Beginner's Guide to Skin Care: How to Build Your Routine

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For a long time, self-care has always been an idea capitalized on by many skin products and brands.

As we live in a world of consumerism, people’s purchasing behaviors are influenced by trends and content that they are exposed to—especially with skincare. Sucked in by the trending 20-step skincare routines and high-end face creams that won’t last a week… Don’t worry—we have all probably been there.

But if you’re starting anew (or over) to build a regimen that works for your skin, then you’re in luck. Below are a few pieces of advice and tips that will help you lay down the basic foundations of your skincare.

First things first: determine your skin type.

Caring starts with understanding. So, before buying anything, you have to make sure that the product is suitable for your skin type. Generally, there are four main types of skin:

- Oily skin. Characterized by the excessive release of oil in the body. Most prone to acne and hyperpigmentation because of too much sebum clogging the pores.

- Dry skin. If your skin feels tight all day or when there is visible flaking happening on your face—then you have dry skin. Can be caused by genetics, medications, or dehydration.

- Combinationtype. This skin type gives the balance between dry and oily skin. Dry on the cheek zone and plump on the t-zone. It’s a very workable skin type.

- Sensitive skin. If you have sensitive skin, stray away from harsh products and dusty environments. It can be stressful for your skin layer to adapt to these circumstances. Worse, it might even result in skin asthmas.

Take note of the components that your skin needs.

People establish a skincare routine for different purposes. Some do it as a preventive measure for acne, while others do so to achieve glowing skin. It all depends on your skin goals or your idea of pampering yourself. But the simpler, the better.

Start by envisioning how you want your skin to be. If you want it to be lighter, choose products that have whitening ingredients like kojic and glycolic acid.

On the other hand, people with sensitive skin can try natural cosmetics. There are also skin products built to accommodate fragile skin types. Who says makeup can’t double as skincare?

If you are buying a skincare product that you haven’t tried before, make sure to choose the variant labeled gentle and hydrating. Treat this as a patch test to see if the brand has adverse or intrusive effects on your skin before stocking them in.

Another thing—watch out for harmful chemicals included in a skincare product. Don’t worry! Many organic brands do the job but don’t break the bank. So, the next time you go shopping, look for products with sustainable packaging and an ethical seal.

Ditch the ones with lots of preservatives like paraben. Not only are these harmful to your skin, but also your health. Paraben mimics estrogen, a hormone responsible for regulating women’s bodies. It can disrupt bodily functions when continuously (and obliviously) applied to the skin, which triggers hormonal acne.

Clean your skin—every day and night.

Cleansing should be done twice a day: in the morning and once in the evening. For the morning routine, it will help you wash away dirt and sweat from your pillow and bed you’ve been on all night. The golden rule is never to skip cleaning your face at night, especially if you’ve gone outdoors. Cleansing at night helps you get rid of excess oil, dirt, makeup, and pollutants that accumulate on your skin for the whole day.

A cleanser doesn’t need to foam to ensure its effectiveness. But you can never go wrong by choosing a gentle and hydrating one. Avoid products with excessive fragrance. Instead, look for cleansers with minimal ingredients to make it easier for you to mix and match products for each step of your routine.

Hydrate to radiate!

Moisturizers keep your skin look plump and dewy, but their function doesn’t stop there. Nowadays, they serve a specific purpose for different skin concerns. Some variations are for sensitive skin types only, containing ingredients like Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid to keep the skin hydrated and bright.

There’s also a big misconception that moisturizers cause further breakout for oily skin types—which is not the case. Oily skin still dries out when not rehydrated. Because of this, it tends to produce even more oil which can lead to acne or irritation. So, if you fall under this skin type, make sure to look for the label non-comedogenic on your moisturizers. It means that the product won’t clog your pores and cause more breakouts if you use it.

The sun is not your best friend—cover up!

Ever wonder how some people retain their youthful glow even in their adulthood? The secret is not as complicated as a 25-step skincare regime—it’s sunscreen.

No matter how much you love a sunny day or the beach, never go out without protective coverage. The sun can damage your skin with direct exposure and can even cause skin cancer in the long run. Choose SPF 30 and up to ensure that you have protection from burns or skin damage.

Keep sunscreen in handy since you need to reapply throughout the day. It should be the last step of any skincare routine to make sure that all the products you’ve put in your face won’t go to waste.

Build your routine at your own pace.

Remember, every skin is different. Feel free to explore and most importantly, do a patch test before applying it all over your face! What works for you may not work for everyone else. So, gently take what resonates with your preferences and budget range.