Don't you just love a great skincare routine? It helps us feel pampered and makes us feel like the glowing goddess we were meant to be. But with all the information provided out there, figuring out what steps to take can get overwhelming and confusing. Hopefully, this blog post will help clear things up for you.
Step 1 : Cleanser
Cleansing is the first step in a skincare routine and it's super important! A good cleanser can help you get clean skin, remove dirt, environmental pollution, excess oil and even makeup. This helps to prepare your skin for the following steps of the regimen. Cleansing is so important because otherwise, you're layering products on top of impurities. Excess sebum and makeup will cause acne and clogged pores, which may lead to premature signs of ageing. Even if your skin doesn't feel dirty or oily, cleansing will remove all the micro-particles of pollution that have collected on your face during the day. When choosing a cleanser, it's important to select one for your skin type.
CETAPHIL GENTLE SKIN CLEANSER
Best for all skin types
Contains hydrating glycerin and skin essential vitamins
B5 (panthenol) and B3 (niacinamide)
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Best for dry and sensitive skin
Contains Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramides and Glycerin
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel
Facial Cleanser
Best for acne and oily skin
Contains Salicylic Acid
Step 2: Toner
Toner is one of the most misunderstood and under-rated steps in any skincare routine. People often skip this step or use a harsh toner that irritates their skin. But the right toner can make a world of difference in your skin condition. Toner is the second step to cleansing your face. A good toner will leave your skin feeling clean, soft and refreshed without leaving it feeling stripped, tight or dry, most toners are meant to balance the pH of your skin after cleansing. Toners help to replenish the skin's pH balance and get rid of excess dirt, grime, and other debris hiding out in your pores. They also deliver nutrients deep into the skin that help to heal and prevent acne. Toners are especially helpful for those with oily or combination skin because they help reduce shine. They're also beneficial for dry skin types since they can help replenish hydration levels.
Laneige Essential Power Skin Toner
Best for normal to dry skin
Gives deep hydration and moisture
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing
Pore-Reducing Toner
Best for combination or oily skin
Reduces blackheads and shrinks pores
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2%
BHA Liquid Salicylic Acid Exfoliant
Best for combination or oily skin
It evens and smooths the skin
Step 3: Serum
We all want glowing, clear skin—but no matter how many times you wash your face, sometimes it still doesn't look as radiant and youthful as you'd like. That's where serums come in. Serums are lightweight, easily absorbed liquids that contain a high concentration of active ingredients to help address a range of skincare issues from smoothing fine lines to improving skin tone, making them very versatile—but don't let the choices overwhelm you! If you're not sure where to begin, consider starting with a serum that contains vitamin C (or ask a dermatologist or esthetician). This ingredient is known to brighten skin and help reduce dark spots. Serums work best when applied right after toning, while your pores are still open—so if you have multiple areas of concern, it may be worth it to invest in several different serums to use at different times throughout the day.
Glow Recipe Avocado Ceramide Recovery
Serum
Best for all skin types
Reduces visible redness, hyperpigmentation
and dry skin
Best for all skin types
Protects against free radicals, reduces
fine lines and brightens the skin
Glo Skin Beauty Beta-Clarity BHA Drops
Best for all skin types except extremely sensitive
It soothes, brightens and refines skin texture.
Step 4 Eye cream
If you're not using an eye cream, you're missing out. Eye creams are specially formulated to target the delicate skin around your eyes and help prevent dark circles, wrinkles and puffiness. Eye creams can also help reduce fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. They work by plumping up the skin in this area with hyaluronic acid, which can cause your skin to look younger and more vibrant. In addition to helping with dark circles, eye creams can also help prevent crow's feet from forming around the eyes due to their anti-ageing properties.
SKINCEUTICALS Prevent Aox+ Eye Gel
For all skin types
Reduces the appearance of lines, puffiness, and under eye circles
Biossance Squalane + Peptide Eye Gel
For all skin types
Reduce Dark Circles and Puffiness, Improve Fine Lines and Hydrate with Niacinamide and Peptides
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
For all skin types
Reduces Appearance of Eye Contour Pigmentation and Puffiness
Step 5: Spot treatment
The fifth step in your skincare routine is using a spot treatment. Spot treatments are products that target specific areas or types of acne and help make them disappear over time. You only need to use these once a day, but make sure that you're applying it directly to the blemish or area of concern, as opposed to spreading it across your entire face. The ingredients that treat acne can be harsh and cause irritation if they are used in excess. Aside from acne, spot treatments can also be used on hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and other discolourations.
Mario Badescu Drying Lotion
For all skin types
Blemish Spot Treatment with Salicylic Acid
and Sulfur
Mighty Patch Invisible+ from Hero Cosmetics
For all skin types
It visibly flattens and pulls gunk out of pimples
Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair Dark Spot Corrector
For all skin types
Brighten & Even Tone
Step 6:Moisturizer
Keeping your skin well moisturized is one of the most important aspects of a healthy skincare routine. The purpose of applying a moisturizer is to seal in all of the nutrients you've been feeding your skin with after cleansing and toning etc. A good moisturizer should have nourishing ingredients like vitamins A, C and E as well as natural extracts from aloe vera or other botanicals. (Oh, and for those who worry about breakouts, don't be afraid to use a moisturizer! Allowing your skin to dry out will actually cause more clogged pores.) Whatever product you choose for this final step should depend on your skin type; you can talk to an aesthetician about what kind would work best for you. Generally speaking, if you have oily skin, opt for an oil-free formula; if you have dry skin, go with something richer or thicker; and if you're somewhere in between, consider a light lotion that has just enough moisture to give your skin its glow back. If you have combination skin (meaning you have both oily and dry patches), choose a moisturizer that is specifically formulated
Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream
For all skin types
A blend of 6 rare African oils, ceramide, antioxidants and omegas
6 and 9
Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion
For combination and sensitive skin
Instantly hydrates and locks in moisture to prevent dryness
Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer SPF30
For all skin types
For hydration, sun protection, brighter skin and reduced fine lines
Step 7: Sunscreen
If you've ever wondered what the difference is between sunscreen and a moisturizer, here's your answer: sun protection. Sunscreen is the final step of a skincare routine for a reason—it's the last protective layer before your skin hits the elements. Sunscreen should be worn every day, rain or shine, and it should absolutely be worn before you apply makeup. Sunscreen is more than just a method of preventing sunburns it's also an essential way to prevent signs of ageing caused by overexposure to the sun. It also helps even out skin tone by preventing hyperpigmentation due to sun exposure. In addition to protecting you from harmful UV rays, sunscreen helps calm inflammation and acts as a barrier between your skin and the pollutants found in your daily environment.
Biossance Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen
For all skin types
Lightweight and non-greasy, it protects and hydrates sensitive skin
Tula Mineral Sunscreen Fluid Broad Spectrum SPF 30
For all skin types
It is non-greasy, light and quickly absorbs into the skin.
Paula's Choice Super-Light Wrinkle Defense SPF 30
For all skin types
A lightly tinted moisturizer with sunscreen and antioxidants to protect your skin sun damage.
There are many factors that contribute to skin health, and we've narrowed it down to seven of the most important for a morning routine. If you can incorporate these into your morning routine in a way that makes sense for you and your lifestyle, you'll be well on your way to creating a skincare routine you love. And that's something worth smiling about, after all, what's not to love about spending a few minutes taking care of yourself every morning?
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