How To Build A Simple Skincare Routine For Glowing Skin

Create an easy, affordable, and effective routine. Follow this step-by-step guide to create a your 5 step skincare routine.

Confession time: I used to be a bit of a skincare hoarder. My bathroom shelves were cluttered with countless products, each promising to give me the perfect complexion. But despite my impressive collection, my skin wasn’t happy. I was spending a fortune on products that didn’t deliver the results I wanted. And worst of all, I was overwhelmed with all of the choices.

Can you relate? If you love skincare like me, you’re probably inundated with skincare advice. Between magazine articles, social media influencers, and well-meaning friends, it’s easy to feel like you need a PhD in dermatology just to keep up. But here’s the thing: the key to great skin isn’t complicated. It’s often the opposite. A simple skincare routine can be just as effective, if not more so, than a complex one.

In this post, you’ll discover a step-by-step process to create a simple, affordable, and effective skincare routine that suits your skin type. We’ll explore the most potent skincare ingredients, backed by science, that can address various skin concerns. Along with that, I’ll also be sharing some tips and tricks I’ve learned from my skincare journey. With this information, you can achieve the radiant, glowing skin you’ve always wanted, without breaking the bank or spending hours in the bathroom.

Are you ready to simplify your skincare routine and get the results you deserve? Let’s dive in.

The Benefits of a Simple Skincare Routine

Let me share with you a personal story. When I was in my early 20s, I fell into the trap of the infamous 10-step Korean skincare routine. I thought if I applied various toners, essences, and serums religiously, I would finally achieve the perfect, glassy Korean skin that I desperately wanted.

But my skin had other plans. Instead of becoming the epitome of K-beauty, my skin became angry and had acne in my T-zones. The worst part was that I didn’t start getting acne until I was about 25, which was mortifying. I thought I should be growing out of this phase by now, but apparently, my skin had other plans.

I realized that I wasn’t using products to target and solve the root issues of my skin problems. I was letting marketing hype and the promise of all these skincare products persuade me that I needed to use all of them to cure my skin.

Over the years, I’ve learned how to scale back and develop a simple routine that works for me. By learning more about the science of skincare, researching my skincare products making sure the ingredients were effective for my skin, I finally started getting the results that I wanted.

Now, it’s easy to get caught up in the hype of the latest trends and products. But here’s the thing: having too many products in your skincare routine can actually be detrimental to your skin. Overloading your skin with too many active ingredients can cause irritation, breakouts, and even damage your skin’s natural barrier.

So, what are the benefits of a simple skincare routine?

• Saves Time and Money: Instead of spending hours and hundreds of dollars on complex skincare routines, a minimalist approach can give you the same, if not better, results.
  
  Plus, by investing in a few key products, you’ll reduce the risk of wasting money on products that don’t work for your skin.

• Reduces the Risk of Irritation or Breakouts: Simplifying your skincare routine can help reduce the risk of irritation or breakouts.
  
  By using fewer products, you’ll have a better understanding of what works for your skin and what doesn’t. Plus, you’ll be able to identify potential triggers and avoid them, resulting in healthier, clearer skin.

• Target Specific Skin Concerns By focusing on a few key products, you can use targeted actives to address your skincare issues, whether it be wrinkles, acne, hyperpigmentation, or other issues.

Step-by-Step Process To Build Your Simple Skincare Routine

Now that you understand the importance of a simple skincare routine, let’s talk about how to build your own. Follow these six steps to build your simple skincare routine.

Step 1: Get to Know Your Skin Type

Knowing your skin type is a crucial step to building a skincare routine. There are four main skin types: normal, oily, dry, and combination. But, may have noticed that your skin doesn’t necessarily fall into one of these categories.

Your skin type is unique, and it depends on factors like your genes, climate, hormones, skincare products, and lifestyle habits. Your skin can also change its type at any time.

So, instead of trying to fit your skin into a box, it’s best to listen to what it tells you. If you have pimples, flaky patches, or a lack of glow, your skin is telling you that something’s wrong.

Experts have created skin type systems to help you understand your skin better. However, it’s important to view them as guidelines rather than strict rules.

Here are the four most common skin types:

Now you know about the most common skin types, here’s how you can identify your skin type.

Skin Type Test

Step 1: Start with a gentle cleanser that won’t strip your skin of its natural oils. If your skin feels tight after washing, it’s not the right cleanser for your skin – so switch to a gentler cleanser.

