If you don’t know where to get started in your skincare journey, the products to include in your daily skincare routine, and the suitable ingredients for your skin type, then this is the ultimate guide for you that will help you decide what products to include in your skincare routine and what are the right ingredients for your skin type that are essential in your daily skincare routine.
Why taking care of your skin is even important?
Doing your skin care can help you look well put together, cleaner, and more hygienic. Skincare plays a vital role in our overall general health. Not drinking enough water and having bad eating habits is not only bad for your health but also your skin.
The Dehydration in you shows up on your skin, it can make your skin look dry and dull perhaps itchy sometimes, and the fine lines become more noticeable. So, having a consistent skincare routine is a must.
The most important step to perform before building a skincare routine is to know what your skin type is so that you can choose and target the right skincare ingredients and products for yourself.
Know Your Skin Type
The very first thing that one should know before getting out there to try out different skincare products and potentially even harming your skin in the process, is knowing what your skin type is.
Once you know what your skin type is, it can make your work hella easier. You would easily be able to target the best skin care ingredients that would do justice to your skin type.
So, well that makes sense but, how do I know what my skin type is ….??? Don’t worry I got boo…
Types of Skin Type:
There are typically only 5 main skin types that are Normal, Oily, Dry, Combination, and Sensitive skin.
Normal Skin
If you have normal skin then you are pretty lucky!! Normal skin is neither too dry nor too oily. It has balanced sebum production and a radiant complexion.
Normal skin does not demand any special attention just keep it clean and hydrated and you are good to go.
How to identify?
- Smooth Texture
- Radiant Complexion
- Barely even Visible Pores
- No Blemishes and Sensitivity
Oily Skin
Oily skin has excessive sebum production. Excess oil on the face can make your skin look very shiny and greasy.
How to identify?
- Shiny/Greasy Appearance
- Big Pores
- Black and White Heads Problem
Dry Skin
Sometimes dry skin is caused by external factors like weather (winter season) and hot water showers. But, for some people regardless of the weather, the dry skin problem persists. Dry skin looks rough and Flaky, it produces less oil.
How to identify?
- Rough/Flaky appearance
- Skin feels tight
- Less elasticity in the skin
- Uneven rough texture
Combination Skin
Combination skin is a mixture of Dry and Oily Skin. The skin is dry in certain places and oily in certain places.
The area that is often oily is the T-zone which is the forehead, nose, and chin and cheeks are usually either normal or dry.
How to Identify?
- Oily T-zone
- Normal/Dry Cheeks
- Big/Open Pores
Sensitive Skin
Sensitive Skin is skin that easily gets irritated and is very reactive to trying out new skincare products.This type of skin is very fragile and prone to heat, redness, and itching.
How to identify?
- Flushes easily in sunlight
- Very Reactive
- Itching
- Dryness
So, now that you are well-versed with your skin type let’s build your Daily Skincare Routine.
Steps to take for Making your Perfect Basic Skincare Routine as a Beginner:
Step 1 Cleanse
The very basic and most important step in a skincare routine is to cleanse the skin very properly in the morning and as well as at night before going to bed.
Cleaning your face before putting on another skincare product or even makeup is very important cause the dirt trapped in your pores can cause serious acne breakouts and can also clog your pores and that is so not good.
So, it’s better to cleanse your face properly every day twice, once in the morning and once at night before going to bed. Ingredients like Green Tea and Aloe Vera are good for oily skin types in a Cleanser.
Cleansers with Salicylic acid and tea tree oil are a good choice for acne-prone skin types. Cleansers with Vitamin C, Glycerin, ph-balancing properties, and ceramides work well with all skin types.
Step 2 Moisturize
The second step in a skincare routine is moisturizing. Even if you have oily skin never skip this step.Go for non-comedogenic (skincare products that will not clog your pores) moisturizers and opt for water-based or gel-based moisturizers.Other skin types can go for oil-free and fragrance-free moisturizers as fragrances can cause itching around your eyes.
The list of skincare ingredients is huge and a bit complex but the most loved and best ingredients a moisturizer should have are Ceramides, Shea butter, Anti-oxidants, Peptides, Hyaluronic Acid, and Vitamin C. These ingredients work well with all skin types.
Step 3 Protect
Applying sunscreen is the most important step even if you are not in the mood to carry out your entire skincare routine still never forget to apply sunscreen during the day, regardless it’s rainy or you are just staying at home.
Sunscreen is very important as it protects your skin against the harmful UVA and UVB rays of the sun that can cause premature aging and even skin cancer. Opt for a broad-spectrum sunscreen that is higher than SPF 30 (preferably SPF 50 is the best).
Do not forget to reapply your sunscreen every 2 hours (if possible, reapplying sunscreen is as important as applying sunscreen during the day).
When deciding which sort of sunscreen to use, there are two options:
Chemical or mineral-based sunscreens (in some cases, both are combined into one formula). Chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays and protect the skin using chemical ingredients like octocrylene, sulisobenzone, or avobenzone.
Mineral sunscreens, on the other hand, contain chemicals such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which act as a shield, preventing the sun’s rays from reaching the skin.
PS: Clean your face well before going to bed as unwashed sunscreen can also clog your pores. And you are only supposed to wear sunscreen during the day(I know you probably already knew that).
Add in Extra Steps as Needed / Wanted
Once you have created your basic daily skincare routine then you can add some extra steps if you wish to do so.
Here are some basic extra steps that I think one should must include in their skincare routine for better results.
