Beginner's Guide to SkinCare

Skincare is something that I am very passionate about. I have learned the importance of good skincare and taking care of yourself and your skin. It is never too late to start your own skincare journey. I have, through trial and error now, found what works for me and I am very happy with my current daytime and nighttime skincare routines. I use many affordable, often drugstore products. I have researched them, and I have tried them for some time now, and I can recommend them to you as well.

The skincare market has really boomed in recent years and while this is great because it gives us a variety of new ingredients and formulations, it can also be very confusing for the consumer. Skincare products can cost an arm and a leg. But that does not mean that they necessarily work the best. I have read many articles and have seen different research studies as well as youtube videos and I have to say that I realize that an affordable skincare is just as good and effective and, in some cases, it is even preferable.

What is important to pay attention to, is the active ingredients in the product and their formulation. Using products with the right ingredients will ensure you see long-term results and a proper skincare routine leads to a healthier base for makeup, which allows for beauty products to apply nicer on your skin! Having great skin will help boost your self-esteem and your confidence in yourself!

So, since we are all on the hunt to find the fountain of youth, let us take a skincare journey together!

In this post, I will talk about the proper use of and order of the products and if you'd like to see my daytime skincare routine as well as my nighttime skincare routine, please click here.

Though everyone's skin is different — and therefore different skin issues, concerns, goals, etc. — there are certain skin-routine rules that generally apply across the board. These are otherwise known as the basics. Those basics should always include the following steps, performed in the following order:

Step One: Cleanse

Washing your face is one of the most important steps in your skincare regimen. The ideal rule of thumb is to wash your face twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Washing your face in the morning is important because it helps wake you up, and it also cleans oils and impurities your skin produces as you sleep.

Experts say washing your face in the morning is optional but washing your face in the evening is an absolute must! You need to cleanse the residue of skincare products and makeup as well as excess oil, dead skin cells, sweat, as well as impurities our skin collects during the day.

Contrary to what you might think, your daily cleanser should have as few ingredients as possible, be very gentle and not irritating, and preferably fragrance-free. Here are some cult favorites that I have tried, love, and currently use:

Step Two: Toner

A toner is used to complete the cleansing of the skin, effectively removing impurities that remain after washing your face. Toners help get rid of anything that your cleanser might have missed. Toners used to contain high levels of alcohol and had a bad reputation. Nowadays, toners not only help cleanse your skin but restore your skin and improve the skin appearance and texture. Below are some of my favorites:

Check out some other amazing Paula's choice products:

Step Three: Spot Treatment

Now is the time to treat that stubborn blemish. Spot treatments work by delivering acne-fighting ingredients directly to the blemish. Spot treatments can help reduce redness, swelling, and pain.

 

Step four: Serum

This is my favorite step. All the steps in your skincare are important but serums can make a big difference for your skin. Serums are made of very small molecules, so the skin absorbs them quickly and deeply. A serum can penetrate the skin more deeply since it is comprised of smaller molecules with a higher concentration of active ingredients.

Each serum will vary in what those active ingredients are and how they can benefit your skin. Serums target different skin issues such as pore reducing, erasing signs of aging, wrinkle-fighting, and improving skin texture. Here are some of my favorite:
 

 

Step Five: Moisturize

Next, is moisturizer. Look for an oil-free, fragrance-free moisturizer if you have sensitive, acne prone skin. Other than that, you can also utilize this step to simultaneously address specific skin concerns by seeking out a moisturizer that is formulated with additional ingredients that target specific needs. Moisturizing your skin just feels great! Hydrated skin will remain supple and young for much longer and besides hydrating your skin from within by drinking lots of water and eating the right foods, we also need to hydrate it externally. Moisturizers improve skin elasticity, helping to keep it younger and prettier.
 

To choose your facial moisturizer you need to consider, above all, your skin type (normal, dry, combination, or oily) and your age to know if you require a cream that also has anti-aging components, and the season as there are differences in the creams’ consistency used in winter, compared with summer. Here are my recommendations:

 

Step Six: Protect

The last step and undoubtfully one of the most important steps in your skincare regimen is to protect your skin by using sunscreen. The sunscreen acts as a protective barrier against harmful UV rays. If you do not protect your skin, it is almost as if you are throwing all the money and time you spend in the other 5 steps above away. Sunlight directly affects the skin and leads to wrinkles and fine lines.

You have worked so hard to take care of your skin, do not throw it all away by not using sunscreen. Also, keep in mind, even on a cloudy day, you will need to apply your sunscreen.

Choosing the right one though is the important part. Many sunscreens are oily, non-absorbent, very fragrant, and full of pore-clogging chemicals. I have found that mineral sunscreens are the best and I highly recommend them. Here are several that I love:
 

There it is. My beginner’s guide to great skincare. I hope you find this helpful. I have given you several options for products that range from more affordable to a bit pricier but nothing super expensive. Because we really do not need to spend a crazy amount of money when there are tons of amazing skincare products now on the market.

Remember, everyone’s skin is different. Try some of the products I recommend and see what works for you and what does not. Have fun with it. The best part is when you start seeing results. Now, this will not happen overnight. Be patient and be consistent and soon enough you will see glowing, youthful, and amazing skin!

I also recommend signing up for a beauty box monthly subscription. It helps you explore other brands on the market without paying the full price for a product. You get to try products and see if you like them before you buy the full-size versions. I really love my monthly Allure beauty box! You get 6+ makeup and skincare picks each month ($100+ value for only $23).  I love it because I get to try new products each month, 3 of which are full-sized products. I honestly look forward to receiving it in my mail every month. Click below to try it now and get a New member gift valued at $15+.
 

 

Thank you!

Eve

Note: While most of the links are affiliate links where I get a commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you), all of the products listed are purchased by me, I have used them and I truly love them enough to recommend them to you. I am only recommending them because I believe they are truly great products that will make a difference in your skincare.