A thoughtful and personalized skincare routine is key to clear skin and a glowing complexion. Although perfecting your skincare routine is easier said than done.
The trickiest part is that everyone has a different skin type and skin concerns. Adopting someone else’s skincare routine as your own usually isn’t the most effective option. It is important to carefully consider your own scenario and develop a skincare routine that suits you.
Don’t know where to begin? That’s alright – that’s why we’re here. To help you! A purposeful skincare routine is not just a beauty regime, it’s a crucial part of pursuing a healthy and vibrant life.
Why a Skincare Routine Matters
Your skin is the largest organ in your body. It works to protect the body from all kinds of external factors including bacteria and chemicals. Considering the massive impact your skin has on overall health, it should be routinely taken care of. A skincare routine can help keep your skin healthy by removing impurities, ensuring hydration, and improving the strength of your skin barrier.
The skin is constantly exposed to environmental factors such as UV rays, pollution, harsh weather conditions, and toxins. Certain aspects of the skincare routine are vital in helping prevent skin damage. For example, sunblock/sunscreen (SPF) is an essential part of skincare routines as it helps protect the skin from UV damage. Consistent use of the right products not only protects the skin but can help address specific skin concerns such as acne, hyperpigmentation, dryness, or fine lines.
Through the aging process, the skin’s production of collagen and elastin decreases. Due to this, aging skin will usually develop wrinkles or start to sag. Even though aging is inevitable, a skincare routine with the right ingredients can help slow down the aging process. For instance, ingredients like retinol and antioxidants are known to help reduce the appearance of fine lines which promotes are more youthful complexion.
The benefits of a skincare routine go beyond the physical. A consistent skincare routine promotes self-care and establishes healthy habits. Taking the time each day to care for your skin can translate into a broader commitment to overall health. Other healthy habits might follow, such as staying hydrated, eating well, and getting enough sleep. An overall positive mindset towards wellbeing is likely to improve mental health and self-esteem.
A skincare routine is a key part of your holistic approach to health and self-care. By prioritizing a skincare routine, you invest in the long-term health and vitality of your skin. This then contributes to a more confident and positive sense of self.
Know Your Skin Type
Before we step into the specific steps of a skincare routine, it is important that you first know your skin type. See an incredible overview of skin types here >>>
If you have the time, check out the link above for a detailed overview of the different skin types. It’s a really practical explanation that includes descriptions, symptoms, care tips, and suggested skincare ingredients.
To keep things moving, here’s a basic summary of the five skin types:
- Normal: Balanced skin with no excessive dryness or oiliness.
- Oily: Excess oil, enlarged pores, and a tendency for acne.
- Dry: Flaky skin, tightness, rough texture, and tendency for fine lines.
- Combination: A mix of dry and oily areas, can be tricky to manage.
- Sensitive: Reactive skin needing gentle products, and gradual introduction of new ingredients.
Some like to try and claim ‘aging skin’ as a skin type. However, we have decided to treat this as a skin concern rather than a skin type.
Key Steps in a Skincare Routine
1. Cleansing
Cleansing your skin helps to remove debris and excess oil. There are many different types of cleansers available designed for different skin types and concerns. Cleansing is not an aggressive step and does not involve ‘stripping’ or ‘scrubbing’ the skin. Regardless of your skin type, when cleansing we suggest:
- Use a gentle cleanser without strong active ingredients.
- Cleanse twice daily (morning and evening) to remove dirt, oil, and makeup.
- Optional: ‘Double cleanse’ at each cleansing instance. This means using your cleanser to wash and rinse your face twice in a row.
Double cleansing is particularly effective for those who wear makeup during the day or have an oily skin type. It is usually recommended that an oil cleanser is used first to clean the skin, and then a water-based cleanser for the second round. This is just an optional method of cleansing that might not suit everyone.
2. Exfoliation
Exfoliation involves the removal of dead skin cells, unclogging of pores, and promoting cell turnover. Typically exfoliation can happen with a mechanical or physical scrub, however, chemical exfoliants are becoming increasingly popular. Here’s a baseline recommendation that you might like to consider trialling as part of your skincare routine:
- Exfoliate 1 – 3 times per week based on your skin’s needs.
- Can use chemical exfoliants such as AHAs or BHAs (more about common skin ingredients here).
- Or can use physical exfoliants, but make sure the scrub or brush is not too harsh.
Exfoliation is a hotly contested topic – some claim that it is completely unnecessary altogether! We’re coming at it from a neutral angle, it’s worth trialling in your skincare routine but don’t overdo it. As for chemical vs physical exfoliation, it depends on your skin concerns and product tolerance. Sometimes sensitive skin can become inflamed due to physical exfoliants, so it is more often used by people with thicker or oily skin. That said, many products also combine a gentle physical exfoliant with chemicals to achieve a more effective result.
3. Toning
Look we’re going to be honest with you – using a toner isn’t always necessary. Even still, many people choose to use one and see great results! Usually, toner is most beneficial for people who have oily skin that is prone to blemishes. This is because after cleansing and/or exfoliating the toner helps to deeply clean out any residue from the skin’s pores. Ultimately, this results in skin that is even more ready to absorb the serums and moisturizers that are yet to be applied.
- Not an essential step in everyone’s skincare routine.
- Works to balance skin pH levels.
- Using toner once per day is appropriate – be careful not to overuse and strip the skin of natural oils (skin barrier damage).
