Skin Care Support: How to Find a Routine
At the moment, acne can feel like the bane of one’s existence — so many factors contribute to one’s skin, that finding the cause of a breakout seems like an almost impossible feat. Despite this struggle, keeping to a consistent routine that works for you will decrease the stress and hassle that comes with trying to maintain a healthy and acne-free face.
The first step in creating a skincare routine is determining what kind of skin you have. Traditionally, there are 4 skin types: normal, oily, dry, and combination. Within this spectrum, you can also simultaneously have sensitive skin, which is very delicate and reacts more severely to products. Normal skin is categorized with minimal breakouts, small pores, and an even complexion. Oily skin usually comes with consistent breakouts, a shinier complexion, and bigger pores. Dry skin usually feels tight, with rough complexions and being prone to red spots on the face. Combination skin can mean being one or more of these categories, with different areas on your face having different textures and sensitivities. Knowing your skin type aids you in finding products that exactly target those issues, which in turn can prevent further problems in the long run.
Once you identify your skin type, you can create a basic routine that is adapted to your skin. At a minimum, you must have a cleanser, facial cream, and SPF sunscreen: cleaning your face after the day prevents any dirt from further penetrating your skin and creating pimples, and facial cream brings back moisture to your face. Sunscreen is essential to protecting your face from the sun and preventing UV rays from affecting the health of your skin. Contrary to what social media may portray, having a routine that consists of minimal products is best for when you’re trying to get into the habit of maintaining skincare. Overcomplicating your routine with multiple steps and products when you’re first starting out isn’t just expensive, but also can make it difficult to pinpoint what products give you irritation in the event they don’t work for your skin. Keeping it simple in the beginning is best, but as you learn what’s best for you and you understand how your skin acts, incorporating products such as toners, serums, and eye creams can naturally follow suit.
Besides just a routine of products, your everyday life also affects how your skin performs and looks. Keeping yourself hydrated brings moisture to your face from the inside out, which is naturally more healthy for you in the long run. Eating whole foods such as vegetables and fruits can also improve your skin, as they contain pure vitamins and minerals that provide nutrition and keep you naturally glowing. Washing your face mask and changing your pillowcases every week also contributes to better skin health, since you’re removing any built-up bacteria that’s accumulated on the fabric and preventing it from further affecting your face.
No matter what new products your favorite influencer recommends you buy or whatever that Instagram hack tells you is an acne cure-all, simplicity and individual research on your skin type is the best way to begin a facial routine. It’s definitely a circle of trial and error, but the more effort that is put into it, the better the eventual outcome will be. So don’t forget to wash your face, wear sunscreen, and stay hydrated!
