Breaking Down a Simple Skincare Routine

| 2 min read

Shot of a young woman giving herself a facial at home
Skincare is no longer a women-only hobby. It’s also not something you have to break the bank for. More and more, women and men are using skincare to relax and destress. But finding the right products and learning how to properly apply them can seem overwhelming.
Here’s a basic breakdown of how to create a proper skincare routine:
  1. Cleanser: Washing your face is a necessary step that should be in everyone’s routine. It removes any dirt, oil and debris sitting on the surface of your skin. Talk to your dermatologist to see which cleanser would work best for you. If you’re acne-prone or have dryer skin the products might differ. Pro Tip: If you’re someone who wears makeup, always remove it before going to bed. Makeup that sits on the skin for too long can cause blemishes and irritation, especially around the eye area.
  1. Toner: Toner is meant to be gentle and lightweight so that the ingredients in later steps can be absorbed better. Ideally, you should be toning in between every step of your skincare routine. The kind of toner you use will likely be based off the skin concerns you have (dry, acne-prone skin, oily, etc.). Those with dry skin should opt for water-soluble AHAs (like glycolic or lactic acid). Those with oily skin should opt for oil soluble BHAs (like salicylic acid).
  1. Serum: Serums are extremely concentrated forms of nutrients, hydrators and antioxidants. These are typically used in a nighttime routine, but a vitamin C serum in the morning can be beneficial in protecting the skin from inflammation, while also lightening the appearance of dark spots over time.
  1. Moisturizer: Moisturizer is key in making all the products you’ve used more effective. It’s a vital step in any skincare routine that shouldn’t be neglected. If you use a moisturizer in the morning, a gentle, hyaluronic based one is best. It also doesn’t hurt to have one with at least SPF 30 in it.
  1. Sunscreen: Sunscreen should always be the last step in your skincare routine. Whether you’re going to be outside in the sun for a prolonged period or your running simple errands, you should always apply sunscreen to your face.
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Photo credit: PeopleImages

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