Basics of Skincare: Building a Routine for Every Skin Type

Why is skincare critical?

Skin care is essential for everyone, and developing a routine around 12 is vital. Unfortunately, not everyone is familiar with proper skin care routines, and some may not even have a routine. In this article, we will discuss why having a skincare routine is important, what a basic skincare routine looks like, and how it can be tailored to your skin type. 

Developing a skincare routine is essential to keep your skin healthy. For starters, it is a good way to protect your skin from external aggressors such as pollution, UV rays, and bacteria, to name a few. It also helps to prevent premature aging. If you take regular care of your skin, it can help to reduce wrinkles and sagging skin. Proper hydration, cleansing, and nourishment can also help your skin maintain a balanced and glowing appearance. Of course, drinking water is also highly beneficial to the skin, both inside and out. Remember, what we put in our bodies is what we get out of them. Having healthy skin helps boost one's overall self-esteem and confidence. 

Most dermatologists and skin care professionals recommend starting a basic skincare routine around the teenage years or around age 12. This is because puberty begins around this age and can cause dramatic and significant changes to the skin. Most often, acne and increased oil production start to develop during puberty. Younger teens should focus on gentle cleansers, moisturizers, and sunscreens, but as one ages, more targeted products can be introduced. 

The steps to a basic skincare routine

A basic and effective skincare routine involves 3-5 easy steps. An easy 3-step routine includes cleansing, moisturizing, and protecting with an SPF, whereas a 5-step routine includes cleansing, toning, exfoliating, moisturizing, and protecting with an SPF. 

It is essential to clean the skin twice a day (Day and Night). Cleaning your skin helps pull out all the dirt, oil, makeup, toxins, and buildup from your face. It is recommended to do a double cleanse, first with an oil cleanser and second with a gel, foaming, or cream-based cleanser. If double cleansing seems too much, find one good cleanser that works for you. 

Second, you should exfoliate the skin 1-3 times a week, depending on your skin type. This helps to slough off dead skin cells, unclog pores, and improve the skin's overall texture. 

There are usually two types of exfoliants. The first type is known as a chemical exfoliant. Most chemical exfoliants include AHAs (lactic or glycolic acid) or BHAs (salicylic acid). Chemical exfoliators are a great way to exfoliate the skin gently. The second type is known as physical exfoliants or manual exfoliation, which typically involves a type of scrub that should be used sparingly to avoid irritation. Even though chemical exfoliation is said to be more gentle, it can still cause sensitivity if overused. 

For your third step, you will want to incorporate a toner. Toners help to balance the skin's PH and remove any leftover impurities. Toning also helps prep the skin for further product application. Having a clean surface will allow new products to penetrate the skin better and more deeply while helping to even out the skin tone and prevent dryness. 

Moisturizing the skin is the fourth step in your cleansing process. It is also a very important step you won't want to skip. Moisturizing helps to hydrate the skin and lock in moisture. You should do this step twice a day, morning and night. If your skin feels extra dry, try investing in a thick cream for winter and a lighter moisturizer in summer. 

Finally, we have arrived at our last and final step. One of the most important steps is to apply sunscreen or SPF. You only need to do this in the morning and potentially throughout the day, but if you are outside, you are exposed to many UV rays. SPF helps to protect your skin from UV rays; it prevents aging, hyperpigmentation, and, most of all, skin cancer. While most skin conditions don't appear immediately, early prevention is essential. Even on days you do not see the sun, such as a cloudy day, your skin is still at risk of being damaged, so always apply sunscreen. 

Customizing a routine based on your skin type

To customize your skincare routine, you must first determine your skin type. The most common skin types include dry, oily, combination, sensitive, and normal skin.

If you have a dry skin type, your goal should be to increase or boost hydration and strengthen the skin's barrier. Using a cleanser that will hydrate the skin is the best type for dry skin. You will want to find a cream or hydrating cleanser. You will also like to use gentle exfoliants on the skin 1-2 times a week. Preferably using a lactic acid-based AHA. Hydrating toners containing hyaluronic acid or glycerin will work well with dry skin types. When using a moisturizer, you will want to find one rich in emollient with added ceramides, squalene, or shea butter. An essential tip for dry skin is to avoid physical exfoliants and harsh cleansers since they can dry the skin even more.

For oily skin, the goal is to control excess oil and prevent clogged pores. So you will want to t 2-3 times a week, which will help penetrate and clean the pores. For toners, finding one that focuses on oil control will be most beneficial for oily skin. A toner that contains niacinamide will help control oil production. Because the skin is oily, using a lightweight or gel-based moisturizer will be the best option, mainly if you focus on non-comedogenic ingredients. With oily skin, try avoiding over-exfoliating, which can also lead to increased oil production.  

For those with combination skin, you'll want to hone in on balancing oil production and hydration. Finding a gentle cleanser that is PH balanced for all skin types will work best on combination skin. When it comes to exfoliating, you will want to alternate between BHAs and AHAs or use a "multi-masking" technique to target specific areas based on their needs. Choosing a toner that is mildly hydrating but also has oil-control properties is very ideal. People with combination skin will also want to use a lightweight moisturizer on the T-Zone and a rich cream on the dryer areas. The overall goal for this skin type is to address the individual areas according to what the face needs. 

Soothing irritation and maintaining the skin's barrier is the main goal for someone with sensitive skin. A gentle, fragrance-free cleanser is the best option for sensitive skin types. Someone with sensitive skin will want to avoid physical exfoliants and use a mild AHA (mandelic acid) no more than once a week. Find a toner that soothes the skin. Something with ingredients such as aloe vera and chamomile will be very calming to the skin. Choosing moisturizers with barrier-repairing creams that contain ceramides is an excellent choice. Patch testing, especially new products, is a great way to avoid irritation and harsh active ingredients.

Last but not least, we have the standard skin type. With normal skin, the goal is to maintain balance and hydration. Using a gentle cleanser that is pH-balanced is ideal. Using an AHA or BHA 1-2 times a week will help the skin with overall maintenance. Hydrating toners with brightening formulas and antioxidants will really make the skin fall in love with you. Lightweight creams and gels are great options for moisturizers.

No matter your skin type, you can create a simple skincare routine for yourself. Ensure you wash in the morning and at night and tone after you cleanse. Depending on your skin type, you will want to exfoliate anywhere from 1-3 times a week. Usually, exfoliating at night is the best way to achieve results. You will also like to ensure you moisturize night and day and find a good SPF during the day. Make sure when you apply your SPF, especially if it is a mineral sunscreen, you're pressing it in and not rubbing it in. 

Remember, there is no need to start big. If you are new at this, a simple three-step routine (cleansing, moisturizing, and SPF) will work just fine for you. As you become confident and familiar with your routine, you can add additional steps (double cleansing, toning, exfoliating, and serums). 

Skincare is essential for everyone from age 12 to age 112 and is one of the easiest ways to keep you feeling good in your skin and maintain a youthful look. 

Lastly, while a well-rounded skincare routine is essential, the most important step is consulting a dermatologist. Their expert guidance ensures that your regimen is tailored to your unique skin type and concerns, helping you achieve the healthiest, most radiant complexion possible. Prioritizing professional advice will always be the best investment in your skin’s long-term health and beauty.