Skincare 101: How To Make A Good Routine

Your Very Own Skincare Routine

H​ave you ever been standing there looking at all of your skincare products without knowing where to start? You fumble around trying to figure out the proper order and eventually just use it in a random order? Skincare can be difficult and confusing and nobody seems to want to tell you why we do things a certain way. So I put together this quick article, using knowledge that I have recieved where I work in skincare, to hopefully assure you in the propper steps for your perfect routine.

Step 1: Cleanser

S​tep 1: Cleanser

A cleanser is your first step because it cleans the germs and pollution off of your face that may have been gathered throughout the day. Cleansing your face should be the foundation for the rest of your skincare. But how do you find a good cleanser? How do you know what brands are good and which are bad? W​hen choosing a cleanser, you have to watch the ingredients. Harmful synthetics and chemicals can be dangerous and damaging for your skin, so you need to be sure to choose one without these ingredients. Always choose a frangrance free cleanser because fragrances can cause irritation and redness over the complexion of your face. You need to know your face type and what your biggest skincare concerns are. Research your skin type and find what ingredients combat these concerns so you can figure out which cleansers have these components. Not every cleanser is good for every skin type. How to - Gently massage the cleanser into your skin, you don't want to irritate your skin by being too rough. Rince with warm water, and pat your face dry with a clean, unused hand towel.

Step 2: Mask*

S​tep 2: Mask*

F​or the second step in your skincare routine, you'll want to use a face mask. Now that your face is clean, the mask can really do it's job. A mask should only be used three times a week, any more than that would simply be excessive. Masks work as a deeper cleanse because they sit on your face for 10-15 minutes at a time meaning they have more time to pull toxins and impurities out of your pores. How do you know what mask is good for you? Once again, avoid harmful chemicals, synthetics, and fragrances as they will irritate your skin and likely cause a breakout. Be sure you find a mask with similar ingredients as your cleanser as you need to continue to use these components for your specific face type. Lean away from peel off masks because most peel off masks use a glue that may be harmful for your skin, and could also irritate and cause redness. How to- Apply a smooth, even layer over your whole face and let it set for 10-15 minutes. Once allotted time has passed, wash it off and pat dry with a clean hand towel.

Step 3: Serumª

S​tep 3: Serumª

T​he next step would be serum, serum should only be applied at night as it will leave a dewy look on your skin after using it. The reason for this is because it is an oil base that needs to sit on and soak into your skin overnight so your skin is refreshed for the next day. How do I know what serum is right for me? Once again, continue to look out for harmful synthetics, chemicals, and fragrances as we don't want to irritate your skin. Just like cleansers and masks, there is a serum for every skin type, do your research and find the best one for your skin. How to- When using a serum, most of them come with droppers, using this dropper, apply a few drops to either your finger tips or directly to your face. Never touch this dropper to your skin as it can build up bacteria! Gently massage it into your skin using clean hands.

S​tep 4: Toner

I​n this step you need to use toner. Toner balances your faces natural PH level, while also gently hydrating, removing any leftover toxins or dirt, and preps your face for moisturizer. Toner is a very important step in your skincare routine that cannot and should not be skipped. How do I know which toners are for me? Continue looking out for harmful chemicals, synthetics, and fragrances. There's toner's out there that focus on combating acne, dryness, and even oilyness. Keep your eyes out for similar ingredients as what was in your cleanser and you should find yourself a perfect one. How to- Hold the toner about a 6-8 inches away from your face, close your eyes and mouth, and spray an even coat over your whole face.

S​tep 5: Moisturizer

T​he final step is moisturizer. Be sure to apply this while the toner is still wet to get the best results. This rounds off the full routine and leave your skin soft and supple. Which moisturizer is best for you? As I'm sure you've noticed, keep a look out for those harmful synthetics and chemicals, for skincare, its function over form, so fragrance should not be your top priotity, especially if it irritates your skin. You should be able to find moisturizers that are heavier for dry skin, or more mattifying moisturizers for oily skin. You can even find cleansers with ingredients such as Tea Tree or Aloe Vera which help with acne. How to- While the toner is still wet, apply a thin, even layer over your entire face. Using clean hands, gently massage it into your skin.

W​rap up: N​ow you know what to look out for, how to find what you need, how to use it, and the order to use it in. Great skin is right around the corner for you! Keep in mind that just because one may be expensive, it may not be right for you, and just because it's cheap, it doesn't mean it's bad for you. Just read the ingredients and be sure that the product is what you need for your own personal needs. I wish you luck on your skincare journey!

*​ - Maks should only be used 1-3 times a week, not every day.

ª - Serum should only be used at night time.

A​uthor - Sammy Burkens, 09/08/2021