I know what you’re thinking! Who needs a skin care routine when my skin is popping without it? Peep that natural skin glow.
Even Rihanna and her Fenty Trophy wife would be green with envy.
Well….check this out.
A friend of mine had the perfect skin. Her skin was what Asians call, glass skin. Therefore, she didn’t spend a dime on skin care products.
She was unbothered about having a skin care routine and wouldn’t even clean her makeup. Yet, when we stepped out, everyone asked her to drop her skincare routine. It was that perfect.
We graduated from university and went our separate ways. Five years down the line, we reconnected.
I couldn’t recognize her. Her face was uneven, dull, dry patches, acne. It was a mess. She now spends a whole lot on beauty products.
How did this all happen?
Well, let me break it down to you.
Our skin is basically like a car . If you don’t service it, one day the engine would cave in.
At that point, you are likely going to have to replace the entire engine, get a new car or spend a hefty sum to fix it.
And it may ever be the same again.
It’s not too late to start caring for your skin. Trust me, I learned the hard way.
Though I didn’t neglect my skin,I spent money on the wrong skin care products ,ignoring the basics .
What are the Skin Care Basics?
*CLEANSE
This is the first step to beautiful skin. Get a cleanser which would rid your face of dirt, oil build up and makeup.
*TONE
A toner freshens the skin, helps with pores and uneven tone.
*MOISTURIZE
Without moisturizing, your skin would lose its elasticity over time, become dull and uneven. Get a good moisturizer to suit your skin type.
You’ve obviously heard those steps a million times before but I am here to emphasize this. There is no way around this.
Even dermatologists will tell you these are the first steps towards beautiful skin.
Which Skin Care Products Should I Use As A Beginner?
Before you embark on any skincare regimen, KNOW YOUR SKIN TYPE.
Yes, we all have different skin types. So it is vital to figure out what it is, so you can buy products tailored to suit your skin.
What’s My Skin Type?
Your skin type would fall into one of the following categories
- Oily skin: This is one of the major skin concerns of many skin care users. Oily skin looks shiny due to excess production of oil.
- Dry skin: If your skin is flaky with dry and right areas.
- Sensitive skin: Easily irritated, sensitive with areas that are typically painful to the touch.
- Combination skin: Skin that is a combination of oily and dry areas
However, there are products which cater to all skin types.
Recommended Face Cleansers
Now let’s continue to the good stuff!
Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin is a must have as a beginner .
It is suitable for all skin types and gentle enough for sensitive skin. Cetaphil unclogs pores, removes 99% of oil, makeup and dirt without drying the skin.
It is also good for acne-prone skin as it is soap-free, oil-free and Fragrance-free.
Need a little more convincing?
Check out the rave reviews ..You can’t go wrong with it as a beginner.
Another personal favorite of mine is the Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser which traps 2x more dirt and impurities.(Read my Review Here)
Recommended Face Toners
Want a perfect face toner as a beginner ?Look no further than Thayers Witch Hazel Alcohol Toner.
Witch Hazel is famed for its traditional healing and soothing properties.
It contains Tannins, known for its astringent effects .
Thayer’s Witch Hazel toner controls oil production tightens pores, and gets smoothens the skin.
If you have sensitive skin, go for Thayers Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel.
If you have large pores ,Dickson’s Orginal Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Toner is the right choice for you.
Recommended Moisturizer
There are loads of moisturizers in the market and picking one or two is not an easy feat.
Moisturizing helps boost collagen production, makes your skin soft and plump and basically prevents your skin from wear and tear.
But as I broke it down earlier, tailor your moisturizer down to your skin type.
I recommended the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel or lotion. This is hands down one of my favorite moisturizers ever .
If you have oily skin like me , use the gel . If your skin is dry, buy the lotion.
The reviews are amazing and your skin would thank you for it.
Another good moisturizer is the Olay Total Effects 7 in One Anti-Aging Moisturizer.
It is good to achieve younger looking skin, reduction of fineo lines and wrinkles. Yes
If you have no issues with your skin and just want a good skin care regimen, try the Cethaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15.
Additional Skin Care Routine for Beginners
Now, that we have your cleanser, toner, and moisturizer figured out, you may want some additional skin care products.
Make up remover
For makeup removal, Micellar water is great for all skin types.
Micellar water known as cleansing water , is so gentle for those with sensitive and dry skin .It has no alcohol or drying surfactants.
