How To Create Your Perfect Skincare Routine

Some people are just blessed with a great DNA and for others like us, we need to work our way to a great skin. But with so many products out in the market, it can be a real task to choose one and deciding when to use that can get even trickier.

There are serums, eye creams, sunscreens, moisturisers, body scrubs, face scrubs, toner, etc while most of us buy them we are clueless when and in which order they should be used. If you never gave this a thought then probably you are not getting the full benefits from your products for which you burnt a hole in your pocket.

Our skin’s job is to keep anything from entering inside even though that’s not a piece of great news the positive side is it does allow some very small amount of things to penetrate. Even if you put on loads of products on your skin only a small amount of ingredients will actually enter the skin. So, you better use those products in proper order to get at least some of the benefits.

I know you have a jam-packed schedule. You need to hit the gym, got to work, there are parties to attend and blah blah blah. Include your skin routine in that schedule, have a short morning and night schedule. Create a daily to do list so that your skin doesn’t miss out on anything.

I am giving you a step-by-step guide to make a simple daily schedule and don’t worry no matter how long this guide is your daily skincare routine won’t take hours its just a matter of few minutes.

Daytime Routine

Your daytime routine will be quiet different from your night time routine because in the day you need protection from the sun, dirt, and pollution.

Step 1: Cleansing

Start your day by washing your face with warm water and a gentle non-comedogenic (they do not clog pores and prevent acne) face cleanser according to your skin type.

• Oily or Acne-prone skin: If you have oily skin try using a foaming liquid. Foaming liquids are airy foams activated either by water or can be pumped into hands. They are great for oily skin as they remove dirt and excess oil from the pores.

• Dry or Eczema prone skin: Cream or lotion cleansers are ideal for dry skin as they contain emollients such as glycerin and shea butter which apart from cleansing also hydrate the skin and do not strip it off the natural oils. Avoid products which contain alcohols and fragrance.

• Sensitive skin: Using oil for cleansing your face might not seem like a good idea but if you have sensitive skin, oils such as argan oil which are non-comedogenic, light, and moisturising can be easily tolerated by your skin and can actually cleanse your skin too !! Again avoid products which contain alcohols, soap, and fragrance.

• Normal Skin: Micellar water is essential in French skincare routines. It is a soap-free option and attracts dirt and oil from the skin without making it dry. This option is not just for normal skin but can be used by any skin type.

Step 2: Toning

Toners are used after cleansing the skin. Don’t confuse today's toners with the old stinging astringents that would make your skin itch and burn. Toners back then contained alcohol which would dry up oil from the skin and remove dirt. But they left a stinging sensation and could be harsh on the skin.

Today there are a variety of toners which can serve a lot of purposes such as acting as a delivery system for antioxidants, Vitamin B derivatives, etc. and they are no longer harsh on the skin. The main purpose of using a toner is to balance the PH of the skin after using a basic soap which may leave your face dry. However, there are different toners for different types of skin. So, choose wisely.

If you are thinking of getting a toner for yourself look for these four ingredients in the product.

• Alpha and beta hydroxy acids remove dead skin cells that can clog pores, repair sun-damaged skin and minimise dullness.

• Hyaluronic acid boosts hydration, maintains the dewiness of the skin and plumps up the skin to treat fine lines.

• Rose water and green tea have a soothing effect and calm irritated skin and reduce redness.

• Vitamin E (the beauty Vitamin) and Vitamin C fight daily exposure to free radicals that age the skin.

However, this step is optional. Some people never use a toner and still have a great skin, if you are one of them then you don’t need to get a toner. In fact, many cleansers today are so well balanced that you do not need a toner after using them.

Also, skip using cotton to apply toners because you end up not using most of the toner absorbed by the cotton instead just pour a few drops on your hands and apply it over your face.

Also Read: How to do your hair spa at home

Step 3: Serums

Serums are a powerful and dense source of nutrients for the skin. They are available for different skin issues from wrinkles to dark spots.

