A Beginner’s Guide to Skincare

Why do we consider spending time taking care of our skin an indulgence or a luxury? We need to make it clear to ourselves that it's more of a necessity, it's taking care of ourselves. Though, one of the greatest reasons people tend to hesitate is because it's overwhelming.

Everyone's skin is different and therefore, we all have different concerns as well as goals. But, there are certain skin routines that are common for all and these ones are called basic skincare routines.

So, if you're new to the industry and know nothing about it, this is your ultimate beginner's guide to be thorough with the basics. Before we start, you must know a basic rule to keep your skincare regime as simple as possible.

There are basically just three steps to follow:

1. Cleanse

It's ideal for cleansing your face twice a day. Cleansing in the morning will remove all the sweat and oil collected on your face from the pillow and hairs from the last night's sleep. Cleansing in the evening is to remove all the makeup, pollutants, dead skin cells and excess oil that collects on your skin throughout the day.

People with dry skin must not cleanse their face more than once daily. Dry skin contains less oil and overusing the cleanser will only deprive it of its essential oils.

When it comes to choosing a cleanser, always opt for a mild and hydrating one. Any skin type can tolerate hydrating cleanser. Additionally, look for the cleanser that contains the least chemical ingredients but has a good composition of glycerin and ceramides.

2. Moisturize

The next step is to go for a moisturizer, any oil-free and fragrance-free moisturizer would do. But, to get the best out of a moisturizer, it's better to use the one with following additional ingredients:

1. Ceramides: Good for the overall health of the skin and good for those with dry skin.

2. Vitamin C: Brightens the skin and consists of antioxidants.

3. Hyaluronic acid: Restores and maintains hydration in the skin.

Having oily skin doesn't mean you can skip this step. Make use of gentle moisturizers that are light on the skin because harsh moisturizers will deprive your skin of the oil. When the skin is deprived, it will produce more oil as compensation. So, look out for a mild, oil-free or 'non-comedogenic' label on your moisturizer. This will remove the excess oil and hence protect your skin from any breakouts or blackheads.

3. Protect

Sunscreen is the first layer of protection our skin needs when we go outdoors. It is to protect against the harmful UV rays of the sun and eventually protection against skin cancer. Opt for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. A mineral-based sunscreen will be the best since they work as a shield blocking all the sun rays from entering the skin due to ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

Some Additional Steps

You may add some additional steps like exfoliation. Exfoliation is great for cleaning up that excess build-up on the skin. The excess build-up may be the oil, dirt, debris, pollutants or dead skin cells that you collect on your skin throughout the day. There are specifically two ways to exfoliate the skin, namely, Physical and Chemical. Chemical methods include the use of AHAs and BHAs as they increase collagen formation and remove that dull look. On the other hand, physical exfoliation just means exfoliating physically with your hands, though this can rupture your blood vessels and might irritate the skin.

Another additional step to add can be the use of a face mask. It is recommended not to use a face mask more than twice per week. A face mask is used to clear, hydrate and brighten up your skin.

Points To Be Noted

1. Keep it minimalistic:

Always remember, as you realize what skincare products are good for you and what more your skin needs, never forget to keep it all minimalistic. The use of more and more skincare products will eventually do more harm than good to your skin. Always stick to fragrance-free products that have lesser but important ingredients.

2. Be Patient:

If your skincare routine doesn't seem to show results, be patient, everyone's skin is different and it's not necessary that a skincare routine shows results right away. Don't experiment every now and then. It's necessary to let your skin get used to a product for at least two or three months before you switch. In case, your skincare product provokes irritation or rashes on your skin discontinue it right away.

3. Always Do The Patch Test

Never skip the patch test. The patch test is, simply applying a small amount of product on a small region of your skin before buying. This is to confirm that the product causes no redness, irritation or rashes. Make sure you don't skip the step so you don't have to dump it after investing in it.