Great skin is not just about genetics, your daily habits play a major role in your skin’s condition, in this regard following a proper skincare routine is vital for skin health. There is an overwhelming selection of products to choose from these days, ranging from cleansers to sun protection, while this is great because it brings about newer ingredients and newer formulations, it can also be really confusing, especially if you are new to the skincare game. Skincare is a personal journey, so ultimately, personalising your skincare regimen is crucial for effective results. This guide aims to demystify skincare and help you sort through all the confusion.
Table Of Contents
A well-rounded skincare routine doesn’t necessarily consist of a mountain of steps or products, but rather a tailored regimen devised to cater to your skin type and its specific needs; so let’s dive into how to build a skincare routine.
Master the Fundamentals in a Skincare Routine
To get the most benefits from a daily skincare routine, no matter your skin type, you should start with the three fundamental steps.
Cleanse
Hydrate/Moisturise
Protect
1. Cleanse
No matter your skin concerns, you’ll want to start with a clean base. Cleansing your skin is the most basic and essential step of any skincare routine. Your skin comes in contact with dirt and pollutants in the environment on a daily basis, so; regular cleansing removes dirt, environmental pollutants, makeup, sunscreen and sets the stage for the products your skin would receive.Tailor how frequently you cleanse to your skin type but never skip the nighttime cleanse to remove everything your skin encountered throughout the day. Cleanse twice daily, morning and night, if your skin can tolerate it.
Find a cleanser that is right for your skin and doesn’t strip it off its natural oils.
| Cleanser Type | Skin Type |
| Foam Cleanser | Combination, Oily, Acne-prone |
| Gel Cleanser | Normal, Sensitive, Combination, Oily, Acne-prone |
| Cleansing Oils | Dry, Sensitive |
| Milk/Cream Cleanser | Normal, Dry, Sensitive |
| Cleansing Bars | Combination, Oily |
| Cleansing Balms | Normal, Dry to Very Dry, Mature |
| Micellar Water | All Skin Types |
2. Hydrate/Moisturise
Everyone needs a hydrator or moisturiser, the choice you make depends on your skin’s needs. If your skin is dehydrated it lacks water, if your skin is dry, it lacks oil. Having dry skin is based on genetics while dehydrated skin is a skin condition that any skin type can suffer from. Hydrators are usually humectants like aloe vera, glycerin, snail mucin, hyaluronic acid. Humectants draw and bind water into the skin, allowing the skin to absorb it. In contrast, the main role of a moisturiser is to trap water and nutrients in the skin and prevent moisture and water loss. Hydrators usually come as serums, mists, toners and essences, while moisturisers come as creams, lotion, gels and oils.
Choose your moisturiser based on your skin type.
| Creams | Mainly oil with water drops. Thick and moisturising | Dry skin |
| Lotion | Mainly water with oil drops. Milky and very hydrating. | Normal and Combination Skin |
| Gel Moisturiser | No oil phase. Water and humectants only. Very hydrating to the skin. | Oily skin |
| Balm/Ointment | Much like a cream but with a heavier texture. | Inflamed, Sensitive skin (but not acne-prone skin) |
| Oils | No water phase. Very Occlusive and locks in moisture and water. | Oily skin, Dry skin(but requires use of hydrator first) |
It also doesn’t hurt to use both a hydrator and moisturiser. You can hydrate with a hydrating serum like hyaluronic acid or snail mucin, then follow up with an occlusive like squalene. If you want to keep things simple, look for a product that does both.
3. Protect With Sunscreen
Sunscreen is the most crucial skincare product. It is of paramount importance to use sunscreen all year round (even on cloudy days). Daily consistent use of sunscreen helps prevent changes in the appearance of your pores, textural imperfections and delays development of fine line and wrinkles. Most importantly, daily sunscreen use can help prevent the formation of skin cancers. Choose a sunscreen that is at least SPF 30 and broad-spectrum; meaning it protects against both UVA and UVB radiation. Apply sunscreen as the final step of your skincare routine, at least 20 minutes prior to sun exposure and then reapply every 2 hours, or after swimming or sweating.
There are 2 types of sunscreens to choose from, chemical and mineral-based, in some cases both are combined in one formulation. Chemical sunscreens absorb UV radiation; with their chemical structure affecting whether they absorb UVA, UVB or both; for example, ecamsule, octyl methoxycinnamate and dioxybenzone respectively. Mineral sunscreens contain inorganic chemicals such as; zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which create a barrier that both blocks and reflects UV rays from the skin. Sensitive skin types tend to find mineral sunscreens less irritating.
Choose a sunscreen based on your skin type.
| Oily Skin | Oil-free, gel-based or matte finish sunscreen |
| Combination Skin | Lightweight, oil-free, semi-matte finish sunscreen |
| Sensitive Skin | Mineral sunscreen |
| Dry Skin | Moisturising sunscreen |
Targeted Skin Treatment in a Skincare Routine
Incorporating specific products to treat and protect your skin; while delivering powerful active ingredients is useful in addressing many skin issues, ranging from dark spots and fine lines to sensitised skin and acne. Even if you don’t have any specific skin concerns; everyone still needs an antioxidant treatment.
While there are limitless options to handle specific skin issues, look out for these ingredients.
Add On Steps in a Skincare Routine
Once you have a basic routine down and become more familiar with your skin’s needs, you can begin to add extra steps as needed or wanted. Additional steps you can rotate in and out of your skincare routine include; toners, essences, eye creams and face masks. Face masks should be used periodically, no more than once or twice per week.
Finally…
As with many things in life, consistency is key to producing and maintaining real results. Be patient, especially when trying new products; don’t experiment too much and give your skin the time to get use to an active, at least 2 to 3 months before judging its effectiveness, as long it is not irritating. As your skincare routine continues to evolve, an important thing to note is less is often more. Rotating your skin actives might be more beneficial than layering them. This reduces the likelihood of irritating or sensitising your skin.
In conclusion; as you embark on your skincare journey; remember that each step is a building block towards healthier, more radiant skin. Recognising your skin type and picking the right products is the first step. Personalise your routine to fit your lifestyle and your skin’s unique needs and with dedication and consistency, your skincare routine can yield glowing results, so trust the process and stay kind to your skin.