But what to do if you have multiple skin issues?

If you have multiple skin issues use multiple serums but don’t mix them that will lessen their ability to be absorbed effectively. Apply one first and then apply the second one on top of it after a few minutes.

Even if you do not have any skin issues still use a serum. Try an antioxidant serum which is one of the best serums to be used in the daytime. It protects the skin from the harsh UV rays and other pollutants. Most of us do not apply enough sunscreen or do not reapply it when we are out for long, antioxidant serums can give the extra protection from damaging sun rays.

Look for these ingredients if you are planning to buy a serum.

• Hyaluronic acid locks in hydration and prevents moisture loss.

• Vitamin C helps brighten dull skin and decrease dark spots with regular use.

• Retinol, vitamin B3, and peptides stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, proteins that help prevent fine lines, ageing, and skin sagging.

• Colloidal sulfur and niacinamide calm redness and irritation, and its antimicrobial effects improve acne.

Lastly, choose your serum wisely. Some serums are meant to be used only in the night such as those with retinol as retinol is not sun-stable. Make sure you read the label carefully before you buy one.

Step 4: Eye Cream

You can definitely have a skincare routine without eye cream also. But if have certain specific issues such as dark circles, eye bags, puffiness, etc. you should include an eye cream in your regimen. Make sure the cream is free from any strong retinol or fragrance which can cause irritation and redness.

The skin around the eyes is very delicate and thin which can develop fine lines and loose collagen over time. To maintain the elasticity of the skin around eyes and to avoid any early signs of ageing around your eyes regular use of eye cream is recommended by dermatologists.

Look for an eye cream that has tolerable ingredients for this sensitive area.

Step 5: Moisturiser

This is a step that most people with oily skin skip. Even if you have your own source of natural moisturiser still you need to use a moisturiser. Moisturiser provides a protective coating against the harsh conditions outside. The UV rays from sun, dust, and pollution can create havoc for your skin. As we age our skin loses the ability to retain moisture. Moisturiser provides extra hydration and prevents any water loss through the outer layers of skin.

Doctors recommend using moisturiser throughout the year.

Although everyone needs a moisturiser you need to choose the right one for your skin. If you have oily skin you can’t use a creamy moisturiser and end up looking like you took an oil bath.

• For oily skin a gel based moisturiser is the best option. It will keep your skin hydrated and being lightweight it won’t make your face look further oily.

• For dry skin try a cream based moisturiser, it is a heavier option and will keep your dry skin hydrated for long.

• For normal skin lotion is ideal. This one is heavier than the gel moisturiser but lighter than the cream moisturiser and is easily absorbed by the skin.

• For sensitive non-acne prone skin use a balm. Just like cream based moisturiser this one is good for dry skin but has a heavier texture.

The best time to apply your moisturiser is when your skin is damp. So, as soon as you face your face or take a bath start with your morning routine so that your serum, moisturiser, eye cream, etc. are easily absorbed by your skin. Applying these products on damp skin even reduces the quantity you need to apply.

Step 6: Sunscreen

Sunscreen is hands down the most important skincare product which you need to use regularly no matter what. Don’t think that sunscreens are only meant for summers you need to use them whenever you are going out in the sun. Dermatologists recommend using a SPF 30 or higher sunscreens.

SPF 30 means that if your skin burns in 10 minutes it will delay that 30 times i.e. 300 minutes. Also, use a “broad spectrum” sunscreen for protection against both UVA and UVB rays.

If you are using a physical or mineral sunscreen which physically block the UV rays it should be the last step of your routine but if you are using a chemical sunscreen then the situation gets tricky.

Chemical sunscreen must be absorbed by the skin to work effectively but if you apply moisturiser before the sunscreen then the sunscreen won’t be absorbed properly and if you apply sunscreen before moisturiser, the moisturiser won’t be effective. So, either you switch to a physical or mineral sunscreen or use a chemical sunscreen that is also moisturising.

