We require well-structured habits to have and maintain a glowy, healthy skin. If you are just starting or an experienced skincare person, you need to be familiar with your skin type, following a morning routine and a dedicated night routine. We are breaking down the steps for a skin care routine that will boost the glow and youth of your skin.
Know Your Skin Type
Knowing your skin type is a crucial step before you start a secret skincare routine. This will ensure that you are using the perfect product that suits your skin and help to achieve a desired result with the time.
Why Understanding Skin Type Is Important
It will save an amount you may spend on choosing the wrong product, and most importantly having this knowledge will protect your skin from any damage.
Our skin reacts differently to products. For instance:
- Oily Skin Requires oil-free, lightweight products that controls sebum production which leads to less oily skin.
- Dry Skin Benefits from mosturizing formulas to keep it hydrated and smooth.
- Sensitive Skin Has an advantage with fragrance-free products which minimise the chances of irritation.
- Combination Skin Desires a mixture of products that have a balanced approach, treating oiliness and dryness of the skin.
Save yourself by knowing your skin type. It would save you from any outbreak, dryness or irritation, caused by using the wrong product.
How to Identify Your Skin Type
Experts suggest a simple test, you can do at your home to know your skin type. Wash your face with soap and then observe how your skin feels, after an hour according to the following table.
- Oily Skin: would be shiny and greasy, especially in the T-zone.
- Dry Skin: Feels tight and possibly flaky.
- Combination Skin: Oily in the T-zone but dry elsewhere.
- Normal Skin: Feels balanced—not too oily, not too dry.
After knowing your skin type you can have perfect steps for a skin care routine.
Morning Routine steps for a skin care routine
It is essential to protect and hydrate your skin in the morning to keep it looking fresh and healthy all day long. Because your morning steps for a skin care routine sets the tone for your day.
Step 1: Cleansing
Cleansing is the first step in any morning routine. Choose a cleanser that won’t disturb the natural oils of your skin. A gentle cleanser is a good choice especially when you have sensitive and dry skin.
Basically cleanser comes in two forms:
i) oil based cleanser
ii) water based cleanser
| Oil based cleanser | Water based cleanser |
|---|---|
| Best to use on wet skin while others are effective on dry skin. You are suggested to read the instructions before applying. | cleans oil collected by oil based cleanser along with dirt and sweat. You can skip this step if your oil based cleanser contains surfactants. |
| Avoid using these cleansers if you have a combination or oily skin. | Water based cleansers may help to prevent breakouts of acne by balancing oil of the skin. |
| These cleansers remove waterproof makeup and unclog pores because of their higher cleansing ability | Be careful with the amount of surfactants. It could dry your skin and may damage the natural barrier of your skin. |
| You may experience breakouts during the first 2 weeks of its initial use as old oil in your skin cleanses. |
Step 2: Toning
Do not skip this step, because toner is essential for balancing the pH and preparing the skin for the products to follow. It also helps reduce the appearance of the pores and remove impurities left behind after cleansing.
You should opt for toner with ingredients like witch hazel or salicylic acid to control the excess oil. It suits with oily or acne-prone skin.Toner including aloe vera and glycerin is a good choice for dry skin.
Step 3: Moisturizing
A moisturizer is a must to use on all skin types because it soothes and softens skin. Its regular use prevents blemishes and other skin issues.
Creams and balms suit dry skin that locks in hydration while thicker creams work best on normal or combination skin. Look for lightweight, oil-free moisturizers for oily skin, it will hydrate your skin without clogging your pores.
Step 4: Sunscreen
It is a critical and final step of your morning steps for a skin care routine. It protects our skin from harmful UV rays that causes premature aging, sunspots or even skin cancer.
If you spend time in the sun then apply it after every 2 hours. Use a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.
Night Routine for a Skin Care Routine
Your skin enters into recovery mode at this time, and this is all about repairing the skin. Using the right product will help to heal and restore its natural balance.
Step 1: Removing Makeup
The first step in your night steps for a skin care routine is removing makeup, if you wear it. Use makeup remover gently, without rubbing or tugging against your skin. Using this step will be a hindrance against leftover makeup that could clog your pores and lead to breakouts.
Step 2: Cleansing
Once you are done with removing makeup. You can reclean your skin to see if there is any dirt left on the skin.
You may use oil based makeup cleanser or water based makeup cleanser.
An oil based makeup cleanser breaks down natural oily makeup ingredients and dissolves natural skin oils. While a water based makeup cleanser reacts with makeup and dirt on the skin and removes it properly.
Step 3: Toning
You may use the same toner you used in the morning or switch to a more hydrating one for night time. This will help balance your skin and prepare it for the next steps. Ingredients like lactic acid, hyaluronic acid, and glycerine can give a boost to moisture skin.
People with sensitive skin should be careful with alcohol based toners because it could cause irritation. It is better to test it on a small part of your skin.
Step 4: Night Cream or Moisturizer
Choose a cream with hyaluronic acid, peptides, or ceramides in it to hydrate and restore your skin while sleeping. Nighttime is a perfect time to apply a moisturizer as your skin cell repairs itself.
Step 5: Eye Cream
Skin around your eyes is much more sensitive and thinner as compared to the face, that makes it vulnerable to fine lines and puffiness. A richer and gentle eye cream will improve appearance related issues, help reduce dark circles, puffiness and early signs of ageing.
Experts’ Views on Skin Care Routines
To ensure this article is backed by credible sources, we’ve consulted several dermatologists for their professional advice on following a proper skincare routine.
Dr. Emma Wedgeworth, Consultant Dermatologist
According to Dr. Emma Wedgeworth, “The key to a successful skincare routine lies in consistency and choosing the right products for your skin type. People often skip sunscreen, but it’s arguably the most important part of your daily routine. Even when it’s cloudy or you’re indoors, harmful UV rays can penetrate, leading to premature aging and skin damage.”
Dr. Joshua Zeichner, Director of Cosmetic & Clinical Research, Mount Sinai Hospital
Dr. Zeichner emphasizes the importance of keeping your routine simple. “A common mistake I see is using too many products. Stick to the basics—cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen during the day, and at night, use a cleanser, treatment product (like retinol), and moisturizer. Your skin needs time to adjust, and overloading it with too many products can cause irritation.”
Dr. Shereene Idriss, Board-Certified Dermatologist
Dr. Idriss also highlights the importance of exfoliation: “Exfoliating a couple of times a week helps remove dead skin cells, but over-exfoliating can do more harm than good. Be gentle, especially if you have sensitive skin. Opt for chemical exfoliants like AHAs or BHAs rather than physical scrubs that can cause microtears.”
Dr. Sam Bunting, Cosmetic Dermatologist
“Hydration is key, regardless of your skin type,” says Dr. Sam Bunting. “Many people with oily skin shy away from moisturizers, but this can lead to more oil production. Use a light, non-comedogenic moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated and balanced.”
Conclusion
It is not complicated to create an effective skincare routine. Having knowledge about your skin type, and choosing the right product will make steps for skin care routine easy. According to experts advice you must protect your skin from sun rays. So, add sunblockers in your routine along with cleansing and moisturizing.
Remember consistency is the key, stick to the basics and you will see the results with the time.