Starting a skincare routine may seem like a daunting task, but it shouldn’t be! Consulting your dermatologist and other skincare professionals can put you on the right track to your perfect regime. Give your skin some TLC and check out these helpful tips for starting a skincare routine:
Know Your Skin Type
Knowing your skin type is the first step to finding the right routine. Your skin type changes over the years, and it is in best practice to seek out your dermatologist to find out what your skin type is. Here are the four skin types used to classify:
Normal – Sebum and moisture is well-balanced and the skin is neither too oily nor too dry. Normal skin has a smooth, velvety finish.
Dry – The skin produces less sebum than normal skin, causing it to retain less moisture and makes the skin vulnerable to external influences. It often feels tight, rough, and looks dull.
Oily – The skin overproduces sebum and one may be prone to breakouts if not met with proper hygiene. People with oily skin have enlarged pores and a glossy shine.
Combination – The skin varies in the T-zone area and cheeks. Combination skin may have an oily T-zone and normal to dry cheeks.
Cleanse, Tone and Moisturize
Cleanse, tone and moisturize; the mantra of having healthy and hydrated skin! Cleansing is a necessary first step of your skincare regime. It clears your skin of dead skin cells, preventing a buildup that would clog pores which then hinders the production of sebum (Omorovicza). Using a toner may be optional, but your skin would definitely thank you for using it! Toner provides vitamins, hydration, and nutrients, as well as balancing the pH levels of your skin (Well and Good). Moisturizing is an essential last step since it acts as a temporary barrier for your skin (Early Care). Those with oily skin tend to skip this step thinking it’s unnecessary, but it protects your skin from the harmful environmental factors that your skin is exposed to daily.
* DISCLAIMER – I am not a dermatologist, so it’s best to seek out professional help when determining which products are best for your skin type. These are all results generated from intense Googling!
Cleanse
For Normal Skin
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser ($13)
Origins Modern Friction ($29.50)
For Dry Skin
Clinique Rinse Off Foaming Cleanser ($20)
Lierac Cream Cleansing Milk for Face and Eyes ($24)
For Oily Skin
Cosrx Low PH Good Morning Gel Cleanser ($10)
Mario Badescu Skincare Enzyme Cleansing Gel ($14)
For Combination Skin
Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Cleanser ($8)
Banila Co. Clean It Zero Sherbet Cleanser ($26)
For All Skin Types
Cetaphil DermaControl Oil Control Foam Wash ($9)
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser ($19.50)
Tone
For Normal Skin
PCA Skin Nutrient Toner ($38)
First Aid Beauty Vitamin Hydrating Mist ($8)
For Dry Skin
Thayers Alcohol Free-Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner ($9.29)
Pixi Glow Tonic ($29)
For Oily Skin
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Toner ($16)
Belif Problem Solution Toner ($28)
For Combination Skin
Simple Kind to Skin Facial Toner ($8)
Lancome Tonique Confort Comforting Rehydrating Toner ($26)
For All Skin Types
Fresh Rose Floral Toner for ($15)
Milk Makeup Matcha Toner ($26)
Moisturize
For Normal Skin
CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 25 ($17)
Shiseido Essential Energy Moisturizing Cream ($48)
For Dry Skin
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream ($12)
La Roche-Posay Hydraphase Intense UV Moisturizer with SPF 20 ($36)
For Oily Skin
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel SPF 15 ($14)
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel ($28)
For Combination Skin
Mario Badescu Oil Free Moisturizer SPF 30 ($28)
Belif The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb ($38)
For All Skin Types
Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 30 ($17)
Saturday Skin Featherweight Daily Moisturizing Cream ($49)
Wear Sunscreen
Although most moisturizers are equipped with sun protection, wearing sunscreen on your face is still a must! Sunscreen protects your skin from skin cancer and prevents early signs of aging (Wrinkles and dark spots? Pass!). Keep in mind that your face sunscreen differs from your body sunscreen, and it’s definitely worth the extra cash to splurge on it!
Sun Bum Premium Sunscreen Face Stick ($8.29)
Remove Your Makeup At Night
At our age, the biggest skincare mistake we can ever make is forgetting to take our makeup off at night. Keeping your makeup on all night may clog your pores and dry your skin out. Micellar water is the best product for removing makeup, and there is nothing more satisfying than seeing a day’s worth of makeup on a cotton pad. If you’re beyond exhausted and unable to spare five extra minutes washing your makeup off, just run a makeup wipe through your face and let your skin breathe!
Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water All-in-1 Cleanser and Makeup Remover ($8.99)
Banila Co. Clean It Zero Original Cleansing Balm ($29)
Hydrate!
Hannah Montana said it best: “hydrated skin is happy skin!” Staying hydrated will radiate your skin, giving you a more youthful, healthy complexion. Don’t skip out on your daily eight cups of water, and your skin will definitely thank you for it!
Share your favorite skincare products in the comments section below!