How To Build Basic Skincare Routine

A woman with facepack

You have started thinking of self-care nowadays and skin care tops your list. After surfing the internet for endless advices; you are confused as to what constitutes a basic skin care routine? Which products should be applied? What is the skincare order? What steps and products can be ignored and what steps are essentially non-negotiable? What purpose does each product solve? The list is endless.

In order to simplify basic skincare routine; I have listed the basics products, their uses and the order in which they are to be applied.

Basic skincare routine is different for daytime and nighttime.

Let’s start with

Daytime Skincare Routine steps

1. Cleanse

Cleansing is the first and very basic step of any good skincare routine. Always use a gentle face wash as you will be using many more products down the line.

2. Tone

Toner can be a great way to balance your skin’s pH. If you have acne-prone skin, look for a toner with ingredients like salicylic acid to calm breakouts. If you have dry or sensitive skin, opt for a hydrating toner to soothe.

A bottle

3. Vitamin C Serum

Vitamin C Serum should be used during the day. It helps reverse a lot of the damage that we get from the sun and pollution.

4. Eye Cream

Dab on eye cream using your ring finger (your weakest finger) so you don’t unintentionally cause damage to your eye area.

5. Moisturizer

Moisturizer keeps your skin hydrated and helps strengthen your skin barrier. For daytime use, opt for a lighter moisturizer that will soak in quickly.

6. Sunscreen

This is the most important step in your skincare routine. Protecting your skin from the sun is important even if you’re spending your days indoors, as UV rays can still come in through the windows.

Your Night time Skincare Routine steps

In your night time you’ll still follow the basic steps — cleanse, tone, moisturize — but at night, the routine will be a little bit different.

Night is the perfect time to make sure your skin is getting as many nutrients as possible, since your skin regenerates and repairs itself while you sleep.

1. Cleanse

You still need to use a gentle cleanser. You may use the cleanser twice to remove the grime.

2. Tone

If you’d like to use a toner, apply it the same way you did in the morning. This will go before you start applying serums.

3. Serums

Using alpha hydroxy acid to help brighten skin by sloughing off dead skin cells. It helps build your collagen and improves radiance. If you’re looking to include retinol in your skincare routine, it’s best to apply during your night time ritual. Retinol is a form of vitamin A that helps decrease visible wrinkles, bright spots and pore size.

cosmetic product and a hand

4. Eye Cream

You can pat a bit of your serum around your eye area, then follow up by using your favorite eye cream

5. Acne Spot Treatment

If you have a pimple that you’d like to see go away sooner rather than later, this is a great time to apply acne spot treatments.

6. Moisturize

Moisturizing is really important at night, as it creates a barrier that seals in active ingredients and hydration. This way, when you wake up, your skin is glowy and plump —and ready to start the day.

7. Face Oil

Face oils are a great way to lock in moisture while you sleep. Particularly if you’re using active ingredients like retinol and alpha hydroxy acids, face oils are a great way to add an extra boost of moisture.

Add extra steps if required

Once you have nailed the skincare routine which is working for you; you may add steps if required like

1. Exfoliation

You can start exfoliation once or twice a week which work in different ways to slough off excess build up on the skin’s surface.

2. Masks

Masks are to be used no more than once or twice a week onto clean, dry skin. Select a face mask that’s formulated to target a specific skin concern you are facing like hydrating, clarifying, calming, brightening, tightening masks.

Important tips to remember

  1. As your skincare routine develops, it is important to stick to key important products. Stick to products that do not have too many ingredients and are fragrance- free.
  2. Give your skin a chance to get used to a product for at least two to three months before switching. Don’t experiment too much. If a skin-care product provokes any sort of irritation or allergic reaction discontinue its use immediately.
  3. Going through the same skin-care routine steps every day, morning and night — is important for producing and maintaining real results.

Conclusion

Taking the time to care for ourselves should no longer be considered an indulgence. It is a necessity. But with skincare, it is often overwhelming with so many products in the market. Take time out to experiment and see what works for you. And stick to it religiously.

So what skincare routine do you follow? Do let us know in the comment section.

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