Starting a daily skincare routine can be confusing and overwhelming, especially since there are now millions of beauty products for you to choose from. To further complicate things, different skin types require different products to maintain their health and beauty. If you’re not quite sure how to put together a skincare routine perfectly suited for your skin type, here are a few tips to get you started:
Quality over Quantity
Contrary to what you might have seen, read or heard, you don’t actually need to have a 10 or 12-step skincare routine to keep your skin healthy and looking radiant. In fact, some skincare experts would argue that less is more when it comes to good skin. For beautiful skin, the emphasis should be on quality rather than quantity.
In general, most skin types only absolutely need four products: cleanser, moisturizer, treatment, and sun protection. For each of these, look for well-formulated products made from high-quality ingredients by reputable brands. Many brands offer some of the best organic beauty products that are suitable for all skin types.
Their products feature the finest natural and botanical ingredients that are gentle and nourishing on your skin, never harsh or irritating. No matter what your skin type, these are the kinds of products you should opt for, because your skin deserves the best care.
Four Steps to Great Skin
As mentioned, all skin types need four steps to maintain their health and clarity. What type of products you should use is where the difference comes in. Take cleansers, for example. Everyone needs to cleanse, but you should choose the right kind of cleanser for your skin type. Cream cleansers generally suit dry skin best, gel for normal to combination, foaming for oily and acne-prone, and milk for sensitive skin.
This principle also applies to moisturizers. It’s a common misconception that oily or acne-prone skin doesn’t need moisturizer, but the truth is that keeping your skin well hydrated and moisturized can help regulate your skin’s sebum production, making it less oily. A lightweight, fast-absorbing moisturizer like Well Within Beauty’s antioxidant moisturizer would suit most skin types, but those with extremely dry skin might want something heavier and more occlusive. Similarly, people with extremely oily skin may want to choose a lighter, water-based and oil-free gel moisturizer.
When it comes to treating your skin, choose a treatment, serum or acid that will target your specific skin concerns. If you are struggling with acne or breakouts, choose a spot treatment or chemical exfoliator that contains benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or glycolic acid. For dry skin types, green tea serums or hyaluronic acid toners can help keep your skin hydrated, bouncy and supple. If your concern is dark spots or hyperpigmentation, choose a product with niacinamide or Vitamin C.
Lastly, sun protection is crucial no matter what your skin type. Make sure to wear sunscreen every day, even on rainy or cloudy days, and choose a sunscreen with a broad spectrum protection and an SPF of at least 30. This will shield your skin from the sun’s harmful rays and help prevent skin problems like sunburn, dark spots, wrinkles and even skin cancer.
At the end of the day, it’s important to pay close attention to your skin and figure out what it needs. Everyone’s skin is unique, even if you fall under a specific category, and only you can know your skin best. You may have oily skin that occasionally has dry patches, so you may want to keep both a lightweight and a heavier moisturizer on hand. Or you may find that your skin type changes depending on the season, so you will need separate routines for the summer and winter months. Listen to your skin and feed it what it needs to keep it healthy, clear and beautiful.
