HOW TO BUILD A CORRECT AND PERFECT SKINCARE ROUTINE
- Dec 23, 2021
- 5 min read
Why the Order of Your Skin Care Routine Matters?
You’ve spent hours and hundreds of dollars buying the best beauty products for your skin type, but if you’re applying them in the wrong order, you could be doing more harm than good. For instance, serum or moisturizer first? When is the most effective time to apply retinol? Should I use a moisturizer or retinol? The order in which you apply your skincare products is crucial and can make the difference between getting results and wasting your time and money. But not to worry. We’ve put together a skincare routine order so that you never have to second guess which products to put on and when.
Determine your skin type:
Before getting into skincare steps, you should know your skin type first. Because the right routine starts with knowing what kind of skin you have. Then you will know how to take care of it.
Dry skin is flaky, scaly, or rough.
Oily skin is shiny, greasy, and may have big pores.
Combination skin is dry in some spots (cheeks) and oily in others (forehead, nose, and
chin).
Sensitive skin may sting, burn, or itch after you use some makeup or other products.
Normal skin is balanced, clear, and not sensitive.
At first, we highly recommend beginners should have three basic steps include : cleanse, moisturize, and apply sunscreen. However, whether you have a three-step or nine-step skincare routine, there's one thing everyone can do to improve their skin: apply products in the correct order. Regardless of your skin concerns, start with a clean, toned base, then apply concentrated, active products, and lock in moisture—and, of course, SPF during the day. Here are the steps for a good skincare regimen:
Step 1: Cleanse
Cleaning Normal/Combo Skin
Don't just wash your face with whatever soap is in the shower or at the sink. Also, don't feel obligated to purchase high-end, high-priced items. Simply choose a skin care regimen that works for you. Use your fingertips to apply a light cleanser or soap. Avoid scrubbing your face. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and pat dry. Try a different cleanser if your skin becomes dry or oily.
Cleaning Dry Skin
For this skin type, use a gentle cleanser that doesn't have alcohol or fragrances. Those ingredients can dry you out even more. Gently wash your skin, then rinse with plenty of warm water. Don't use hot water -- it removes the natural oils from your face faster. Try exfoliating once a week to get rid of flaky skin cells. It will make your skin look clearer and more even.
Cleaning Oily Skin
Wash your face with an oil-free foaming cleanser. Rinse well with warm water. After that, you could want to use a toner or an astringent but be cautious because it could irritate your skin. These products can help keep your skin clean by removing excess oil and making your face less shiny.
Cleaning Sensitive Skin
Rinse your face with warm water after washing it with a gentle cleanser. Instead of rubbing your skin dry with a towel, gently pat it dry. Sensitive skin may be irritated by exfoliation. Avoid using items containing alcohol, soap, acid, or fragrance. Instead, seek for components like aloe, chamomile, green tea polyphenols, and oats on the label. Your face may be happier if a product has fewer components.
Step 2 : Apply toner
Day and Night Skincare Routine: Many people skip a toner because they think of them as being harsh and stinging. Toners today are designed to target specific skin issues like excess oil or dryness . Toners help restore the skin’s pH balance while prepping it for the rest of your products before your nighttime routine. Additionally, it adds a layer of protection, acts like a moisturizer and refreshes skin. In the morning, a toner (or essence) can replace your cleanser if your skin was washed the night before.
Step 3: Exfoliate
Every day, our skin sheds millions of skin cells, but sometimes those cells can build up on the surface of our skin and need some extra help to be removed. Exfoliating removes these dead skin cells that have accumulated in our pores. You won't want to skip this step if you suffer from blackheads, acne, or breakouts.
It’s best to exfoliate after toning and before moisturizing. Most dermatologists agree that you should exfoliate one to three times a week, but this depends on your skin type and how it reacts to exfoliation. Experiment and find what works best for you.
Step 4: Apply serum
Antioxidant serums, such as a brightening vitamin C serum, are especially beneficial in the morning since they protect your skin from the free radicals that you'll encounter throughout the day. Use a hyaluronic acid-based moisturizing serum at night to prevent your skin from drying out, especially if you're using anti-aging or acne treatments that might irritate and dry your skin. Exfoliants like alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA) and lactic acid can be found in serums. Always keep in mind, no matter what you're doing: Water-based serums should be applied before moisturizer, whereas oil-based serums should be applied after moisturizing
Step 5: Eye Cream
Day and Night Skincare Routine: The treatment step is crucial because it targets specific skin concerns on a deeper level. One of the leading products that fall into this category is a serum, which is the heavy lifter in your skincare routine because it’s more concentrated due to its molecular composition. There are copious formulas to choose from no matter what your skin type or concern. Should you decide to use multiple serums, apply the thinnest formula first.
Eye creams fall into the "treat" category. Dab on eye cream using your ring finger (your weakest finger) so you don't unintentionally cause damage to your eye area.
Step 6: Use spot treatment
When your body is in repair mode, it's a good idea to utilize acne spot treatments at night. Layering acne-fighting chemicals such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acids with retinol might irritate the skin. Instead, make sure you're doing everything you can to keep your skin hydrated and calm.
Step 7: Moisturizer
You may think you're too young to need moisturizer -- or your skin is too oily -- but all skin types need one every day. Apply it while your skin is still damp from washing or rinsing to help seal in moisture. If you have acne or your skin is oily, find a moisturizer that's lightweight and oil-free, so it won't block your pores.
Step 8: Apply face oil
If you use a face oil, make sure to apply it after your other skin-care products since nothing else will be able to penetrate the oil.
Step 9: Apply sunscreen
Last but not least, dermatologists always tell you that sun protection is the most important part of any skin-care regimen. The sun is the most damaging factor for skin and the leading cause of skin cancer. That’s why using a moisturizer that contains SPF or applying sunscreen after your moisturizer is key for protecting your skin from the sun’s damaging UV rays and maintaining a youthful and healthy visage. Apply SPF of at least 15 to your face for the daytime, using a higher SPF if you anticipate heavy sun exposure throughout the day. Be sure to re-apply every few hours as it wears off.
The Final Word
Your skin is the largest organ in your body. This means that it’s important to take good care of it – and also that comes with certain risks. Keep in mind that as you age, your skin concerns will also shift. What works in your 20’s may need a readjustment in your 30’s, 40’s and 50’s. So make your skincare routine smarter and wiser !
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