What are the various ways to maintain a good and healthy skin?

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I have gone through your query, and I do understand your concern. Skincare routine ideally depends on the skin type.

Different types of skin types include:

1. Oily skin: This type of skin causes oily secretions and greasiness on the skin, which can be seen within one hour of washing the face. Apart from the same, oily skin types will also be sensitive and may cause inflammation along with increased chances of acne. Blackheads and whiteheads may also be common which is a mild form of acne as well.
2. Dry skin: In this type, dry flakes, which may be flaky or powdered, along with redness, cracks, inflammation, and sometimes pain with a stretching sensation, are common.
3. Combination skin type: This is a combination of both dry and oily skin. In this type, the skin may appear oily, especially along the T zone, which includes the nose and the forehead, and dryness on the cheeks and chin areas will be present.

Skincare routine is again of two types:

1. Basic skin care: It includes face wash, moisturizer and sunscreen.
2. Advanced skin care: It includes face wash, toner, serums, moisturizers, and sunscreens.

Skin care based on skin type:

Oily skin routine: For oily skin, ideally a basic skincare routine is good since an advanced routine may cause triggering of acne.

The best products for oily skin are:

1. Face washes: Aloe vera and glycolic acid (Ahaglow advanced gel face wash or Ahaglow S foaming face wash) or Cetearyl alcohol (Cetaphil) gentle cleanser.
2. Moisturizer: Sodium hyaluronate (Zitmoist gel), Jojoba (Acnemoist gel), and acne OC moisturizer.
3. Sunscreen: Sunstop gold sunscreen gel with SPF (sun protection factor) 55, Suncote sunscreen gel, UV doux gold sunscreen gel with SPF 55, and Benzophenone (Cuvia XL) sunscreen.

Except for the sunscreen which is to be used daily in the morning every two to three hours between 9 am and 5 pm, all others are to be used in the morning and at night.

Dry skin routine: It is ideally advised to use mild products for dry skin and include products that hydrate the skin.

Advanced skin care is suitable for dry skin types. Morning routine may include the following order:

1. Gel, milk, and creamy face wash.
2. Face serums.
3. Moisturizer.
4. Sunscreen.

The evening routine may consist of the same except for sunscreens.

The best products include:

1. Face wash: You can use Coco glucoside (Oriflame Novage supreme cleansing gel face wash) Aloe vera and glycolic acid (Ahaglow advanced gel face wash) or Cocamidopropyl betaine (Cosrx good morning) pH cleanser.
2. Serums: The ordinary Hyaluronic acid B5 serum, Klairs vitamin C drops, and the ordinary Niacinamide zinc serum will work. Hyaluronic acid B5 serum may be used in the morning and at night, Klairs vitamin C drops may be used in the morning before applying hyaluronic acid serum and the ordinary niacinamide zinc serum may be used at night before applying hyaluronic acid serum.
3. Moisturizer: Allantoin (Facemoist cream) and Cetearyl alcohol (Cetaphil) gentle face cream are good options.
4. Sunscreen: Sunstop gold sunscreen gel with SPF (sun protection factor) 55, Suncote sunscreen gel, UV doux gold sunscreen gel SPF 55, and Benzophenone (Cuvia XL) sunscreen. Oiling the face and body once in three days is advised for dry skin. Loreal (lotus, chamomile, and other ingredients) extraordinary oil for the face and normal coconut oil for the body may be used.

For combination skin:

Advanced skin care is advised with the same routine.

With respect to sunscreens, there are two types of sunscreens:

Physical sunscreens: They consist of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. They provide a film or shield on the skin guarding against damage from UV rays. They may cause a white tint.

Chemical sunscreens: They consist of Avobenzone and Oxybenzone which form chemical bonds with sunlight and protect the skin.

Sunscreen based on skin type includes:

1. For oily skin, silicone gel-based sunscreens are the best. Examples: Sunstop gold sunscreen gel with SPF (sun protection factor) 55, Suncote sunscreen gel, UV doux gold sunscreen gel SPF 55, and Benzophenone (Cuvia XL) sunscreen.
2. For combination skin, silicone gel-based, and creamy sunscreens are good. Examples: Sunstop gold sunscreen gel with SPF (sun protection factor) 55, UV doux gold sunscreen gel SPF 55, and Benzophenone (Cuvia XL) sunscreen.
3. For dry skin, creamy and lotion types are better: Examples: la shield sunscreens, and Octyl methoxycinnamate (Cuvia aqua gel) sunscreen.

Mode of application:

Make sure to apply sunscreens daily from 9 am to 5 pm, every two to three hours on the face and neck. Sunscreens are to be applied while at home as well as a last step of the skin care routine. If planning to go out, sunscreens are to be applied at least 20 minutes prior to going out. Application time is important since it is during this time that the UV rays are mostly present and may cause sun damage due to their higher penetrating capacity.

Skin concerns may include sunspots, wrinkles, sun damage including melasma, freckles also called lentigines, skin sagging, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, polymorphous light eruptions, acne on the skin, dark circles, skin cancers, and so on. Therefore, following a good skincare routine would be helpful for the same.

You should consult a doctor when:

1. In the case of extremely sensitive, inflamed skin with acne which consists of pus and bleeds.
2. In case of painful acne
3. In case of extremely dry skin like eczema due to dryness.
4. In the case of sunspots which look suspicious mostly in terms of changes in size, shape, color, and in case of bleeding.
5. In the case of pigmentation and melasma which may need procedures for removal.

The best procedures for skin care are as follows:

1. Chemical peels: This is a simple and superficial procedure consisting of using a peeling solution on the face, which is applied and cleaned up after five to 10 minutes. They are usually done once in two weeks for six sessions. It is done by a doctor.
2. Hydrafacials: These are done once in a month for three to six sessions. They are pampering sessions like facials and are done for hydration.
3. Vampire facials or microneedling with PRP (protein-rich plasma) procedures: These are done once a month. In this procedure, the doctor rolls or moves a pen-like equipment on the face which consists of small needle-like structures. They form small micropores on the skin. After they are formed, PRP (the growth factors extracted from one's own blood) is poured into the area to stimulate collagen production on the skin.
4. Laser treatment: It is the best method to remove pigmentation and acne scars. They are usually done once every three weeks for four to five sessions.

The best foods for the skin are as follows:

1. Collagen-rich food: Seafood, almonds, spinach, chicken skin, nuts, and berries.
2. Vitamin C-rich food: Tomatoes, capsicum, oranges, lemon, and pears are good.
3. Proteins: Egg whites sprouted moong dal, soya chunks, quinoa, and chicken breasts are good.
4. Vitamin A-rich food: Carrots, apples, and beetroots are good.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.