5 Tips For Skin Care Starters

Hi, beautiful you! I’m guessing you’re reading this article because 1) you’re one of those “I just use water to clean my face at night” people, but want to get into the habit of having a routine OR 2) you could be a skin guru/expert that wants a refresher course!

Either way, I promise this will guide you and bring you back to the basics of skincare. I’ve put together some tips based on personal experience and facts I’ve researched online. September is National Skin Care Awareness Month (Yup, it’s always on September! Look it up online!) so I’m celebrating it by creating awareness! Happy reading!

1. Start Simple

If you’re just getting into the habit of skincare, you might want to start with the essentials and start saying this mantra: 

Cleanser, Toner, Moisturizer. Repeat ‘til memorized. (Haha, just kidding!)

These three steps make the perfect routine for people who have sensitive skin. They’re the essential steps, and sometimes these three steps are all it takes for you to have (or maintain) great skin.

2. Know What Your Skin Needs

A common mistake that a lot of people make is that they start off by buying a lot of products right away thinking that the more products they use, the better their skin will be. You have to know what works for your skin and what doesn’t. 

‘So how will I know what works for my skin?’

Well, before buying any product, you should know two things: your SKIN TYPE and the SKIN CONCERN you want to target. This might be hard for skincare enthusiasts because it’s extremely tempting to try out all the new, adorably-packaged products (especially when you’re signed up for all Glossier and Sephora newsletters), but self-control is key! 

Generally, people with normal to oily-combination skin (like me) are recommended to use lightweight gel-type or foaming cleansers and moisturizers and those that are on the dry side may want to use cleansers and moisturizers that are more creamy or emollient-rich. 

When in doubt, consult your dermatologist or a skin care expert to help you identify what skin type you have. Just remember, using the formulations that best suit your skin can speed up your journey to make-up free selfies!

3. Be Patient with Results

Be wary of some product claims that promise instant results. In reality, it does take time for most products to work on your skin. According to experts, it takes at least two weeks for a product to work, but it generally takes a MONTH for its maximum effectiveness to be observed. Dermatologist Kenneth Beer said, “The complete benefit of skin creams won’t be visible until after a full cycle of skin-cell turnover to take place.”

In other words, be patient. If you don’t see any changes after a month, then you can decide whether or not you want to throw away/return the product and try a new one. If it works, be consistent with it! It’s all about trial and error, really. 

4. Never skip SPF.

Suncreens are your superheroes. As I mentioned in my previous morning routine post, all the other products are useless without it. The constant use of sunscreens with an SPF of 30 or higher should be the last step in every morning skincare routine because not only does it protect you from sun damage, but it also keeps your skin youthful and age-free. Let’s just say it’s the most basic form of an anti-aging product. 😉 

5. Layer Products with the Correct Order

Last but not the least, let’s say you have the basics figured out. You might have recently purchased all the add-ons like acne treatments, exfoliants, serums, and oils. Now, the question is, how do you incorporate these into your routine?

The general rule of thumb is to apply products based on its consistency. So, start with those that have the thinnest consistency to the thickest. Basically, start from water-based products to oil based products. Thus, your routine will more or less look like something like this:

Morning ☼ :

Cleanser – Toner – Moisturizer – Sunscreen

Night ☽:

Cleanser – {Exfoliator} – Toner – (Acne Treatment) – Serum – Eye Cream – Moisturizer/Night Cream/ Facial Oil

*{Apply only a MAXIMUM of 3x a week}, (Use only when needed)

Applying these products in the proper order maximizes its benefits. Want to know more about the correct sequence of products and why it’s important?

Stay tuned for my next post! ✌︎

♡,

Kath