So you finally realized that you actually need a skincare routine. 

Whether you are someone who wants to start as early as possible to combat that first break of acne, or someone who has finally come to her senses about how big of a deal this was after seeing that obvious wrinkle, starting a skincare routine is definitely one of the best decisions that you’ll ever make for yourself.

With all the skincare trends that have been going around to confuse us even more as to what is the best skincare to follow, building your skincare routine can be quite daunting especially if you’re the type who doesn’t usually care about these things until you are forced to. Perhaps standing in front of the skin care aisle will make your head spin not knowing what to get. 

Fret not. Proper skincare doesn’t always have to be so complicated. After all, skincare routines and products may work differently for every person. If you still have no idea how skincare works, understanding the basics is always a good way to start.

What is skincare? Why do you need to take care of your skin?

The skin is the largest organ of the body, not to mention, the most exposed one. Skincare is the range of practices that support skin health—-protecting it and keeping it in good condition. Skincare is basically giving your skin the attention it deserves. 

At 25, the first signs of aging usually start to show up, or perhaps even before that depending on your lifestyle. With the body starting to slowly reproduce collagen which is responsible for keeping the elasticity of the skin, your skin will start to lose volume, not to mention the fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots will start getting all noticeable. You can’t slow down the hands of time nor you can go back to when your skin is nothing but a baby’s. 

For you to at least slow down these changes, you need to start addressing the concerns your skin may have— dryness, oiliness, skin laxity, and more. For those with specific skin conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea, skincare isn’t always optional but a need. Your skin has needs too. 

A Guide to Skincare — Here’s What You Need To Know 

First, you need to know your skin type since kincare products can be skin type-specific. There are three main skin types —- Oily, Normal/Combination, and Dry and here’s how you can determine which one is yours: 

The Bare-Faced Method

1. Cleanse your face with a mild cleanser and gently pat dry. Leave it bare. 

2. After 30 minutes, check your cheeks, chin, T-zone (nose and forehead) for any shine. 

3. After another 30 minutes, do some facial exercise and evaluate whether your skin feels parched.

You have DRY SKIN if your skin feels tight. 

You have NORMAL to COMBINATION SKIN if your nose and forehead is shiny. 

You have OILY SKIN if your cheeks are shiny in addition to your shiny T-zone. 

The Blotting Sheet Method

1. Pat a blotting paper gently on the different areas of your face. 

2. Determine how much oil is visible on the blotting paper. 

You have DRY SKIN if the sheet picked up little to no oil. 

You have NORMAL to COMBINATION SKIN if the sheet picks up oil from your T-zone. 

You have OILY SKIN if the sheet is saturated with oi. 

Knowing your skin type will help you determine the type of products that will best fit your skin concerns, whether you need to manage dryness or oiliness of your skin, and even how to address it if it’s sensitive. 

So what are the basic steps of a skin-care routine?

When it comes to skincare, there are a lot of skincare routines that we hear of like the 10-steps Korean Skincare which is known for its amazing results despite the number of products. For starters, that’s absolutely overwhelming, and you don’t really have to do it exactly. For your first skincare routine, here are the basic steps that should guide you in building your skincare routine.  

Cleanse

It’s the rule of thumb to cleanse your face twice per day, morning and night. Cleansing in the morning will get rid of the overnight impurities while cleansing at night will get rid of the impurities accumulated during the day such as makeup, oils, and dirt that are stuck on your pores. 

When choosing a facial cleanser, always choose one that’s mild and hydrating. A hydrating cleanser can tolerate any skin type. Look for a cleanser that is fragrance-free with minimal ingredients so it won’t irritate. You can also double-cleanse which you need an oil-based cleanser to remove the traces of makeup and dirt followed by the water-based cleanser to completely cleanse what’s left on the face. 

Choose one that has ceramides and glycerin if possible to help restore the skin’s natural barrier. 

Moisturize 

After you strip off your skin from dirt including your natural oils, you will have to replace it by putting on a holy amount of moisturizer. Before moisturizing, other steps are encouraged to apply such as toner, exfoliants, ampoules, serum, and prescription treatments but they must be put after the party. A moisturizer will help lock in all the hydration that you applied to your skin. 

Sun Protection 

After moisturizing, you need to keep your skin protected against the harsh effects of UV. Applying a good sunscreen should always be the last step of your every morning skincare. This helps protect your skin all day which helps minimize your risk of getting skin cancer and other signs of premature aging such as dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and wrinkles. The higher the SPF the better. 

Every skincare product and routine is a trial and error process, choosing what’s right for you can sometimes be overwhelming but if you understand what your skin actually needs, determining what works for you won’t be that much complicated. 

If you’re not sure of your skin needs and still thinks that skincare isn’t a walk in the park, visiting a trusted skincare clinic is definitely the right thing to do. 

 Visit the Aivee Clinic for skin and body treatments that your skin would love.