SKIN CARE ROUTINE FOR BEGINNERS

POSTED 04/11/2019

So after contemplating on ordering some new skincare products for months, you finally emptied your cart and your order is on the way. You’ve seen amazing before-and-after photos and you’ve heard such good things about this particular skincare brand in general, that you just cannot wait to see how it transforms your skin. The products arrive a few days later and you’re super excited to get started! To your dismay, you realize that the skincare line is full of skin care products you’ve never seen, or even heard of. Skin care in general is new journey for you, so you aren’t really sure what the products are supposed to do for your skin or what’s the appropriate order to apply the products.

You rush straight to the internet because you’re completely confused.

Don’t fret, we’re here to help! This is a common issue many people face early on in their skin care journey. It is super important to get a solid foundation on skin care products and their uses before splurging on a good routine.

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Skincare is definitely on everyone’s radar.

There’s so many brands and products formulated for so many skin concerns and conditions, that any beginner may become overwhelmed when deciding on a new skin care routine. As long as you know your skin type and keep an open mind while trying new products, you can successfully build your own, appropriate skin care routine.

The major key in figuring out an appropriate skincare routine is knowing your skin type. A product may work great for your friend, but not give you the same results because of varying skin types between you two. Knowing your skin type reduces the amount of experimenting you have to do overall, since you can eliminate certain products immediately if it isn’t formulated for your skin type. If you’re unsure on your skin type, head on over here and you’ll find out very soon.

Did you know that your skin type can change as you age?

Before starting at the dermatology clinic last year, I was a complete newbie to skincare. As a teenager, I never struggled with acne other than the occasional pimple so, to me, as long as I cleansed and moisturized, I was all set. It wasn’t until I graduated college, and started noticing mild acne, that I realized I may need to incorporate something new into my skincare routine.

Keep on reading to learn how to create your very own skincare routine and most importantly, what order to apply those products ☺︎

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Once you know your skin type and the three basic steps any skin care routine should include, you’re officially ready to build your own routine!

Your routine will vary based on your personal skin concerns*, but I will include all the common types of products found in a typical skincare routine. Some of the products are in fact optional and don’t necessarily need to be included for an appropriate routine. I will also specify when you should use each type of product, whether day, night, or both.

*TIP: Identify personal skin concerns prior to creating a skincare routine. Whether your concern is redness, acne, aging, hyperpigmentation, etc—pinpointing those concerns will help you tailor your routine to target your specific needs.

BUILD YOUR OWN SKINCARE ROUTINE

Step 1 : Use a Make-Up Remover (optional)

First and foremost, this is a product most people overlook. It isn’t as important as a cleanser, but if you wear makeup fairly often, this is something you definitely want to add to your routine. Some may believe that using a facial cleanser is enough to refresh the skin after wearing makeup, but unfortunately that is often not the case. Makeup can leave behind small traces of debris in your pores, which can lead to inflammation and breakouts later on if not properly cleansed. Makeup removers can be oil-based, water-based or built into a wipe (which is my go-to). In order to combat that gunk build-up, make sure to use some type of makeup remover prior to cleansing your face. There’s even makeup removers formulated just for your eyes and lips since those areas are far more sensitive. Try to get as much of your makeup off during this step, because it will save you time in the cleansing step. (Day and/or Night)

Step 2 : Apply Cleanser

The real first step in any skincare routine should be to cleanse the skin. Cleansers work by removing dirt, oil, and makeup that has built up in your pores throughout the day. Cleansing helps give your skin a clean slate for applying additional products or makeup. If you plan to wash your face twice or more a day, you may want to use a gentle cleanser, which will reduce any irritation that extra washing my cause. (Day and/or Night)

Step 3: Time to Tone (optional)

After cleansing and drying your face, a toner comes next. A toner is really just a liquid astringent that reduces oiliness and improves your overall skin condition. This step is optional, especially if your skin is already pretty calm after washing it. Toners can be used for many specific reasons, but most often it’s used to balance pH level, which in turn, calms the skin and reduces any redness or inflammation. Other benefits from toners can include: brightening the skin, exfoliation, and reducing the appearance of pores. This type of product is important if you wear makeup fairly often—it helps skin look clean and clear for smooth makeup application. (Day or Night)

Step 4: Exfoliate Your Face

One of my personal favorite steps in skincare is exfoliation. You can choose to manually (very gently) exfoliate with a washcloth, a Clarisonic, or apply an exfoliating product that does the work for you. An exfoliator removes those old, dead skin cells from the surface of the skin which leaves new, brighter, smoother skin underneath. Exfoliating can help other products soak into lower layers of your skin since it removes those old, dead skin cells from the top. Over-exfoliating can lead to severe irritation and various skin issues, so don’t exfoliate too often or too roughly. I try to exfoliate about two or three times a week since my skin can get very sensitive. (Day or Night)

Step 5: Apply Masks or Other Treatments (optional)

Now here’s the fun step. This step in the routine will definitely vary depending on which skin concerns you currently have. If you have a skin issue, such as rosacea or acne, here is when you would apply your topical creams to treat it. For me, this is when I apply my retinol cream (tretinoin), which helps lighten my old acne scars and prevent new acne. If there’s a particular eye cream you use, this is when you would apply that as well. Aside from typical over-the counter and prescription treatments, there’s hundreds of face masks out there that can be a great addition to your routine. Face masks can benefit your skin in numerous ways and can target your skin concerns when used appropriately. Find a mask that works specifically for your skin type and skin concern! I’m always trying new masks and I actually picked up a couple recently. (Day and/or Night; varies by treatment)

Step 6: Gently Apply Moisturizer or Serum

As previously explained, maintaining moisture within the skin is super important for a healthy, radiant appearance. Moisturizing (whether you use a serum or not) should always be one of the last steps in your routine. Applying that top layer of moisture not only helps lock in hydration, but it also helps “seal” your skin after you’ve applied all of your previous products. Serums work similar to any basic, light-weight moisturizer, except they normally have a different consistency (more like a thick liquid than a lotion) and most often, they contain additional active ingredients. These active ingredients in serums can target problem areas while hydrating the skin. I typically use a moisturizer instead of a serum, since my skin can get oily really fast and it can be super sensitive sometimes. (Day and Night)

Step 7: Apply Sunscreen

You made it! This is pretty much the final and most important step in any skincare routine. Sunscreen works by blocking harmful UV rays from damaging your healthy skin cells. This protection from SPF, keeps you looking young, fresh, and radiant. Contrary to popular belief, even those with darker skin tones should be applying sunscreen at least once a day. UV rays can come from many places including: the sun, tanning beds, your computer, your cell phone and even the fluorescent lights in the mall. There’s even moisturizing products with SPF formulated in to it, so that way it’s less time-consuming for you when applying the products and more pocket-friendly. Sunscreens don’t have to be expensive, just make sure you’re getting one formulated for your skin type. Some sunscreens are formulated JUST for the body or JUST for the face, so be sure to make note of that when picking out a new sunscreen, too.

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YOU’RE DONE! ☺︎

Hopefully this helped clear up any confusion you may have had regarding starting your own skincare routine. Let me know if there’s something you NEED in your routine and it isn’t on this list!