Gone are the days when we just used the same body soap to wash our faces. Now don’t get me started on the 3-in-1 shampoo, conditioner and body wash concoction. (que horror!) We deserve better than that. Taking the time and putting in effort to take care of ourselves shouldn’t be an afterthought. Rather, it should be something that comes naturally to us. As RuPaul says, “If you can’t love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?”
Image: Giphy
With so many new products and trends going viral on the daily, forming a skincare routine can be pretty overwhelming, especially for a newbie. You may think, “Is having a routine even necessary?” or “Should I do the Korean 11-step skincare routine?”. Don’t worry; we’ll get there eventually, but first, let me set you up with the basics. Whether you’re starting your skincare journey or looking to refresh your existing routine, join me as I share the benefits and must-haves of a skincare routine.
A Skincare Routine Improves Physical, Emotional, and Mental Health
Did you know that practicing skincare can enhance both your physical and mental well-being? A study indicates that individuals who engaged in facial skincare experienced a higher increase in overall relaxation compared to those who did not. Additionally, the same individuals who practiced skincare reported experiencing more positive emotions compared to those who did not (Bouhout et al., 2023). Having clear, healthy, glowing skin not only makes you look fabulous but also relaxes your mind.
A Skincare Routine Promotes Mindfulness
In this fast-paced, constantly online world, any chance we can get off our screens feels like a breath of fresh air. Pausing to gaze at ourselves in the mirror instead of a screen, and doing a skincare routine allows us to be present, even just for a few minutes. You can use this uninterrupted time to set intentions for the day, think about the things that you are grateful for, or even not think about anything at all. Allowing yourself to have a brief moment of having no thoughts, and just focusing on applying products to your face is a form of rest.
Image: Giphy
A Skincare Routine Provides A Sense of Control
Being creatures of habit, we find comfort in sticking to routines. In a world full of uncertainties, the familiarity of a routine gives us a sense of control. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when the world was on lockdown, I found myself longing for something predictable– something I could control. I decided to do a deep dive into skincare, and since then, my skincare routine has become my safe space. Even if everything seemed to be falling apart, I have this routine that keeps me grounded, and I always have this little task that makes me feel accomplished every time.
Image: Pinterest
Now, let's discuss how you should get started on your routine. While every person's skin type varies, these practices and products serve as the building blocks of a basic skincare routine and apply to ALL skin types.
Step 1: Cleanser
Do you really need a cleanser? Unless you want to collect all the dust, dirt, excess oil, and dead skin on your face after a long day, it is ideal to use one. Not cleansing properly may lead to redness, irritation, breakouts and skin aging.
Most body soaps are not advisable to use on your face since they can be harsh to the skin, and will possibly leave your face feeling dry and irritated. Wash your face with lukewarm water and use gentle motions with your fingertips; avoid scrubbing your skin with the cleanser. Cleansing is done twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. It is also a must to cleanse after sweating to avoid bacteria build-up and irritation.
Images: CeraVe, Fresh, Krave Beauty
Step 2: Moisturizer
Next, let’s talk about moisturizers– those essential companions often referred to as lotions, creams and balms. Packed with the ingredient, emollient, it fills in rough spots and makes skin feel smooth. Thanks to the ingredient called, occlusives, your skin stays hydrated by holding water in the skin. Furthermore, the humectant component pulls water into the outermost layer of the skin both from the air and from deeper layers of the skin, making moisturizers a crucial step in your skincare routine after washing your face. This helps trap in much-needed hydration, preventing dryness and irritation, especially in the unforgiving winter months when our skin tends to lose its moisture balance.
Images: Kiehl's, CeraVe, Tatcha
Step 3: Sunscreen
Last, but not least, seal it all in with sunscreen. If I were stranded on a deserted island and could choose only 1 skincare item to keep, it would be sunscreen. Why? Using sunscreen daily can prevent signs of aging such as wrinkles, brown spots and irregular pigmentation. I don’t know about you, but I would love to age like fine wine.
There’s a common misconception that sunscreen is only for summer or outdoor activities. In reality, it should be applied every day, regardless of the season or whether you are outdoors or indoors. Visible sunlight can still peek through windows even indoors. While the light emitted from our device screens is not harmful enough to negatively impact our skin, board-certified dermatologist Henry W. Lim, MD, FAAD explains, “The visible light from the sun is nearly a thousand times more intense than the artificial light from our devices, and we’ve come to realize that this outdoor visible light is triggering pigmentary skin changes, particularly for people with skin of colour and those who have melasma or dark spots from acne.” Hence, it is important to wear sunscreen as long as there is visible sunlight. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen on your neck too; after all, the neck is also part of the face.
Images: Supergoop!, La Roche-Posay, Beauty of Joseon
Now that you have the starter kit for a basic skincare routine, you can choose to maintain this or incorporate some nice-to-have products as you progress. These can include toners, serums and face masks that target specific skin concerns.
Starting your skincare journey from scratch might seem a bit intimidating, but trust me, once you have the basics down, it’s like a fun experiment to see what your skin loves. Just remember, a skincare routine is not a magical fix, it won’t make you look flawless overnight. As with anything, patience and consistency are needed to achieve the desired results, but I promise you, that once you start seeing the results, you’ll be obsessed– and loving every step of the way!
References
Bouhout, S., Aubert, A., Vial, F., & Choquenet, B. (2023). Physiological benefits associated with facial skincare: Well-being from emotional perception to neuromodulation. International journal of cosmetic science, 45(4), 458–469. https://doi.org/10.1111/ics.12855
American Academy of Dermatology. (n.d.). Face washing 101. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/care/face-washing-101
Cleveland Clinic. (2023, December 29). You should be wearing sunscreen every day. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/why-you-should-wear-sunscreen-every-day
Rosemont, III. (2021). Board-certified dermatologist shares how visible light impacts the skin. https://www.aad.org/news/board-certified-dermatologist-shares-how-visible-light-impacts-skin
Harvard Health. (2019, May 29). Moisturizers: Do they work?. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/moisturizers-do-they-work
Comments