Today, I’m going to give you a simple, effective plan for choosing and using skincare. There are so many different products on the market that it can get really confusing. Skincare has always been an interesting subject to me, and I’ve always tried to make it a priority to take good care of my skin.
I’ve come up with a plan for a simple, effective way to choose skincare products, and an easy routine for making it a normal part of our daily routine. Let’s take it step-by-step and be on our way to great skin.
DETERMINE YOUR SKIN TYPE
The very first step, and probably the most important step, is to determine your skin type:
- Normal – Smooth, not too dry or too oily, only occasional breakouts
- Dry – Tight, flaky, rough, especially in the winter
- Oily – Shiny, greasy, large pores, prone to blemishes
- Combination – Oily on forehead, nose, and chin, but dry around cheeks
- Sensitive – Easily reacts to certain products and weather: stings, burns, breakouts
Keep in mind that your skin type can sometimes change according to the season, so re-evaluate what type of products you need at the beginning of each season.
DETERMINE YOUR SPECIFIC SKIN CONCERNS
You might have one or more of these, so keep these in mind when you pick out your skincare products:
- acne
- redness
- aging (wrinkles, sagging)
- eyes (puffiness, wrinkles, sagging, dark circles)
- discoloration (brown spots, uneven skin tone)
5 STEPS TO BUYING SKINCARE PRODUCTS
- Choose products according to your budget. There are good skincare brands in ALL price ranges. Decide, according to your budget, if you want higher priced, mid-priced, or lower priced products. These can be found from department stores, specialty stores, and drugstores. I love department store brands but I honestly believe there are some really good brands at the drugstore, too.
- Choose a skincare brand and product line according to your skin type. Some brands have products for all skin types, but some are especially geared toward one skin type. Experiment till you find what works best for you. If you have sensitive skin, like I do, you might want to stick to a brand that is specifically for sensitive skin.
- Within the brand you chose, choose products for your specific concerns. Most brands have options for specific problems, such as acne, aging, and discoloration.
- Check ingredients. Look for the most effective ingredients that won’t irritate your skin. Sometimes this takes trying different brands until you know what works best for you. I keep a running list of products that I want to try, and then when it’s time to buy something, I check the list. When buying moisturizer, it’s a good idea to buy one with sunscreen. When shopping for eye cream, look for one with one or more of these ingredients: antioxidants, caffeine, green tea extract, hyaluronic acid, peptides, vitamin C, and Vitamin E. If any of these ingredients irritate your skin, discontinue using it and try something else.
- Stick to one brand or product line for all your skincare products. I think this is best because manufacturers make these products to work together.
YOUR DAILY SKINCARE ROUTINE
Establish a regular, consistent morning and nighttime skincare routine. The time in my life when I thought my skin looked its best was when I had a really good, consistent routine and never skipped a step, no matter how busy or tired I was. I really think it pays off. So, try your best to make time for skincare. It will be worth it.
MY SKINCARE ROUTINE
The following is my skincare routine. This is just an example. It works well for me. Feel free to start with this basic routine, but adjust it according to your own skin type and skin concerns. You may need more or less steps than what I’ve listed here.
MORNING:
- 2-3 times a week – Exfoliate
- Cleanse
- Toner (optional)
- Eye Cream
- Moisturizer with sunscreen
NIGHT:
- Eye makeup remover
- Face makeup remover
- Cleanse
- Toner (optional)
- Eye Cream
- Anti-aging serum
- Moisturizer
OTHER HEALTHY SKIN TIPS
- Sleep – Lack of sleep usually shows up in your skin with skin dullness, puffy eyes, bags, and dark circles.
- Healthy diet – What we eat sometimes shows in our complexion, especially too much sugar, salt, and greasy food.
- Water – Drink plenty of water, especially in extreme weather, such as winter and summer.
- Exercise – Another great benefit of exercise is the healthy glow in your complexion.
- Avoid sun and tanning beds – Be sure to use sunscreen when outside. Definitely avoid tanning beds. The last time I tried one, I came out with nothing but a few new brown spots. UGGG! To this day, I still have them. Never, ever, will I do that again!
Those are my best tips for skincare. Remember, the way you treat your skin today will affect how your skin looks in the future. We get one face. Let’s take good care of it!
I hope these tips help you through the process of choosing and using skincare. Please let me know if I’ve missed something that we all need to know for better skin. Feel free to leave comments below.
Have a beautiful day!