Sometimes it’s tempting to just apply moisturiser before starting the day, but the ultimate path to healthy skin is having a solid skincare routine.
With the increase of products such as anti-aging creams, serums, lotions and more coming to market, it can be difficult to know what to use and how to use it. Whether you have dry skin, sensitive skin, combination skin, or oily skin, there’s an order to apply your routine and guarantee the shine.
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Step-By-Step Guide: Skincare routine order
Step 1: Cleanse your skin
Cleansing day and night is essential to healthy skin and rinsing dirt and impurities, helping you prepare your skin for the day. Nighttime cleansing takes away the build-up of oils throughout the day, so double-cleansing is recommended.
If you have dry or sensitive skin, use hydrating face cleansers with hyaluronic acid and ceramides that are free of fragrance. For combination skin types, go for a cream-to-foam or gel type that won’t strip the skin, and for oily skin, you can always add herbal cleansers or exfoliating cleansers to help with the sebum production.
Step 2: Tone your skin
Cleansing isn’t the only step that’s essential for the skin. Toning is the cherry on top after washing your face, these are incredibly brightening, have anti-aging properties, and often improve the effectiveness of other skin products.
- For dry skin, seek out a hydrating toner for hyaluronic acid or glycerin.
- With oily skin, search for astringents such as witch hazel, which can tighten up your pores!
- With skin that’s prone to acne, look out for hydroxy acids such as salicylic acid or lactic acid.
- With combination skin, seek out Vitamin C, Vitamin E, or green tea, which is very gentle on the skin.
Toning helps to balance your skin, refresh, hydrate, soothe, and remove any last traces of impurities and dirt post-cleanse. Overall, a toner acts as a base of sorts before you begin the next phase of your routine.
Step 3: Add hydrating serums
Looking for something with higher concentrations of Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, or glycolic acid? Using hydration serums is great for treating specific skin issues, such as dry skin, dull skin, fine lines, acne, or pigmentation.
Not only are these light enough to layer different formulas at once, but they are also known to be effective over time. Minimise dark spots or discolouration by making glycolic acid part of your routine; you’ll be seeing differences in radiance within weeks!
- Niacinamide – A form of Vitamin B3 – Can increase collagen production, even your skin, and reduce any inflammation.
- Hyaluronic acids plump your skin and fight against dryness.
- Peptides are made from amino acids, smoothing lines and increasing firmness.
- Retinoids are more effective used at night, and helpful for reducing fine lines and hyperpigmentation.
Overall, serums can plump, brighten, exfoliate, and hydrate. Apply your serums straight after cleansing, toning, and exfoliating.
Step 4: Use eye creams
The eyes are one of the first areas to show signs of ageing and are one of the most sensitive areas of the face. Eye creams help to retain moisture, target dehydration, and keep the skin protected.
How are eye creams different from the average moisturiser? They can include caffeine for brightening, peptides, green tea, vitamin C, aloe vera, squalane, retinol, or vitamin B3. After toning and using your favourite serums, apply a pea-sized amount below your eyes, beginning with the inner corner and moving outwards.
Benefits of using Eye Creams
- Reduce fine lines
- Reduce wrinkles and dark circles
- Reduce puffiness
- Prepare the eyes for makeup
- Soothe tired eyes
If you’re still confused about what is best for your skin type, a skin analysis quiz is bound to benefit your skincare decisions.
Step 5: Moisturise your face
Moisturiser acts as a barrier, locking in everything that has been applied to the skin prior. However, since everyone has a unique skin type, it is important to know what moisturiser to use.
- If you have sensitive skin: Opt for moisturiser that is hypoallergenic or free of fragrance or alcohol.
- If you have dry skin: You probably need a thicker, almost oilier base. Go for a moisturiser that has ceramides, glycerine, hyaluronic acid, sorbitol, or propylene glycol to keep your skin plump throughout the day,
- If you have an oily skin type: Seek out a lighter, gel-based formula that doesn’t have oil.
Step 6: Sunscreen
When ending your morning routine, it’s essential to apply sunscreen to keep your skin protected from harmful UV rays.
SPF 30 or higher is best, and you need to apply it on your face, neck, and back of your hands to ensure you’re fully protected. However, if you don’t feel like the extra steps, purchase a moisturiser or tint with SPF included!
Luminous Skin Starts With Skincare
If you haven’t started a skin routine, now is better than never and this is the correct order to apply your skincare. Cleansing the skin, treating the skin, protecting the skin, and feeding the skin are key to keeping a healthy glow, no matter what the season. Sticking to these steps is guaranteed to increase your confidence.
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