
Yes, it’s all about finding a good skincare routine and sticking to it.
Can you imagine leaving your home without brushing your teeth or taking a shower? If that thought seems preposterous, then so is bracing the scorching sun without any sunscreen! These days, everyone (including men) should have some sort of skincare routine as part of their daily regime. But if you can’t differentiate between serums and toners or just need proper guidance, let this simple skincare routine guide be your holy grail.
Skincare routine guide
Step 1: Cleanser
Imagine your face as a blank canvas. Before you start applying the good stuff, it’s best to give it a good wash. Now, here is the science-y part… our skin’s PH value is typically on the lower end of the spectrum – more to the acidic side (5.5). That means we all should stay away from cleansers that are alkaline. With harsh cleansers, they mess up your skin’s PH value, resulting in dry and blotchy skin. Low PH ones such as Fresh Soy Face Cleanser and Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser help to keep the skin balanced and moisturised.
Step 2: Toner
Now that you have washed the city’s grime from your face, it’s time to prep it. Think of it as warming up your skin before it kicks into full workout mode. Toners help to remove any excess dirt and dead skin cells while soothing the skin. It is best to get toners sans alcohol if you don’t want to feel as if your face has been through a tumble dryer.
Step 3: Serum
If you’ve mastered the art of skincare and want to up the ante – or if you’re just feeling bougie – serums are the way to go. This is really on you. Depending on your concerns, such as dull skin, fine lines or uneven texture, there are numerous types to choose from.
Step 4: Eye cream
The eye contour is very delicate and it’s probably the first area to show signs of ageing as it has the thinnest skin on the face. So it’s best not to rub your eyes. If you’re prone to under-eye bags, it doesn’t hurt to get a good night’s sleep. To stave off crow’s feet, puffy eyes and dark circles, a good eye cream is key. We’d say Mineral 89 Eye Contour Repairing Concentrate by Vichy is a one-stop solution in a bottle. This hyaluronic-based product helps to plump up the skin under the lower eyelids, giving it a youthful look. Because eyes are the window to the soul, amirite?
Step 5: Spot treatment
Let’s face it. Zits appear on our face when we least expect it, so it’s wise to have a spot treatment in your arsenal. Apply the treatment directly on the targeted area right before your moisturiser for easy absorption, then let it work its magic. Our go-to choice is The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil. And come nighttime, we go for the Cosrx Acne Pimple Master Pad.
Step 6: Moisturiser
Moisturisers are the cornerstone of any skincare routine. To combat fine lines that are reminiscent of arid lands, it’s recommended to get moisturisers with hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is considered a moisture magnet as it helps your skin retain water. If you have oily skin, opt for gel varieties such as Tata Harper’s Hyaluronic Gel Moisturizer.
Step 7: Sunscreen
Sun damage is irreversible – let that sink in. Now, it can be quite unnerving when you see terms like ‘UVA’ and ‘UVB’, but always look out for these acronyms when shopping for sunscreen. The former can penetrate deep into the skin layer causing premature ageing and the latter causes superficial burns – all in all, both are bad for your skin. Also, don’t stress out on whether SPF 50 is better than SPF 30 as the difference is minimal.
Bonus steps
Makeup remover
Listen up, ladies (and gentlemen). This applies to your nighttime regime. Before you pat on all the goodness to your skin, you should remove your face paint (read: makeup that was on your face throughout the day). We’re talking about a clean canvas ready to be slathered on with skin-loving heroes. Our guide to makeup removers will help you achieve the golden rule of skincare: Never ever sleep with your makeup on.
Face mask
Don’t get us wrong. The whole skincare routine is something we look forward to after a long day of work. But sometimes, we just want to speed things up, and a good face mask is our skin’s saviour. Within 10 minutes, you can achieve #skincaregoals. From hydrating agents to anti-ageing miracle workers, there’s a mask for everyone. Plus, it doubles as a self-care ritual!