Step 2: Wait two hours and don’t apply anything to your skin during this time. This lets your skin return to its natural state.

Step 3: Take a small piece of oil-blotting paper and press it onto different areas of your face to see what you’re dealing with:

Step 2: Identify Your Skin Issues

Skin issues are like the bumps on the road to flawless skin. They will appear along the way, but you can always take measures to combat them. Here are the common skin issues and how you can identify them:

Acne: Acne is a common skin condition that affects people of all ages. It starts with an overproduction of oil, which gets stuck in your pores, mixes with dead skin cells, and clogs them up.

Depending on the type of acne, you may get blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, or even cysts and nodules.

Sensitivities: Sensitivity usually appears as irritation such as itching, burning, redness or stinging. Breakouts may also occur as a result of using certain products. If you suspect you have a more serious condition, such as eczema or rosacea, seek medical attention from a dermatologist.

Hyperpigmentation: Hyperpigmentation is when certain areas of your skin are darker than others. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, UV rays, inflammation, and hormones. Dark spots, sun spots, and acne scars are all common types of hyperpigmentation.

Dehydration: Dehydration is a tricky skin condition that’s often mistaken for dry skin. It can happen to anyone, regardless of skin type, and is caused by a lack of water in the skin. If your skin feels tight and your wrinkles are more noticeable than usual, chances are you’re suffering from dehydration. Using facial oils or rich moisturizers won’t help. Instead, focus on hydrating products that provide your skin with the water it needs.

FYI, dehydration can occur in oily skin too, so don’t be fooled by the oil on your face. Cold weather, hot summers, and excessive exfoliation or harsh cleansers are common culprits. To combat dehydration, focus on hydrating from the inside out, and protect your skin from harsh weather and damaging skin-care practices.

Aging: As we age, our skin loses its elasticity and becomes thinner, which can lead to the development of fine lines and wrinkles. These pesky lines can show up around our eyes, mouth, forehead, and neck, and are often caused by repetitive facial expressions, sun damage, smoking, and genetics.

Collagen and elastin are two proteins that keep our skin firm and plump, but their production slows down as we get older, making it easier for wrinkles to form. While it’s impossible to completely avoid wrinkles, there are ways to minimize their appearance and prevent further damage.

Once you have identified your skin type and issues, it’s time to prioritize.

Step 3: Prioritize Your Skin Issues.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed with all the different skincare issues that we may face. From acne to hyperpigmentation to fine lines and wrinkles, it can feel like there are endless problems to solve. But trying to tackle them all at once can be a recipe for disaster. That’s why it’s important to prioritize your skin issues.

Benefits of selecting 1-2 issues to focus on:

• More targeted approach to your skincare routine. Instead of throwing everything at your skin all at once, you can focus on addressing one or two specific concerns.
  
• Seek out skincare ingredients that will be effective at resolving your particular issue. Whether you’re looking for products to combat acne, reduce the appearance of fine lines, or brighten dull skin, having a targeted approach will help you achieve your skincare goals more efficiently.
  
• Determine which products are most effective. It’s easier to evaluate which products are working well for you and which ones you may need to swap out for better alternatives. By taking a slow and steady approach, you can avoid overwhelming your skin with too many new products at once.

Step 4: Identify The Right Ingredients For Your Skin

Cleanser

Skipping your cleansing routine or using the wrong products can negatively impact your skin. Cleansing your skin is super important, it helps prevent breakouts, improves product efficacy, and stops irritations and infections.

Here is a cheat sheet to help you select the right cleanser for your skin type. Remember a good cleanser is a cleanser that strikes a balance between gentleness and cleansing power.

