Beginner Skincare Routine Steps
Whether the extent of your current routine is a bar of soap, or you’ve had a cabinet full of products for years that just don't seem to be working and you want to start from scratch, you're in the right place. Building a skincare routine is a lot of fun, but I know how overwhelming it can be at first. In this post, I'll show you how to get started buying just the basics so that your skin can adjust slowly to this whole new world. I generally say to wait about two weeks in between introducing each new product in order to evaluate how it's working for your skin and to make sure you don't have a bad reaction, but with these basic steps, you should be fine using slightly shorter wait times.
Oil Cleanser
First things first, if you're wearing sunblock (which you should) or makeup, which are both oil-based products, then you'll need an oil-based cleanser as the first step in your nighttime routine. Oil-based cleansers effortlessly dissolve oil-based products that water-based cleansers (the next step) are incapable of getting rid of. This oil cleanser is different than a regular oil because it's emulsifying, which means it has extra ingredients that allow oil and water to mix, AKA emulsify.
Frequency: Night
Recommendations: Banila Co Clean it Zero, Hemish All Clean Balm, DHC Deep Cleansing Oil,
Low ph cleanser
This is the step that will replace your bar of soap or harsh alkaline cleanser. In order to keep the outer layer of our skin healthy and not throw off its natural, bacteria-fighting low pH, we need to use a low pH cleanser. These are water-based cleansers that wash away any non-oil product residue, dirt, and impurities that the oil-based cleanser doesn't.
Frequency: Morning & Night
Recommendations: COSRX Low-pH Good Morning Cleanser, CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser, CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Hydrating toner
This is your first stop for hydration. Hydrating toners are much different than those astringent toners you might be familiar with. They're a lifesaver for dry skin types, packed with humectants that will plump up your skin and fine lines, leaving you looking healthy and glowing. You can even apply multiple layers if you need extra hydration.
Frequency: Morning & Night
Recommendations: Hada Labo Hyaluronic Lotion Moist, Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner
Moisturizer
Your first moisturizer should be a basic cream that moisturizes your skin and traps in hydration with its occlusive properties. Depending on your skin type and climate, you can either opt for a lightweight emulsion or a heavier cream. This will be your final step at night and your step right before sunscreen in the mornings.
Frequency: Morning & Night
Recommendations: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream, Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentre, COSRX Honey Ceramide Full Moisture Cream
Sunscreen
If you're going to use just one thing, it should be sunscreen. Sunscreen not only protects your skin from things like hyperpigmentation and aging, but it also protects you from skin cancer. If you're not wearing sunscreen, then there's really no point to any of your other products because UV rays will destroy all of the progress you've made in correcting your skin's issues. With newer chemical sunscreens, you won't have to worry about those thick physical sunscreens that leave a white cast. Chemical sunscreens are light-weight, virtually invisible, and work nicely under makeup.
Frequency: Morning
Recommendations: Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA ++++
After you've spent a month or so with your new beginners routine, take a good look at your skin and decide what concerns you want to start addressing with more advanced steps like essences, serums, actives, and masks. It's important to create a good foundation with basic steps because doing these alone can correct skin issues that were being perpetuated by harsh cleansers and a damaged moisture barrier.