Exfoliate
Exfoliating is scrubbing off all the dead skin cells/layers, excess oil, and build-up from the skin so that the products can penetrate much better into the skin and reveal soft and radiant skin underneath.
Ideally, you should exfoliate your skin only once or twice a week, daily exfoliation can cause severe irritation to the skin and it can also harm your protective skin barrier which helps protect your skin by acting as a protective layer from the harmful outside things.
Mainly there are two types of Exfoliators, Chemical Exfoliators, and Physical Exfoliators.
Chemical Exfoliators are AHAs and BHAs which are Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid, and Mandelic Acid. They are great for Normal, Oily, Dry, and Combination skin. For people with Acne-prone skin, Salicylic Acid, and Willow bark extract are good choices.
Physical Exfoliators are face scrubs that have tiny particles in them that help exfoliate your skin when you rub them on your face.
First Cleanse your skin well and then use exfoliators either physical or chemical.
Serums
Serums are potent active ingredients that you apply to your face before moisturizing your skin in the lowest to the highest concentration.
There are various serums like Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, Alpha Arbutin, etc.
Vitamin C serums are known for their skin-brightening properties it works well with all skin types. Hyaluronic Acid serums are phenomenal for dry skin it helps retain moisturize and plump the skin.
If you have any special skin concerns to target then you can choose a serum for that specific concern. Like, Alpha Arbutin is a serum specifically used to target hyperpigmentation resulting in even skin tone.
If you struggle with Blackheads, Whiteheads, or Clogged Pores Salicylic Acid is the serum for you.
Face masks
Face masks are used for adding extra hydration to the skin. Face Masks could be Hydrating, Clarifying, Calming, and brightening.
Some masks also have enzymes in them that help exfoliate and lighten the skin. Masks with Probiotics are a great choice for acne-prone skin.
Clay masks are really good for oily skin types. Hydrating, Calming, and brightening face masks are good for all skin types.
TIPS
Consistency is the key to having good skin. Once you have a good skincare routine set in try to be as consistent as possible with it. You should always do your skincare routine once in the morning and once before going to bed, and also do a face mask once in a while.
Remember having patience is important. Skincare is not an overnight thing, it takes time to show any results on average a skincare product needs at least 3 months to show its effectiveness.
Skincare is not all about using fancy skincare products, you should also keep an eye on what you are eating cause what you eat is what you are.
Eating healthy fruits and vegetables will not only make you healthy but will also help supply sufficient anti-oxidants and nutrients required for happy, healthy, and supple skin.
Keeping yourself well-hydrated is another important thing. Dehydration can make your skin look dull. So, keep in mind to drink enough water throughout the day and enjoy your skincare journey.
Skin Cell Turnover: The Key To Understanding And Treating Skin And Gut Issues?
Neotonics: Why is it better than any other skincare?
Cell turnover is the continuous process of shedding dead skin cells and subsequently replacing them with younger cells. This essential process makes the skin look shinier and tighter, and gets rid of fine lines and wrinkles more quickly.
Medical researchers have recently demonstrated that cellular turnover is controlled by the gut, its microbiome, and nutrient absorption. Simply put, when the gut starts aging, the digestion and nutrient absorption slow down. As a consequence, the cellular turnover slows down and the skin starts aging too.
Neotonics is a scientifically-formulated mix that gathers no less than 500 million units of extra-strong bacteria and 9 potent natural ingredients into one probiotic gummy that targets the root cause of skin and gut aging.
Who is it for?
Neotonics is a great fit for women, ages 30+.
This includes women interested in:
- Alternative skincare solutions
- Remedies for severe acne;
- Improving their digestion;
- Steady and healthy weight loss.
Basic Skincare Routine FAQs
Ques 1. How to layer different Skincare Products?
Ans 1. The basic order to layer your skincare products is:
Day Time Routine:
- Cleanse
- Toner
- Serum
- Eye Cream
- Spot Treatment
- Moisturizer
- Sunscreen
- Primer/Makeup
Night Time Routine:
- Makeup Remover/Oil Based Cleanser/Cleansing Balm
- Water-Based Cleanser/Any Cleanser
- Exfoliate
- Face Mask/Peel
- Hydrating Mist/Toner
- Serums/Essence
- Eye Cream
- Treatments
- Moisturizer/Night Cream/Sleep Mask
- Face Oil
Ques 2. What is the most important part of the skincare routine?
Ans 2. The most important step in your skincare routine is to apply sunscreen daily no matter if it’s cloudy outside. Your sunscreen should be of minimum broad-spectrum 30 or above.
The second most important step in a skincare routine would be to cleanse your skin properly before doing the rest of the skincare or makeup.
Ques 3. How can I treat my Hyperpigmentation/Dark Spots?
Ans 3. The main cause of hyperpigmentation/Dark Spots is sun exposure, to treat hyperpigmentation wear your sunscreen daily and reapply frequently to prevent new hyperpigmentation/Dark Spots.
You can also use alpha arbutin serum to treat your hyperpigmentation and sun damage.
Ques 4. How to find out if any Product is suitable for my skin type?
Ans 4. There isn’t any specific way to find that out until you try any product. But before purchasing you can examine the ingredients list to see if the ingredients in that product are suitable for your skin type.
Always go for Fragrance-Free and Alcohol-Free Products.
Ques 5. Can drinking more water make my skin glowy?
Ans 5. Drinking more water keeps you hydrated and that reflects on your skin too. Happy and Hydrated skin looks more plump and glowy. So, drinking more water can definitely make your skin look glowy.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional skincare advice, diagnosis, or treatment.