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Skincare Basics For Beginners - Identifying Your Skin Type, Setting Up Your Routine, And More



Skincare Basics

It can be confusing when starting to build a skincare, and if they were like me, they weren’t quite sure where to start to build a routine. Before heading out and getting yourself products it's good to identify your natural skin type. This ensures the products you use are suited for your skin type, and issues you're looking to treat. 


A good way to identify your skin type is to:
- Cleanse your face with neutral cleanser. Allow your skin to air dry, don't apply any product and wait an hour.
- If your skin is lacking any oil, slight flaking, scaling, peeling and itchiness you're on the dry side.
- If there is an excess of oil you're skin type is oily.
- If you have either of the above in varied sections of your face you fall into the combination category. 

 With any of the above skin types you can also experience dehydration, which is not a skin type but a symptom of trans-epidermal water loss (not enough fluids and/or electrolytes internally/externally), so this can also be factored in when looking at addressing skin issues. 

 A good idea before you add any products is to make sure you have what I would call your ‘core routine’. A core routine would look something like this:

Morning Routine:
- There is a split mind on cleansing in the morning, some only rinse with water, while others like myself prefer to cleanse. If unsure which option is better suited for your skin test each method for 2-4 weeks.
- This is where you can add a serum or exfoliant depending on your current routine. Personally I believe exfoliating in the evenings is safer 
- Moisturise
- Sunscreen (You can use a moisturiser with sunscreen in it just make sure you apply a sufficient amount to get adequate UV protection.  I realise most of us are inside a lot more now so use your discretion when using sunscreen. If unsure apply it anytime you are exposed to UV rays just to be safe. Sunscreen is your most important skincare product. Honestly even if you only have a cleanser, sunscreen for the day and moisturiser for the night this is more beneficial than any other active/serum you can have in your routine.

Evening Routine:
- Double cleanse -First cleanse using a balm/oil cleanser to remove congestion/product buildup, makeup. If no sunscreen or makeup is worn you could skip this step. 
- The second cleanse with a water-based cleanser
- This is where you would add a serum or exfoliant depending on your current routine. It’s always a good idea to give yourself at least 1-2 days off from actives/exfoliants to allow your skin to rebalance and go through its natural processes. 
- Moisturise 

Try to avoid Denatured alcohols, fragrance, SLS’s, Phthalates, Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Essential oil extracts (All citrus and peppermint based ones especially, eg. Linalool Limonene, Citrus,  And Citrus Peel Oils)

Some ingredients to loom out for are Green/Matcha/White Tea extract, CoQ10, Allantoin, Marine Algae's, Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Copper Amino Isolate, Coq10, Bisabolol (Chamomile Extract), Calendula Extract, Borage Oil, Allantoin, Marine Algae's and  Squalane. These ingredients are also well suited for acne-prone or congested skin as they will hydrate without adding any clogging of your skin so to speak.
It's a good idea to patch test new products. New products can be applied to the skin behind your ear and allowed to sit for 24 hours to gauge any possible reactions.

 When introducing new skincare products try and do it one product at a time and gradually. An example of this is to introduce a new product once a week, gradually increase one day per week until you're using it the desired frequency. This reduces the risk of irritation from too many new products being introduced at once,  while also allowing you to identify the products that don’t agree with your skin.

Here's a list of products that can be used as your 'Core Routine' as I like to call it, that are generally safe for the majority of skin types:

Cleansing Oils/Balms
The Ordinary’s Squalane Cleanser
Simple Cleansing Oil
Isntree Micellar Melting Cleansing Oil 
Rohto Mentholatum - Hada Labo Gokujyun Oil Cleansing
Simple Micellar Water
Then I Met You - Living Cleansing Balm 
Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm

Cleansers
Normal - Dry Skin
Youth To The People Superfood Cleanser
Krave Beauty Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser
La Roche-Posay Effaclar H Cleansing Cream
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
Paula’s Choice Defense Gel to Cream Cleanser
Paula’s Choice Resist Optimal Results Hydrating Cleanser

Normal - Combination.Oily Skin Types:
Simple Water Boost Facial Cleanser Gel Wash
La Roche-Posay Effaclar H Cleansing Cream
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Paula’s Choice Earth Sourced Perfectly Natural Cleansing Gel
Paula’s Choice Defense Gel to Cream Cleanser



Toners
Not an essential part of a routine but if you like to have one here are some options
Isntree Aloe or Green Tea toners. The Aloe is great for combo/oily skin types. The Green Tea is a little more hydrating for Dry skin or Paula’s Choice Earth Sourced Purely Natural Refreshing Toner is a more hydrating option


Moisturisers
Normal - Dry Skin
Paula’s Choice  Omega+ Complex Moisturiser 
Paula’s Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturiser
Paula's Choice Moisture Boost Hydrating Treatment Cream

CeraVe Moisturising Cream
Beauty Bay Thirst Trap Rich Moisturiser
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Barrier Cream

Normal - Combination/Oily Skin Types:
CeraVe PM Facial Moisturising Lotion 
Paula’s Choice Water-Infusing Electrolyte Moisturiser
Biossance Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturiser
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Oil-Control Moisturizer

I hope this helps you get your 'Core Routine' up and running. 


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