Skincare Staples

Source: Colors Magazine

Welcome back!

So, today’s post will be about the staples in your skincare routine. A basic skincare routine includes a cleanser, toner, serum, and moisturizer. However, those looking for a more even-toned, glowy complexion may include a few more steps in their routine. So let’s dive in to each aspect of the routine. We’ll start with Day and move onto Night.

Day Routine

Cleanser

Whether you have sensitive skin or not, I think it is beneficial for everyone to use a gentle cleanser, to offset the more potent products that may be used later in the routine, such as acids or Vitamin C. I’ve been using Drunk Elephant’s Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser for over a year now and have not had a breakout or reaction because of it. It’s a great option for those with sensitive skin and contains Glycerin, which helps replenish hydration to the skin. Although, because it is a little pricey at $32, an alternative would be Cetaphil’s Daily Facial Cleanser, which is non-stripping and non-irritating and also contains Glycerin. My sister has been using this for several years and loves it.

Toner

I know many people use exfoliating toners to help with hyperpigmentation and other skin concerns, but those should be used at night because they make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Therefore, in the morning it is best to use a gentle, calming, or hydrating toner. Being that toners come in all different shapes and forms, a great one for all skin types is rose water. Currently, my day toner is 100% Pure Rose Water, which is known to moisturize and restore the skin’s natural pH levels. Another great option is Thayers Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel Facial Toner, which comes in several scents. For instance, the Cucumber Toner helps to reduce puffiness and irritation, while the Coconut Water Toner is formulated with anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties that hydrate the skin and combat signs of aging.

Serum

Serums are usually the thinnest products in your routine, so they should be applied first before any oils, moisturizers, or creams. Skincare products should be layered from the thinnest and clearest products to the heaviest and clouded. It is best to layer serums this way because they help the active ingredients penetrate into the skin more effectively. I’ve recently started labeling my serums from 1, 2, 3, etc., which really helps to stay organized. An important serum that everyone can and should be using is Vitamin C. This powerful antioxidant brightens, protects against sun damage, and promotes collagen production in the skin. Though, it’s important to remember not to get carried away with serums. First, identify what your skin concerns are, and this is personal, then use serums that target those concerns. When I say personal, I mean that some people don’t care about redness or dark spots, but if you do and you don’t want them, then you should do something about it. Don’t listen to what other people say. We know it’s not life or death, but it’s about what makes you feel beautiful.

Moisturizer

Every skin type needs moisturizer. I’ll repeat that again: every skin type needs moisturizer! There is this misconception that oily skin types don’t need moisturizer, but this is absurd. Moisturizer is one of the key staples in your skincare routine because it locks the serums into your skin, which makes them more effective. What you need to do is find a moisturizer that complements your skin type. If you have dry skin, a hydrating moisturizer would be beneficial. A great hydrating moisturizer that I’ve used in the past and recommend is the Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream, which is very thick and creamy. However, if you have oily or combination skin, a moisturizer that I’ve been using for several years now is CeraVe’s Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30. This formula is great because it has hydrating properties, such as Hyaluronic Acid, with a matte finish. A major plus is that it has SPF 30.

Sunscreen

There are so many people that want to fade their hyperpigmentation and dark spots, yet, they actually aid in its development because they don’t use sunscreen! If you use Vitamin C or exfoliating acids, you must wear sunscreen every time you step outside. And, that includes if you sit near a window all day at work. You might be inside, but UV rays can pass through windows. It is recommended to wear an SPF of at least 30, but I like to wear at least 40 because I use Vitamin C every day. In addition to CeraVe’s Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion with SPF 30, I also layer over it EltaMD’s UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 to really protect my skin against the sun. This is great for all skin types because it’s oil free, lightweight, and contains niacinamide, which helps reduce redness, and hyaluronic acid, which hydrates the skin.

These are really all the staples you need for a morning skincare routine. Let’s move onto the Night routine..