Cleanser Cheat Sheet

Skin Type	Cleanser	Rationale
Oily Skin	Gel cleansers	The goal is to clean your skin without the “squeaky clean” finish (e.g. strips your face of your natural oils). Look for a cleanser with Cocoamidoproply betatine (surfactant), gentle surfactant that is skin friendly, with good cleansing power, but won’t leave a residual film on your face.
Dry Skin	Cleansing oil or balm	Cleansing milks, oils and balms are low in surfactants and high in emollients to provide a gentle cleans without exacerbating your dry skin. They remove dirt and waterproof make up without drying out or irritating the skin.
Combination Skin	Gentle Gel or cream cleanser	The right cleanser prioritizes being gentle enough to not upset your dry zones & acts as a powerful cleanser for your oily zones.
Sensitive Skin	Fragrance free, non foaming cream cleanser	Cream cleansers cleanse very well, but can also be stripping. It’s important to check the ingredient label carefully. Look for these surfactants: SCI (sodium cocoyl isethionate), glucosides (coco glucoside, lauryl glucosides), cocoamphoacetates, and amino acids – Have low to no foam. Great for sensitive skin. Avoid these irritating ingredients: Sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide (surfactants that turn fatty acids into soap, but have a high PH that can be too striping).
Normal Skin	Gel or foaming cleanser	Foaming cleansers are high in surfactants and low in emollients. They can quickly remove everything from your skin, but they may have a high pH that damages the skin’s protective barrier. Look for low pH foaming cleansers (between 4.5 and 6.5) to avoid skin damage.

Moisturizer

Moisturizers are the secret to hydrated, soft skin. They work by slowing down water evaporation, and their formula usually includes occlusives, humectants, and emollients.

• Occlusives, like silicones and petrolatum jelly, protect your skin by keeping moisture from evaporating.
• Humectants, like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, pull water from the environment and trap it in your skin.
• Emollients, like jojoba oil and vitamin E, help fill gaps in your skin’s protective barrier, leaving your skin silky smooth.

Here is a cheat sheet to help you select the right moisturizer for your skin type.

Moisturizer Cheat Sheet

Skin Type	Moisturizer	Moisturizer Tips
Oily Skin	Lightweight gel cream or 100% water based gel moisturizer.	Your skin is great at sealing moisture in. Therefore, focus on humectant-centric routines. If you need extra hydration for your dry skin parts – use a face oil. Choose Silicone-Based Creams: If you’re looking for a lightweight moisturizer, opt for products containing dimethicone or dimethicone crosspolymer. These ingredients offer a smooth and non-greasy finish. Choose a Moisturizer with Niacinamide: For long-term hydration and sebum regulation, look for cleansers with niacinamide. It’s especially beneficial for combination skin, helping to balance oil production. Embrace Face Oils, Even for Oily Skin: Don’t shy away from oils if you have oily skin. Select oils like black currant, chia, cranberry seed, grape seed, hemp seed, passion fruit seed (marcuja), prickly pear, rosehip seed, sea buckthorn seed oil, or squalane. These oils can nourish without making the skin feel greasy.
Dry Skin	Gel and Cream and/or Balm	Embrace Layering: Start with a hydrating serum that blends various humectants, rather than relying on a single ingredient. This approach offers a more comprehensive hydration strategy. Select the Right Lotions and Creams: Look for products containing occlusives like mineral oil, petrolatum, or shea butter (ideally in the 3rd to 5th position on the ingredient list). These ingredients help seal in moisture. Target Problem Areas with Balm: If you have specific dry, flaky patches, a specialized balm can provide focused treatment. Boost Hydration with Face Oil: If your skin needs an extra hydration boost, consider adding a few drops of face oil into your moisturizer. Oils like sweet almond, apricot kernel, argan, and jojoba are particularly good for dry skin. Choose Moisturizers with Humectants: Ex. urea, lactic acid, glycerin, panthenol, collagen, and hyaluronic acid can attract and retain moisture, making them valuable for dry skin care. Experiment with Face Oils: Depending on your skin’s specific needs, you might find benefit in oils like avocado, camellia, macadamia nut, marula, moringa, olive, shea, or squalane.
Combination Skin	Gel / cream formula	Opt for Lighter Occlusive Moisturizers: Look for products that provide moisture without feeling heavy. This helps balance the different needs of combination skin. Spot Treat Dry Areas with a Balm: If you have specific dry patches, use a balm to target those areas without over-moisturizing the rest of your face. Avoid Oil-Absorbing Claims: Steer clear of moisturizers that claim to absorb oil, as they might worsen your dry areas. Choose Silicone Creams for a Light Feel: Products with dimethicone or dimethicone crosspolymer high on the ingredient list can offer a lightweight moisturizing experience. Incorporate Key Ingredients: Look for moisturizers containing niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E. Niacinamide can help regulate sebum production, while hyaluronic acid and vitamin E provide hydration without making oily areas feel greasy.
Sensitive Skin	Barrier repairing moisturizer	Look for Barrier Strengthening Ingredients: Ingredients like ceramides, cholesterol fatty acids, and soothing agents can help strengthen your skin’s barrier and retain moisture. Ceramides, in particular, have been shown to assist with conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Choose Simple Formulations: Opt for products with a simple ingredient list. The fewer ingredients, the less chance of something triggering irritation. Avoid Fragrances: Fragrances can be a common irritant for sensitive skin, so it’s best to choose fragrance-free products. Consider Soothing Ingredients: Look for ingredients like colloidal oatmeal and allantoin, which can protect the skin and reduce irritation. Plant-based ingredients like aloe vera, madecassoside, and bisabolol are also known for their soothing properties. Opt for Lightweight Hydration: Squalane is a great option for sensitive skin, as it provides hydration without irritating the skin.

