Creating a skincare regimen can be very overwhelming. There are tons of skincare systems and products out there and they all do different things! I was extremely overwhelmed when I first started to seriously look into how to work towards better skin. I found that if you break it down into categories and learn about one at a time, then it is way less overwhelming! Here you will learn what the 5 skincare essentials are and how to add them into your routine.
The most important things to learn first are:
- Your skin type: dry, oily, combination, sensitive
- Your skincare goals: reduce redness, clear blackheads, even skin tone, clear acne, brighten skin, hydrate skin, etc.
Knowing your skin type and goals will help you narrow down which products will work best for your skin.
Top 5 Skincare Essentials
Cleanser: Cleansers removes makeup, oils, and dirt from your skin. Important to keep your skincare type in mind when looking for a proper cleanser. I have dry, sensitive skin, redness. My goals are to reduce redness and unclog pores so my go-to is Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Purifying Cleanser. This cleanser contains salicylic acid and teatree oil to help purify those pores, and it works very well!
Toner: Toner helps balance your skin pH, remove harsh chemicals/minerals from tap water, and even skin tone. It also targets dryness, dullness, hyperpigmentation. Apply this right after cleansing with a disposable cotton pad. Nutricentials Bioadaptive Skin Care: In Balance pH Balance Toner is a great place to start. It is infused with witch hazel and aloe vera to reduce pores, and keep skin hydrated.
Exfoliant: Used to remove the top layer of dead skin cells, and unclog pores. It is important to note that you should only exfoliant 3x a week. Depending on your skin-type, you will want to either use a chemical exfoliant or mechanical exfoliant.
Chemical Exfoliant vs Mechanical Exfoliant:
Chemical Exfoliant: Uses enzymes or acids to loosen bonds between cells and allows those dead skin cells to be easier washed away. This type is more gentle on your skin, so it’s better for you if you have sensitive skin. I use ELEMIS Papaya Enzyme Peel and my skin feels so soft afterwards. Apply it after cleansing, let sit for 10-15 minutes, then rinse with warm water. Another exfoliant you can try is Eminence Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant. I’m a sucker for products with natural, skin-nourishing ingredients, especially if they smell like strawberries!
Mechanical Exfoliant: Uses more abrasive microbeads or granules to manually remove dead skin cells from your skin. This method is more harsh but provides faster results than chemical exfoliants. Again, only exfoliant 3x a week to avoid irritating your skin….trust me! This next exfoliant is infused with ruby crystals, jojoba oil, seaweed extract, and hyaluronic acid to leave skin feeling clean, soft and hydrated. Let me tell you, DOCTOR’S SCRUB Ruby Crystal Microderm Exfoliator is worth every penny!
The most Important thing is to know your skin type and see which method will benefit your skin the most. Since I have sensitive skin I was so scared to try new products. For some, I decided to do test applications on my chin to see how my skin would handle it. If you are hesitant to try new products, I recommending doing that just to see how your skin behaves. After exfoliating, follow with your choice of serum and moisturizer.
Serum: Used to hydrate and brighten skin. Also used to strengthen skin cells. The most talked about serum is Vitamin C Serum. It helps brighten skin and targets hyperpigmentation. Since we are all on our phones so much, it helps repair the skin from blue lights. Soko Good (Skin) Days Vitamin C serum is perfect for just that! This next serum is great for hydration and brightening, while reducing pore sizes: Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2%. Use this right before moisturizing, morning and night.
For extreme moisture to combat dry skin, use Quadruple Hyaluronic Acid Serum 5%. Helps bind water to skin cells for more plump, smooth skin.
Moisturizer: Used to lock in moisture. Helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles and plump skin. Apply as the last step, after serum. If you are looking for a thicker, heavier cream to get the job done then try this one: Plant Ceramide Rich Moisture Cream. It leave your skin feeling dewy and hydrated. Another great moisturizer is Nutricentials Bioadaptive Skin Care™ Moisturize Me Intense Hydrating Cream.
Finding products that you love may take some time. Try different products and when you find one you love, lock that one into your routine. I linked most of the products to Amazon so hopefully you can score free shipping! I hope this skincare essentials guide was helpful in that it provided you with a good starting point.
When you use products that you love and that work for your skin type, it becomes easier to stick to your skincare routine and see lasting results that build confidence. Self-care at its finest. Let me know what you try and how you like it!
