Basic Skincare Routine Steps – A Beginner’s Guide to Skin Care
How you care for your skin depends on many factors, including your age, sex, health status and the climate where you live.
While our skin does a good job protecting us from the elements and repairing itself, we have to be proactive about caring for it as well.
Collagen supplements are a fantastic way to improve your skin’s overall appearance and health, but a skincare routine doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated.
How do I start a basic skincare routine?
There are two main categories of skincare: the skin that shows, and the skin that doesn’t. Your face, neck, décolletage and hands are the parts of your body that everyone sees, so it makes sense to pay particular attention to them. At the same time, what you don’t see — your body — needs just as much care.
The best way to improve your skin is to get into a good skincare routine and stick to it. But what does that really mean? It means using the right products for your skin type and concerns, and using them in the right order.
When you are creating a basic skincare routine, you want to keep it simple. Whether you have sensitive, oily, or dry skin, your skincare doesn’t have to be complicated. A basic skincare routine should consist of four things: cleansing, moisturizing, exfoliating and sunscreen.
What Are the 5 Main Skincare Steps?
Use a Gentle Cleanser
Washing your face is the most important step in your skincare routine. Use a cleanser suitable for your skin type. For example, if you have acne-prone skin, use an oil-free cleanser that helps remove impurities and excess oil. If you have dry skin, use a creamy cleanser with hydrating ingredients such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid to help replenish moisture.
It is tempting to buy an exfoliating product, but this can be a bit too harsh for some people’s skin. Apply it to wet skin, using your fingertips. When you wash off the cleanser, do so by splashing your face with water (rather than rubbing it with a flannel).
Don’t scrub your face with a washcloth or gloves. The friction can make your dry skin worse. Avoid harsh soaps that will irritate your already dry skin. Also, avoid hot water as part of your daily skincare routine because it removes the oils from your skin more quickly than lukewarm water does.
Tone your skin
Using a toner is optional, but if you decide to use one, apply it after cleansing and before putting on serum or moisturizer. Toners are supposed to clean out any leftover impurities in your pores after you wash your face, but keep in mind that they tend to be very drying.
This step is important for people who have oily skin, but if you don’t like the feel of toner on your face, then you can skip it.
Use an eye cream
The skin around the eyes is thin and delicate, so it needs a gentle product specifically formulated for that area — avoid putting moisturizer or serum on your eyelids. If you have dark under-eye circles or puffiness, look for an eye cream with caffeine or vitamin C; moisturizing eye creams often contain hyaluronic acid or retinol.
Eye creams are different from other creams because they are less greasy and absorb quickly into the thin skin around the eyes. Most people only need a tiny amount of eye cream — about the size of a grain of rice.
Just make sure you buy an eye cream suitable for use during the day if it’s not going to be followed up by an SPF product!
Moisturize
After toning, it’s time to moisturize. Moisturizers are important because they help keep moisture from evaporating from your skin.
Moisturizing your skin is crucial regardless of skin type. Even if you have oily skin, moisturizing can help to balance out your skin’s oil production and prevent breakouts that may come from dryness. Use a moisturizer that contains SPF. It’s important to keep your skin protected from harmful UVA/UVB rays, even in the winter!
Sun protection
UV rays aren’t just bad for your health; they’re a leading cause of premature aging. Start building sun protection into your daily routine, no matter what kind of weather you have where you live. Use sunscreen on your face, neck and décolletage every day. Wear gloves when you have to work with your hands in water or chemicals.
Wearing sunscreen daily will protect you against free radicals, which can destroy collagen and elastin in the skin and cause wrinkles over time.
Remember: Consistency is key
It may seem like a lot of work, but once you get into the habit, it will become second nature. And your skin will thank you for it!
I typically start my skincare routine by splashing my face with water and then using a gentle cleanser. I follow up with a toner, eye cream, and moisturizer. I always make sure to use a sunscreen as well. I know it’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it! My skin feels so much better when I take care of it every day.
FAQ
When should we use toner?
You can use toner after cleansing and before applying serum or moisturizer. Toners are supposed to remove any leftover impurities in your pores, but they can be drying, so use them sparingly.
How do you apply toner?
Soak a cotton pad with toner and gently wipe your face with it. Avoid putting toner on your eyelids, as the skin there is delicate.
Can I use toner daily?
Yes, you can use toner every day. Just be gentle and don’t overdo it, as toner can be drying.
Can I leave toner on my face overnight?
No, you should not leave toner on your face overnight. Toners are designed to be used as part of a daily skincare routine and should be rinsed off after use.
Can you use vitamin C serum after exfoliating?
Yes, you can use vitamin C serum after exfoliating. Just make sure to wait for your skin to recover from the exfoliation before applying the serum.
When should I use eye cream?
Eye cream can be used in the morning and at night. Just make sure to apply it before putting moisturizer or serum on your eyelids.
Is it bad to use too much eye cream?
No, it’s not bad to use too much eye cream.
What is SPF?
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and refers to the level of protection a sunscreen provides against the sun’s harmful UV rays. The higher the SPF, the more protection it offers. Sunscreens with an SPF of 30 or higher are recommended for everyday use.
What is UVA/UVB?
UVA and UVB are two types of ultraviolet radiation from the sun that can damage your skin. UVA radiation causes premature aging, while UVB radiation can cause sunburns. Sunscreen protects your skin against both types of radiation.
Is it bad to use sunscreen every day?
No, it’s not bad to use sunscreen every day.