Why a Skincare Routine for Your Face Is Important and Where to Start

Have you developed the right skincare routine for yourself yet? Well, if not, then you’re not alone. Skincare has become the number one practice of self-care. Everywhere you look, there’s a new product hitting the shelves of our local stores.

I’ve spent years with the simple routine of wetting my washcloth and wiping my face. Done! Bad? I know. But I really wasn’t taught much about skincare and the things my mother did tell me about it, I ignored.

More and more people have taken a huge investment in taking care of their skin better. And I have begun to jump on the bandwagon. However, like so many newcomers to the world of skincare, you’re probably thinking “where in the world should I begin?”

Well, let’s explore some of the basics.

Why is a daily skincare routine so important

Having a daily skincare routine Is important because it helps you maintain good skin health. Taking care of your skin helps to shed the dead skin cells that build up, clears clogged pores, and more. But it also leaves your skin looking healthier and feeling its best.

As your day goes on, your skin builds up layers of dirt that can have some negative effects on you if not taken care of. These layers of filth may lead to bacteria buildup that can cause breakouts on the skin and enlarged pores.

And if acne is an issue for you, it can lead to inflamed blisters and blemishes. By having a proper skincare routine, you prevent these things and more from flaring up.

But you’ll also find that aside from healthier skin, you’ll see a boost in your mental well-being. The feeling of a fully clean face can make you feel refreshed and uplifted. This could help boost your confidence and self-esteem as you begin to feel better about the results of your routine.

Your skincare routine can also serve as good emotional care because you’re showing yourself great gratitude. The benefit of a new routine is endless and I’m sure you’re probably asking “where do I start?”

Determine your type of skin for your skincare routine

If you’ve been on social media, then I’m sure you’ve seen tons of videos of others showing off their skincare routine. And you probably thought, “wow, I need to try that.”

However, most of those people will tell you that it took them a few tries before they found what actually worked. Still, that shouldn’t stop you from starting.

When I first started, I had no idea what to look for despite seeing those same videos. But after some research, I found that there are three main components that can jumpstart your new routine.

Now before you get started with products, the first thing you need to understand about your skin is the type of skin you have. I was a bit confused by this because I knew that my face stayed dry, but my nose would produce an oily texture.

There are three main types of skin, which are:

Normal

Those who have normal skin usually experience little to no breakouts, and greasy or tight skin. However, just because they experience the least amount of skin issues, that doesn’t mean a skincare routine is not needed. The proper routine can help you maintain a hydrated and healthy facial skincare.

Dry

Those who have dry skin usually produce fewer natural oils. It can become flaky and rough, leaving your skin feeling tight, and dehydrated. You may often see areas of your face peeling more during the colder seasons.

Oily

Those who have oily skin usually have an abundance amount of sebum. Sebum is an oily, substance that’s produced by the sebaceous glands in your body. You may experience acne, blackheads, enlarged pores, and more.

It’s important to understand the type of skin you have because it helps you determine the type of products you’ll need. This way you don’t waste time on something that could do more harm than good. There is another type which is a combination of oily and dry so you may need products to combat both.

Building your daily skincare routine

Now that you know and understand what type of skin you have, next you can work on the products that’ll help keep your skin healthy.

This step can be very overwhelming because there are so many products out there. How do you know which ones work and which ones don’t? As tedious as it may be, you may have to go through a variety of them just to find what works for your skin.

Cleansers

Your morning routine will start off with a good cleanser. This will be used to wash off any oil, dead skin, and dirt overnight and hydrate your face. There are cleansers for all types of skin but it’s a matter of getting the best one for you.

For dry skin, you’ll want to look at something that will provide you with a good moisturizing option. You also don’t want it to tighten up your skin because there are some products that will say they moisturize the skin but instantly leave you with the feeling of tightness.

Some of the ingredients you may look for would be Hyaluronic acid, Glycerin, Ceramides, and Antioxidants.

For oily skin, you’ll be looking for something that’s oil-free. Because you’re already producing excess oil in your T-zone area (forehead, nose, and chin) you want something that’s going to minimize any more grease or oil.

Some of the ingredients you may look for would be Salicylic acid or Benzoyl peroxide, Ceramides, Lipids, and Aloe.

For normal skin, you’ll be looking for something that will hydrate your skin. Because normal skin types experience fewer issues, you have a broader reach when it comes to products. However, finding the right combination may be a bit difficult.

And if you have sensitive skin, a gentle, mild hydrating foam or gel could work best.

Toners

Next on your skincare stop is deciding which toner is good for you. Toner acts as the first layer of protection, before putting on your serum and moisturizer. The reason for using a toner is to remove any traces of dirt and oil after your wash as well as restore hydration.

It also protects your skin by sealing up your pores for better protection. And finally, it leaves you feeling refreshed and soothed. Toners can come in the form of fresheners, astringents, and tonics. I use soothing rose petal water or lavender water by Thayers.

When it comes to toners you want to look for ingredients such as Rosewater, Chamomile, Aloe Vera, Vitamin E, or Tea tree oil.

Serums

Next, after applying your toner, you’ll want to use a serum on your face. Serums are light moisturizers that provide a dose of nutrients and antioxidants to the skin. They’re usually in the form of a gel base or liquid and not as thick as a moisturizer.

Serums are used to lock in moisture and include vitamins A, C, and E. Because they also contain topical retinol, they’re known to even out the pigmentation of your skin.

There are many types of serums out there that tackle different situations. Anti-aging, hydrating, and antioxidant serums are just a few.

Moisturize

And finally, the last stop is moisturizing. I’ve always found this step relaxing. Moisturizers are lotions, ointments, or creams that help the skin stay hydrated. It acts as a barrier from irritation, and dryness.

When looking for a good moisturizer, you may want ones that contain ceramides, glycerin, SPF, and hyaluronic acid. SPF is important because it also serves as sun protection.

Also, you want a moisturizer that’s going to compliment your type of skin. Some moisturizers may work for a few minutes after applying while others may dry out your skin instantly. This is why it’s best to research and go through a few rounds of different types of moisturizers.

Of course, the best way to pick the best products for your skincare routine is to consult with a dermatologist. They will not only answer your questions but recommend and guide you through your skincare journey.

Daytime and nighttime skincare routine

Did you know that the best outcome for healthier skin is having a day and nighttime routine? Well, if you’re like me then you probably didn’t. I was blown away when my sister told me that I needed a routine for both.

Your daytime routine is for protecting and hydrating your skin for the upcoming day. While your nighttime routine is for cleaning and removing the dirt build up and for the ladies, makeup from the day you had.

In a way, you can think of your morning routine as putting on your armor and your evening routine as taking it off. Both are beneficial and help maintain some of the best care for your face.

I haven’t quite worked on my nighttime routine, but I am trying out some products down the road that will help me perfect my routine.

Conclusion

Skincare routines have such a great impact on you. It can serve as improvements to your skin health and mental health. Now, while it may seem like a lot to handle for the first time, it’s well worth it.

If you’d like a rundown of my routine then I’ll be sure to share it in a future post as well as test out different products I buy.

Do you have any advice, or did I leave something out that could help others? Share your responses in the comments below.

Want to know more about what you missed? Subscribe to my newsletter and never miss a post again. Also, grab your free downloadable Self-care planner.

Until next time, this is Tammy saying keep strong, keep positive. And NOTHING’s Impossible!!!