Sunscreen

Sunscreen protects your skin by absorbing harmful UVB and UVA rays. Many believe that sunscreen blocks these harmful rays; however, sunscreen absorbs the UV rays and dispels the small amount of energy as heat.

When your choosing a sunscreen, you’ll need to look at UVB protection (SPF), UVA Protection, and texture.

Determining UVA protection can be tricky, as various countries have come up with their own rating systems.

• In the US, look for words “broad spectrum” on. your sunscreen to make sure its tested for UVA protection.
• In Asia, they use PA system, ranking UVA protection from PA + to PA++++.
• In Europe, to get a UVA label the sunscreen has to be around the same protection as PA+++.

Sunscreen Cheat Sheet

Skin Type	Sunscreen Type	Rationale
Oily Skin	Asian Chemical sunscreen	Chemical sunscreens with a lighter, thinner texture. Asian sunscreens formulate for more humid climates so you can find some nice lightweight sunscreens.
Dry Skin	Thicker chemical sunscreens & mineral sunscreens	Avoid “matte” sunscreens as they can make your skin feel dry mid-day due to the presence of alcohol and oil-absorbing powders. Thicker chemical sunscreens are better suited for dry skin. Certain mineral sunscreens offer moisturizing properties with a heavier texture.
Combination Skin	Chemical sunscreen	Find a lightweight textured sunscreen. Avoid sunscreens with alcohol or powders.
Sensitive	Fragrance free mineral sunscreen	Mineral sunscreens are very gentle and do not cause irritation like chemical sunscreens.
Normal Skin	EU or Asian chemical sunscreen	Find a lightweight textured sunscreen. Avoid sunscreens with alcohol or powders.

Ingredients For Skin Issues

Dehydrated Skin

Dehydrated skin lacks water, while dry skin lacks oil. Oily and acne-prone skin are more likely to suffer from dehydration due to harsh products that strip away excess sebum.

How to Treat Dehydrated Skin

Step	Action	Ingredients to use	Rationale
1	Use a humectant serum	Humectants: Urea, Lactic acid, glycerin, panthenol, collagen, hyaluronic acid. The best is a blend of humectants vs. one that only uses one ingredient.	Humectants attract water molecules from the environment and binding them to the skin, helping to increase skin hydration levels.
2	Seal with a hydrating moisturizer or facial oil	Occlusives: Petrolatum, mineral oil, shea butter, lanolin, silicones.	This will create a barrier to help prevent moisture loss and keep the skin hydrated.

Acne

Acne is not just caused by bacteria growth like many people used to believe. Although Propionibacterium acnes (now called Cutibacterium agnes) can contribute to acne, it’s just one piece of the puzzle.

Sebaceous glands are super important for keeping your skin healthy, as they secrete sebum (an oily substance), antimicrobial lipids, and antioxidants. They also help maintain pro and anti-inflammatory responses. However, they can also provide the perfect environment for acne growth due to two main reasons:

• Hormones: During puberty, an increase in androgens (a class of hormones) promotes sebum secretion, excessive cell growth, and sebaceous gland growth. This can lead to clogged pores.

• Inflammation: Sebaceous glands have pro-inflammatory lipids that act as a defense mechanism, but they can also worsen acne. In fact, acne can be caused by inflammation alone, without any bacteria overgrowth.

These two factors create three types of acne: blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples. Blackheads turn black when the gunk inside your pores reacts with air, while whiteheads stay white since they don’t get enough air. Pimples happen when a clogged pore bursts, gets inflamed, and is infected with bacteria (P. Acnes now renamed C. Acnes). Remember, acne is not caused by dirt, it’s a natural process of your skin!

