This post describes 8 core truths of a daily skincare routine that will better inform what you do to your face, what to buy and even the many benefits of having a routine. Topics include skincare fundamentals, skincare routine steps, skincare routine order, basic skin types and more.
If you are like me, then you may have many skincare products gathered over multiple years and skin lifetimes. I still remember when I moved into my house many moons ago, all my beauty products fit easily under one sink. Soon, my bathroom overfloweth with product. Over not much time, I had spent a lot of money and also threw out a boatload of product.
Fast forward to the current day as the number of skincare products and accessories marketed has increased exponentially, it is even more confusing and consistently enticing for some of us– to know where best to place our hard-earned money. (There are some really amazing and important skincare products out there now that weren’t available even several years ago but more on that in future posts)
Before opening your wallet, you may want to first read this post to better understand the skincare fundamentals surrounding a daily skincare routine. This information is foundational for product decisions. You may even end up improving the outcome of your efforts. Your skin will thank you too.
What is a daily skincare routine?
A daily skincare routine consists of daily skincare steps performed consistently over time. Your brand of products may change, but the product types and skincare steps do not. An added benefit of a skincare routine is that it provides you with what I consider a type of “skincare control group”.
It sounds very scientific but is very simple. This “skincare control group” means limiting your skin exposure to a small and set number of products and in a specific unchanging sequence (skincare routine steps). This enables you to trace any change to your skin easily to a product and then adjust as needed. The net of it is that you can more easily detect skin type, how your skin reacts to what and when. You will develop a more intimate knowledge of your skin.
What’s more, once established, you can build and add in more and other products-if you so choose-to continue to improve your skin. This is done more systematically and ultimately, more effectively.
So that brings us to our truths.
Truth #1: Skincare Fundamentals
Understanding and implementing skincare fundamentals is a necessary first step to your skin looking and feeling better. It is also a necessary first step to achieving your skincare goals including anti-aging skincare goals.
Truth #2: Daily Routine Skincare Steps
Daily routine skincare steps are a simple 2 to 3 step process only
No matter what brand of products you choose to use, the process entails:
- Cleanser–it’s just like it sounds. There is a variety of them. Many of them are classified by skin type.
- Toner –optional but I highly recommend it. Your skin may feel dry after cleansing. The right toner for you will help eliminate dryness from cleansing by restoring your skin’s PH balance. Doing so will also prepare your skin to be more receptive for the 3rd step of Moisturizing. Finally, toner will eliminate any dirt residue that remains after cleansing. You might be surprised by how much dirt remains.
- Moisturizer-like cleanser, there are a lot of choices and many of them are classified by skin type.
The skincare routine order should be followed according to the numerical steps.
The type of Cleanser, Toner, and Moisturizer you choose is in accordance with your skin type or at least what you think is your skin type. This can be trickier than you think which is an advantage to having this type of control group.
Truth #3: Basic Skin Types
Skin types and skin type characteristics fall into 4 general categories: dry, oily, combination (of dry and oily) and sensitive. Dry, Oily and combination are self-explanatory. Sensitive skin pertains to those of us who have allergies and/or whose skin reacts negatively to products or ingredients within skincare products.
These categories have not changed for at least 35 years although in current day they have become a little more nuanced (another topic for another post). Ultimately, though, it’s 4 high-level categories.
It is critical to understand your skin type.
Truth #4: Skincare Routine Steps
Skincare routine steps have not changed for at least 35 years.
35 years or so you say?! Yes, I say!! The individual products and brands may have changed but the skincare steps and routine have not. I know this from my own lived experience from the ‘80s to today.
Why have the steps not changed in so long? Because they work!! Or at least it’s the best we have now.
Truth #5: Skincare Products
Having more products and more expensive products does not necessarily translate into better skin. Choose based on how they work for you AND in alignment with your skin type.
Truth #6: Skincare Consistency
Consistency means the Skincare Steps morning and night. Twice a day. Every day. I know. Boring. Yawn. Ugh.
It seems to me that the evening routine is harder for most of us. We’ve all been there after a long day and haven’t wanted to remove our makeup or wash off the day’s grime.
Evening cleansing is a game changer for your skin! Ignoring it can undo what you’ve worked so hard to achieve in your morning routine. Think pimples, clogged pores. Ick. That’s all I’ll say.
Truth #7: Daily Sunscreen
In fact, no skincare routine will be successful without daily sunscreen.
Sunscreen is really the 4th step in the Skincare Steps outlined above. However, I created a separate category in this post to emphasize how critical it is to success. I, like many others in our age group, did not take this step seriously for years. I have the freckles and pigmentation on my face and body to prove it. Unfortunately, you cannot permanently change the damage done in the past, but you can lessen further damage moving forward.
If you are still not convinced, another added fact is that sunscreen protects you not just from the sun but also from the UV rays from your computer. Those UV rays can age you quickly.
Sunscreen is part of your morning routine only and is the last step in the morning routine after moisturizer. My recommendation is to get a sunscreen that is 40 SPF or higher and again, use it consistently and religiously.
Not all sunscreens are created equal. Beyond SPF, evaluate the sunscreens as you would any skincare product. How good does it feel on your face and for your skin type, does it create a white cast, clog pores etc. For example, the sunscreen I have used for years provides additional moisture to my dry skin and even acts as a primer for my makeup.
Truth #8: Assess Skincare Products
Skin changes continuously so assess your products at least every 6 months.
Skin changes due to so many factors. Be aware of how your skin feels and looks and don’t be afraid to change up products. Given the fact that you only have 3 steps, you will be able to pinpoint relatively quickly what needs changing. At the very least, I change products with the seasons.
Generally (and there are exceptions), skin gets drier as you age due to hormonal changes. I was oily in my 20s then combination in my 30s and have become drier with each passing decade. Conversely, there are some of us over 50 and over 60 who still break out. Not like when we were teenagers but nonetheless the pimples are not pleasant.
With weather, skin is typically drier in the winter and less so in the warmer months. Using this example, this could mean a lighter cleanser combined with a heavier more emollient moisturizer in drier weather and conversely lighter moisturizer, etc in the summer.
Final Comments About Skincare Brands
If this is all new to you or you are revisiting skincare basics, my recommendation is to simplify your choices and start by choosing one brand of skincare product for all of the steps. Match the product to your skin type or at least what you think your skin type is and buy the 3 steps-cleanser, toner and moisturizer. Evaluate sunscreen separately per my comments above. If one or another product does not work, you can take it back to exchange for another. You will be able to determine pretty quickly what works and what doesn’t.
Here are just a few brand favorites of mine to explore to begin:
This post was all about the 8 truths around a daily skincare routine and daily skincare routine steps. It’s simple and effective.
Thank you for reading!
Have fun and tap into your inner skincare explorer!
Very informative and well written. Thank you!
Very informative! I learned something new today! I actually thought that most foundations for older women include SPF30. I’ll be adding sunscreen to my routine asap. Thank you!
~Rebecca