When it comes to a skincare routine, there’s no need to spend a ton of time or money. Because the fewer steps there are, the more likely you are to do them. Therefore, like everything else, consistency is key to getting the results you desire.
The Skinny on Skincare Routines
Your day-to-day skincare routine can make a significant impact on how your skin looks over time. So, here are our tips and advice on the order of products in your facial skincare routine.
IN THE MORNING
Step 1: Cleanse
Choose a gentle cleanser whether your skin is dry, oily, or in combination. If your skin is dry, consider cleansing milk, an oil cleanser, or a micellar cleanser. If your skin is oily, consider a mattifying cleanser formulated to tamp down oil production. Likewise, a formulation that strips all your natural oils can kick the glands into overdrive. Eventually producing even more oil. Charcoal, clays, and even salicylic acid could be helpful. But if your skin is both dry and oily, choose non-comedogenic products. These products won’t clog your pores. It’s kind of like goldilocks! Avoid products that are too creamy or greasy as they clog pores.
At the same time, you don’t want to use products that further dry your skin out, like alcohol. Hence, a safe bet is to choose a skincare routine that is suitable for all skin types.
Step 2: Treat
Apply your anti-oxidant serum (ex. vitamin C, E, green tea extract, resveratrol) or blemish treatments directly after cleansing. But before moisturizing. Typically, a pea-sized amount of product is enough for the entire face. This amount may not seem like a lot. However, you will be amazed by how far a pea-sized amount of product will go.
Place the product on your fingertip. Consequently, gently take a small amount with your finger and dot it on all the areas of your face. Afterward, soothingly massage it into the skin. Regardless, if you feel you need a little more in one place, then add a little more there.
Step 3: Moisturize & Protect
Apply a moisturizer and sunscreen (SPF 30) after you have applied any serums or treatments. The moisturizer will seal them in and protect your skin. Sunscreen is essential for any skincare routine! However, reapply it as the day unfolds, especially before you drive. To avoid having to redo your makeup, you can layer a powdered translucent sunscreen on your skin.
Step 4: Makeup
After you have applied sunscreen, you can do your makeup!
IN THE EVENING
Step 1: Remove impurities & cleanse
Use the same cleanser from the morning. And if you wear eye makeup, add a gentle eye makeup remover. This cleanser will remove impurities and makeup from the day.
Step 2: Treat
Apply your anti-oxidant serum or blemish treatment on clean skin. Apply a topical retinoid or retinol if you can tolerate it (your skin may already be dry and irritated). Retinol will help increase skin cell turnover, reduce the appearance of fine lines and discoloration. A little bit goes a long way. Like always, you only need a small green pea amount. But if you can’t tolerate a retinoid, consider using a product with bakuchiol. Studies have shown that it works just as well without irritation.
Step 3: Moisturize
At last, seal it in with a moisturizer! Some opt to use a thicker moisturizer at night than during the day that soaks in as you sleep.
NOURISHING SKINCARE
In the past several years, we are slowly gaining awareness of how healthy the ingredients are in our skincare routine. For this reason, we are closely evaluating what we apply to our skin. We are learning more about potentially harmful ingredients in our skincare products. And the beneficial ingredients that can heal the skin.
Have you ever really looked at the ingredients in the products you use during your skincare routine? Or have you ever kept track of how many products you use on your hair and skin each day?
So, take some time to make a list of all of the products you use on your skin each day. And take a look at the ingredients.
Here is a guide to help you choose safer products for your skincare routine.
Make a note of what you would like to replace. Consequently, replace it with a healthier option.
These are great resources for evaluating the products currently in your makeup bags, beauty cabinets, personal care products, and household cleaners.