It cleanses and tones . And is very effective at removing makeup and dirt.
Try the widely acclaimed Garnier Micellar Water.
Skin Care Routine For Acne
If you are suffering from acne or have acne prone skin, you need a more potent skin care regimen.
Salicylic acid should be part of your skincare routine.
What is Acne ?
Acne is a skin problem which occurs when dead skin cells and oil clogs up the pores. This causes pimples, zits, blackheads, whiteheads.
Buy a good cleanser with salicylic acid.
My personal tested and trusted favorite is the Clinique 3-step acne removal kit. Will do a review soon.
A.nother amazing brand is the Neutrogena Oil-Free Salicylic Acid Acne Wash.
Exfoliating for Beginners
Exfoliation is one of the major secrets to flawless skin.s
Exfoliation removes dead skin cells and paves way for skin renewal. Also gets rid of uneven skin tone, dull patches and helps with acne.
Exfoliation also makes your skincare products work better and even helps with your makeup results.r
As a beginner, there are an array of exfoliating products to choose from.
But it all boils down to your skin type and sensitivity.
I avoid harsh exfoliators on my face as it makes me breakout . I go for fine-grained exfoliators which are grainy but almost smooth to the touch.
At the moment ,I’m using the L’Oréal glycolic face cleanser /scrub and it is amazing because it is not harsh on my skin .
You can try exfoliators from brands like Clean and Clear , ST Ives and Neutrogena .These are good for beginners .
Also,don’t forget ,when it comes to exfoliating ,less is more. Excess exfoliation can damage your skin instead of repair it .
Face Masks For Beginners
Face masks are great for the skin because they basically draw out impurities and oil, tighten and reduce pores.
There’s are different types from Charcoal, Clay, Mud, Fruits, and Honey.
Charcoal masks are the rave now so try the Biore Self-Heating One Minute Mask.
My favorite at the moment is the L’Oréal Paris Detox & Brightening Pure Clay mask. It basically draws out the oil to the surface and gives my oily skin a matte finish.
Face Peel for Beginners
After years of damage without any skin care routine, your skin may need something deeper than the 3 step skin care of cleanse, tone, moisturize .. You may need to have a deeper exfoliation.
This is where peels come in .
What is a Chemical Peel?
A chemical peel is a technique used to remove the outermost layer of your skin.
This reduces the signs of aging, wrinkles. Also, it paves way for new skin with improved texture, clears acne scars and uneven skin.
What type of Chemical peel should I use as a beginner
Start gently with chemical peels. Chemical peels range from 10% to 70%. You can buy over the counter peels such as glycolic acid peels.
Want to peel on a budget ,I recommend the L’Oréal RevitaLift Bright Reveal Brightening Peel Pads.
This transformed my face. There are 30 pads which you use at nights only. One per night and follow up with a moisturizer.
Because peels make your skin more sensitive, you must use an SPF cream when stepping out in the day time.
I combined it with the L’Oreal Bright Reveal Moisturizer SPF 30.
The AHA Ordinary peels also have good reviews and I am definitely on board to try that out next.
If you want to go more high ..Try the widely praised Drunk Elephant T.L.C Sukari Face Peel
Or the Lancôme Visionnaire Cresendo .
DIY Chemical Peel for beginners
For those who are on a very tight budget, there is always a home DIY version of every beauty procedure.
The popular home chemical peel procedure involved three ingredients.
Baking soda (read about it here)
-Lemon juice
Aspirin
Mix baking soda and water in a bowl.
Get another bowl and crush an aspirin with lemon juice
Apply the aspirin and lemon juice paste on your face, avoiding the delicate eye area.
Allow to dry for 10 minutes
Then wipe off with a cotton ball soaked in the baking soda and water mixture you made earlier .
After this ,follow up with a moisturizer.
According to Dr Oz,Aspirin contains salicylic acid and beta-hydroxy Acid which acts as a chemical peel.
Remember , Dermatologists warn that ,once you using chemical face peels, do not to combine products with retinol.
Hope you enjoyed my pretty extensive yet simple skin care guide.
Incorporate these basics into your skin care routine and begin your journey to clear skin.
Feel free to share what works for you or your bomb skin care routine.
And oh, if this is your first time here, kindly bookmark my site, subscribe via email(down below on mobile or the sidebar, on desktop) .This is my first article and I would love you to read more awesome posts from me..
Much 💕
XoXo
