How to get the most out of your skin care products

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How to get the most out of your skin care products

There are so many skin care products on the market that it can be overwhelming to know which ones to use and when. Dove can help guide you to picking products and knowing when to use them for a simple skincare routine.

What is skin care and a skin care routine?

Skin care means using products to clean, moisturize and protect your skin. There are a lot of different products that can be classified as skin care and everyone can pick what works best for them. A skin care routine is the steps that you take for each of your skin care products.

Do skin care products actually work?

The short answer is yes! Skin care products do work, but each product has different functions and different ingredients. It is important to read the product label to know how and where to use it and if the ingredients will be good for your skin type.

Common questions when creating a skin care routine

1. How do you create a skin care routine?

There are many ways to build a skin care routine. You probably already have some sort of routine that you’re already doing. It may be as simple as using a subset of products after the shower.

If you’re thinking about creating a skin care routine like you see on social media, it’s very achievable and not hard! You can do as little or as much as you’d like. Typically, a skin care routine involves at least three steps: cleansing, moisturizing, and protecting. Everyone’s skin is different and has different needs, so it’s best to start with gentle products and adjust your needs from there.

Building a regimen that works for you

Just like your face, your body benefits from a consistent skin care routine. Look for products that let you treat your skin with intention and care in a way that works for you. An easy way to start a regimen is with a three-step formula:

Simple 3-step skin care formula

Gentle cleanser + versatile moisturizer + targeted protection

An example of a simple body care regimen might include:

• Gentle cleansing with body wash or a beauty bar
• Moisturizing with hydrating cream serum to lock in hydration and enhance results
• Targeted treatment with body serum for firming or tone correction

Your skincare routine can be longer than three steps, but three steps is a good place to start.

2. Why does your body need more than just a moisturizer?

Dryness, uneven tone, loss of firmness—these are real concerns for body skin, not just the face and cannot be addressed with just a moisturizer. Some advanced body care formulas, available in a body serum and body serum wash, are designed to address these needs with targeted benefits, including:

• Firming and toning with peptides and caffeine
• Deep moisturization with ceramides and glycerin
• Skin renewal with AHA and collagen-boosting actives

These ingredients, once reserved for facial care, are now part of many body serums and lotions, providing clinical-grade care to every inch of your skin.

3. Do you need a different day and night skin care routine?

You don’t necessarily need a different skin care routine for the morning and night, but many people prefer it. The formula above stays the same, where you want to make sure you are cleaning, moisturizing and protecting your skin. The biggest difference is that in the morning, you will want your protective layer to include SPF sunscreen to protect you from the sun. In the evening, you probably don’t need sunscreen, but this is a good time to add a cream that addresses specific concerns, such as eye or retinol cream.

4. Should you wear sunscreen every day?

Yes, it is recommended that you wear sunscreen every day, even if it’s not particularly warm or sunny outside. Even on cloudy days, you are still exposed to harmful UV rays and indoor lighting that can result in skin damage.

5. How should you introduce new products in your skin care routine?

Before introducing new products into your skin routine, it’s recommended that you:

• Patch test the new product on a small area of your skin and wait 24-48 hours for reddening, bumps or skin irritation
• Do your research and make sure your new product is suitable for your skin type, does not contain harsh chemicals and is trusted by other consumers
• Introduce one product at a time so that if something goes wrong, you know which product it was from
• Wait for results, as skin isn’t something that is going to change drastically over just one night or usage 

6. Are more products better?

More skin care products are not necessarily better. In some cases, more products can be too many layers on your skin and can negatively impact it. For the best results, wait a few minutes between each step of your routine to allow each layer to be absorbed into your skin before applying another product.

7. What if I miss a step or day of my skin care routine?

If you miss one day or one step in your routine, it’s okay; plenty of us forget to pack something on vacation or are too tired to wash our faces some nights. There’s no need to double up the next day. Just use your normal amount and move on!

Staying consistent with your routine

The best way to make sure you are getting the most out of your skin care products is by using them. Even if you don’t always remember every step or sometimes you’re too tired to do the routine, doing something is better than nothing. Your skin care routine will evolve with your needs and your lifestyle.

Using Skin Care That Empowers, Not Overwhelms

Whether you're prepping for a big moment or simply reclaiming a few minutes of self-care, your body care should help you show up with confidence, comfort, and radiance.

This story was produced by Dove and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.