Recently, the skincare industry has boomed, with its popularity increasing significantly as product have become more accessible, targeted to solve specific
problems,
and scientific research has improved. These are all elements which weren’t around even 50 years ago, not to mention the use of social media and the Internet, where lots of advertisement and shopping is done nowadays.
However, even with all of its promotion and claims, many people still don’t know how to build their skincare routine or personalise it to suit them. With dermatologists being a very expensive option, most people resort to the web, and here we are! This is how you can build the best skincare routine.
1. Determine your skin type
If you have been looking for some skincare products to buy, one of the most common terms you’ve heard is probably ‘skin type’, and there can be lots of confusion around this. There are 4 main categories that most people’s skin falls into: oily, dry, normal and sensitive. Remember, your skin can also be a mixture of them, as well, which is where confusion arises.
The best way to determine your skin type is by taking a shower, making sure to wash your face, and then leaving it completely for around an hour after drying off, avoiding using any products at all. Once this hour is up, you should be able to see whether your skin is oily, normal or dry, and you may find that it’s actually a combination of oily and dry, with different areas having different textures. You’ll know if your skin is sensitive anyway, as it will usually turn red after washing it, or applying some products.
Once you know your skin type, you have a strong foundation to build your skincare routine from, and you’re more likely to find success from the products you’re buying.
2. Decide what skincare concerns affect you
You know your skin type, so you already have some information on what concerns you, such as dryness or oiliness, but they’re not the only problems we can have with our skin. Skincare concerns are anything we struggle with or experience on our skin, such as acne, blackheads or dullness. These concerns are all treated differently, so it’s good to know what affects you so you can proceed to find treatments for it.
Self-diagnosis isn’t always the best route to go, but seeing a dermatologist is often too expensive. Fear not, as there is something you can do! When you go to a skincare counter, there are often professionals working there, so you could always ask for their advice, and check that the skincare concern is actually what you think it is.
3. Know the correct order of products
There is, in fact, a specific order in which you should be applying your skincare products to your face, and it ensures that each product has the best chance of producing successful results for your skin. The basic order is very easy to substitute your own products into and can also be adapted to suit you. Here it is:
Cleanser
Toner or similar liquid products and exfoliators
Serums, essences and similar highly concentrated products
Moisturiser
Eye cream
Any other lotions, such as anti-aging products
Sunscreen
Makeup and other cosmetic products
4. Wash your face properly
So many people don’t know the basics of washing their face, and it’s a real game-changer once you do. Washing your face is extremely important to keep off any harmful bacteria or to keep excess surface oils in check and prevent them from building up too much over time. Here are the correct steps you should take when washing your face:
Choose a facial wash or cleanser that suits your skin type and perhaps even has some ingredients to target any skincare concerns you might deal with. You can always ask for advice from someone in the store as to which will be best for you.
Start by washing your hands with soap and water to ensure that they’re clean before touching your face, to prevent the spread of any germs.
Wet your face with your hands using warm to lukewarm water. You don’t want the water to be too cold, as this won’t be effective enough to get a deep cleanse, but you don’t want it to be too hot, as this can damage your skin instead.
Take your cleanser in your fingers and spread it all around your face to ensure that it get in all the small areas and any crevices. You should do this for around 30-60 seconds.
Rinse off the cleanser from your face, once again using warm to lukewarm water.
Finish off by patting your face dry with a clean face towel, to ensure that no bacteria are spread after your face is freshly cleansed.
Follow the steps above every time you wash your face, and you will be ensuring that your skincare routine is as hygienic as it can possibly be.
5. Never forget sunscreen
If you are interested in protecting your skin and preserving it in the long term, which is extremely important, sunscreen is arguable the most important step of your skincare routine every day. Many people don’t quite understand the potential damage that the Sun can cause for their skin and protecting it with an effective sunscreen is the only way to prevent this damage.
If you are interested in protecting your skin and preserving it in the long term, which is extremely important, sunscreen is arguable the most important step of your skincare routine every day. Many people don’t quite understand the potential damage that the Sun can cause for their skin and protecting it with an effective sunscreen is the only way to prevent this damage.
6. Don’t rely on face masks
Although this doesn’t necessarily add value to your skincare routine, it can save you lots of money, which you can spend on other essential products instead. As relaxing and calming as it can be to put on a face mask in the evening and take some time to yourself, face masks rarely ever do anything for your skin, so it’s something that you should know so that you don’t find yourself relying on them to do your skincare for you!
7. Always cleanse before bed
As well as cleansing properly, as mentioned earlier, you also need to make sure you cleanse regularly. Unless instructed by a specialist for a certain reason, you should generally cleanse your face every morning and every evening.
Sometimes, it can be easy to just skip out your routine in the evening, especially if it’s late or you’re tired, but you should definitely avoid doing this. During the day, your face picks up lots of germs from the air, people around you, and the environments you’re exposed to. Even if you don’t wear makeup, there is a lot of ‘dirt’ on your face which should be cleansed in the evening before your skin goes into the repairing phase overnight.
8. Your night and morning routines can be different
In case you didn’t know already, your skin repairs itself overnight, which is something you want to make the most of, so you don’t have to follow the same routine in the evening as you do in the morning. Your night-time skincare routine is the best opportunity to use a topical treatment, such as a blemish-clearing gel, to treat a skin concerns you might have, and it will be more effective when placed here than in the morning.
Your evening routine also does not require a sunscreen like your morning one does, so some differences just come from common sense like this.
Final thoughts
There are lots of things you can do to perfect your skincare routine, and the steps above are some great places to start, no matter whether you’re trying to build a new routine from scratch, or you’re just trying to improve the routine you’ve already got. Remember to be patient with your skin, and most new products will take at least a month of use before you start to notice any differences, as this is a whole cycle of your skin’s repairing schedule.