Night Routine

The night routine pretty much follows the same pattern as the day routine, with a few exceptions.

Cleanser

There are so many cleansers to choose from, especially when used at night. You could go for a more gentle cleanser that can also be used as part of your day routine, or you could use a cleanser that contains exfoliating acids such as glycolic and lactic acids. Personally, I prefer the double cleanse method, which starts with an oil cleanser then follows up with a water-based cleanser. I like this method because the oil literally melts the makeup off your face, including eye makeup and lipstick. Afterwards, I use my Drunk Elephant Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser to remove any excess makeup. For those with acne-prone skin, Neutrogena’s Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Facial Cleanser is gentle but effective at clearing breakouts, as it contains 2% Salicylic Acid. A non-irritating and antiaging cleanser is NeoStrata’s Restore Facial Cleanser 4 PHA. I actually bought this from my dermatologist when I was dealing with hormonal acne, and didn’t have any adverse reactions. It’s soap-free and formulated with Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA), which lightly exfoliates without drying out the skin’s moisture barrier.

Toner

If you deal with any hyperpigmentation or uneven skin tone and are looking to correct these issues, incorporating a toner with AHA’s (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) in it can be very beneficial. I have tried Youth To The People’s Kombucha + 11% AHA Exfoliation Power Toner, which is highly recommended. It contains 8% Lactic Acid and 3% Glycolic Acid, which are known to brighten, revitalize, and smoothe skin texture and minimize pores. This sounded like a dream for someone with red acne scars and hyperpigmentation, however, it didn’t really work for me. Not to say it won’t work for you, but it didn’t do anything for me. Another raved about exfoliating toner is The Ordinary’s Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution. In addition to glycolic acid, this toner contains amino acids, aloe vera, ginseng, and tasmanian pepperberry, which are great for correcting hyperpigmentation. I’ve actually just received this toner in the mail today, so I’ll be incorporating it into my night routine. Hopefully, it can deliver. It’s important to remember, though, that exfoliating toners should be used 1-3 times a week, and a more gentle toner for the remaining days.

Serum

Remember to layer serums from the thinnest to heaviest. It is best not to overwhelm your skin with too many acids, that is why you should use any AHA products on the days that you are not using an acid toner as well. At night is when you should use any acids because of increased photosensitivity. Acids, such as glycolic acid, lactic acid, kojic acid, and azelaic acid, all have resurfacing properties and work well to diminish hyperpigmentation. It’s just what you feel is best for your skin. When I use AHA serums, I also like to use restoring serums such as hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, which also help to balance the skin’s pH.

Mask

Personally, I like to do a mask once or twice a week. Although, when I do a mask I will just cleanse, tone with rose water or another gentle toner, do the mask, and then follow with a hydrating serum and moisturizer as to not irritate my skin. Right now, I’m using The Ordinary’s AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution once a week (although I’ve been slacking). There are so many Youtube videos about how this mask helps to even out your skin tone and fade hyperpigmentation like no other product. I’ve only used it twice, so I can’t really tell a difference yet, but I will keep trying it.

Moisturizer

Moisturizer is essential, but especially at night. Like I mentioned before, finding the right moisturizer for your skin type is all it takes. Although, it isn’t necessary to use a moisturizer with SPF at night. A moisturizer that I use that can be used for dry or oily skin is CeraVe’s PM Face Moisturizing Lotion, which is lightweight but contains hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and ceramides to moisturize the skin.

This is just an outline of the staples that should be incorporated in a skincare routine. However, everyone’s skin is different and may only be able to handle certain products/steps in the skincare routine. The most important thing to remember is to find the products that work for your skin type in order to perfect your personalized skincare routine. Also, nothing happens overnight, so these products might work, but it will take time. It’s usually recommended to use a product for at least 30 days to see any significant results.

*Some of these links are affiliate. However, all opinions are my own.

~Sabrina