So, what’s the bottom line? Acne is a complicated condition that’s not easily fixed by simply washing your face or applying some topical treatments. It can be triggered by genetics, hormonal imbalances, stress, and other factors. Treating acne requires a lot of trial and error.

If you’re trying to build a skincare routine to combat acne, you’ll want to focus on products that help you:

1. Speed up healthy cell turnover to heal acne lesions faster
2. Use antimicrobial agents to minimize bacteria growth (like C. agnes)
3. Incorporate soothing ingredients to keep skin calm, reduce inflammation and irritation
4. Reduce hyperpigmentation (the dark spots that acne can leave behind)

Acne Treatment Cheat Sheet

Step	Action	Ingredients to Use
1	Speed up healthy cell turnover & exfoliate to prevent clogged pores.	Salicylic Acid (0.5-2%) is a lipophilic (oil-soluble) Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA), meaning it can penetrate deep into the pores, dissolving oils and debris. It’s also anti-inflammatory and helps reduce redness in existing breakouts. Adapalene (.10%) – Best for comedonal acne (whiteheads + blackheads). Prevents new acne from forming by helping to keep pores clear and balances skin cell production. A new OTC retinoid with promising data against acne but significantly diminished side effects compared to trentinoin.
2	Use antimicrobial agents to minimize bacteria growth (like C. agnes)	Option 1: Azelaic Acid is a multi-tasking ingredient that minimizes bacterial growth on your skin that causes acne, can reduce dark spots, soothe rosacea, and treat mild to moderate acne. Studies show that 20% Azelaic Acid is just as effective as other common acne treatments like Tretinoin, Benzoyl Peroxide, and Erythromycin. It’s also gentler on the skin and a great option for those with sensitive or dry skin who want to avoid Benzoyl Peroxide. Option 2: Benzoyl Peroxide (5%-10% – start at 5%) – Spot treatment for active pimples. Benzoyl peroxide (BP) is a popular acne treatment, but we don’t really know how it works. One theory is that BP kills the bacteria that causes acne by generating phenyl radicals, which interact with the bacteria cells and destroy them. Benzoyl Peroxide is super drying so don’t use this product all over your face. Use this as a spot treatment. the good news is that bacteria don’t become resistant to it, so it can still be an effective treatment if used correctly.
3	Incorporate soothing ingredients to keep skin calm, reduce inflammation and irritation	Moisturizers and serums with soothing ingredients like green tea, colloidal oatmeal, allanotin, squalene. Colloidal oatmeal and allantion protect the skin and reduce irritation. Green tea helps that help soothe your skin while Squalane provides lightweight hydration without irritating the skin.
4	Reduce hyperpigmentation (the dark spots that acne can leave behind)	Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (SAP) Vitamin C derivative that serves a dual purpose: pigmentation and acne treatment. According to research, sodium ascorbyl phosphate evens out skin tone and boosts collagen production. SAP has an antimicrobial effect and can be a good option for treating and preventing acne.

Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation such as brown spots, melasma, uneven skin tone, and sun spots is one of the most persistent and challenging skin concerns to tackle.

Hyperpigmentation is caused by an overproduction of melanin in the skin (tyrosinase determines how fast melanin is produced), which can be triggered by sun exposure, hormonal imbalances, or genetics leading to uneven skin tone and unwanted dark spots.

The good news is that a comprehensive skincare routine can effectively address hyperpigmentation resulting from sun damage, aging, acne scaring and more.

Hyperpigmentation Treatment Cheat Sheet

Step	Action	Ingredients to Use
1	Prevent external aggressors	Sunscreen: Broad spectrum sunscreen w/ SPF 30-50 range. Antioxidants: Ascorbic Acid (vitamin C), tocopherol (vitamin E), lipolic acid, resveratrol Anti-inflammatories: Bisabolol, Centella asiatica (madecassoside asiaticoside), allantoin, cucumber extract, etc. Pair antioxidants with your sunscreen. Ascorbic Acid is my favorite since its an antioxident and a tyrosinase inhibitor (slows down melanin production). Inflammation is a big contributor to excessive pigmentation so we need to keep our skin calm and soothed.
2	Slow down melanin production	Milder: Licorice Root, Uva ursa (bearberry), peony extract Medium: Arbutin( 2% or higher), Kojic acid (2% or higher),, Azeliac acid (10% – 20% ), Tranexamic acid (3% or higher), resorcinol or ascorbyl acid. Heavy duty: Hydroquinone (2%)
3	Slow melanin transport to upper skin layers.	Niacinamide (2%-5%): Targets melanin transport instead of blocking tyrosinase. Find a moisturizer with Niacinamide to add to your routine.
4	Increase cell turnover to help fade dark spots.	Glycolic acid (5%-10%): Gold standard AHA when it comes to battling hyperpigmentation.

