Having a skincare routine is not only for the vain. The skin is the human body’s largest organ so it is an absolute necessity for everyone to be taking proper care of it. If you’re using the products in the wrong sequence, your skincare routine wouldn’t be as effective. Therefore it’s imperative to educate yourself on the order in which you use the products. Simplify your routine by creating a step-by-step process that will guide you in achieving the skin of your dreams.
Get To Know Your Skin
Identifying your skin type will help you find the right products to incorporate in your routine. Let’s break down the five different skin types:
Normal Skin
Normal skin is when your skin has little to no reaction to different skincare ingredients, has a balanced level of sebum production, and is well hydrated.
Oily skin
Oily skin is caused by excess sebum and is common with people who have enlarged pores. The over secretion of oil makes your face greasy and results in frequent acne.
Dry skin
Dry skin, as opposed to oily skin, lacks sebum production. Some factors that cause dry skin are taking frequent hot showers, over-exfoliation, and using products with harsh chemicals that cause the skin to appear lackluster.
Combination skin
Combination skin can be described as having oily skin and dry skin at the same time. It is common for people with combination skin to have oiliness on their T- zone, the area where your forehead nose and chin are, and dryness on their cheeks.
Sensitive skin
Sensitive skin has the least tolerance for skincare and makeup products. It is more prone to having a reaction to products that result in itching and burning.
Back to Basics
Let’s start with basic skincare practices before delving into a multi-step routine.
Hydration is key in achieving healthy skin. In the morning, the first step is to head straight to the kitchen and drink a glass of water. Washing your face with lukewarm water opens up your pores and helps absorb the ingredients from your cleanser. Washing with hot water can strip off your skin’s natural oils and cold water can cause dryness and flakiness.
The next step is to lather your cleanser gently in circular motions around your face and ensure that it distributes evenly. To rinse, use cool water to seal your pores and help increase blood flow.
Set Up Your Skin For Success: Your Skincare Morning Routine
Step 1: Start with a Cleanser
Start your routine with a cleanser that will instantly wake up and refresh your face. Awake’s Glow Smoothie Jelly Cleanser will make your skin look and feel awake. It is packed with fruit extract ingredients such as pineapple, raspberry, and grapefruit that helps brighten up your face. With its acai berry ingredients, this cleanser restores moisture and leaves your face hydrated for the day.
Step 2: Double Cleanse with a Toner
A toner helps remove excess dirt and oil that remains on the face after the first cleanse. It’s also used to balance your skin’s PH level. If you have dry and sensitive skin, it is recommended to use mild toners and avoid toners that have alcohol as one of the ingredients. Depending on your skin type, apply either once a day if you have dry and sensitive skin, or twice a day in the morning and at night if you have oily skin. Fresh’s Rose Deep Hydration Facial Toner is known for its lightweight formula and its rosewater ingredient helps reduce the appearance of redness and prevents skin irritation.
Step 3: Eye Cream
Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado is Kiehl’s best seller eye cream. This eye cream is formulated with Avocado oil that hydrates your under-eye area and reduces the appearance of dark circles. This product can be used for all skin types but is best for dry skin. It can also be applied under makeup and prevents your concealer from looking flaky and dry.
Step 4: Moisturize with SPF
Before stepping out for the day, applying sunscreen is an absolute must. Dermatologists recommend using sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30, which blocks 97% of UVB sun rays. Aveeno’s Positively Radiant Sheer Daily Moisturizer has SPF 30 and though it is best for dry skin, its lightweight formula also works well with other skin types. This moisturizer’s soybean ingredient will improve your face’s texture and evens out your skin tone by brightening dark spots. Not only will it leave your face feeling and looking smooth, but it also protects it from sun damage.
Step 5: Apply Lip Balm
Your lips need some love and protection too. Apply lip balm to keep it moisturized throughout the day, and protect it from UV rays and environmental toxins as well. Supergoop!’s Mint Fusion Lip Balm SPF 30 does the job well for overall protection and hydration with its shea butter ingredient.
Cleanse Right, Sleep Tight: Your Nighttime Skincare Routine
Step 1: Cleanser
Fresh’s Soy Face Cleanser is an all in one cleanser that caters to all skin types. It has a gentle yet powerful formula that makes it easy to wash away all the dirt and oil accumulated during the day. When using at night, this cleanser doubles as a facial wash and makeup remover. It can take off any stubborn makeup, including waterproof mascara, without harsh rubbing. Your skin will get a deep clean and does not leave your face feeling dry.
Step 2: Exfoliate For Extra Cleanse
Exfoliation is necessary for all skin types as it removes dead skin cells. However, it depends on your skin type how often you should exfoliate. With oily skin, it is recommended to exfoliate two to three times a week and dry skin types should only exfoliate once a week. SkinCeuticals’ Micro-Exfoliating Scrub is designed to smoothen, brighten, and deep cleanse your skin. It contains a unique ingredient, diatomaceous earth microbead, that exfoliates but is gentle on the skin.
Step 3: Moisturizer
Your skin may still feel thirsty and in need of moisture post exfoliating, using a rich night cream like Glossier’s Priming Moisturizer Rich will give your face the hydration it needs. This face cream is packed with fatty acids, shea, and murumuru butter that help nourish and improve the texture of your skin.
Step 4: Night Eye Cream
For nighttime eye treatment, be sure to choose eye creams specifically designed for nighttime use. 100% Pure’s Multi-Vitamin + Antioxidants PM Eye Treatment contains Vitamin C that helps brighten the eye area and retinol which reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Its rich consistency keeps the eye area moisturized throughout the night.
Step 5: Lip Balm
Nobody likes waking up to chapped lips. Moisturize your lips with ChapStick’s Total Hydration in Soothing Vanilla. Two quick swipes on your lips will keep it moisturized overnight with its omega 6 and 9 ingredients.
Taking care of your skin should be fun and hassle-free. Start by choosing the right products that protect and enhance your skin during the day, then pair with products that hydrate and promote skin repair at night. Whether a multistep or two-step regimen, it’s never too late to create a routine for your skin.
