In this day and age, skincare has become so overwhelming. There are thousands of brands and products to choose from. Plus, it doesn’t help that every video and article gives conflicting advice. It’s all too much. So, in this blog post, I will break it down to a simple skincare routine you can follow to just get started.
Why is Skincare Important
Having a good skincare routine, even a simple skincare routine, helps prevent fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage which can lead to skin cancer. Having healthy skin can help us feel more confident and beautiful.
Although skincare is a personal choice, there are a few important tips to take away to make sure you are treating the largest organ in your body, your skin, well and taking care of it from a hygiene perspective.
Types of Skin
There are three main skin types that you can fall into. Knowing your category will help you pick the right products and a simple skincare routine.
Dry Skin: If you feel like your skin is tight, rough, or just flakey/scaly all the time, then you probably have dry skin. It’s like the feeling of dry hands but on your face. Dry skin can suffer from eczema.
Normal Skin: If you feel like you never really needed a skincare routine then you probably have normal skin. Normal skin doesn’t feel greasy or tight and typically sees minimal skin issues.
Oily Skin: If you feel like you have visible oily on your face or that it feels greasy then you probably have oily skin. Oily skin types can also typically see acne and clogged pores.
You can also have a combination skin type where your forehead, nose, and chin typically feel greasier while your cheeks feel more normal or dry.
Finding Your Skin Type
If you’re confused about your skin type, wash your skin with water and take note of how your skin feels right after patting your face dry, and also after a few minutes.
If it’s tight but greasy you probably have oily skin, whereas if it’s almost flaking, then you might have dry skin. There are plenty of dermatologist videos out there if you are still confused. Look to those for more guidance or comment down below.
What Makes a Good Simple Skincare Routine
A good simple skincare routine works for your schedule, meaning you can stick with it every day. It is also one that cleans your skin, protects your skin, and treats your skin concerns. A good skincare routine will also fit your budget.
There are so many routines out there from the 10-step Korean skincare routine to just splashing your face with water. We are aiming for something in between as part of our simple skincare routine.
The Non-Negotiables
There are three essential steps in this simple skincare routine. That’s it. It’s a cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen.
Cleanser: A cleanser cleans your skin of all the dirt, pollutants, and excess oil that might be sitting on your skin. Just like we have body wash, we have face wash. And while theoretically you could use the same for both, that body wash is probably way too harsh for your face and probably your body too so just get a good gentle cleanser.
Moisturizer: This adds hydration back into your skin. You might be thinking why did I just take the oil off my skin with soap if I have to add in back in any way? This is good, clean moisture that is going to keep your skin happy. Think back to the shower again, hopefully you apply some lotion after you shower to keep your skin hydrated.
Sunscreen: If nothing else, wear your sunscreen. This prevents skin cancer, helps protect your skin against environmental damage, and sun damage, and can also help with skin concerns you might have.
Morning Simple Skincare Routine
Wash your face in the morning with your gentle cleanser. Pat your skin dry, and follow up with your moisturizer. Then, follow up with sunscreen.
If you have drier skin, you may feel like washing your face with cleanser in the morning is too much. In this case, just splash your face with water and then follow with the other steps.
Night Simple Skincare Routine
Wash your face again, and then follow up with your moisturizer. It’s that easy.
Regardless of your skin type, wash your face at night. Because you have gone the whole day in the environment, dirt and pollutants have accumulated on your face. These can cause issues if you keep them on your face overnight.
If you wear makeup, make sure you take this off before washing your face with micellar water, an oil cleanser, or other methods.
Picking the Right Products
Everyone can benefit from a gentle cleanser. We never want to overstrip our skin. A good rule of thumb is cleansers that foam or lather well are going to be more stripping than milky creamy cleansers that don’t get soapy.
Pick your moisturizer based on your skin type. Oily skin can go for more clear, watery, gel-like textures while drier skin types might want something thicker and more moisturizing. Clear or gel-type moisturizers will be more lightweight whereas opaque thick ones will be heavier
If you have melanin-rich skin like me, you’ll probably want to avoid mineral sunscreens and opt for chemical ones. Many mineral sunscreen drugstore options can leave a whitecast which is the last thing we want. Chemical sunscreens are typically more lightweight and not as heavy.
Add Ons to Your Routine
Once you can stick with this basic routine, you can add in a serum to target specific concerns. Start with one serum a day, and use it at night.
At max, you only need two serums. One that you can use in the morning, and another in the evening.
Helpful Tips
- Remember that anything is better than nothing so even this basic routine is all you might need for now.
- Don’t overcomplicate or overwhelm yourself with all the influencers and products out there. Stick to what you can be consistent with.
- Keep your products in an organized place so you have a visual reminder to do it each day.
- Skincare has become part of my morning and evening skincare ritual, and honestly, I feel good every time I do it. Turn it into something that can help you relax instead of a stressful situation.
Final Thoughts
I hope you found this blog post on creating a simple skincare routine to be helpful. Leave a comment below with additional tips or any questions you might have! Remember, don’t get overwhelmed, and just get started!
With love,
Aditi <3
Aditi Rani – Figuring Out Life in Your Twenties
*Disclaimer: This is not professional advice. Some links are affiliate. By clicking and/or purchasing, I may receive a commission. It does not alter the price or change your buyer experience.