Anti-Aging

As much as we wish we could stop time and keep our skin youthful forever, the truth is that aging is a natural process that affects all of us. So, what causes our skin to age?

Well, there are a few factors at play. Firstly, as we get older, our skin naturally loses collagen and elastin – two key proteins that give our skin its plumpness and elasticity. This leads to fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin.

In addition, exposure to UV rays from the sun can damage our skin and lead to premature aging. This is why it’s so important to wear sunscreen every day, even when it’s cloudy outside.

Other lifestyle factors can also contribute to aging skin, such as smoking, a poor diet, and not getting enough sleep. These can all cause oxidative stress and inflammation in the body, which can accelerate the aging process.

So, what can we do to slow down the aging process and keep our skin looking youthful? We can incorporate the following skincare ingredients into our skin to prevent and minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles:

Have you heard of the “Big 5” in skincare? These are the five most extensively studied skincare actives and have demonstrated proven efficacy in improving the appearance and health of the skin. The Big 5 includes retinol, vitamin C, niacinamide, chemical exfoliants (AHAs/BHAs), and peptides. Each of these ingredients has its own unique benefits and can effectively address anti-aging concerns like fine lines and wrinkles.

Retinol: Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A, and is a powerful anti-aging ingredient. It works by increasing collagen production in the skin, which can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Retinol can also improve skin texture and tone, and help to prevent future signs of aging. And research shows that in just 12 weeks, retinol can improve your skin’s texture and tone, making it look smoother and brighter.

Vitamin C: As we age, our skin naturally loses collagen, which leads to wrinkles and fine lines. Vitamin C is known to boost collagen production, which can help to plump up the skin, smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, and leave your skin looking firmer and more youthful.

Niacinamide: Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that can help to improve the elasticity of the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It can also help to brighten the skin tone and improve overall skin texture.

Chemical Exfoliants (AHAs/BHAs): Chemical exfoliants, such as alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), can help to improve the overall texture and appearance of the skin. They work by gently removing dead skin cells, which can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Peptides: Peptides have multiple benefits for the skin, including anti-aging effects, support for the skin barrier, and hydration. They work by promoting the production of key components of the skin, making it more resilient and able to better withstand environmental stressors. As a result, peptides can help to revitalize the skin’s building blocks, leading to a healthier, more youthful appearance.

Step 5: Develop Your Skincare Routine

You’ve made it to step 4 of our 5-step skincare routine guide. By now, you’ve identified your skin type, pinpointed your top 2 skin concerns, and learned about the best skincare ingredients to incorporate into your routine. Now it’s time to put all that knowledge into action and create your personalized skincare routine.

To get started, write down the different categories for your morning & pm routine (e.g. cleanser, toner, exfoliant, treatments, moisturizer, sunscreen). Then, take a look at your current products. Determine which ones you need to toss and which ones you need to replace. Remember, it’s important to only use products that are specifically designed for your skin type and concerns.

Beside your am + pm routine, write the right product to each one of your skincare routine steps. Then, make a list of the products you’ll need to purchase.

When you’re ready to go shopping, refer back to the recommended skincare ingredients for your skin type and concerns. Look for products that contain those ingredients and don’t be afraid to ask for help from a skincare specialist or beauty advisor. They can help you find products that will work best for your skin and give you advice on how to use them.

Step 6: Test & Tweak Your Routine

How Do I Incorporate New Products Into My Routine?

Before you jump into using all of your new products at once, take a step back. While it may be tempting to see what miracles each product can work on your skin, it’s best to introduce them gradually.

Think of it this way: if you use a new cleanser, serum, and toner all in one day, and your skin breaks out in a rash or pimples, how will you know which product is to blame?

It’s important to introduce new products one at a time, every three to four weeks. This way, if a product causes a negative reaction, you can quickly identify the offender and avoid further damage.

Additionally, never try a new product a few days before an important event, like a wedding or photoshoot. If something goes wrong, your skin won’t have enough time to recover before the big day.

