Does it matter if you use 3 products or 12, or how many skin care steps you have, no, as long as it makes your skin feel and look great, you’re FABULOUS.
And the first step in creating a routine that works for you? Knowing your skin and what it needs:
Your skin type determines the kind of skin care you need.
First thing you need to know is your skin-biology. The numerous amounts of products in the market today are all tailored to specific skin types and it’s important for you to use the right one.
Normal Skin:
Normal skin is essentially well-balanced skin.
Sebum (natural oils) and moisture levels are balanced so it’s not too oily or too dry. Normal skin folks usually have small pores, soft and smooth skin, hardly any acne or blemishes.
Dry Skin:
Dry skin doesn’t produce enough sebum and it also lacks lipids, helps maintain the strength of our skin’s protective barrier, which holds moisture, protects the skin from damage, and protects it from external things like dirt and pollution.
Unfortunately, dry skin feels tight and looks rough and patchy. Dry skin is also more susceptible to flaking, scaling, peeling and fine lines.
Oily Skin:
Oily skin, on the other hand, produces an excess of sebum. It has a naturally glossy shine, no highlighter needed!
Along with it comes visibly large pores though, as well as a susceptibility to blackheads and whiteheads and to varying degrees of acne.
Combination Skin:
Combination skin has the best (or worst) of both worlds. While cheeks are normal or dry, the T-zone (forehead, nose and chin) is oily.
This means some parts of the face are producing too much sebum and the other parts have a lipid deficiency.
Another thing to think about is if you have sensitive skin. Do you usually have a bad reaction to new products? Are you allergic to certain active ingredients?
Dry vs Dehydrated Skin:
You also need to consider if you sometimes get dehydrated skin.
It’s most commonly mistaken for dry skin. But they’re totally different. Oily skin people can have dehydrated skin too. Oily Skin still needs moisture!
Dehydrated skin is skin that lacks water and hydration and is considered a skin condition. And it’s important to know if you have dry vs. dehydrated skin because the treatment of one is different from the other.
Winter vs Summer Skin:
Also remember that your skin type can change with the seasons. You might have dry skin in the winter but totally normal skin in the summer.
Remember to switch products as the seasons change.
Starting a skincare routine for beginners:
If you have specific skin concerns, consult your dermatologist before starting any basic skin care routine.
Once you know what your skin type is, you can start building your basic skincare routine.
The best way to build your regimen is by starting with the skincare essentials:
Take our AI skincare product recommendation quiz to get you started here.