When using a toner, look for ingredients that are hydrating and soothing. Be careful using any active ingredients that might not complement your other skincare products. For example, a toner that includes glycolic acid (an AHA) is acting as a chemical exfoliant and is likely to cause irritation with daily use.
4. Serums
Serums are the exciting part of your skincare routine! This is where you get to choose a product that specifically targets your skin concerns. For example, vitamin C serums can be used for brightness, hyaluronic acid can be used for hydration, niacinamide can be used for pore reduction, and retinol can be used for anti-aging. Better yet, different serums can also be layered to level up your skincare routine.
- Use serums that specifically target your skin concerns.
- When layering, apply thinner consistencies first, followed by thicker ones.
- Be careful! Do not to combine incompatible ingredients.
Choosing the right serum/s is key for seeing the desired results in your skin. You must understand the skincare ingredients that your skin needs (more about skincare ingredients here). Furthermore, you must be aware of any reactions between ingredients that might render them useless or contribute towards other skin issues. For example, someone with oily skin might use a salicylic acid chemical exfoliant (BHA) and then apply a retinol serum afterwards. This intense combination is highly likely to cause irritation and damage the skin barrier when used in succession. The products might still be possible to use in the same skincare routine, but perhaps on alternating days or different times of the day.
5. Moisturizing
One of the more non-negotiable steps of your skincare routine is moisturization. A common misconception is that oily skin types don’t need moisturizers, but that couldn’t be more wrong. Every skin type needs a moisturizer to help lock in hydration and keep the skin barrier healthy. Here’s some tips on how to include moisturizer in your skincare routine:
- For oily skin types, look for oil-free or gel-based options.
- Use at least twice a day, in mornings and evenings.
- Be careful of formulations which include active ingredients.
When using a moisturizer, apply to your skin after the use of any desired serums. Some moisturizers attempt to be more intensive through the use of active ingredients such as AHAs, retinoids, or niacinamide. Remember to stay aware of your whole routine and the other ingredients already being used. Ensure that your selection of ingredients is not counteracting one another or causing irritation when combined.
6. Sunblock/Sunscreen
It doesn’t matter if the sun is out or not! Sunblock/sunscreen should be applied every day after moisturizer. Not only do UV rays cause sunburn, but they promote premature aging, fine lines, skin cancer, and other types of skin damage. Here’s how to include sunblock/sunscreen in your skincare routine:
- Use a broad-spectrum SPF every morning.
- Ensure the product is SPF 30 or greater.
- Use sunblock/sunscreen intended for the face (non-comedogenic).
Some makeup products claim to include SPF within the formulation. Whilst this is true, many products will not include a high enough SPF rating, or utilize broad-spectrum protection. It is much safer and more beneficial for a high-quality sunblock/sunscreen to be applied to the skin separately to ensure optimal protection.
7. Eye Cream
Eye creams are not an essential part of your skincare routine. However, many people choose to include eye creams to help hydrate a common problem area. Whilst eye cream is unlikely to fix every eye concern, it can help minimize puffiness and dark circles. Here’s how include eye cream in your skincare routine:
- Apply twice a day in the morning and evening after moisturizer and SPF.
- Apply from the innermost corner and spread outwards.
- Be gentle and avoid getting it in the eyes!
When using eye creams do your best to stay consistent. Just like many skincare products, they are more effective when days are not missed and a routine is consistent. Another tip is using eye cream that has been cooled. Try storing your eye cream in the fridge for extra help refreshing and soothing tired eyes. Of course, always check in the product specifications that the formulation can be chilled.
8. Treatments: DIY and Professional
Skin treatments are unlikely to form part of your daily routine, but might be something to consider somewhat regularly. Treatments can be simply an at-home sheet mask or a more extensive salon treatment. Whatever you decide, here’s some ideas to get you started:
- Use at-home masks 1 – 2 times per week to treat specific concerns like hydration, acne, or skin brightening.
- Consider these professional skin treatments for more intensive approaches to stubborn skin conditions or concerns.
As always, remain aware of the formulation of at-home masks to prevent undesired ingredient interactions. Consider using skin treatments such as masks for a type of self-care and relaxation. Finally, when considering professional skin treatments be sure to educate yourself about potential side effects, discuss options with a professional, and ensure treatments are performed in a regulated environment.
Final Thoughts
First and foremost, consistency is key. Don’t give up on a product or routine if you don’t see results immediately. However, if you experience skin irritation or a reaction, please don’t feel the need to push on. It is important to listen to what your skin is telling you. Everyone’s skin is unique and faces its own challenges. So take care of yourself and your skin!
If ever you have concerns or questions about your skin, do not hesitate to consult with a dermatologist. Professional advice can be game-changing in the treatment of stubborn or severe skin concerns. Everything you read online should only be considered general advice and for more personalized treatment only a professional consultation can help.
Feeling overwhelmed? We get it. Sometimes a fully-fledged skincare routine can be too much too soon. So you’ll be glad to hear that there’s another alternative. ‘Skin Cycling’ is perfect if you’re looking to ‘reset’ your skincare routine, or build a basic regime. Whilst skin cycling is a newer concept, it is dermatologist-approved and very popular in the online community. Find out more about ‘Skin Cycling’ here >>>
Hopefully this has you eager to improve your own skincare routine and being your journey towards clearer and more radiant skin. Just remember to patch test, gradually introduce new products, and stay informed about the ingredient combinations you are using. We’d love to hear how you go in the comments below.
