SKINCARE 101
Welcome to Skincare 101, my personal thoughts on all things skincare. One of the things I love most about social media (and the internet in general) is that you can dive deep into a topic that you don’t know much about and learn all of the things. I don’t consider myself a beauty or skincare expert but over the years I have tried to educate myself more and more on the basics.
As I spend more time and money on my skincare routine and beauty regimen I want to make sure I am using products effectively and correctly. Ideally, I’d like to get the most bang for my buck! Today I am pulling together a little guide – Skincare 101 – full of everything that I have picked up over the years via saved IG posts, incredible articles on Byrdie, and from following knowledgable professionals online.
I’m also working on a Beauty 101 that I will post in the coming days. It will cover everything from beauty expiration dates, my absolute favorite products, and more. So stay tuned!
MY SKINCARE ROUTINE
First up in Skincare 101 I’ll discuss the order in which you should complete your skincare routine. These steps are different for a day routine versus a night routine. While some may argue one step belongs above another, this is just a general guide of what works best for me.
MY DAYTIME SKINCARE ORDER
- CLEANSER
- TONER
- SPOT TREATMENTS
- SERUMS
- RETINOLS
- EYE CREAM
- MOUISTURIZER
- FACE OILS
- SPF
Personally, I don’t use toner, retinol, or any face oils – so I simply skip those steps! I have used face oils in the past and will add them to my routine when my face is feeling extra dry, but I typically haven’t needed oils in my daily routine. Applying oil to my skin daily has made me more prone to breaking out, so I use as needed.
As for retinol – it is a GREAT product if it works for your skin. You should always consult your dermatologist on any concerns you have or when introducing something new to your routine, especially when it comes to using retinol. I had retinol in my routine years ago then it fell to the wayside. I wanted to reintroduce it to my routine more recently by spot testing and sadly my skin had a bad reaction. Again retinol is scientifically proven to be effective, but unfortunately does not work for all skin types especially those with highly sensitive skin, allergies and/or other skin conditions.
Below are the products I am currently using in my daytime routine. If you want to read more about my favorite moisturizers you can take a peek at that here!
MY NIGHTTIME SKINCARE ORDER
- MAKE UP REMOVER
- CLEANSE
- EXFOLIATE
- TONER
- TREATEMENTS
- MOUISTURIZER
- EYE CREAM
- FACE OILS
Again, I skip the toner and the face oil, and while do I exfoliate, I only do so about twice per week. When it comes to taking care of the face it is also important to make sure you are washing your sheets/pillow cases weekly as they can be a magnet for bacteria and germs.
KNOWING YOUR SKIN TYPE
When buying skincare products it’s critical to understand they type of skin you have so you can be informed and purchase the correct products! Below are the five different skin types:
- OILY SKIN: Your skin appears shiny, slick and greasy. These characteristics can be even more pronounced on the nose, forehead, and chin areas. You tend to be prone to breakouts and clogged pores.
- DRY SKIN: Your skin appears flakey, dull, tight and/or cracks. Simply put unlike oily skin your skin isn’t producing enough oils.
- COMBINATION SKIN: This is pretty simple, but your skin appears dry in certain areas, let’s say your cheeks, but then other areas can be oily such as your forehead.
- NORMAL SKIN: Well, well, well you’ve hit the jackpot. This typically means that your skin is well balanced and you don’t have any ongoing skin issues.
- SENSITIVE SKIN: Your skin can appear irritated and red and can react more aggressively to products and the environment compared to normal skin. You may different types of sensitive skin such as oily, sensitive, or dry sensitive.
Once you identify your skin type you’ll be better informed as to which products will work best for you. It is also interesting to note that skin types can change with age, environment, hormonal changes, medication changes, and more. So don’t let that surprise you.
HOW FAST DO SKINCARE PRODUCTS WORK?
Okay, once you know your skin type and have a routine that you like, it’s always good to know when you’ll begin to see results from the skincare products you’ve invested in. I am quick to abandon things so this information was actually the most helpful for me. Having this knowledge encouraged me to stick it out when using some expensive products that weren’t showing results straight away.
- VITAMIN C: This product is meant to brighten your skin, reduce redness (through boosting collagen), and provide more helpful effects. You need to use Vitamin C consistently for 3 weeks to begin to see results. I use this Vitamin C I love!
- HYALURONIC ACID: Meant to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, you should use this twice a day and will start to see results immediately! That is what we like to hear right? For deeper lines and wrinkles however, it may take several weeks to see results. I currently use this one but have been tempted to try this one based on reviews and price point.
- RETINOLS: Retinols typically begin working after 6 weeks, but many dermatologists claim that depending on your skin type it could take longer, more like months. If you have never used a retinol it is crucial to note that it will get worse before it gets better and always consult a professional on usage. You may find peeling and irritation in the first few uses. It is critical to stay out of the sun and use a strong SPF generously. Start with a low dosage of Retinol and only apply a small amount in a test area if you have never used it. Again, I don’t currently use any retinols in my routine but a few of my girlfriends swear by this one.
- AHA’s & BHA’s: These start to work as soon as you apply them, but you will see the best and fullest results starting at 12 weeks.
- SERUMS: Serums will vary dramatically based on formula but typically take 6-8 weeks for you to see results. I have been using this one for just about 10 weeks now and I have been impressed with the results thus far.
MASKING
Okay let’s finish by talking about one of my favorite parts of my skincare routine…masking! Experts are all over the map on how much you should be masking, but for me, I aim to mask once or twice each week. Let’s be honest, it doesn’t always happen that frequently, but those are my intentions!
Masking is a great way to target a specific issue you are having with your skin. You should be buying masking products based on what you need improved. I feel very spoiled as I was just sent this incredible anti-aging mask from one of my favorite brands and it has been a delightful addition to my routine! You can peek some of my other favorite masks below!
SKINCARE 101
Well, I realize that I typically stick to fashion and style on Atlantic-Pacific, but for those skincare novices out there, I hope this Skincare 101 was helpful. Feel free to send along questions or DMs to me directly!