If you are using physical or mineral moisturiser look for zinc oxide or titanium oxide in the ingredients. It sits on top of the skin and prevents UV rays from entering the body. These ingredients have little risk of irritation or health concern.

If you use chemical sunscreen they have ingredients such as oxybenzone and octinoxate that are absorbed into the skin to protect from UV rays. Although they are lightweight and easy to apply they can irritate and cause reactions, especially for those with sensitive skin.

Oxybenzone has raised health concerns and carry a “high hazard” rating.

Make sure that you apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going out in the sun and reapply it every 2 hours. If you have to apply makeup apply the sunscreen before makeup.

Also Read: 33 Effective Home Remedies to get rid of Skin Tags

Night Routine

Although, the night routine and day routine have somewhat similar steps the products you should use for night are very different from those used during the day. During the day the main concern is to use lightweight creams which can hydrate your skin as well as protect it from the harsh conditions outside.

However at night it’s all about repairing the damage your skin suffers from outside. Night creams often have thick texture and they replenish the moisture level of the skin, which naturally dips in the evening.

Follow this order to get the best out of your night time skincare routine:

Step 1: Cleansing (Twice)

If you have applied makeup you need to cleanse your face twice. First, use a makeup remover or a cleansing oil to take off the makeup and then use a gentle cleanser according to your skin type to cleanse your face again to remove the excess dirt, oil, and left over makeup.

Step 2: Toning

Just like you did in the morning use a toner to balance the PH of your skin. If you use certain boosters or essence to give yourself some specific skin treatment. Apply them after toning.

If you use multiple boosters just follow the simple rule thinnest to thickest.

This is a universal rule when you are applying multiple products. Always move from a thin consistency to a thicker one.

Step 3: Eye Cream

Use an eye cream to protect the delicate area around eyes from any other treatment you are going to use on your face.

Step 4: Treatment Serum, Face Mask, Face oil, etc.

So, now your repairing process starts from here. Our skin does the most of its repairing, and regenerating while we sleep. That is why it is better to have a targeted repairing routine at night. You might have multiple issues you want to address but instead of slathering your face with creams and serums for every problem choose one issue which needs immediate attention. Focus on that issue and first get rid of that.

So, its up to you whether you want to go for a serum, a hydrating mask or a face oil.  Whatever you feel your skin needs that night is what you should offer it.

There are a variety of options to choose from:

• You can try prescribed medicines for acne or rosacea or exfoliation treatments like peel pads and detoxifying masks. Do not use exfoliative treatment along with the meds.Also, don’t use retinol creams on the same night as exfoliative treatments.

• Do not exfoliate more than two or three times a week.

• Detoxifying or Clay Mask are great for oily skin and have a slight exfoliating effect, using once a week is plenty. You do not need to apply it all over the face you can just target the oily areas like the T-zone and apply a hydrating mask elsewhere.

• If your skin is on the dry side, you may want to add a hydrating cream mask or face oil. Both are generally mild products and can be used as often as your skin needs.

• Sleeping packs or overnight masks have a thick texture and help trap in whatever ingredients you layer underneath. They’re ideal for mature skin or extremely dry skin.

Step 5: Moisturise

The last step of your nighttime routine should be a moisturiser or a night cream. Don’t use the same moisturiser for day and night. The moisturiser for night should have a thicker consistency as it helps prevent loss of any moisture from your skin while you sleep. High water content in the skin ensures proper healing of the skin at night. Do not apply anything after moisturising as nothing is going to get through it.

Many products say that you should wait for 30 minutes before you apply anything else. However, I don’t want to start my night routine by the time I finish my day routine. So, just wait a few minutes before you apply a product on top of another.

Lastly, be patient. There is no product which can give you instant results wait for at least 3-4 months to see the results before giving up on any product.

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