I used to think skincare consisted of washing my face and wishing for the best. After my cheeks became unacceptably parched one winter (while my forehead shone with an embarrassing glow), I resolved it was high time I took a deeper dive. What I have learned over the years, with a few mistakes thrown in, is below.
Knowing Your Skin Type
The first part of a successful skincare routine is knowing your skin type. There are five general categories:
- Normal Skin: Well-maintained moisture and oil production with little sensititivity.
- Dry Skin: Flaky, rough, and tight, with a lack of oils.
- Oily Skin: Overproduction of sebum, with a glow and breakouts.
- Combination Skin: Zones of both dry and oily, with an oily T-zone.
- Sensitive Skin: Sensitive to redness, irritation, and reaction to individual ingredients.
To gauge your skin type, cleanse your face and leave it bare for an hour. Check for tightness (which is a sign of dryness) and for an over-shine (which is a sign of oiliness). Combination will have a little of both. I discovered my T-zone was actually fairly oily when I skipped moisturizer for a couple days, and my poor cheeks became even drier!
Daily Skincare Routine
Consistency is key, and a simple routine involves:
- Cleaning: Cleans off grime, oil, and impurities.
- Toners: Rebalances and sets stage for future actions.
- Moisturising: Locks in moisture and keeps barrier in place.
Mornings require protection, including SPF, and evening routines require repair with specific treatments. I avoided toner altogether, but when I added a mild one, I noticed my serums penetrated deeper and my face no longer seemed lacklustre.
Sun Protection
SPF is not optional. Exposure to UV creates wrinkles and ages your skin early. Opt for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30. Mineral ones work best for sensitive skin, and for oily types, use a gel base. Don’t forget to reapply in two-hour intervals when out in the sun. I made my biggest blunder thinking I could go without sunscreen even when it’s overcast—turns out, that was a big no-no, and my nose bore the brunt with a lovely burn!
Exfoliating and Treatments
Exfoliating wipes off dead cells and helps your products penetrate deeper. There are several options to choose from:
- Physical Exfoliants: Scrubs with granules (for non-sensitive types, best for them).
- Chemical Exfoliants: AHAs/BHAs to break down dead cells (for all types with variable strengths).
Use 1-3 times a week, according to your skin type. Add in your serums such as vitamin C for radiance, retinol for anti-aging, and hydrating face packs for moisturising. I overused scrubs one day and overrubbed my face, and my face took a rosy hue—do not make my blunder!
Knowing What’s in It
Label reading is important. Some key ingredients include:
- Hyaluronic Acid: Hydrating in a big, big way.
- Vitamin C: Brightens and antioxidant shields.
- Retinol: Stimulation of collagen and wrinkles reduced.
Avoid alchol-infused ones for dry types and strong fragrances for sensitive types. I first saw “salicylic acid” and panicked thinking my face will burn, but it actually cleaned out my pores with no irritation at all!
Lifestyle and Well-Being
Skin reflects your overall wellbeing. Do your best to prioritize these:
- Hydrate: Drink loads of water.
- Healthy Diet: Antioxidant foods for healthy skin.
- Sleep & Stress: Poor sleep and tension cause breakouts and dulness.
- Exercise: Blood circulation and your face glows naturally
I noticed I’d break out when I’d have a stressful week with exams, and adding a little relaxing activity such as yoga helped my face a lot in terms of its overall looks.
Fixing Common Skincare Issues
- Acne: Apply salicylic acid face washes and lightweight moisturisers.
- Hyperpigmentation: Vitamin C, niacinamide, and daily SPF disintegrate dark spots.
- Aging: Retinol, peptides, and sunscreen decelerate aging.
- Sensitive: Apply fragrance-free, soothing ingredients such as aloe and ceramides.
If your issue doesn’t go even with specific products, go for a derm’s guidance. I’d have persistent spots that simply refused to go away till I visited a pro for real—greatest decision I ever made for my face!
Adapting Your Routine According to Seasons
- Winter: Moisturise with rich moisturisers and hydrating face packs.
- Summer: Oil-controlling, gel moisturisers and mattifying sunscreen.
- Harsh weather: Barrier ingredients such as occlusives and ceramides protect your face.
I’d become ridiculously dry in winter, and switching to a rich moisturiser saved me from constant flaking, but in spring, I’d have to dial down else I’d become greasy!
Green and Sustainable Skincare
According to Views4You, you should be a planet earth citizen with a conscience. Reduce packaging with refill packs, biodegradable ingredients, and no testing on animals. Opt for little packaging and fair sources. I, for one, enjoy reusing glass jar for little potted flowers in my room—beauty and decor in one!
Creating a Personalised Routine
- Try new skincare out in a patch first.
- Make your routine adapt with changing skin with age, tension, and changing weather.
- Keep a record of works and doesn’t—a simple diary will work.
Taking care of your skin is a routine, but when you learn what works, it feels instinctive. Perfection isn’t even an issue—the goal is healthy, happy, and comfortable skin for a daily life. I hope my little mistakes and epiphancies in between will save a few mistakes for you, too, in your journey
