Starting a skincare routine can be a bit scary for some of us, with so many products available and different skin issues that need to be addressed. Many of us have the first contact with skin care during our teenage years when pimples and acne can do real damage to our face (and self-esteem).
Others get interested in skin care during their 30s when the skin might become overly dry, and the first signs of aging start to occur. Whatever your age might be, if you are new to skin care, you should know a few basics. The foundation of a good skincare routine is cleansing, hydrating, and using sunscreen. Now, let's discuss each step separately!
1. Cleansing the skin
Just washing the face is not enough, especially if you have oily or combination skin. This is why it is recommended to cleanse the skin twice a day – in the mornings and the evenings. In the morning, we use the cleanser to remove the sebum build-up that can occur overnight. So, if you are waking up in the morning with that unpleasant shine on your face, it's time to get a good cleanser and start using it!
In the evening, the cleanser will remove the dust and impurities that can accumulate on the skin during the day, and also makeup. If you are new to skincare and want to keep it simple at first, it would be great to cleanse at least in the evenings. Going to bed with makeup on is a nightmare for your skin that can lead to premature signs of aging, as well as other skin conditions (such as acne).
Since you're just starting your skincare journey, it's important to choose your products wisely. There are many cleansers out there, making all sorts of claims and promises. But you might be better of focusing on a gentle, hydrating cleanser suitable for all skin types, such as Aspect Gentle Clean Facial Cleanser.
If you have sensitive skin, you can try a fragrance-free cleansing lotion to avoid irritations and redness. If you are unsure how your skin will react to the new product, do a patch test before. Once you have things sorted with the cleanser, you can move on to the next step of a basic skincare routine.
2. Hydrating the skin
Dry skin, mature skin, sensitive skin, rosacea skin, oily skin, combination skin – whatever the skin type might be, it needs hydration. It might be hard for people with acne-prone or oily skin to envisage how putting on a moisturising product can help. However, nowadays, there is a wide range of lotions and creams created especially for people struggling with sebum excess. These moisturisers can hydrate the skin but also prevent shine for a matte finish.
Any skin type can suffer due to the lack of proper hydration. And dehydrated skin is an open invitation to irritation, redness, and wrinkles. We don't want this! A good option for moisturising the skin is Dermalogica Active Moist.
Hydrating ingredients to look for in your skincare products
At first, it might be quite a task to find a moisturiser to start your skincare journey. Look for creams and lotions with a lightweight texture and ingredients such as:
- Hyaluronic acid
You just can't go wrong with hyaluronic acid! And for a good reason! Hyaluronic acid is a substance found in the human body, so it is highly unlikely to get an allergic reaction when using it. More than this, it can hydrate and plump the skin for a radiant complexion – which is exactly what we all need!
- Ceramides
Ceramides help keep the skin barrier intact and protect the skin from damaging environmental factors. Ceramides are a great ingredient to look for in your moisturiser if you have sensitive, dry, or eczema-prone skin.
- Glycerine
With an action similar to hyaluronic acid, glycerine is a lipid that can absorb and retain water, keeping the skin soft and hydrated. If your cream has glycerine on the ingredients list, the chances are it can provide good levels of hydration.
3. Sunscreen
For many years now, skin experts worldwide agree that we should use sunscreen daily, whatever the weather conditions might be. Sunscreen is no longer a skincare product reserved just for the hot summer days when you spend most of the time outdoors at the beach or the pool. Sunscreen is a mandatory step in your basic skincare routine. It won't help you prevent just the occasional sunburn, but also has long term benefits.
Among the negative effects of sun exposure without sunscreen, we can mention:
- Sunburns, hyperpigmentation, allergy, fever, headache, and nausea;
- In the long run – premature skin aging, fine lines, and wrinkles, age spots, among others.
Before choosing your sunscreen, you should know that today, most people prefer to use a product that combines the effects of a moisturiser with sunscreen. In other words, you can have hydration and sun protection, two in one. A product that you might like is Alpha-H Protection Plus Daily SPF50+.
An SPF 50+ moisturiser is ideal for warm weather and sunny days. You can choose an SPF 15, 25, 30, depending on your skin type for fall and winter. A good sunscreen should protect you from both UVA and UVB. You will find them under the label "broad-spectrum."
Enjoy your new skincare routine!
The most important thing to remember is that consistency is the key if you are just starting to take an interest in skincare. It doesn't matter that you forgot to use the cleansing lotion one morning, or to use the moisturiser or the SPF cream for a day. It's ok if things are not perfect. It is not be a problem if you get it wrong with the cleanser or the moisturiser.
It's a process, and with time, you'll get a better idea about what your skin needs to thrive. Congratulate yourself for starting a skincare routine!