Skincare Basics for Beginners

Have you ever walked into a beauty store and felt overwhelmed with the number of products around and have no clue where to start? Well, I’ve got you covered!

Whether you’re a skincare newbie or someone just looking for a quick refresher, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’re going to talk about all the skincare basics. With a new skincare brand popping up almost every month to YouTubers advertising different products in their videos, there is uncertainty as to what it is that we need to have as part of our daily skincare routine.

The key to any skincare routine is consistency. The more consistent you are the better results you will see with your skin. I’m going to let you in on a secret, having a simple routine to start with works best. This way your skin (and maybe even you) aren’t overwhelmed and will be consistent at it.

Let me give you the low-down on what to use and the order to use them:

Step 1: Cleanser

Whether you plan on building a skincare routine or not, cleansing is one of the simplest but most important steps. As per Mukhopadhyay,

“Skin cleansers are surface—active substances (i.e., emulsifiers/detergents/surfactants/soaps) that lower the surface tension on the skin and remove dirt, sebum, oil from cosmetic products, microorganisms, and exfoliated corneum cells in an emulsified form. An ideal cleanser should do all these without damaging or irritating the skin, on the contrary, it should try to keep the skin surface moist”

Mukhopadhyay P. Cleansers and their role in various dermatological disorders. Indian J Dermatol. 2011 Jan;56(1):2-6. doi: 10.4103/0019-5154.77542. PMID: 21572782; PMCID: PMC3088928.

Freshly cleansed skin will allow any products following to penetrate deeper and provide better results.

There are many different types of cleansers that you can select from according to your skin type. Light-weight gel-based cleansers like the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Cleanser, and The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid cleanser or foam cleansers such as The Face Shop Hydrating Foaming Cleanser are best if you have oily or combination skin type. Dry skin usually responds best to cream-based hydrating cleansers like CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser or Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser. For those of you with sensitive skin, I would recommend you try to look for fragrance-free formulas in your products.

In the P.M. routine I would start by using an oil-based make-up remover like the Naturium Purple Ginseng Cleansing Balm, Plum E-Luminence Simply Supple Cleansing Balm and the Skinfix Barrier+ Foaming Oil Hydrating Cleanser which can break down all your makeup including waterproof mascara and SPF. Then follow it up with a cleanser to make sure that any left-over dirt, grime, or makeup has been cleaned.

Step 2: Moisturizer

Well, now that we have taken care of all the dirt on the skin, it’s time to provide it with some much-needed hydration. Our skin is the largest organ in the body and keeping it moisturized is essential for keeping it healthy. A University of Tennessee Medical Center article says, “Moisturizing Reduces Skin Problems – Moisturizing every day can reduce the chance of developing extreme dryness or oiliness. Both extremes are harmful for skin and cause common skin conditions like acne.”

When deciding which moisturizer would work best for you, decide based on your skin type and skin concerns. When it comes to dry skin, going for cream-based moisturizers with vegan squalane or ceramides (or both) would be beneficial. Here are some recommendations:

• Cosmetics SuperHydrate A Moisturizer
• Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream and
• CeraVe Moisturizing Cream.

For all other skin types, gel or lotion-based moisturizers with hyaluronic acid are ideal.

• Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Gel-Cream
• Ponds Super Light Gel Oil Free Moisturiser With Hyaluronic Acid + Vitamin E and
• Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer

These products above are some good ones that don’t make you feel greasy and also work well under makeup. Like cleansers, for all readers with sensitive skin types, it’s best to avoid fragrance in your products as this can aggravate your sensitivity.

A nighttime skincare routine is meant to help your skin repair itself from any damage caused to it. I particularly like to indulge in my nighttime routine, some people also call it self-care. It’s best to use moisturizers that feel creamy and dense. Peptides are a great ingredient to look for in night creams, they are extremely hydrating and aid in anti-aging effects.

Dr. Jessica Grant wrote in her article, “certain peptides are used in anti-aging skincare products due to their ability to increase collagen production, thereby reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.” Some of my recommendations are below:

• Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid-peptide face cream
• Olay Face Cream: Regenerist Collagen Peptide 24 Moisturiser
• The INKEY list Peptide moisturizer

Step 3: Sun Protection

SPF is your BFF for daytime skincare. Sunscreen protects your skin from UVA, UVB, and UVC rays from the sun. This helps to protect your skin from cancer, aging, and hyper-pigmentation. There are two types of sunscreens-

There are two types of sunscreens- Mineral/ Physical and Chemical. “Physical sunscreen filters, such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, reflect or refract ultraviolet radiation away from the skin”

Sander M, Sander M, Burbidge T, Beecker J. The efficacy and safety of sunscreen use for the prevention of skin cancer. CMAJ. 2020 Dec 14;192(50):E1802-E1808. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.201085. PMID: 33318091; PMCID: PMC7759112.

Mineral sunscreens are beneficial for everyone but especially for anyone who has sensitive skin or struggles with acne.

An article by David Harvey M.D. in Piedmont newsletter says, “Chemical sunscreen absorbs into the skin and then absorbs UV rays, converts the rays into heat, and releases them from the body.”

Best to reach for them when you are swimming, playing sports, or exercising. No matter which formula you decide works best for you, here are some pointers to always keep in mind:

• Ensure that it is at least SPF 30 or higher.
• Covers UVA and UVB rays.
• Fragrance-free
• Re-apply every 2-3 hours if staying outdoors often.
• Apply at least once a day (ideally mornings) even if you’re indoors and/or it’s winter.
• ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS (I mean it) take off sunscreen with an oil cleanser before you go to bed.
• Use enough product to cover the tips of two fingers or use the smiley method.

Here are some of my favorite products that work on any skin type:

• EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
• La Roche Posay ANTHELIOS ULTRA-FLUID SPF 50+ FACIAL SUNSCREEN
• The Derma Co 1% Hyaluronic Sunscreen Aqua Gel With Spf 50 Pa++++ For Broad Spectrum
• Beauty of Joseon : Relief Sun

It is imperative that with so many options it can get baffling to decide what’s needed and what’s not when it comes to your skincare. To reiterate, simplicity and consistency will go a long way in you seeing progress with your skin. With everything being said you can always try products to understand what works for you and what does not, listen to your skin.

Stay patient, skincare takes at least 6-8 weeks to show results. My aim with this article is to provide you with a better understanding of skincare and make you feel good about yourself. No matter your skin color, skin type, gender, or skin concerns you deserve to love and pamper yourself. Beauty is meant to be a way to practice self-care and improve self-esteem.

"Your biggest commitment must always be to yourself" - Bridgett Devoue

Cheers,
Art of Appricity