When it comes to creating a skincare routine, it is important to identify what is your skincare goal and what potential concerns you want to address are, and secondly to align that with your skin type.
Once you have that clear and defined, then you can start finding products with the respective active ingredients needed to achieve that goal. After which, you can filter products according to the order of application which will guide how and when you use each type of product that you have chosen.
It is important to know which ingredients are suited for each concern. Our advice would be to create a routine that is simple but effective, more products don’t necessarily mean better results. And always make sure to add antioxidants!
This is honestly one of the best things you can do to your skin because they work to protect your skin from various free radical damage. They are great ingredients for healthier and brighter skin. We also recommend ensuring you are using skin-replenishing ingredients to support skin barrier health, because if your skin barrier is damaged then it could cause many issues such as acne, dull skin, and aggravate signs of aging.
Common antioxidants to incorporate
- Niacinamide (vitamin B3)
- Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)
- Vitamin E
- Retinol (vitamin A)
- Green tea
Common skin-replenishing ingredients to incorporate
- Hyaluronic acid
- Ceramides
- Glycerin
- Fatty acids
- Cholesterol
Now, how to apply each product of a skincare routine.
This works on 3 fundamental principles
- Cleanse
- Treat
- Protect
Cleanse
This is the first step of any routine where you use a cleanser to remove any excess oil, dirt, impurities, makeup, and sunscreen. Cleanse twice a day, morning, and evening.
Treat
This is a broad category, so many types of products can be used here. This is where you can get creative. This step includes using toners, serums, spot treatments, etc. There is a step where you should be incorporating antioxidants. Depending on your skincare goals, you can use products accordingly. With this step in your skincare routine, always make sure that the order in which you apply the different types of products mentioned earlier goes from lightest to thickest. A toner would go first, then a serum, and then a spot treatment, etc. And be sure to check the consistency of each of your serums to know which ones go first.
Ultimately this step is where you need to be purposeful with your actives to successfully address your specific skincare goals and concerns.
Protect
This step includes using a moisturizer and sunscreen. A moisturizer is one of the most important products to use, because neglecting moisturizing can lead to dry skin which leads to many other skin issues such as acne (YES) and makes your skin more prone to fine lines and wrinkles and contributes to duller and less healthy skin. A moisturizer helps to prevent trans-epidermal water loss, which is intense dehydration but also moisturized skin contributes to healthier and more radiant skin, so be sure to look for a moisturizer with skin-replenishing ingredients and softening ingredients to achieve soft and smooth skin.
Finally, a sunscreen. The most important product you could use. A sunscreen will not just protect you from the potential risk of skin cancer but applying sunscreen every day is the number 1 anti-aging advice, honestly. Also, many sunscreens have awesome beneficial ingredients such as niacinamide that are helpful for acne, moisturizing, and anti-aging concerns.
