other sides. It mostly results from a response to the weather, genetics, or harsh ingredients in skin products that cause a skin imbalance. As it consists of two different types, it is crucial to pay attention to the individual demands each skin requires.

Routines for combination skin

1. Use toners and balance creams to maintain an even skin condition.
2. Apply gentle cleansers to avoid overstimulation of the oily parts of the skin.
3. Again, each part of the skin must be treated differently and preferred, as they do not have the same responses to products and conditions.
4. Practice using products that are oil-free, especially in oily areas.

Skin type four: dry skin

Dry skin is characterized by looking powdery, peeling, flaky, and cracking. As an overview, dry skin lacks hydration, feels tight, and exhibits easy sensitivity. It can be caused by genes, seasonal changes, aging, and inappropriate skincare habits.

Routines for dry skin

1. Moisturize your skin frequently. It helps the skin stay hydrated and reduce cracking.
2. Stay away from taking hot or long showers, as this may strip off the natural oil essential for keeping the skin healthy and protected.
3. Wear gloves when handling cleaning agents and harsh chemicals.
4. Keep hydrated by taking in lots of water.
5. Avoid excessive bathing, which will eventually lead to an increase in dryness.

Skin type five: normal skin

Normal skin is the type of skin that is well-balanced in PH and oil production. It is easy to maintain and is neither dry nor oily. Also, it is not prone to sensitivity to weather or products. Although it is easy to maintain, there are still practices that must be put in place to adequately care for and protect it.

 Routines for normal skin

1. Wash your face with face wash at least twice a day.
2. Use natural face packs that contain organic products such as honey, turmeric, and yogurt.
3. Endeavor to remove your makeup before going to bed. This will reduce the risk of pore clogging and also increase aeration.
4. Moisturize and stay hydrated at all times. Likewise, the use of vitamin C supplements is vital.
5. Use sunscreen indoors and outdoors to block UV rays from penetrating the skin.

In general, regardless of your skin type, it is crucial to always eat fresh fruits and vegetables, exercise, and put on protective clothing. Moreover, what makes your skin care routines effective is consistency and deliberateness. Ensure to incorporate these practices into your daily activities to give you healthy and glowing skin.