Skincare 201

 

Holy grail lists, Korean beauty hauls, New Japanese products, 10-step nighttime routines. . . it can get overwhelming, just to figure out what skincare products work. Like everything else, it's all about trial and error. One thing for sure, all the products in the world is useless, if you do not put them on CLEAN skin. And, double cleansing is recommended by many dermatologists to remove all the make-up and sunscreen in any routine. If you’re still not sure about which products to use, because there are so many available these days, seek help from your Medical professional. In the mean time, I have a few tips to share. Thanks to what I learned from Product editors, Content Creators and some really good You Tubers:

1. TAKE IT ONE STEP AT A TIME

If you’re adding a new product to your routine, don’t change everything at once or you’ll never be able to tell what’s working. Try one new product with one new ingredient and see how it goes. You want to be able to find out what’s working and what’s not — so if that new cleanser is giving you splotchy redness, check what the active ingredients are and learn to avoid them.

 

2. WATCH YOUR ENVIRONMENT

It’s not always your skincare that’s causing the problem. Changes in your diet can directly affect your skin, like increased sugar intake causing breakouts and inflammation. Or if you’ve got a deadline coming up and you’re getting less sleep than usual. Write down the products you’re using and any other information that could be important. Over time, you can start to see patterns emerge and understand if the reaction was related to an external factor, rather than the products in your skincare routine.

3. TEST A SAMPLE AREA

If you’re trying a new product (especially a serum or treatment with a high concentration of active ingredients), then you should do a patch test before you use it on your face. According to dermatologist Dr. Ranella Hirsch, “A good place to patch test is on the inside of your lower arm. After gently cleansing the area, apply a thin layer of the new product and leave on for 24 hours to observe.” If you have sensitive skin, start with a low dose of active ingredients and slowly increase over time. Dr. Hirsch suggests that “with any ingredients that can be irritating, start slowly, perhaps once or twice per week.”

4. KNOW YOUR STEPS

Think of your skincare routine like a step-by-step recipe. Putting the cake pan in the oven is useless if you haven’t got the right cake mixture. The general rule is to cleanse the skin thoroughly FIRST.  Apply your toners and facial mists if you use them; then your active products that will penetrate the skin, before you use a moisturizer and/or sun protection:

1. Toners & Facial mists (optional)

2. Actives/Serums

3. Moisturizer & Oils

4. Sun protection/Primers (AM)

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5. LESS IS MORE

If you’re experiencing a negative skin reaction, less is more. As Dr. Hirsch says, “There are two ways to go wrong with skincare: using the wrong products the right way, or using the right products the wrong way.” In trying to fix the problem, especially by adding new products, you might actually make things worse. A reaction could be caused by something you’re using or doing, so you should eliminate as many variables as possible, write down what you used, and look for common ingredients or themes. Then, get an appointment with a Dermatologist or Esthetician pronto!  They can steer you on the right skincare path.

Due to shut-ins from the Pandemic, just about everyone is doing more self-care which includes skincare. Not sure about Retinods?  I got ya. Then there is all this talk about Clean Beauty. The definition of Clean beauty varies from brand to brand. “Clean”, “Natural” or “Green” are not regulated terms. Therefore, you should search for products endorsed with clean beauty seals (EWG Verified & Ecocert).  There really is plenty information on all types of skincare, if you spend some time (which we all have now) & do some reading. I'm always looking for quality plus affordability because I live on a Budget. But, there will always be that 'must-have' item to splurge on.  If you have not settled on a skincare routine yet. Now is the time to really look at your skin, assess the needs and find products that fit your lifestyle & pocketbook. . . . whether it’s nine steps or four.  Just DO IT!

** Thanks for Visiting.  This post is F Y E.  I'm not a Physician nor an Esthetician, and NOT giving any advice here!  I'm just a woman on this life journey.  If you like this post, please comment & Email it to others. As with all subjects that have Health concerns, please Consult your Medical professional. Don’t forget to follow me on Bloglovin  for new post updates, and on Pinterest. **