Skincare Routine: Building One that Works for You All the Time

 

Having fabulous skin does not just happen by a stroke of luck. It takes a good and strict skincare routine.

Some work goes into keeping the skin healthy, smooth and glowing.
It is just like planting a garden. Gardening takes dedication and nurturing to keep it growing and healthy.

You cannot plant a garden and not take care of it. You spend time, money and other resources to maintain it. The same goes for your skin, only that it is much more important.

Different people have different routines for taking care of their skin. But the most important one is your habits daily. Whatever else you do, your everyday life plays the most role in determining if your skin looks great or not.

After laying this foundation, you can build everything else on it and see some success. We will talk more on this later.

There are a staggering number of products you can use as part of your skincare routine. But you can simplify the process of choosing the right products.

So how do you achieve that? There are a few things to keep in mind as you go on.

 

Main Steps in a Basic Skincare Routine

There could be unique differences in every individual’s skincare routine. But there are foundational steps upon which these differences are built.

 

 

Cleanse

The very first step you should establish in your skincare routine is to cleanse. Washing with water and soap alone doesn’t work; you need something extra.

In the same vein, using only a cleanser is not sufficient. Therefore, it is necessary for you to take a bath in the morning and at night.

This will ensure that all the grime and oil that accrue overnight and throughout the day are washed off.

After this, use a cleanser on your face, neck and shoulders. A cleanser goes a further step to the underlying skin to remove every dirt and dead skin cells. Of course, the cleanser you use will depend on the type of skin you have.

This is the first and most important step for every skincare routine. This is because there would be no obstruction to the entrance of active ingredients.

 

Tone

 

 

 

 

 

 

This step is considered optional. You can either do it or choose not to. However, this doesn’t mean it isn’t important.

 

There used to be a fear that toners were too strong for the skin. Usually, they were used to remove excess oil and support the work of a cleanser.

Nowadays, toners are no longer the harsh astringents that they used to be. In fact, they contain important ingredients your skin needs.

This is why even though cleansers have adequate nutrients, some people appreciate the extra layer a toner offers.

Toning should be done immediately after cleansing. The cleanness of your skin would give it the base it needs to work effectively.

 

Moisturize

After you cleanse and/or tone, you moisturize. A moisturizer basically hydrates and softens your skin while conserving its moisture. It also stands as a support for naturally-occurring oils and nutrients in the skin.

This step is not optional but necessary for everyone, no matter your skin type or location. This is because every day, people engage in activities that see the eroding of moisture and oils. Therefore, replenishing is very necessary.

Again, as people get older, it becomes easier for the skin to lose nutrients and moisture. So using extra support becomes a necessity, not an option.

Older people could also use serums in the place of moisturizers or alongside them.

A serum is a strong skincare product that handles issues like wrinkles, blemishes and dark spots. It can act as an antioxidant that offers protection from pollutants in the environment.

 

Some people see serums as only for those who are ageing. But that is not necessarily true. While antioxidants are good for you the older you get, they are positively necessary for daily living.

 

Apply Sunscreen

 

 

 

 

 

 

More likely than not, your moisturizer would have a bit of sunscreen in it. However, it is still ideal to apply your sunscreen separately.

It gives an extra layer of protection. The ultraviolet rays from the sun can do quick damaging work on your skin. So the thicker the layer of sunscreen you have on, the better the protection.

Use a sunscreen with an SPF value of 30 or above, and just apply a little at a time.

 

Important Factors that Simplify and Inform Skincare Success

If you have never been a stickler for a skincare routine, picking it up may be too hard at first. You could be the type to wake up, shower, use your body lotion and you’re off.

 

But it does not have to be a long and arduous task. You can easily find an extra 3-4 minutes every morning to follow a particular skincare routine.

The routine would be basic, something on which everything else rests. Any variation would depend on your preferences and skin type.

Here are a few factors that are too important to neglect if you want to see some success:

 

Consistency

One bane of many people in maintaining a good routine is inconsistency.

But it takes work and dedication to achieve that glow and allure that seems so elusive. It also takes sacrifice.

Follow the right steps religiously, one after another, and you will begin to see changes. And it has to be done morning and night unless you have very sensitive skin. Then, you will have to follow a dermatologist’s instructions to achieve success.

 

Skin Type

 

Before you get an established skincare routine, you have to know what your skin accepts. The simple steps of most routines are basic but the frequency could differ.

For example, a person with dry skin would need more care than someone with normal skin. A person with oily skin would need less care than someone with sensitive skin.

Then a person with combination skin would need extra care so as not to focus on one type, neglecting the other.

Additionally, the products you use would also be largely informed by the type of skin you have. Read more about skin types here.

 

Time

Some people see quicker results with skincare products than others. When this happens, it may seem as if your product is not original.

In reality, what is needed is time. Give your skin time to get used to the product and you will see results, too.

There is no bigger myth than a quick fix, and this goes beyond just skincare routines. Everything that means anything takes time to work, for the best results to be seen.

So any product that promises to give great results in a short time should be handled with caution.

Do not give up after only a week or two; keep at it consistently for at least 5-6 weeks. Then you will begin to see results.

 

Age

The products you use for your routine will change with time. The older you get, the more your skin’s needs change. Hence, there are many products available for different ages.

But the point is for you to recognize when to shift from one product range to another. Doing this will ensure that your goals are reached. Sticking with products that are not age-appropriate will only do more harm than good.

 

Perfection

If you are seeking perfection, it is truly elusive. Having a skincare routine does not guarantee perfection. You have to keep this at the back of your mind so that you don’t end up disappointed.

 

It is about looking and feeling great and healthy. Coupled with a healthy lifestyle, you will come out looking better than you could ever imagine.

 

Tips for the Best Skincare Routine Results

 

 

 

 

 

 

No Makeup When Going to Bed

This is an absolute no. Get the makeup off your face. The damage that will come from having clogged pores and dead cells all night may be hard to correct. Do not set yourself back a day or week in your progress schedule.

 

Don’t Change your Routine or Products Suddenly

Stick with what works for you, especially if you’ve been at it for a long time. Your skin would have adapted to certain products or routine.

 

If you suddenly change, it may take a while for your skin to readjust. If you find a pattern and products that work for you, continue with them for as long as you can.

 

Do not Overdo the Tanning Thing

Being under the sun for a prolonged period is not ideal for your skin. Not only would it dry you out, but you also stand the chance of getting skin cancer.

Even with sunscreen, you should properly watch your sun time. It would be an exercise in futility if you have a skincare routine and jeopardize it because of tanning.

 

Drink Lots of Water

While you are drinking water, remember to eat vegetables and fruits. These are part of having a healthy lifestyle so will help clear your skin.

Cut out foods that are harmful potentially or immediately. Products alone will not work the magic. Your lifestyle has got to support it.

 

Avoid Smoking as Much as Possible

Smoking damages your lungs and your skin. From the inside, it begins to wear out protective cells. Before long, your skin starts showing permanent wrinkles and yellowness. And no amount of the right products will help if the bad habit is not cut off completely.

 

Sleep Well

The power of sleeping right and sleeping well is underestimated. Catch as much sleep as you can, especially at night. This will greatly support your routine and cause you to see results in no time.

Lack of sleep only harms you, if not now, then in the future. Why do you think people say they want to catch their beauty sleep?

Share your successful skincare routines with us in the comments section below. We would like to hear from you.