Key Points
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Before you start picking products for your skincare routine, identify your skin type.
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An effective skincare routine has specific steps to achieve the best results.
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Products like cleansers, toners, and moisturizers are essential in a skincare routine.
A great skincare routine is essential for maintaining healthy, radiant skin. Proper skincare keeps the skin clean, hydrated, and protected from environmental damage. Good skincare habits also prevent or reduce the appearance of wrinkles, acne, and other skin concerns. However, with so many skincare regimens and techniques to choose from, it's overwhelming to know where to start.
Read on for an overview of the key steps to include in an effective skincare routine, as well as some tips for selecting the right treatments and techniques for your skin type and personal needs. Whether you have dry, oily, sensitive, or combination skin, a consistent skincare regimen allows you to achieve and maintain healthy, glowing skin.
Understanding Your Skin Type
Identifying your skin type is an important first step before shopping for new skincare materials. Different skin types have different needs, and it's crucial to choose the right items tailored to your type.
There are four main skin types: normal, dry, oily, and combination or mixed.
Here are the characteristics of each type, to help you identify your own:
Normal Skin
If your skin is generally smooth and not too greasy or dehydrated, you probably have normal skin. Normal skin is generally not prone to acne or other skin concerns and has a healthy balance of oil and moisture.
Dry Skin
If your skin feels tight and flaky, you have dry skin. This skin type is predisposed to redness, itching, and irritation, and benefits from extra replenishment through additional products.
Oily Skin
If your skin looks shiny, feels greasy, and is prone to a lot of breakouts, you have oily skin. This skin type produces more oil than other skin types and improves from skincare items that regulate oil production and reduce shine.
Combination Skin
If you have combination skin, some areas of your face are greasy (e.g., forehead, nose, and chin) while other areas are flakey (e.g., cheeks). This skin type is more challenging to care for because it requires you to use different solutions and techniques for different areas of your face.
Identifying Your Skin Type
Identifying your skin type seems tedious, but it is necessary to properly care for your skin. To identify your skin type, follow these steps:
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Cleanse your face and pat it dry. Do not apply any products.
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Wait a few hours, and then observe your skin.
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Look for signs of shine, flakiness, or a mix of the two.
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Pay attention to any areas of your face that are prone to acne or other blemishes.
It's also a good idea to consult with a dermatologist or skincare professional to get a more accurate assessment of your skin type. A dermatologist can work with you to identify any underlying skin concerns and guide you toward the best skincare treatments.
Once you’ve identified your skin type, tailor your skincare method to meet the specific needs of your skin.
Key Steps for Beautiful Skin
When it comes to achieving flawless skin, there are a few key steps. It's essential that you not only follow the steps in order but that you also use the right regimen for your skin type.
The steps are listed below, along with the best product for each skin type.
Step 1: Begin With A Cleanser
Cleansing is an important first step in removing dirt, oil, and makeup from the skin. It unclogs pores and prevents breakouts. It's essential to use a cleanser that works well for your skin type and be wary of over-cleansing or using a harsh soap. Harsh products strip the skin of its natural oils and lead to dehydration and irritation.
Best Cleanser for Normal Skin
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is a mild, soap-free, and pH-balanced cleanser. It effectively removes dirt, grease, and makeup without sapping the skin of its natural oils.
Best Cleanser for Dry Skin
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser is a gentle, non-foaming cleanser. It's created with ceramides and hyaluronic acid to lock in hydration. Since it's free from fragrances, sulfates, and soap, it works wonders on dry skin.
When looking for cleansers and other skincare solutions for flakey skin, it's important to steer clear of ingredients that dry out your skin even more. Do not use items that contain alcohol, sulfates, fragrances, or benzoyl peroxide.
Best Cleanser for Oily Skin
Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water is a soft, oil-free micellar water suitable for all skin types – including oily skin. It contains micelles, which are tiny cleansing agents that remove dirt, oil, and makeup without drying the skin.
If you have greasy skin, it's crucial to stay away from certain products that cause breakouts and give your skin a greasy appearance. Look out for heavy, greasy oils, butters, and silicones.
Best Cleanser for Combination Skin
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser is an oil-free, soap-free cleanser. It's formulated with salicylic acid to unclog pores and reduce the appearance of breakouts. It's great for anyone with a blend of different skin types and acne-prone skin. It leaves the skin feeling rejuvenated.
When choosing skincare items for combination skin, avoid ingredients that lead to flakiness and oil production. It's tricky, but using any oil-free treatment is typically safe for mixed skin.
Step 2: Toner
Toner is a liquid solution applied to the skin after cleansing. It eliminates remaining traces of dirt and oil while restoring the skin's pH balance. Toner is particularly useful for those with oily skin or skin that frequently gets blemishes. Toner is essential for reducing excess oil production.
Best Toner for Normal Skin
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution is made with 7% glycolic acid, a water-soluble exfoliant that works by dissolving the bonds between dead skin cells. This allows the dead skin to be sloughed off to reveal smoother, brighter skin. This toner also contains a small amount of Tasmanian pepper berry which reduces inflammation.
