Developing a Skin Care Routine for Normal Skin: 4 Essential Steps

Reference Lab

MAY 30, 2023

Even if you have normal skin, it’s essential to keep in mind that your skin’s needs can change over time and may be affected by factors like aging, hormonal changes, and lifestyle habits. Therefore, it is important to regularly reassess your skin and develop an effective skincare routine to help your skin remain well-balanced and healthy.

Creating an effective skin care routine for normal skin can be relatively simple, as normal skin doesn’t typically require as much specialized care as other skin types.¹

However, it is still important to establish a consistent routine to maintain the skin's health, hydration, and radiance. Here are some steps to follow when creating a skin care routine for normal skin: Cleansing is an essential step in any skincare routine, as it helps to remove makeup, dirt, oil, and impurities from the skin that can build up over the course of the day. For normal skin, it is best to use a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser that doesn’t strip the skin of its natural oils. Make sure to follow the essential face cleansing steps and look for a gentle gel cleanser and avoid products that contain any harsh ingredient, such as sulfates, parabens, or alcohol. Gently massage the cleanser into your skin for 30 seconds to a minute, then rinse with lukewarm (never hot) water.

Using a toner is an optional step that can help to balance the skin's pH. Look for a toner formulated for normal skin or for “all skin types,” and avoid skin care products containing alcohol or any other harsh ingredient. Then, apply the toner to a cotton pad or use a spray bottle for a refreshing mist over the face and neck. While normal skin may not require daily exfoliation, removing dead skin cells to help encourage cell turnover are still important. Using a gentle exfoliator once or twice a week may help prevent undue build-up on the surface of the skin that could otherwise clog pores and leave a dull complexion. If you’re new to exfoliation, you should start with gentle exfoliation once per week, then you can build up strength and frequency as you learn how well your skin responds. Serums are lightweight, highly concentrated products that help to target specific concerns or skin problems, such as dark spots, fine lines, or dullness. Though serums are optional, they can be beneficial if you’re seeking a particular result. For skin brightening, consider a vitamin C serum, and for hydration, look for hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or niacinamide. Apply the serum to your face and neck, and gently massage it into your skin.

Even if you have normal skin, keeping it regularly hydrated and moisturized is crucial. Use a lightweight, non-greasy peptide moisturizer and peptide body lotion, and apply it to your face and neck after cleansing. Look for a skin care product containing ingredients that help improve skin barrier function and hydration, such as ceramides or glycerin. No matter your skin type, sun protection is crucial for maintaining healthy skin, as sun damage can cause premature aging, hyperpigmentation, and even skin cancer. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 daily, even if you spend most of your time indoors. Reapply the sunscreen every two hours if you’re outdoors, and wear protective clothing and accessories, such as a hat or sunglasses whenever possible. The skin around the eyes is delicate and thin, and it can benefit from a specialized product that helps to hydrate, firm, and brighten. Look for a peptide eye cream formulated for normal skin, and apply it gently to the skin around your eyes. Here are some tips on how to determine which products to incorporate into a skincare routine for normal skin:

• Assess Your Skin: While you may have normal skin overall, your skin may still have special needs, which also may change depending on the climate, your environment, and other factors such as hormones. Whether it’s hydration, brightening, or exfoliation, you can incorporate certain products to address your skin’s specific needs.
• Identify Your Skincare Goals: In addition to considering your skin type, think about any specific goals you may have, such as reducing dark spots, fine lines, or acne.
• Pay Attention to Product Ingredients: Look for skin care products that contain high-quality, effective ingredients, such as antioxidants, peptides, and hyaluronic acid. Avoid any skin care product with harsh ingredients, such as alcohol, sulfates, or parabens, which can irritate the skin.

When selecting products to incorporate into a skin care routine for normal skin, there are a few factors to consider. First and foremost, it is important to understand your skin's individual needs and problems. While normal skin does not typically require specialized care, it can still benefit from topical skin care products that address specific concerns or skin problems, such as dullness, uneven texture, or fine lines. When it comes to creating a skincare routine for normal skin, it is essential to choose products that contain high-quality hydrating ingredients that are both effective and gentle on the skin. Incorporating specific ingredients can help normal skin maintain its health, hydration, and overall appearance.

