Basic Skincare Routine: Beginners Guide
When it comes to skincare it can be very overwhelming. Especially with skincare brands taking social media by the horns. We are exposed to more and more products everyday and hearing what the next best ingredient is for your skin. However when it comes to using the right product for your own skin, you have no cooking clue what's best for your concern, budget, skin type and so on! When talking about Skincare basics it could mean a few things: Inexpensive, less steps and maybe less faff and time? If this sounds about right for you, then you reading the write blog post.
With all skincare and looking after your skin there is definitely one key factor you'll need to follow. It is making a concerted effort to be consistent. There is no point in me telling you where a good place to start and and you follow it here and there... I see it with my own routines, if I'm not consistent or if I don't put much effort to exfoliate or mask twice a week, my skin doesn't achieve that glow or radiance, needless to say it starts breaking out!
1. Cleansing
First things first, every routine should have a cleansing phase. Wether it be 'double cleansing' or just cleansing. You might have heard of the phrase 'double cleansing' on Instagram or on my stories or posts. Now it definitely shouldn't sound like a schlep nor something fancy (i.e for someone that is advanced in their skincare routine). It simply means to remove your makeup and SPF with an oil, balm, micellar water or wipe before going in with your facial cleanser or face wash. I won't dive much deeper into this topic, as I will do another blog post specifically for cleansing ;)
However, cleansing is your first step and is always the best place to start when building your routine. If you don't spend some quality time (at least one minute) washing your face it could lead to a whole bunch of skin issues as the skin is merely not 'clean' enough. Ideally your skin should not be left itchy, dry, stripped, tight or glossy when you've finished cleaning. If you are feeling any of these its a sign that your skin's barrier might be a little impaired and its telling you to stop using what you using! P.S NO BAR OF SOAP...
Drug store & 'Professional' (i.e Found online or at your skincare clinic:
Oily, Breakout Prone Skins: La Roche Posay Effaclar Gel, Dermalogica Active Clay Cleanser
Oily, Breakout Prone Teen: Clear Start Dermalogica Foaming Wash
Sensitive, Eczema Prone: Bioderma Sensible Ds + Cleansing Gel, Skoon Cleansing Milk
Dry & Sensitive: La Roche Posay Toleriane Dermo Milk Cleanser
All Skin Types, Normal & Sensitive: La Roche Posay Physiological foaming water
Anti-Ageing & Oily, Normal: Lamelle Nourish Daily Cleanse
Now, Steps 2 & 3 are totallllly optional when it comes to starting out & working within your budget. So if your budget isn't allowing for number 2 & 3, skip to moisturiser & SPF.
2. Exfoliate
Exfoliating is the process of removing dead skin cells from the surface of your skin using a chemical, enzyme or granular exfoliator. Your skin naturally sheds dead skin cells to make room for new cells every 28-30 days. This starts to slow down with age, so its important to keep the skin at its regular 28 day cycle so we don't end up ageing or looking to dull too quickly! Gentle exfoliation can be so beneficial to the skin and help so many concerns. However over exfoliation is plain right stupid! Toss 3 in 1's, what even is a mask, cleanse and scrub wash?? You shouldn't be masking and scrubbing everyday - a minimum of 2 times a week. For pigmentation it helps when you gently exfoliate to lift pigmentation 'lower' down and bring it to the surface. With breakouts it's important to not over exfoliate or use a rough one as it can spread bacteria, but no exfoliation can allow dead skin to form a plug over your pore resulting in a breakout.
Good Place to start?
Oily, Breakout Prone: Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant, Avène Gentle Exfoliating Gel
Oily, Breakout Prone Teens: Dermalogica Clear Start Flash Exfoliant
Normal, Dry & Sensitive: Avène Gentle Exfoliating Gel, Lamelle Cathepzyme 1
3. Serums
Now, already this could be a step that might not fall into everyone's "basic" routine, however I have added it for those that would like to target a concern of theirs. Serums are a wonderful target treatment to target things like: Pigmentation, Breakouts, Senstivity, Ageing and so on. These are usually more pricey as they are known for their 'active ingredients'. So if you can't afford them, then don't worry, you could always save up and add it in later. Serums can be clear, gel-based or liquid, and they tend to be less thick than a moisturiser. Hence you apply then before moisturising.
Drug Store & Online Store Serums on a budget:
Breakouts: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Ultra Concentrated Serum (3.5% Glycolic Acid, 1.5% Salicylic Acid & 0.45% LHA. Therefore not everyday use when starting out.) Skin functional Multitasking Fixer (Azeliac Acid).
Pigmentation: Liftactiv Specialists Peptide-C Ampoules Anti-Age ( Vitamin C, Hyaluronic acid & bio-peptides)
Hydration: Vichy Minéral 89 Hylauronic Acid Serum, Avène Hydrance Intense Rehydrating Serum
Ageing:Avène A-Oxitive Antioxidant Defense Serum (Vitamin C & E serum), Liftactiv Specialists Peptide-C Ampoules Anti-Age.
Sensitive: Avène Hydrance Intense Rehydrating Serum, Skin Functional Hydration Juice.
4. Moisturise
Cleanse & moisturise to me is the basics with of course spf. But to be honest (my secret) is pretty much just this when I don't feel like going the extra mile and sometime I think it's the best. Your skin needs to be kept hydrated, calmed and protected. Our skins barrier has an important job to keep nasty things out and the good stuff in. So when we dehydrated or dry our skin is a little bit vulnerable to external elements. Moisturiser should be used morning and night, without a doubt.
Some options to go for:
Dry & Sensitive: Avene Light Hydrating Cream, Avène Tolérance Extrême Cream
Oily, Problematic:La Roche-Posay Effaclar K+,
Dry, Acne Prone: La Roche-Posay Effaclar H
Dry: La Roche Posay Toleriene Riche Cream
Normal or Balanced: La Roche-Posay Rosaliac AR Intense, Avène Hydrance Aqua-Gel, Skin Functional Daily moisturiser
Anti-Ageing: Avène A-Oxitive Day Smoothing Water Cream
5. Sun Protection
Last and but not least and definitely not negotiable - SPF! Like I said if you not willing to be consistent with your routine and make the effort then what is the point? The sun is potent, especially in South Africa and skin cancer is no joke. ( I'll leave it at that).
SPF every morning ideally of 30 or higher, is the best protection. This step will always follow you moisturiser, so wait for that to sink into your skin and then add it last.
Good Options:
Heliocare spf 50 gel
UV Protect SPF50 Skin Defence Invisible Mist ( Perfect to reapply over makeup)
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid Fragrance-Free SPF50+ or the tinted version
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid Tinted SPF50+
Clarins UV Plus Sunscreen Multi-Protection SPF50
There you have it! 5 simple steps or even 3 if you don't want much more than that... Honestly so simple and you can start right away. This is a great place to start, if you want to eventually become more 'advanced' or stay here as it is also sufficient - you'll see result no matter what.
I hope you enjoyed this blog post!
Healthy, glowing skin starts here!
Lots of Love,
Amanda