Always do a patch test on a small area of skin before using a new skincare product for the first time. Even if you’ve never had a bad reaction before, remember that allergies can develop at any time. It’s better to be safe than sorry and avoid the risk of a bad reaction after applying the product all over your face.

How Long Will It Take For My Skincare Products To Work?

It can be frustrating when you feel like your serum or moisturizer isn’t doing anything, right? But don’t give up hope just yet! As a general rule, you should give it at least 28 days, which is how long it takes for your skin to renew itself.
However, there are exceptions to the rule.

Let’s break it down by product type, shall we?

• Cleansers work straight away, as they remove dirt, makeup, and impurities from your skin. Exfoliants like scrubs work immediately too, but acids like Glycolic and Salicylic may take up to a month to see full benefits.
  
• Moisturizers are the quickest way to improve the appearance of your skin, and you’ll likely see results within 1-2 days.
  
• As for acne products, it can take anywhere from 1 week to 1.5 months, depending on the severity of your acne. But don’t try to treat cystic acne with over-the-counter products – it’s best to stick with prescription meds recommended by your dermatologist.

• Skin-lightening products take about 2 months to work, but only if you use them morning and night.
  
• Anti-aging products can take anywhere from 3 months to years to see results, but trust us, they’re worth the wait! Antioxidants prevent premature aging, so if you stick with them, you’ll see the benefits years down the line.
  
• Retinol and Vitamin C boost collagen, which keeps your skin firm and elastic, but you’ll need to wait at least 3 months to see results.

And last but not least, sunscreen is a must-have. It may take years to see the full benefits, but it’s worth it to prevent up to 80% of premature aging caused by UV rays. So, don’t forget to slather on that sunscreen, especially if you’re spending time in the sun or tanning beds.

Remember, beautiful skin takes time and patience, but with the right products and a little bit of faith, you’ll get there.

How Long Do You Need To Wait Before Applying The Next Skincare Product?

You just need to wait until the product has sunk in before applying the next one. Most of the time, this only takes a few seconds. However, if you’re using a richer cream, it may take a couple of minutes.

If your skin feels a bit tacky 5 minutes later, you’ve probably used too much product. Don’t worry; just go easy on it next time. There are a couple of exceptions to this rule.

• If you’ve applied sunscreen, wait 15-20 minutes before doing your makeup. This will give the sunscreen enough time to settle down and form an even, protecting layer.
  
• Also, if you’re using more than one active ingredient and not sure if they’re compatible, wait 15/20 minutes between applications.

When it comes to applying skincare products, I always recommend patting them on. Rubbing can cause wrinkles and stretch the skin, breaking down collagen and elastin, the proteins that keep your skin firm and elastic. A gentle rubbing won’t do you too much harm, but vigorous rubbing every day is asking for trouble. Plus, you’ll probably end up wasting some of the product. So, be gentle, and never rub in your sunscreen!

When Is It Time To Change My Skincare Products?

You might have heard that you need to change your skincare products every two months because they stop working. But the truth is, your skin doesn’t adapt to skincare products like that.

If your usual skincare routine isn’t working anymore, it’s probably because your skin has changed. For example, if you’ve always had oily skin, you might have opted for a lightweight formula that’s oil-free to avoid excess oil. But what happens when you move to a colder and harsher climate? Your skin might dry out and flake, and sticking to your oily skin routine would only make things worse.

The thing is, your skin is a living organ that evolves and changes all the time. As you get older, your skin starts to lose collagen, elastin, and other important elements that keep it naturally healthy. When you first add skincare ingredients to your routine, you’re likely to see quick results – your skin becomes smoother, more radient, and softer. But after a while, your skin might stop improving, and you might hit a plateau.

It’s not like your actives aren’t doing their job anymore – it’s just that it has made your skin so healthy that the only thing it can do now is maintain your new status quo. But as time goes on and your skin evolves and you might notice your actives are struggling to keep up, that’s when you know it’s time to up your dose.

Wrap-up

Achieving radiant, glowing skin doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. By simplifying your skincare routine with just 5 key products and following our easy step-by-step process, you can achieve the results you’ve been looking for. It’s all about finding the right products for your skin type and being consistent with your routine. And remember, skincare is a journey, not a destination. Don’t be afraid to experiment and adjust your routine as your skin’s needs change. With a little bit of effort and the right products, you can achieve your best skin yet.