The Ultimate Guide
While some people have their skincare routine down to a tee, to others, the mere mention of a skincare routine makes them panicked. What’s an exfoliator and how often should you be using it? What does a serum do? Does my moisturizer need to contain an SPF? We’ll answer all these questions and more in our ultimate guide to building your best beauty routine. Let’s get into it.
Steps to Creating Your Perfect Skin Care Routine
Cleanser
Cleansing is the act of removing makeup, dirt and impurities from your skin, and you should do it twice daily, once in the morning and once at nighttime. Cleansers can come in many forms, from foam cleansers to cleansing balms. As long as it effectively gets the job done, it doesn’t matter which you opt for.
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For the ultimate cleanser test, use the cleanser to remove makeup and keep cleansing until the water runs clear. If there’s still makeup on the towel when you dry your face, you might need to cleanse for longer or choose a more effective cleanser. And before you ask, no, makeup remover wipes aren’t enough!
Exfoliator
Exfoliator typically comes in the form of a scrub that you wash your face with and it should be used 2-3 times weekly. The exfoliator helps to buff away dead skin cells from your face, reducing the likelihood of clogged pores.
Toner
Toning, like cleansing, should happen twice daily, after the cleansing process. Toning isn’t a must in your skincare routine, but it can enhance it. Toner helps to condition the skin and replenish vitamins and minerals lost in your skin.
SPF
Wearing SPF daily is probably one of the most effective ways you can reduce the risk of aging and wrinkles as well as skin cancer, but sadly, all too many people overlook this crucial step in any skincare routine. Alternatively, some people believe you only need to wear SPF on hot, sunny days. This is incorrect.
You should wear an SPF of 30+ daily on your face, around 0.4 ounces of it. You can either buy a dedicated sunscreen and wear it under your moisturizer or buy a moisturizer that has SPF built in.
Serum
The serum is one of the aspects of a skincare routine that most confuse novices because the truth is, there’s no one-style-fits-all type of serum. Serums address specific skin needs and should be applied once daily before moisturizing.
Every serum has a different purpose. Vitamin C serums brighten, retinol serums anti-age and hyaluronic acid arums hydrate. Choose the right serum for you based on your skin’s needs in a given period. Serum isn’t a must, but it’s a welcome addition to any beauty routine.
Moisturizer
Moisturizer is one of the key components of any skincare routine. Put simply - it’s non-negotiable. The moisturizer leaves your skin with much-needed moisture and hydration and leaves it supple and smooth as well as fighting dryness. For best results, use twice daily, in the morning and at night. You can opt for a day cream and a night cream but it’s not a must - you can use the same moisturizer for both.
Eye Cream
Eye cream should be used twice daily, once in the morning and once at night for maximum effect. Since the skin around your eye is especially thin and sensitive, using this specialty cream can ensure it’s properly looked after. Eye cream can also reduce the appearance of fine lines, so it’s especially useful for aging skin.
Face Mask
Face masks aren’t a must, but they can be a beneficial (and fun!) addition to your routine. After all, who doesn’t love kicking back with a face mask on their face and cucumbers covering their eyes?
Face masks should only be used once or twice weekly and contain high concentrations of vitamins, minerals and beneficial ingredients that are quickly absorbed into the skin to leave your complexion glowing.
Does Skin Type Matter?
Your skin type will affect the types of products you’ll want to use. Those with oily and acne-prone skin, for example, might benefit from moisturizing with a mattifying cream, rather than one that leaves a dewy effect.
People with sensitive skin should seek our products specially formulated for sensitive skin to avoid irritation. The type of serum you use can be determined by your skin type too - those will dry skin might opt for a serum that boosts hydration.
Specialist Skin Needs
For most, a regular skincare routine doesn’t have to be expensive or include prescription products - having a good-quality item that covers all our categories should be enough. But for those with more serious skin conditions such as acne or eczema, you’ll benefit from seeing a dermatologist for expert advice and medical-grade products.
Whatever your skin type, you’ll benefit from having a consistent skincare routine in place to help protect and nourish your skin as well as shield it from the aging effects of the sun.