Many things in life are uncertain, and if your skincare routine is one of those things, then it’s time for a change. But with the thousands of products available, it might feel impossible to know where to even begin.
Nailing down a skincare regimen that’s right for you might take some time. You’ll probably try some products that you don’t like, and hopefully, you’ll find some that you love. With a bit of trial and error and some persistent fine-tuning, you’ll soon establish a routine that perfectly fits you and your skin.
Here’s a look at everything you need to know about creating an effective skincare practice and what products to include.
Know Your Skin Type
Before buying beauty products left and right, it’s essential to identify your skin type. You can start by washing your face thoroughly, drying it off, and not applying any products to it for a few hours. Pay attention to what happens to your skin during this time. If it gets oily or shiny in that time, you probably have oily skin. If it feels dry, tight, and itchy, you’re dealing with dry skin.
Most people have a little bit of both, known as combination skin. If your cheeks and forehead feel dry, but your chin and nose look shiny and oily, you’re dealing with combination skin.
It’s also important to identify if you have sensitive skin. Does your skin have a strong reaction to new products, even ones labeled as gentle? Do you have severe acne? If either of these sounds like you, it might be good to visit a dermatologist for skincare recommendations specific to your skin.
Basics of a Skincare Routine
Now that you’ve determined your skin type let’s look at the basic steps of a skincare routine. You should establish an effective skincare routine for both morning and night. Generally speaking, a morning routine should include the following:
Step 1: Cleanser.
Step 2: Moisturizer.
Step 3: Broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30+).
An evening routine starts the same but uses different products:
Step 1: Cleanser.
Step 2: Serums, toners, and other treatments.
Step 3: Moisturizer.
Skincare Products to Use Everyday
Using the right products in the proper order will make all of the difference for your skin. A general rule for order of application is to apply in order of texture, from thinnest to thickest. This is because thinner products won’t be able to penetrate the thicker ones.
The products listed below are some that you can use every day to help boost your skin’s natural glow. Remember that you can find ones specific to your skin type and any problem areas you are trying to address for any of them. We’ll also address how and when to use them.
- Cleanser
Choose a gentle cleanser and apply it morning and night with your hands using gentle pressure. Rinse your hands and massage your face until you’ve removed all the cleanser and the grime that comes off with it.
Pat your face dry with a soft towel. Nighttime cleansing might take longer or require two applications if you wear makeup. Be especially gentle with eye makeup and avoid rubbing your eyes. Always remove eye makeup before cleansing your face.
- Toner
Not everyone needs to use a toner. They’re most necessary for people with oily or acne-prone skin, but they can also be used as an extra cleansing measure after removing makeup or heavy products like sunscreen.
Some toners are available for dry and sensitive skin, so read the label on what you are buying and make sure it’s formulated especially for your skin type. If you use a toner, it should be applied after cleansing and before any other products. Apply it directly to your hands or onto a cotton ball and gently wipe your face until you evenly distribute the toner on your skin.
- Hyaluronic Acid
A serum with hyaluronic acid can make your dry skin much happier. It’s highly moisturizing and keeps your skin from drying out. Apply this after cleansing and toning but before moisturizing. Squeeze a few drops of the serum onto clean hands and apply it evenly to your face.
- Retinol
You should always apply retinol at night since sunlight can diminish its effectiveness. You should use it after cleansing and before moisturizer. It’s ideal for any skin type and is a powerful agent for fighting wrinkles, clearing acne, and smoothing rough or discolored skin. If you’re using retinol or any other retinoids, don’t forget the SPF. It makes your skin extra sensitive to the sun.
- Moisturizer
If you’ve been living life with only one moisturizer, it’s time to go out and buy a second. Look for one that’s lightweight and has SPF in it for morning and a thicker cream without SPF for nighttime.
Remember to apply moisturizer last in the evening and before your added sunscreen in the morning. If your skin is extra dry, you might prefer the heavier cream both morning and night.
- Sunscreen
Don't let it be sunscreen if you skip out on any step of your skincare regimen. Protecting your skin from UV rays can prevent signs of aging and skin cancer. A moisturizer with SPF is an excellent place to start, but most of the time, you’ll need an additional layer of sunscreen to keep your face safe.
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