A skincare routine can mean different things to different people. It can mean taking care of yourself, beginning or ending your day, devoting some time to yourself only.
A skincare routine can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be. The endless options of products out there may confuse you. Especially if you’re new to skincare we’d advise that you start with a simple 3 step routine and if you can and want to, add any additional products gradually.
The 3 essential products that we suggest for taking care of your skin are:
1) Cleanser
2) Moisturizer
3) Sunscreen
Step 1: Cleanser
Cleansers keep your skin clean. They are wash off products which help remove the dirt and sebum that can accumulate on your skin as well as sunscreen and make up. There are all kinds of cleansers, balms, oils, creams, lotions, gels, foam cleansers. Choosing which product to use can be based on what you want to remove from your skin and which textures or formulas feel more comfortable.
But why can’t you use only water?
While washing your face with only water makes your skin feel clean, it does not necessarily mean that water can efficiently remove all the make up, dirt and sebum from your face. Cleansers contain surfactants which are ingredients that form “traps” around oily substances and dirt and can be carried away with water.
Step 2: Moisturizer
Moisturizers are leave-on products which are used to help your skin retain its moisture. Water constantly evaporates from the deeper layers of the skin. Maintaining moisture on the skin can help its barrier function properly.
The 3 main ingredient categories for moisturization are: occlusives, emollients and humectants. Occlusives are ingredients that are oilier and seal the water in your skin. Emollients make your skin softer and are usually oily too. Humectants can help retain water on your skin and are less oily.
People with oily skin will find moisturizers with humectants more pleasant while people with drier skin can benefit from occlusives and emollients as well as humectants.
Step 3: Sunscreen
Sunscreen is the superhero of skincare. It protects the skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun which are responsible for skin aging and skin cancer.
Applying sunscreen should be the last step of your skincare routine. You should preferably use a broad spectrum (UVA and UVB protection) sunscreen of at least SPF 30.
Sunscreen is not a beach accessory only. It is important to find a sunscreen that makes your skin feel comfortable when applied, so that you can wear it every day, even when it’s cloudy.
What about daytime and nighttime routines?
You do not necessarily need a different daytime and nighttime routine. It is a matter of preference. You can use the same products and just skip the sunscreen at night.
There are some products that are intended for a nighttime routine either because they have a heavier texture which isn’t comfortable for all skins (especially if you’re gonna put sunscreen and makeup on top), or because they contain specific active ingredients. Some active ingredients might increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun so it’s better if they are used during the night. Always pay attention to each product’s label for any specific instructions.
For example, if you have a product with a heavier texture and do not want or cannot buy a separate product, you can use a smaller quantity in the morning so as not to “burden” your skin, and use more at night.
If the skincare routine you’re following works for your skin there is no need to change it according to what we’re saying. Do what works for you! The only change you should make is start wearing sunscreen if you’re not already doing so.