During these times, having a daily skincare routine will help you achieve much more than just good skin. For instance, it keeps you on a dedicated schedule allowing you to wake up early and prepare for the day ahead. This consistency also gives your mind the signal that it’s ‘go time.’ In the evening, an ideal daily skincare routine will help you to wind down and transition to a relaxation mode.
The best part about creating a daily skincare routine is that it does not have to be too expensive or complicated. You only absolutely need a few things in your daytime routine and even less at night. So, if you want to learn the best way to create a perfect skincare regimen, you came to the right place. However, if you have existing skin conditions like rosacea, eczema, or psoriasis, check in with a certified dermatologist for further advice. For everyone else, these tips should give you all the basics you need.
Morning Regimen….
Step 1
A complicated, multi-step skincare routine might be trendy, but it will not always be necessary. For most people, the essential steps for creating a daily skincare routine are just about three. These include; cleansing, moisturizing and, sunscreen. In the morning, your routine should start by washing your face with a cleanser that fits your skin type. Try finding a cleanser with acne-fighting and exfoliating ingredients like salicylic acid if you have oily or acne-prone skin. The Age Treatment Cleansing Oil from Gold Elements packs a rich and mild cleansing action that will effectively give your skin a relaxing treat.
You need to be extra careful with the products you use if you have dry or sensitive skin. To avoid more drying of the skin, go for gentle cleansers with a creamy texture. For combination skin, you will want to switch things up a little bit. For instance, you can use an acne-fighting cleanser in the morning but switch to a creamy one at night.
Since you are not limited to the number of products for use in your morning regimen, you may decide to add an exfoliant, toner, serum, or treatment. If so, you will want to use these products only after you wash your face and crucially, before anything else. Skincare experts will generally recommend an antioxidant serum in the morning to help prevent sun damage, which, surprisingly, can still happen indoors.
For the most part, the right way to layer your products is first to exfoliate, tone then add other products in their thinnest to thickest. The idea behind the layering is to allow lighter products to penetrate before the thicker ones. While this sounds like common sense, the exact order might not always matter too much. However, if you have prescription treatment, stick to dermatologist guidelines for how and when to use it.
Step 2
Next up, some crucial skincare steps in moisturizing and sunscreen. Here, you will want to use a lighter moisturizer in your morning routine. A lighter moisturizer nourishes your skin, but it also works fine if you’re going to apply makeup.
Step 3
For sunscreen, every skincare expert will tell you to use a product with a high sun protection factor (SPF). An SPF of 30 or higher is powerful enough to keep harmful UV rays from reaching the skin. If you happen to come across a daily moisturizer with these qualities, it can double up as sunscreen and moisturizer.
Nighttime Routine…
Step 1
Since you are not going to worry about sun exposure at night, you will only need to cleanse and moisturize. Even better, you can still use the moisturizer and cleanser you used in your morning regimen. If you are not the typical skincare enthusiast, or are short on money or time, reusing your morning products is no crime.
However, there are some good enough reasons for investing in your night time specific products. If you are planning to wear makeup or mineral sunscreen, you will need a heavy-duty cleanser or a double cleanse routine to take the makeup and dirt off your face. Alternatively, you can use a makeup remover or micellar water to take off the makeup and follow it up with your daily cleanser.
Step 2
For dry or sensitive skin, you might want to avoid all that washing because it might be too much for your type of skin. For better results, make a point of listening to your skin and do what feels right with you. You can use exfoliators, serums, or treatments in between cleansing and moisturizing to fight off acne and premature aging. Since some of the products are more potent, they may make your skin more sensitive. Hence, it’s a good idea to include them in your night routine and allow your skin to heal overnight after using them.
Step 3
Finally, it’s time to apply your nighttime moisturizer. If you used a lighter moisturizer during the day or one that contains SPF, it would be beneficial to use a thicker night cream in the evenings. And since you are not applying makeup on your way to bed, it is an excellent opportunity to use something thicker and heavier to hydrate your skin properly.
Outlook
Ultimately, your daily skincare regimen can be as complex or as simple as you like. In the end, all that matters is hitting the basic steps and not doing anything that further irritates your skin. If your skin issues do not improve after a consistent routine, make a date with your dermatologist and keep your skin goals in check.