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

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Understanding your skin type is the first step toward choosing the right skincare routine. Based on your skin’s behavior, it may fall into one of the following categories.

• If you notice oily secretions and greasiness within one hour of washing your face, you likely have oily skin. This type is often sensitive, may become inflamed, and has a higher tendency for acne. Blackheads and whiteheads, which are mild forms of acne, are also common.

• If your skin feels tight, shows dry flakes that may appear flaky or powdered, and you experience redness, cracks, inflammation, or even pain with a stretching sensation, then you may have dry skin.

• If your skin appears oily mainly along the T-zone (nose and forehead) but feels dry on the cheeks and chin, then it is considered combination skin.

Skincare routines are generally of two types. A basic skincare routine includes a face wash, moisturizer, and sunscreen. An advanced skincare routine includes face wash, toner, serums, moisturizer, and sunscreen.

If you have oily skin, a basic skincare routine is usually sufficient, as an advanced routine may trigger acne.

• Suitable face washes include aloe vera and glycolic acid-based cleansers or a cetearyl alcohol-based gentle cleanser.

• Moisturizers such as sodium hyaluronate-based gels, jojoba-based gels, or oil-free acne moisturizers are helpful.

• Silicone gel-based sunscreens with SPF 55 are preferred.

Except for sunscreen, which should be used daily in the morning and reapplied every two to three hours between 9 am and 5 pm, all other products can be used in the morning and at night.

If you have dry skin, mild and hydrating products are ideal, and an advanced skincare routine is suitable. In the morning, you may use a gel, milk, or creamy face wash, followed by serums, moisturizer, and sunscreen. At night, follow the same routine except for sunscreen.

• Suitable face washes include coco glucoside-based cleansers, aloe vera and glycolic acid-based cleansers, or cocamidopropyl betaine-based pH-balanced cleansers.

• Serums such as hyaluronic acid B5 (morning and night), vitamin C serum (morning before hyaluronic acid), and niacinamide with zinc serum (night before hyaluronic acid) may be used.

• Moisturizers containing allantoin or cetearyl alcohol are good options.

• Creamy or lotion-based sunscreens are suitable.

• Oiling the face once in three days using facial oils containing botanical ingredients, along with normal coconut oil for the body, may also help.

If you have combination skin, an advanced skincare routine is advised, similar to the above, with silicone gel-based or creamy sunscreens with SPF 55.

Sunscreens are of two types. Physical sunscreens contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide and form a protective shield over the skin, sometimes leaving a white tint. Chemical sunscreens contain avobenzone and oxybenzone and work by forming chemical bonds with sunlight to protect the skin.

Sunscreen based on your skin type includes -

• For oily skin, silicone gel-based sunscreens with SPF 55 are the best.

• For combination skin, silicone gel-based and creamy sunscreens with SPF 55 are good options.

• For dry skin, creamy and lotion-type sunscreens are better choices.

Regardless of your skin type, sunscreen should be applied daily from 9 am to 5 pm, every two to three hours, on the face and neck, even when indoors. It should be the last step of your skincare routine and applied at least 20 minutes before stepping out. This timing is important because UV rays are stronger during these hours and can cause greater sun damage.

Common skin concerns you may experience include sunspots, wrinkles, melasma, freckles (lentigines), skin sagging, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, polymorphous light eruptions, acne, dark circles, and even skin cancers. Following a consistent skincare routine can help manage these concerns.

You should consult a doctor when:

• In the case of extremely sensitive, inflamed skin with acne that consists of pus and bleeds.

• In case of painful acne

• In case of extremely dry skin, like eczema, due to dryness.

• In the case of sunspots, which look suspicious mostly in terms of changes in size, shape, color, and in case of bleeding.

• In the case of pigmentation and melasma which may need procedures for removal.

Procedural options include-

• Chemical peels, a simple, superficial procedure that uses a peeling solution on the face, are applied and cleaned up after 5 to 10 minutes. They are usually done once in two weeks for six sessions. It is done by a doctor.

• Hydrafacials are done once a month for three to six sessions. They are pampering sessions like facials and are done for hydration.

• Vampire facials or microneedling with PRP (protein-rich plasma) procedures are done once a month. In this procedure, the doctor rolls or moves a pen-like instrument 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.

• Laser treatment is the best method to remove pigmentation and acne scars. They are usually done once every three weeks for four to five sessions.

Supporting your skincare routine with proper nutrition is also helpful. Collagen-rich foods such as seafood, almonds, spinach, chicken skin, nuts, and berries are beneficial. Vitamin C-rich foods like tomatoes, capsicum, oranges, lemon, and pears support skin health. Protein sources such as egg whites, sprouted moong dal, soya chunks, quinoa, and chicken breast are useful. Vitamin A-rich foods like carrots, apples, and beets also promote healthy skin.

I hope you find this helpful.

Regards.