For the month of March, I’m dedicating my blog posts to skincare basics. As I’ve discussed in a previous post, I’ve struggled with my skin for the majority of my life so skincare is topic that I can spend hours (and hours, and hours lol) talking about. To start things off, let’s discuss skincare routines.
What is a skincare routine and why should I have one?
For some people, having great skin comes down to having great genetics. We all have that friend or family member that sleeps with makeup on, washes their face with Irish Spring and slathers on Vaseline as a moisturizer yet manages to have smooth, blemish free, glowing skin. Meanwhile, there is a large cohort of the population (me included) who will get a pimple just because its Tuesday. We have to be considered, well researched and diligent about what we put on our faces, what we eat, how we manage stress, etc.
There is a lot of information about 12 steps routines, using products in the perfect order and so much more that it can be daunting. However, skincare really comes down to what makes you and your face feel good. No matter where you are in your skincare journey and what goals you want to achieve, there are basic principles that are universal in building a routine that works for you.
What do I need in my routine?
You can have as many or as little products in your skincare routine as long as you incorporate the 3 key elements; cleanser, moisturizer, and protector. These should be the foundational pillars of your routine that you build around based the specific needs of your skin.
Cleansing
Cleansing your skin is the most crucial step in your routine. It removes the dirt and debris to give your face a clean slate to absorb the benefits of the other products in your routine but most importantly to avoid clogged pores that lead to breakouts.
The kind of cleanser to use comes down to your skin needs and your preference. I have normal skin that is prone to congestion and acne. I prefer to use a mild cleanser in the morning and a gentle foam cleanser at night. I use two different cleansers because 1. I love trying new products and this gives me an excuse to use two at the same time and 2. Its easier logistically to keep my night time cleanser in my shower and my morning cleanser in my medicine cabinet because I can be lazy lol. However, the number cleansers don’t matter and you can just find one that you love and use it morning and night. There are times when I also use one cleanser like when I’m traveling.
Moisturizing
Moisturizing is another universal step that everyone should incorporate in their routines. Moisturizers function as a barrier on top of the skin to trap in the hydration by preventing water loss. Have you ever seen a house plant start to shrivel up when its not being properly watered? (I’ve killed many a house plant so I know this very well.) That is what is happening to our skin when its dehydrated. The sun, age and even cleansing can strip our skin of hydration making this step critical for retaining buoyant, juicy skin.
The kind of moisturizer you choose to use will depend on your skin needs. As someone with normal skin, I typically prefer a gel moisturizer. But if you tend to be dry, you might want to go for a thicker cream moisturizer.
Protecting
Finally, by far the most important step in everyone’s routine is protection! The UVA/UVB rays from the sun cause skin damage, wrinkles and even skin cancer. Also, as a black girl, I’m prone to hyper pigmentation any time I have a blemish. I work really hard to lighten them over time and one key factor is wearing sunscreen. Applying a broad-spectrum SPF every day no matter the season is crucial to overall skin health.
There two product categories in sunscreen, chemical and physical. I’ll do a more in-depth post about how each type functions but for now pick one that works for you and use it every day.
For the overachievers
Now that you have your core products, you can choose to opt into (or not) adding the extras like a serum, toner, essence, eye cream, face mask and gadgets to enhance your routine and help reach your skin goals.
What order should I apply products and how often should I do this?
Summary
I hope this post helps to show that skincare doesn’t have to be over complicated if you don’t want it to be. Its really about find a core set of products that agree with your skin and you enjoy using.
Until next time! Xo – Marsha