We’ve all heard of the detailed skincare routines that promise amazing results and must be done in a very specific order to work.
While there is some truth to that order part for some, an intricate 15-step skincare routine just isn’t necessary for most women. It’s much more important to find a skincare routine with nourishing products that offer ingredients most beneficial for your skin type.
With that in mind, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to create an at-home skincare routine that fits in your schedule, works for your skin, and best of all is easy to maintain for long-term, glowing results.
Before you can build an effective routine, you need to know your skin type and how to take care of it. Do you have oily, dry, or sensitive skin? Possibly a combination of all three?
The products used to take care of oily skin will vary significantly from the ones used to treat dry skin, for example. Mature skin will also have different needs. Once you know which type you have, you can begin to look at what products will work best for you.
If you wonder why we won’t mention normal skin types so much, fortunately, if you have “normal” skin (not particularly dry, oily, or a mix of the two) you can basically use whatever products that don’t cause irritation and achieve the goals you want.
There are certain steps in an at-home skincare routine that hold true regardless of your skin type. The following basic products are an excellent place to begin your skincare journey.
All skin types need a gentle cleanser. Throughout your day, your skin comes into contact with dozens of impurities, from smog to dirt to the oil from your hands after you touch your face. An effective cleanser designed for your skin is an essential base from which to start your routine.
For dry skin, look for cleansers that moisturize and are free of alcohol. For oily skin, look for cleansers with a balanced pH and that says “oil-free.” For sensitive skin, look for fragrance-free and natural cleansers with soothing ingredients like aloe or witch hazel.
Use your cleanser first thing in the morning and at the start of your routine at night. Washing your face twice a day is the best way to keep it as clean as possible.
After your cleanser, apply a toner. Toners can help remove the last traces of your cleanser that water may have missed, as well as tighten pores and balance your skin’s pH. For mature skin, look for a toner high in vitamin C to protect against free radicals and help reduce signs of aging.
Toners are usually applied either via a cotton pad or sprayed directly onto your face. Simply let it air dry to do its best work.
A quality moisturizer goes a long way toward keeping your skin glowing, youthful, and healthy. Again, the type of moisturizer you need will vary based on your skin type.
For example, if you have oily skin, stay away from thick, heavy moisturizers as they will trap the oil in your pores. If you have dry skin, go ahead and look for those heavier creams to lock in the moisture as efficiently as possible.
If all you have time for in your busy day is a wash, tone, moisturize routine, you’ve got the basics covered. However, for a truly effective, deeply rejuvenating skincare routine, add these extras.
About twice per week, use a gentle exfoliator after your cleanser. Cleansers are great for cleaning daily pollutants from your skin, but for a truly deep cleanse, you need to exfoliate to remove the layers of dead skin cells that accumulate on your face.
Look for natural ingredients including gentle acids like glycolic or lactic. Exfoliators rich in enzymes will help nourish your skin as you scrub.
Don’t exfoliate more than two or three times per week at most. It’s a truly deep cleanse, and if you exfoliate too much, you run the risk of over-drying your skin or even causing microtears or exacerbating wrinkles.
Here are more exfoliation tips you should know.
The same exfoliation principles work for masks as well. After you cleanse and exfoliate and before your toner, twice per week, apply a mask.
Once again, your choice of the mask will depend on your skin type. (Noticing a pattern?) Those with dry skin will need to look for deeply nourishing masks that focus on moisture, while oily-skinned folks will need a tightening mask with ingredients like garlic or tea tree oil.
Using a mask twice per week is an excellent way to let nutrients soak deeply into your skin. Trust me; your skin will thank you!
After you cleanse, exfoliate, and apply a mask, use your toner like normal. After that, if you have a specific skin issue you want to address, add a serum to your routine.
Serums are different from toners in that they’re very concentrated and targeted for a specific goal. Toners balance pH and add another layer of cleansing; serums help mitigate dark spots, wrinkles, and offer much-needed hydration for thinning or dry skin.
After your serum, you can either apply your normal moisturizer or, if you need extra nourishment, add a cream. This can either be a heavier night cream to deeply moisturize as you sleep or lighter eye cream.
Eye creams are especially beneficial to add to your routine, as the skin around your eyes is usually one of the first places wrinkles show. It’s also a very delicate area, so look for creams designed specifically for use around the eye. Especially important for this area are natural ingredients like coffee bean extracts.
The best skincare routine won’t benefit you as much as you want unless your diet is healthful as well. As your body’s largest organ, your skin is directly affected by what you eat.
For glowing skin, make sure your meals are balanced. Diets high in healthful fats and Omega-3s like those found in salmon, avocado, and nuts (especially walnuts) provide essential nutrients. Vegetables like sweet potatoes, bell peppers, and spinach are full of antioxidants and beta carotene, both essential for healthy skin.
Hydration is equally important because hydrated skin maintains its elasticity for longer. Drink at least 64 ounces of water every single day. Bonus points if you consume some of that water in the form of green tea, a powerhouse of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties!
Whether you only have time for the essential trio of cleanser, toner, and moisturizer or are ready to elevate your skincare to the next level with exfoliators, masks, and creams, taking care of your skin is one of the best ways you can take care of yourself.
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Thanks for letting me know that I need to know my skin type first before starting a routine. I have skin that's really sensitive and oily, so I tend to lean towards natural products. I hope that I can find an organic lotion online with a fresh lavender scent that I can use every day.