Here are some ingredients to consider including in your skincare routine for normal skin:

• Hyaluronic acid: Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, making it an excellent ingredient for hydrating the skin. It helps draw moisture to the skin and lock it in, leaving it looking plump, smooth, and hydrated.²
• Niacinamide: Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that can help to improve skin texture, reduce redness, and regulate oil production.³
• Oleic Pau Mulato Extract: Historically used as an ancient skin medication, Oleic Pau Mulato Extract heals skin injuries, reduces acne, and improves skin texture. A 2018 research study published in the journal Molecules found that the Oleic Pau Mulato Extract had an anti-inflammatory effect on skin cells and was able to improve resistance to stress.⁴
• Pracaxi Oil: This oil is known for its many properties, from hydration to wound healing. Pracaxi Oil also moisturizes, prevents infections, and reduces inflammation. In one study, surgical patients who used Pracaxi Oil experienced significantly improved scar tissue healing.⁵

Stay away from harsh or quick fixes. While active ingredients like hyaluronic acid can benefit the skin, using products with excessively high concentrations of such ingredients can be too harsh for normal skin. Typically, when it comes to skin care, slow, steady, and consistent is the most effective path. When it comes to developing a skin care routine for normal skin, it is important to choose products that are gentle and effective, so as not to disrupt the already balanced skin barrier, lipid composition, and microbiome. While normal skin does not require specialized care, avoiding certain ingredients and products that could cause irritation, dryness, or other skin issues is essential.

Here are some products to avoid when creating a skin care routine for normal skin:

• Harsh Cleansers: Avoid cleansers that contain sulfates, fragrances, or other harsh ingredients, and opt for a gentle, non-foaming cleanser instead.
• Abrasive Exfoliants: A physical exfoliant like a rough scrub or brush may be too harsh for normal skin and cause irritation or redness if used too aggressively or too often.
• Fragranced Products: Avoid products that contain artificial fragrances. Opt for fragrance-free or naturally fragranced products instead.

By avoiding these products and ingredients, you can help to maintain healthy, balanced skin that looks and feels its best. An effective skin care routine often involves a different set of products in the morning (AM) and night (PM). While the basic principles of skincare remain the same, there are some key differences in how you should care for your skin during the day versus at night.

In the morning, your skincare routine should focus on protecting and preparing your skin for the day ahead. A typical AM skincare routine may include a gentle cleanser (or you may simply opt to rinse with water if your skin is still clean from the night before), a toner to balance the skin's pH (optional), a lightweight moisturizer to hydrate the skin, and a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to protect against harmful UV rays.

In the evening, the focus of your skincare routine should shift to removing any makeup, dirt or impurities that your skin has collected, along with providing it with the products necessary to help repair and rejuvenate the skin while you sleep. This includes using products that promote cell turnover, boost collagen and elastin production, and nourish the skin.

A typical PM skincare routine may include a double cleanse to thoroughly remove makeup, dirt, and oil from the skin. In addition, a nourishing moisturizer is an essential part of a PM routine to help repair and replenish the skin overnight. You may opt for a heavier moisturizer or layering multiple moisturizers at night. By following a consistent AM and PM skincare routine, you can help to maintain healthy, balanced skin that looks and feels its best. While there are many products and treatments available that can benefit the skin, it is not necessary to use them all. In fact, less is often more when it comes to skin care, especially for those with normal skin. It may be best to stick to the basics of cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection and add specialized products as needed.

With OneSkin’s simple yet highly effective product line that prioritizes skin’s health, you can be confident and consistent in your skin care routine:

1. OneSkin PREP: When cleansing with PREP prior to using OS-01 FACE, lab studies indicate PREP can up to double the absorptions of the OS-01 peptide*.
2. OS-01 EYE: Increases a key biomarker associated with collagen production (COL1A1) and reduces a key marker associated with collagen degradation (MMP1), as shown in lab studies on ex vivo human skin samples grown from human eyelid skin. This means OS-01 EYE could enable the skin around the eyes to maintain higher collagen levels on its own.
3. OS-01 FACE: A 12-week clinical study performed by a third-party CRO found that OS-01 FACE improves skin barrier function by an average of +15%. Apply OneSkin products before your SPF.

OneSkin is developed with all skin types in mind, so you never have to worry about choosing the right products for your skin type. Fragrance-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, and gentle on your skin, OneSkin simplifies your skin care routine to enable healthy skin for the long-term.

• Although normal skin is typically well-balanced on its own, it still requires a consistent and effective skincare routine to remain that way.
• Skin care products for normal skin should be gentle to avoid disrupting the skin’s natural balance.
• High-quality ingredients like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and peptides keep the skin barrier strong and moisturized without irritating or damaging normal skin.
• Avoid harsh ingredients like parabens, sulfates, and fragrances to prevent skin reactions and irritations.
• OneSkin products, including PREP, OS-01 EYE, and OS-01 FACE are made for all skin types, including normal skin.

Sources:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470464/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3583886/
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24993939/
4. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/323434077
5. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13555-014-0065-y