Best Toner for Dry Skin
Kiehl's Calendula Herbal Extract Alcohol-Free Toner is intended for all skin types, but it is particularly well-suited for flakey or sensitive skin. It's formulated with calendula flower extract which has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. It's free of alcohol and works wonders in balancing the skin's pH.
Best Toner for Oily Skin
Caudalie Vinopure Natural Salicylic Acid Pore Tightening Toner is formulated for oily or acne-prone skin. It's designed with salicylic acid to aid in exfoliation and unclogging of the pores. This treatment reduces the appearance of blemishes and has natural ingredients like rose water and organic essential oils to soothe and nourish the skin.
Best Toner for Combination Skin
Thayers Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner contains witch hazel, a plant extract with astringent and antioxidant properties. The toner is alcohol-free and contains aloe vera and rosewater, which are great at soothing and quenching the epidermis on the face.
Step 3: Serum
Serums are lightweight, concentrated treatments that are best applied after toner. They contain active ingredients designed to target specific skin concerns, such as breakouts, wrinkles, or uneven skin tone.
Serums are usually more potent than other skincare items, so it's important to select one created for your skin type and concerns.
Best Serum for Normal Skin
Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Serum is formulated to improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of firmness. It's created with amino peptides and vitamin B3 to stimulate collagen in the skin and improve the skin’s overall texture and tone. This serum attracts and retains hydration levels.
Best Serum for Dry Skin
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 works perfectly for those with dehydrated skin because it contains a high concentration of hyaluronic acid to attract and lock in moisture in the skin.
Best Serum for Oily Skin
Avène Hydrance Optimale Hydrating Serum is a lightweight, oil-free formula. It's made with Avène Thermal Spring Water, which is known for its soothing and anti-irritating properties, as well as hyaluronic acid. The serum contains Pre-Tocopheryl, an antioxidant that protects the skin from environmental stressors such as sun damage, harsh chemicals, and extreme temperatures.
Best Serum for Combination Skin
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is formulated with niacinamide, which regulates oil in the skin and reduces the appearance of pores. The serum also contains zinc, which has anti-inflammatory properties.
Step 4: Eye Cream
The skin around the eyes is thin and delicate and often the first area on the face to show signs of aging. Eye cream quenches and protects this sensitive area, and reduces the appearance of fine lines, dark circles, and puffiness. It's important to use a gentle eye cream that is intended specifically for the eye area.
Best Eye Cream for Normal Skin
Bioderma Sensibio Eye Contour Gel is a treatment for those with normal or sensitive skin. It's formulated to reduce the appearance of dark circles, puffiness, and fine lines around the eye area. It has ingredients like caffeine, which is believed to have a tightening and de-puffing effect, and soy isoflavones to improve the overall health of the skin.
Best Eye Cream for Dry Skin
Avène Hydrance Optimale Hydrating Eye Cream works wonders for flakey skin. It reduces the appearance of fine lines and dark circles, while also providing long-lasting nourishment to the delicate eye area. It's developed with ingredients like glycerin to attract and retain nourishment and Avène thermal spring water which has soothing and anti-irritant properties.
Best Eye Cream for Oily Skin
Bioderma Sebium Hydra Eye Contour Care works great for all skin types but is particularly well-suited for oily or acne-prone skin. It is unmatched in providing hydration to the skin. The ingredients contain glycerin and caffeine to lock in moisture and de-puff tired eyes.
Best Eye Cream for Combination Skin
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream contains retinol which stimulates collagen and improves the texture and tone of the skin. It also has hyaluronic acid to keep the skin soft. It's great for mixed skin because it doesn't have ingredients that cause the skin to flake or boost oil production in the skin.
Step 5: Moisturizer
Moisturizer locks in hydration and preserves the skin. It is a crucial step for all skin types. It keeps the skin looking and feeling soft and smooth. It's important to choose a formula that is suitable for your skin type.
Best Moisturizer for Normal Skin
CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30 is packed with ceramides to seal in hydration for hours after application. CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30 protects the skin without feeling too heavy. It also doubles as an SPF, to keep your skin safe from the sun.
Best Moisturizer for Dry Skin
SkinCeuticals Renew Overnight Dry Cream not only provides intense hydration to dry skin, but it also gently exfoliates the skin. It contains alpha hydroxy acids, aloe, chamomile, and rose. These ingredients work together to reduce fine lines, soothe the skin, and remove dead skin cells.
Best Moisturizer for Oily Skin
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat Daily Face Moisturizer works on even your most oily days. This moisturizer tightens pores and fights off the extra shine. The cream mattifies oily skin while keeping the skin hydrated.
Best Moisturizer for Combination Skin
SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator instantly brings moisture to the skin. It also combats the appearance of fine lines and improves overall skin texture and tone.
Keep Your Skin Looking Fabulous
With the right products and a little bit of that luxurious self-care mentality, your skincare routine can become a fun, relaxing experience. Whether you're a fan of lavish, creamy moisturizers or you prefer a lightweight, oil-free formula, there's a skincare treatment out there for you.
A solid skincare routine does more for your overall appearance and vitality than any makeup ever could. Pair it with a consistent sleep schedule and a well-rounded diet, and everyone will be asking what your secret is.
