Building a Skincare Routine from Scratch

If you’re just starting to get into skincare, it can feel so overwhelming. With so many skincare products at your fingertips like serums, balms, facial creams, oils and mists. Where do you start and what does your skin actually need? Here’s where we can help, below we have created a guide to help you build a skincare routine for your skin to look and feel it’s best.

Importance of a Skincare Routine

Why is a skincare routine so important? A skincare routine is key to have your skin at its best condition. The skin is one of the largest organs of the body and just like any other part of the body, if you look after your skin it will be healthier. Other pros to developing a good routine for your skin are cosmetic reasons. Although we can’t stop time, with the right products and application it can help slow down the effects of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, and sun damage. You can also help combat minor issues like oiliness or dryness of the skin.

 

Before beginning your skincare journey it’s important to know your skin type and know what your main skin concerns are. Everyone’s skin is different, products and routines that work great for other people’s skin may not work for yours. Your skin type is determined by how much oil, or sebum, a person’s skin produces. There are five main skin types. These are dry, oily, combination, sensitive and normal. Knowing which skin type you have will ensure you can choose the best products for your skin.

 

Even if you have purchased expensive, seemingly the best and most popular skincare products, if you’re applying them in the wrong order, you could be doing more harm than good. The order in which you apply your skincare products is important and can make the difference between seeing results and wasting your own time and money. We’ve put together a skincare routine order so that looking after your skin can be easy, effective and enjoyable!

 

Step One: Cleanser

After a long day nothing makes your skin feel better than cleansing. Cleansing removes any makeup, oil, dirt or dead skin cells that have gathered during the day. Removing these skin irritants allows the skin to breathe, repair and renew itself at night. It’s important to cleanse morning and night, however over-cleansing or using harsh cleansing products can actually strip the skin of its natural moisture which can lead to dryness, redness and irritation. Gentle cleansers work best as they do not strip your skin of the natural oils that keep it hydrated and healthy-looking. Cleansers, though important, are just the first step in our skincare routine. Having a clean skin base also helps your other skin care products to penetrate your skin more deeply and work more effectively.

 

Step Two: Serum 

Serums are not essential to everyone’s skincare routine however they are a great addition for boosting skin health. Serums are often clear, gel or liquid based products. They are designed to deliver high concentrations of nutrients, hydrators, and antioxidants. There are different types of serums that perform different jobs ranging from hydration to brightening. Serums are applied onto the skin before moisturiser as they tend to be lighter which means they can penetrate deeper into the skin.

 

Step Three: Moisturiser 

Whether you have dry, oily, or combination skin, moisturizer is an essential part of any skincare regimen. Moisturiser should be applied twice a day in the am and pm. A light gentle moisturiser is ideal for morning application, which will keep the skin feeling hydrated but not too heavy or greasy. According to various studies, one from The British Journal of Dermatology, moisturised skin wrinkles at a much lower rate than dry, unmoisturized skin.

 

Step Four: SPF

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. It is crucial to use some form of SPF in your daily skincare routine. A common misconception is that we should only use SPF during summer months when it is hot and sunny, this is untrue. SPF should be used all year round in order to protect our skin from the sun’s UVB and UVA rays.

Sun damage is one of the most common causes of premature aging, as sun exposure causes sunspots, discoloration, fine lines, and wrinkles. For everyday use, you can use a moisturiser and a foundation with an SPF included.

 

Now that you understand the basic steps of building a skincare routine, you can experiment with using and adding different products and ingredients to find what works for you and your skin.