Image by Kevin Laminto via UnsplashTrust me, you’re not the only one. We’ve all got an 18-step skincare routine, yet still find ourselves staring at blemishes and acne we can’t seem to get rid of. Fret not; here’s probably the quickest routine you’ll see floating around the web.
Don’t let the speed fool you, the following skincare routine order will be even more effective than the latest TikTok trend. We’re going to walk you through this three-step routine recommended by some of the best dermatologists money can buy. By focusing on the simplicities and targeting specific problems; you and I will be glowing before summer hits, even on busy days.
Cleanser, Treatment, and Moisturizer.
See, I told you we keep it simple. Of course, we’re going to expand on each step but one thing at a time. Understanding a good skincare routine is only as good as the order of application.
Does Order Matter?
Think of your skincare routine order as the students in a new class you’re substituting. The children sitting in their assigned seats allow you to get through attendance and the day’s lessons quickly and efficiently. However, those chatterboxes and rebel students are always there to cause some sort of commotion. In a similar vein, using not-so-good for your skin products/ingredients can cause acne flare-ups, dry or oily skin, hyperpigmentation, etc. Using the right ingredients and in the intended order allows you to receive the best results possible in the least amount of time.
Okay, now that we’ve covered our basics, let’s get into the steps themselves.
As with any good routine, you want to start with a clean surface to work on. A good cleanser will allow the other steps to work to their fullest potential. Our first step allows you to clear any impurities, dirt, or makeup from your face. Now keep in mind everyone’s skin is different and those varying skin types require different ingredients to achieve the best results.
Oily Skin:
For everyone, myself included, who struggles to reduce our forehead shininess, here’s what doctors recommend: a gentle foaming cleanser, specifically ones that include ingredients like niacinamide and salicylic acid. These will help regulate and remove excess oil.
Acne-Prone Skin:
For those stubborn black and whiteheads, the focus target is pore-clogging substances like excess sebum, dead cells, bacteria, and inflammation. To combat this, doctors recommend a foaming cleanser that includes acne-fighting ingredients such as salicylic acid, glycolic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and sulfur.
Dry Skin:
If you rarely experience oil in your T-zone, have very few, if any, visible pores, and have thin textured skin, news flash: this is your category. Doctors recommend a cream or balm cleansing formula. You specifically want to look out for key ingredients such as ceramides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and botanical oils.
Sensitive Skin:
This one is for those who’ve had to spend a little extra cash in attempts to avoid flare-ups caused by your everyday drugstore product. Trust me, you’re not alone, around 60 to 70 percent of women say they have sensitive skin. Doctors give a special shout-out to ‘Michelle Water’; an ultra-gentle cleanser that contains tiny particles that trap and lift away impurities.
Toners: These products remove any leftover dirt or impurities left behind after cleansing. Use these after washing your face BUT prior to any further steps.
Exfoliant: While exfoliants are a little too harsh to have in your everyday skincare routine order, using one twice a week removes any dead skin/buildup, allowing for better product penetration. Again, you want to use this after cleansing but before other steps.
Here are two steps for the price of one! Because products like serums are subject to your specific needs, feel free to use them if the shoe fits. Additionally, if you are receiving any topical medications for acne or any other treatments, this is when you want to apply them. It does not matter if you do a serum or treatment first ingredients-wise, what’s important to consider is the product’s viscosity.
You’ll want to use products that have a thinner consistency first so they have a chance to sink into the skin. For example, putting a serum or treatment on top of a moisturizer wouldn’t work because they would not be able to penetrate the skin through the thicker and more viscous product.
Finally, we’ve reached what is arguably the most important step; moisturizing, with an honorable mention to our good friend sunscreen. Here’s where we seal in all of our hard work and protect our skin from further damage. Look for a moisturizer with active ingredients like ceramides and niacinamide. This will begin to even out your skin tone as well as protect and heal the skin barrier.
All in all, everything we’ve covered should have you glowing before May’s flowers begin to bloom. Which means there’s plenty of time before summer. The biggest takeaway I’d like to leave you with is to keep it simple. Nowadays, we all make this whole skincare routine order thing a little too complicated.
Find your skin type, a cleanser that will work for you, as well as any treatments, medications, or serums, and seal it all in with a moisturizer. It’s that easy. Brownie points if your moisturizer doubles as sunscreen!
Give yourself and your skin a chance. While our bodies naturally take care of themselves, sometimes they just need a little nudge in the right direction. If you didn’t catch on yet, this is a nudge for you.
Why are you still reading? Go wash that face!
