Getting into skincare can be scary and overwhelming. What products do I buy? Why is everything expensive? How do I start? They say it is never too late to start a skincare routine but, the earlier the better. Starting a skincare routine in your teenage years is beneficial. Even if you are lucky enough to have clear skin in your teens years, a skincare routine is needed for prevention. Your body changes constantly and so does your skin. TRUST ME. Having gone through my teenage years with flawless skin it took a turn for the worst as soon as I became an adult. Skincare does not have to be expensive. You can take care of your skin on a budget. If you do not know where to start I am going to break down exactly what you need.
First thing you must do is break down what your skin concerns are. What would you like to achieve/resolve on your skin? Do you have acne? Do you have texture? Redness? Dark spots? Do you find that you have dry patches? Does your skin get oily? Before trying to resolve any major problems with your skin, you must figure out what is your skin type actually is.
When getting into skincare the question often asked is…how can I tell what my skin type is? Your skin type really depends on the hydration level of your face. What can be helpful as a test to figure this out is to wash your face with a gentle cleanser. After your face is washed and dried, how do you feel? If your skin feels tight you most likely have dry skin. If you start to see some oil developments on your forehead for example, you may have oily skin. If you see/feel both results you have combination skin. Some people have normal skin and would not see much oil development and will not feel a tightness to the skin. If that is your result then you are lucky!
Once you have figured out your skin type, what now? Regardless of which skin type you have, you must take care of your skin. Let’s get into how to create a introductory skin care routine. All you need are three products to get started!
Cleanser
Cleanser is the base product that helps clean your skin from the everyday grime and bacteria. There are all different types of cleansers based on your skin type. I have dry skin so I want to make sure when cleansing my skin that I am not taking moisture away and stripping it. Cerave is a great company that does carry cleansers for all different skin types. The cleanser from Cerave pictured here, is the Hydrating Cleanser from Cerave. The cleanser I used throughout my early years in high school was the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser. This cleanser is great if you are unsure about what your skin type may be. A helpful tip when getting into skincare and choosing products on the market is to avoid products with fragrance.
Moisturizer
There are so many different moisturizers on the market. In my opinion moisturizers and what to choose can be the most confusing part of a skincare routine. Not to mention moisturizers in most brands seem to be the most expensive part of a skincare routine. Do not let the marketing fool you. Research the ingredients of products before purchasing. Some moisturizers are worth the hefty price tag but when getting started into skincare it is not needed. Regardless, if you have oily skin or not, you need to use a moisturizer. Your skin still needs hydration. If you do have oily skin, try using a moisturizer that is lighter in consistency this can be helpful. The Ordinary HA moisturizer is a great moisturizer for all skin types. It feels light weight and absorbs into the skin nicely. The only downfall of this moisturizer is that, it does take a bit of time to blend it in. It is great for the price and provides AMAZING hydration. This is a great moisturizer to start out with.
Sunscreen
Your skins exposure to the sun is one of the main signs of aging. SPF is so important and should be used on your skin everyday. Make this apart of your routine. There are all types of sunscreens out there. I tend to gravitate towards a mineral sunscreen. SPF 30 is the amount I use. There are so many different opinions when it comes to the percentage of SPF to use on your skin. They say the higher the percentage the less affective it can be. I am not sure if that is 100 % true. I also hear the exact opposite. Just make sure to use a sunscreen that works well for you. What I love about this Ordinary sun screen is that, it is not sticky. It is lightweight and not to mention very inexpensive.
Remember, in order for a skincare routine to be affective, you must be consistent and enjoy applying your routine. Be gentle on your skin. Apply most products in an upward motion. Do not get discouraged from your skincare routine. You will not see results overnight. Results do happen with consistency. Skincare is not scary. Enjoy your new skincare journey! XO
shortsweetbeauty.com 