How to Build a Good Skincare Routine?
Okay, so you have a cleanser, cream, and SPF, and now you want to add something more to your routine. But what, how, and why? If you’re satisfied and don’t want to address anything—like fine lines, hyperpigmentation, redness, acne, etc.—a simple routine is enough. However, if there's something you'd like to improve, there are easy ways to incorporate 1 or 2 products that can make a big difference.
“Okay, Amelia, I want to work on this specific issue with my skin, and it can’t be expensive or complicated because I’ll lose interest right away, and the products will end up at the back of the bathroom cabinet collecting dust.”
Fine Lines:
There are many products labeled as “anti-aging” that aim to reduce fine lines, but what you want to look for here is a product (usually a serum) containing retinol or retinal. Unfortunately, nothing will happen overnight, so you won't wake up with skin like you were 15 again. But over time (think months rather than weeks), you will start to see changes. Retinol and retinal aren't free, but here are 3 products in different price ranges that are really good and deliver results:
A game - haven't used retinol/retinal before? Choose this one
Have you used retinol/retinal before? Take a look at all our Retinoids
Hyperpigmentation (think of the marks that often appear after a blemish)
The number one tip here is to avoid squeezing an unwelcome pimple when it appears. I know, it’s so tempting, but months of dealing with stubborn marks left behind from squeezing are not worth the 10 seconds of satisfaction. Skincare that can help is quite straightforward. C-glow is a product specifically design with this type of problem in mind.
Redness: When it comes to redness, there are several factors to consider beyond skincare. Always wash your face with lukewarm water, not hot. When your skin comes into contact with hot water, the blood vessels in your face dilate to regulate temperature, causing redness. If you have rosacea, this can lead to your skin staying red for hours. As usual, we want to avoid irritating the skin. Applying products that leave your face feeling like it’s on fire is definitely not the goal. GEN X help me out here—what’s the opposite of 'goals'? Look for skincare that contains ingredients like centella asiatica, niacinamide (at a low concentration, ideally around 5%), green tea, and licorice root.
Also, keep in mind: keep your routine short, ideally just 3-4 products. This reduces the risk of irritation or over-treatment.
Breakouts: The first thing to consider with breakouts is how serious the situation is and whether it’s better to get a treatment plan from a doctor rather than experimenting with skincare on your own. When I had a few breakouts a month, it never crossed my mind to seek help; the pimples would come, leave a small mark, and fade with time, and that was the end of it. But when I started waking up with new breakouts every day and nothing seemed to help, it was definitely time to seek assistance. Do you get a few breakouts a month? In that case, I would recommend using BHA (once up to every other day, if your skin can tolerate it), using retinol regularly (2-4 times a week), and investing in pimple patches that can quickly help reduce the breakout.
Keep in mind – start slowly with new skincare and add one product at a time. It’s fun to change your entire routine at once, but it also makes it impossible to know what is doing what.
