One of my guilty pleasures during this lockdown has been online shopping—whether it is books, clothes, shoes, or even art supplies, one thing that’s kept me engaged, is shopping. Of course, I try my best to steer clear of the online beauty stores because I end up buying things I don’t need. Why? Because the expert’s choice of the latest lipstick, highlighter, or skincare may not necessarily work for me. That said, while it’s fun to virtually browse those beauty aisles, when it comes to check out, it’s important to know what you need, not just what you want.
This brings us to one simple fact—establishing a healthy skincare routine. After all, what’s that big purchase without putting it to good use, right? Here are some important steps to follow when it comes to building that routine:
Keep It Simple
Your skin’s needs are different with the changing seasons. While a routine includes cleansing + toning + moisturising, building on this simple principle can go a long way. It’s also important to pay attention to the ingredients in your products, so read the label carefully. Moreover, a routine is called a routine when it’s followed regularly, so don’t miss a day or skip steps. This also includes providing ample nourishment to the skin on your entire body.
Understand You Skin’s Needs
Choose products that are suited to your skin type, as well as the season. You can switch up a lightweight moisturiser that’s ideal for summer or hotter climes, for something with a higher oil content as the weather gets cooler and dryer. The same works for your cleansers. Toners are a debated product and may or may not work for everyone. However, they do work to remove every last trace of dirt on the skin and in the pores, and prepare your face for the moisturiser. It’s important to learn from a little trial and error, and see what works best for your skin before settling on your routine.
Don’t Skip The Sunscreen
Yes, we understand that you may not be stepping out too often, but this does not mean that you shouldn’t factor sun protection into your routine. In addition to reducing the risk of getting skin cancer, SPF helps protect against the effects of photoageing, which can include visible signs like dark spots and wrinkles. Fortunately, plenty of moisturisers and cosmetics contain SPF, so instead of adding another step to your routine, ensure the products you choose offers you ample sun protection as well.
Give Your Routine Time To Work
Contrary to what you may see on television, or those DIYs on social media, to see the results, you need to give your routine time to work. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t wake up to flawless skin overnight, especially if you’ve just managed to build your routine. For noticeable results, regularly follow your routine for at least six weeks as this is an approximate time it takes your skin to renew itself with new skin cells.
Consider Adding Routine Enhancers
Now, don’t get confused with this step. This simply means alternating between exfoliators and cleansers, using a spot corrector if you notice any blemishes, or applying acne treatment when needed. Routine enhancers take your skincare regimen up a notch, and offers you better care, and subsequent results, so be attentive to understand when you might need to use one.
As with any health-related issue, if you find that your skincare routine is causing you to break out, turn red, or the products used are making your skin irritable and itchy, it’s advisable to consult a dermatologist for an analysis and better skincare recommendations.