When your shelves are packed full, it can feel like you need a degree in dermatology to care for your skin. Cleansers, toners, mists, serums, creams, oils, mask, peeling acids, and sunscreens may all sound beneficial, but they all together can be confusing, and you may not know what exactly your skin needs. A basic skincare regimen should be easy to understand. Every step should make sense, and you should know why each one is there, and when to take a break.
Before you choose the products, take some time to see what your skin has to offer. Do you tend to be on the oily side in the T-zone, or do you have dry patches around the mouth? Do your cheeks feel tight or stinging after you wash? Do any areas of your skin look inflamed or hurt after they’re touched? This isn’t an accurate medical analysis. You are simply getting to know your skin to prevent you from getting suckered in by products that have been heavily marketed, or simply because they are popular.
For a simple routine, try to find products that play different roles in your skincare regimen. You want to make sure you are cleansing gently, without stripping your skin clean, but removing excess oil. A moisturizer will make you feel comfortable and help your skin feel hydrated. A sunblock should be a part of your morning skin care routine, since your day can feel less than complete without it. Hydration steps, like a mist, toner, or serum, are optional, especially if you are not sure if your skin will tolerate products yet. You do not need a routine that looks impressive to make an impressive one.
Sometimes beginners think they have to change everything all at once, so they can get better results. This makes it impossible to determine if you were the one to experience redness, stinging, dryness, or bumps, which product caused. Try a simpler method, introduce one product, patch test, and make a couple of notes. The more simple the notes, the better. Just include the product, its texture, what you used it for, and what you observed in the following days or weeks. Even a few words can be useful and keep you from guessing.
Another benefit of a minimal routine is that knowing the order of products will be easy. Think about your skincare routine as a sequence, going from lightest to heaviest. If you want to be extra moisturized, add hydration first after washing. A moisturizer helps to seal in comfort. Sunscreen, should always be used last, once your face feels comfortable. If you apply too many products between your moisture and sunscreen, your skin may feel greasy, saturated, or over-treated. A shorter routine can help you know and appreciate your products more.
Setting up a clean surface before you start to apply the products will be helpful. If you are washing your hands before, have a clean towel nearby ready to go, as you should line up your products for that day only. Have any cotton pads, headbands, or tools you use on hand, ready. All of this may sound slow or tedious, but having things ready to hand helps slow you down, so you aren’t just randomly grabbing products as you need them. And, it also helps you realize how cleanliness is a part of skincare, and not something completely separate.
You will know your routine is working, and is simple, when it doesn’t require any explanations. Cleanses, hydrates, moisturizes, protects for the day. As you observe your skin more, and know which parts of it can use more hydration or exfoliation, try adding products and seeing what works. Otherwise, it is better to have an easier routine, watch closer, and try products you actually need.