Facial Skincare Routine

I'd like to start off this blog by explaining the basic steps of skincare for the face. :) Setting up the right skincare routine for yourself is the key to beautiful skin. Read on!

Finding your skin type

There are four basic skin types: dry, normal, combination, and oily. You also need to know how sensitive your skin is.

Dry skin: Tends to be dry, dull, and prone to peeling/cracking. Doesn't produce much sebum.

Normal skin: Not super dry & not super oily. Basically not very problematic :)

Combo skin: A combo of oily & dry skin. Usually, the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) will be oily and the cheeks dry.

Oily skin: Produces a lot of sebum, prone to acne/blackheads, tends to have large pores.

Sensitive skin: Prone to itchiness, redness, burning, & dryness.

Once you've identified your skin type, you can tailor your skincare routine to your needs!

Cleanser

Cleansing your skin should be the first  step of your routine. :) Finding the right cleanser for your skin is important. If your skin is sensitive, you'll want to avoid harsh/irritating ingredients like sulfates, alchohol, fragrances. Instead, opt for more natural, gentle ingredients.

When you wash your face, you can just use your hands to gently massage the product into your face, or you can find a tool for it. There are various cleansing brushes/tools on the market. I personally use a small sponge meant for cleansing the face.

Tip: when you're washing your face over the sink, put scrunchies on your wrists. If you're like me, water ends up getting everywhere when you wash your face over the sink; putting scrunchies on your wrists prevents the water from dripping down your arms. You can also lay a towel across the front of the sink so it doesn't get all over the countertop. :)

Toner

The next (and often skipped/forgotten) step in your routine should be toner. Toner is used to balance the pH of your skin and clean up anything that your cleanser didn't catch.

To tone your skin: grab a cotton pad/ball, put some toner on it, and gently swipe all over your face. Don't rub too hard (especially if you have sensitive skin)! Toners can be drying, so if you have dry/sensitive skin, be careful when selecting your toner.

Moisturizer

Immediately following your toner, you'll need to moisturize your face. Even oily skin needs to be moisturized! If you have oily skin, just try to find a light moisturizer. If your skin is dry, you'll want to find something very moisturizing.

Now, if you only want the necessities, you can stop after the moisturizer. However, there are a couple other things you can add to your skincare routine if you're wanting a bit more!

Exfoliation

There are different ways to exfoliate your face. I recommend finding a more gentle exfoliant, especially if you have sensitive skin. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells (and, if you wear makeup, it will apply much smoother!). I like to use the simple combination of sugar and coconut oil. :)

It's best to exfoliate after cleansing & toning. Try not to exfoliate too often so you don't irritate your skin! I recommend exfoliating once or twice a week.

Face masks

Face masks can do a variety of things depending on which one you use! If your skin is dry & needs a boost of moisture, I highly recommend the Yes to Coconut ultra hydrating mask. My skin (it's combination & sensitive) loves it, and it smells wonderful. ;)

It's best to do a face mask after cleansing and toning.

And that's about it! There are other things that you can add to the list (like a serum or acne treatment if necessary), but that's all that I personally do. Hope you've enjoyed this post!

Bonus tip: drink lots of water! Staying well-hydrated keeps your skin looking radiant & beautiful.

-CK