Hey guys!!
Haven’t we all been bewildered walking past the aisles of Sephora or checking the zillion products online?
I watched people load up their baskets and often wondered what the uses of all these products are. My curiosity led to an interest, and now I am a beauty fanatic.
I read a lot about skincare to understand what products suit a particular skin type and the ingredients to look for on a label.
Also, skincare is not just for women. Men usually have a non-existent skincare routine. With the increasing awareness of how skincare is gender-neutral, it is breaking the stereotypes. More on this in a later post!
I deal with skin breakouts now and then, but I have been sticking to my current skincare regimen, which has suited my skin well. I will share the before and after pictures of my skin at the end of this post.
BUILD A SKINCARE ROUTINE
Today, I am going to share my current skincare routine I follow religiously. I specify that these products suit my skin type, which is sensitive, acne-prone, combination with an oily T-zone, and extremely dry during winters.
However, I am not an expert in this field. I like to try new products that interest me, check the ingredient list for any harsh chemicals, and see if my skin reacts positively to them.
It is not one product suits all. You need to understand your skin type, switch to different products with weather changes and please do a patch test before using any product to know if you have any reactions.
Don’t forget to layer your products in the right order, or it would turn ineffective and could harm your skin.
Before I list down the steps, I have to mention that no products will work if your skin is dehydrated. Says a person who drank just one glass of water in a day. I realized this the hard way what a grave mistake it was.
The habit of drinking at least six glasses of water a day is the most essential & irreplaceable step in the routine.
SKINCARE ROUTINE ORDER MORNING AND NIGHT:
BUILDING A SKINCARE ROUTINE:
Morning routine:
Cleanse
The first thing I do after waking up is rinsing my face with warm water. Skip the face wash.
You can choose to skip the cleanser in the morning routine. But I use it a little in the shower.
A good cleanser makes all the difference in the world. I changed my cleanser to Avène cleanance cleansing gel when I realized that the previous cleanser made no difference to my skin or perhaps made the acne worse.
I have been using this for two years. I love how it is gentle on the face, leaves my skin squeaky clean, and has worked well on my skin, even during winters. A little goes a long way.
#Do not wash your face with a cleanser every hour because it feels oily or grimy. Washing face more than twice a day can dry out your skin.
Exfoliate
I eagerly wait for the time I have to exfoliate my face because I LOVE its effects on my skin. Exfoliation is necessary just once or twice a week to remove dead & dry skin and prevent those regular whiteheads and blackheads from popping up, which causes acne.
I use Dr. Brandt microdermabrasion, and I am now a customer for life! This is not just mine but also my husband’s favorite product.
Toner:
I am aware of the CTM (Cleanse, Tone & Moisturize) rule people swear by. However, I skip this step because I find it unnecessary in my skincare routine. My skin felt extremely dry after using a toner.
However, if you have oily skin or use a lot of makeup, using a toner with ingredients specific to your skin could benefit you. Use an alcohol-free toner.
Serum:
The importance of facial serums has come up recently. They are usually less thick than a moisturizer, and it helps tackle a lot of skincare concerns.
It is worth adding this product to your routine because it includes antioxidants that seep deep into the skin and is very hydrating.
I use Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Corrector serum which improved my skin tone but helped correct my post-acne marks just partially. It is a good serum, but it has ‘activated’ vitamin C, a derivative of vitamin C. Once I finish this product, I am going to switch to a more concentrated Vitamin C serum.
Eye-cream:
I started incorporating this step recently because my under eyes felt dry, and I read how using eye creams help moisturize it.
I am using the cult favorite, Olehenriksen Banana Bright Eye Crème It is indeed hydrating. I find a significant difference while using concealer because it applies so smoothly now without creasing and preventing fine lines.
Moisturize:
I did not feel the need to use a moisturizer until I had severely dry skin. Now, I can’t go a day skipping it. I can immediately feel the difference without a moisturizer. Without it, the skin gets dry, causing other skin concerns.
I use Neutrogena Sensitive Skin during summers. It’s lightweight and is hydrating.
My skin peels off due to severe dryness during winters.
On my dermatologist’s recommendation, I began using Cetaphil Pro for winters. It has a thick consistency with broad-spectrum SPF, so it worked for me.
Sunscreen:
The final step of the routine but extremely crucial.
It is essential to use a sunscreen with a broad spectrum of SPF 30 or more daily. Sun exposure has so many ill-effects from causing discoloration to skin cancer. So please use sunscreen every day. I use the La shield or Shiseido sunscreen.
Night routine
Pre-cleansing & makeup removal
Seriously, never go to sleep with your makeup on! I cringe with the thought of waking up with makeup. All skin problems begin with this; just remember that. I use Neutrogena facial wipes (alcohol-free), which is convenient to use and gets rid of all the makeup & gunk of the day.
Oil cleanser
I use a cleansing oil when I need deep cleansing to eliminate the stubborn makeup left after the wipes. I use DHC, known to be a holy grail product and I love it! My skin is squeaky clean with no trace of makeup. Just the way I like it!
I skip this step on days I haven’t used much makeup, which is quite often.
Gel Cleanser:
Don’t forget to wash your face and neck to clean the entire day’s grime and oil. I use Avène, same as the morning routine
Spot treatment:
If I have any acne, I’ll use a spot treatment with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Apply this to clean skin and be wary of layering it with any other product which could cause skin irritations.
Night serum:
Helps retain the skin caused by the damage generated throughout the day. I skip the moisturizer after this because my night serums are hydrating enough. I avoid using an additional product.
I use Azelac RU serum during summers and Hidroquin Forte depigmenting gel during winters which helped me eliminate my skin blemishes. The texture of my skin has drastically improved after using these night serums.
Eye cream:
I use the same eye cream, Olehenriksen Banana Bright Eye Crème, at night too.
Often, the product that suits the masses might not serve you. So notice the changes a product brings to your skin. If you find out a product working wonders on your skin, stick to it. Do not try to experiment unnecessarily.
As for me, Dr. Brandt and Avène cleanser are my go-to products. I don’t see myself replacing those products soon. Don’t expect an overnight transformation. Give yourself some time to notice a difference. Don’t sulk about how wasteful a product is by just trying it for a week unless you have any reactions.
Back then, I had skin reactions and acne. My skin is still far from perfect, just way better than before. I get bursts of hormonal acne every now & then.
Feeling overwhelmed with all these products? I totally get you.
You don’t have to use too many products to improve or maintain your skin. Take it slow.
Start by choosing a product that addresses your skin concerns.
If you have any questions, product recommendations, or any tips, please send me a message or leave a comment. I’ll be happy to answer!