Skincare often feels like a sort of luxurious indulgence rather than necessity – something you may do on a girl’s weekend instead of twice a day. Admittedly, creating and sticking to a skincare routine looks overwhelming. Yet, things are simpler than they seem. Keep scrolling to find out which is the best skincare routine for each skin type, as well as tips and tricks to make it easy.
NORMAL SKINCARE ROUTINE
If you’re lucky enough to have normal – or balanced – skin, you can stick to a very simple routine majorly based on cleanser, toner, and moisturiser. A sulphate-free cleanser with gentle lather is an ideal choice for keeping your skin blemish-free, and you should avoid toners containing alcohol that are too harsh on the skin. You should also use a moisturiser with at least SPF15 for your morning routine, whilst your skin may benefit from an antioxidant serum in the evening. In a nutshell, here’s how your routine should look:
MORNING
- Cleanser
- Toner
- Moisturiser
EVENING
- Cleanser
- Toner
- Antioxidant serum
- Moisturiser
WEEKLY
- Glycolic acid serum
OILY SKIN
Acne and blemishes are common issues for people with oily skin, and many use aggressive toners and no moisturiser in an attempt to control sebum production. However, these practices do nothing but determine the skin to produce more sebum than before, resulting in violent eruptions. Choosing an appropriate cleanser, mild toner, and light moisturiser is key to perfect skin.
MORNING
- Cleansing gel
- Toner
- Antioxidant serum
- Zinc oxide sunscreen
EVENING
- Cleansing gel
- Toner
- AHA/BHA serum
- Oil-free moisturiser
WEEKLY
- Clay mask
DRY SKINCARE ROUTINE
The best skincare routine for dry skin includes products and practices that can keep your skin hydrated throughout the day. Remember that elements including sun and wind further dry the skin, making it flaky and highlighting any wrinkles. Here’s how your daily routine should look like:
MORNING
- No-foam, mild cleansing lotion
- Alcohol-free toner
- Antioxidant serum
- SPF moisturiser
EVENING
- Cleansing lotion
- Alcohol-free toner
- Retinol serum
- Eye cream
- Hydrating moisturiser
WEEKLY
- At-home dermaplaning
- Nourishing face oil
COMBINATION SKIN
A combination of oily and normal skin mixed skin requires the best of both worlds. Just make sure to choose products that can balance sebum production without drying too much the areas that aren’t oily. Similar to the oily skin routine, your routine should include a lightweight moisturiser instead of an oil-free alternative.
MORNING
- Cleansing gel
- Toner
- Lightweight moisturiser
- Zinc oxide sunscreen
EVENING
- Cleansing gel
- Toner
- AHA/BHA serum
- Retinol serum
- Lightweight moisturiser
WEEKLY
- Clay mask (on the oily portions of your skin)
- Face oil (in the balanced or dry portions of your skin)
MATURE SKINCARE ROUTINE
If you’re over 40, your skincare routine might focus on combating the early signs of ageing, such as plumping up wrinkles, lifting sagging skin, and banishing any age dark spots. The skincare regimen should be similar to the one for dry skin, but you should pay particular attention to exfoliation.
MORNING
- Cleansing lotion
- Alcohol-free toner
- Antioxidant serum
- SPF moisturiser
EVENING
- Cleansing lotion
- Physical exfoliation with a facial cleanser or brush
- Alcohol-free toner
- Hydrating moisturiser
- Eye cream
- Retinol serum
WEEKLY
- At-home peel
- Face oil
- Brightening serum
SENSITIVE SKIN ROUTINE
Your main goal when establishing a skincare routine for sensitive skin is to avoid products and practices that can irritate your skin. Not only should you focus on choosing mild skincare products, but you should also steer clear from aggressive hair removal methods, especially on your upper lip and chin. For instance, you could give up the wax or tweezers and use a Finishing Touch Flawless hair remover to avoid redness and irritation. That said, here’s how your routine should look like:
MORNING
- Cleansing lotion
- Alcohol-free toner
- Fragrance-free moisturiser
- Zinc oxide sunscreen
EVENING
- Cleansing lotion
- Alcohol-free toner
- Fragrance-free moisturiser
WEEKLY
- Gel mask
- Lactic acid serum
SKINCARE TIPS & ADVICE
1) USE THE CORRECT CLEANSER FOR YOUR SKIN TYPE
Most skincare brands make cleansers suitable for each skin type, so you should read the label and only use those cleansers designed specifically for your type of skin. For instance, a cleanser with tea tree oil is perfect for oily skin but too harsh for sensitive or dry skin. Likewise, a glycolic or milky cleanser can help moisturise dry or mature skin but could trigger an acne outburst if you have oily or mixed skin.
2) DON’T PILE ON THE MAKEUP
Layering too many makeup products may make you look flawless in the short-term but could have a negatively effect in the long-run. If you stick to a correct skincare routine, you shouldn’t need more than a lightweight foundation, corrector, and a dash of blush to finish your look.
3) AVOID TOUCHING YOUR FACE
It’s easier said than done, but you should avoid this advice. Constantly touching your face does nothing but pushing dirt and skin cells into your pores. On the same note, clean your phone regularly and avoid sticking it to your cheek whilst you’re using it.
4) PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR DIET
What you eat and drink can influence the aspect and brightness of your skin. Too much alcohol or an unhealthy diet can make your skin look dull and lifeless. Insufficient hydration is the main cause of wrinkles. And we could sit here and discuss the effects your diet has on your skin for hours. In a nutshell, if you want beautiful skin, make sure you have a healthy, balanced diet and that you drink enough water throughout the day.
5) DON’T FORGET ABOUT YOUR NECK AND CHEST
Often overlooked, your neck and chest also get plenty of sun exposure and are subject to the same ageing process as the skin on your face. Thus, don’t forget to cleanse, moisturise, and apply sunscreen to these areas, too.
With this in mind, all you have to do is follow the steps above daily to enjoy healthy skin and a Hollywood star glow. And for the cold weather, don’t forget to check out these awesome tips and tricks.