Building A Basic Skincare Routine
Consistency is key when it comes to caring for your skin, which means no days off! Not even when you’re super tired or spent the day inside and didn’t put on makeup. Your skin can improve simply by committing to cleansing your face two times a day.
Start using the personalized skincare routine that was emailed to you in this week’s newsletter. If using your existing products, check them against our ingredient dos and don’ts list to ensure those products are a good fit for your skin type.
Cleanse
Cleansing your skin twice a day is a skincare must!
Most skin types benefit from a one-minute cleanse every morning to remove any product applied the night before. Some skin types can benefit from a simple rinse with lukewarm water, but I suggest you wash with a gentle cleanser both in the A.M. and P.M.
In the evenings, you should cleanse your face thoroughly for one to two minutes. Set a timer if you have to! Taking the time to wash your face thoroughly will remove any dirt and debris. Don’t forget to show a little more love to the areas of the face that might need it, like an oily T-zone.
Remove any makeup before cleansing. Otherwise, you’re just rubbing a combination of makeup and cleanser all over your face, which doesn’t give you the clean slate you need to start your skincare regimen.
Here are a few more quick tips:
- Wash your hands two times before touching your face. You want to be sure you’re not transferring any dirt or bacteria to the skin.
- Make sure you’re using the right cleanser for your skin type.
- Avoid using water that is too hot. Hot water can strip your skin of its natural oils and cause it to dry out.
- Use a fresh face towel every day. At night I usually leave my face towel by the sink and it goes in the wash after using the second side in the morning.
- Pat your face dry-ish rather than rubbing it.
- It’s much easier for products to penetrate when the skin is wet, so leave your skin slightly damp.
- If you workout, be sure to cleanse afterward to wash away sweat and sebum.
Tone
Toning is a step many people skip because it’s often perceived as an option, but I recommend using a toner twice a day after cleansing. Using a toner preps the skin for what’s to come and restores pH balance. It’s one of my favorite steps in my skincare routine because I love how it immediately rehydrates my skin.
Use a toner after you’ve washed your face, but before you move onto the next step. Some toners can be sprayed onto the skin and patted in, or you can go the traditional route and soak a cotton round and wipe it onto your face in gentle upward strokes.
Moisturize
In our trifecta of skincare basics, moisturizing is the next step you need to do every day, twice a day. The primary role of your moisturizer is to nourish and hydrate the skin, making it one of the essential elements of your routine.
Your moisturizer is going to:
- keep your skin looking healthy and glowy
- even out your skin tone
- help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- balance oil production
- soothe the skin
You may want to have a daytime moisturizer and a night moisturizer. Typically, you want to go a little heavier with your night moisturizer, while daytime moisturizers are thinner and work better under makeup.
Here are a few pointers:
- If your moisturizer comes in a jar, be sure to wash your hands before sticking your finger into the jar to prevent contamination.
- If you’re not going to tone after cleansing, leave your face slightly damp and immediately apply your moisturizer.
A Note About SPF
You should always, always, always apply SPF in the morning. SPF is one of the best weapons we have against premature aging. You can do everything right in your skincare routine, and none of it will matter if you’re leaving the house without SPF.
How To Layer Your Skincare Products
You should always layer your products by starting with the thinnest and working your way up to the heaviest—liquid to cream to oils. As you go, give each layer at least 30 seconds or up to two minutes to absorb before you move onto the next. Note the consistency of your eye cream because they can shift places in your routine depending on their thickness, ingredients and brand.
Your lips are skin too, so don’t leave them hanging to dry out! Don’t forget your neck and décolletage, either—carry all that goodness right on down.
