A quick Google search about creating a skincare routine for beginners will bombard you with conflicting information. Some say you should avoid toner. Others insist on using a particular type of face wash. It can leave you feeling confused and ready to return to a basic St. Ives face scrub once daily.
Don’t head to the dollar store just yet, though. The reason that there is so much conflicting information is that everyone is different. What might work for my skincare routine won’t work for someone who doesn’t have my unique problems and type of skin. For example, a person with oily skin isn’t going to use the same products that a person with dry skin does.
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What’s Your Skin Type?
Determining what type of skin you have will help you determine which products will work to meet your needs. You’ll also need to know this before you embark on your skincare journey. Developing a skincare routine for beginners involves learning about yourself and your skin type.
To figure out your skin type, cleanse your face as usual. Do not use moisturizers, serums, or any other products. Then, wait one hour.
After one hour, take a good look in the mirror. Any area that has a bit of sheen to it is oily. It’s common for people to have oily areas in certain spots but not others. Next, make a few facial expressions and see what your skin feels like. You need to do those two things to determine your skin type.
(Tip: Pay attention to the temperature. If you do this during hotter months, and your face is sweating, it will look like you have oily skin even if you don’t. You want the temperature to be moderate for accurate results.)
You should also note that some people have different skin types during seasons. While I usually have normal/combination skin, I have dry skin during winter. Having different skin types during different seasons is surprisingly common.
Dry Skin
You don’t notice a lot of oil when you look in the mirror. You might find that you’re looking closer to ensure you didn’t miss any. Due to dryness, people with dry skin are also more prone to red skin. You’ll notice that the skin feels tight as you make facial expressions. This is a definite indicator of dry skin.
Dry skin is more prone to flaking than other skin types. This is because you have a layer of dead skin on top of the other layers of skin. It can lead to your skin not absorbing products properly, rendering them useless.
If you have dry skin, make sure that you use gentle cleansers. You don’t want to strip the oil away from your face. Using the wrong products when developing a skincare routine for beginners can dry your skin.
Normal/Combination Skin
Anyone with normal or combination skin is likelier to have a little oil in the t-zone or on the cheeks. It’s not excessive, but it’s still there. Because you only have spots on your face that have oil on them, it is often referred to as combination skin.
I have normal/combination skin and use a gel-like primer as my moisturizer. (It can double as both.) It absorbs quickly, doesn’t cause breakouts, and perfectly balances my skin. Gel-like moisturizers are ideal for anyone with combination skin.
Oily Skin
You probably have oily skin if you notice quite a bit of shine on your face when looking in the mirror, and it’s not just in your t-zone. You’ll find that your face doesn’t feel tense or hurt when you make certain facial expressions. As a bonus, you’ll also discover that oily skin is less likely to develop wrinkles! The oil helps keep your skin hydrated.
When you have oily skin, it’s essential to exfoliate your face with a product recommended for daily use to prevent acne. Sebum is known for clogging pores, especially when it sits too long on the face.
Now that you know your skin type, look at your products well. Make sure that they are right before developing a skincare routine for beginners. If you are not using the right products, you’re setting yourself up for failure.
Developing Your Skincare Routine
Now that you know your skin type, it’s time to create your skincare routine. Make a special note of your concerns, such as red spots or sensitive skin. If you have particular products for those concerns, you’ll want to incorporate them into your skincare routine.
There Are Four Main Skincare Routine Steps
When researching skincare routines for beginners, all the information thrown at you can make them seem overly complicated. There are four main steps to each skincare routine:
- Washing or cleansing
- Toning if you plan to use a toner
- Troubleshooting areas (such as red spots or pimples)
- Moisturizing
You can insert other things into your routine, such as a weekly face mask if you would like to, but it’s not always necessary.
Cleansing
Cleansing your face is the easiest part of your skincare routine. You wash your face. Washing your face twice daily will help remove dirt and excessive oil. It can also keep the dead skin off the top layer of skin so that your skin can absorb your other products better.
Our Picks
Seed Synergy Foaming Cleanser
This gentle foaming cleanser removes makeup while cleansing your skin without stripping it of its natural oils, making it perfect for anyone with dry skin. Then, it delivers a powerful boost of antioxidants to help protect your skin from environmental damage.
Why You’ll Love It
- Certified organic
- Natural ingredients strengthen the skin barrier for healthier skin
- Aloe juice extract helps reduce inflammation and redness
Estee Lauder Perfectly Clean Multi-Action Cleanser
This heavenly multi-action cleanser works hard to remove dirt and impurities from the day, leaving your skin smooth and clean. It can easily be used as a gentle cleanser both morning and night or as a purifying mask, making it perfect if you need products for a skincare routine for beginners. Estee Lauder’s cleanser is suitable for every skin type.
Why You’ll Love It
- Dermatologist tested
- Unclogs pores
- Great price
Philosophy Exfoliating Daily Face Wash
Philosophy created a cleanser specially designed to target lackluster skin and uneven texture. It works exceptionally well for anyone with dry skin. Use it every day to gently restore the radiance your skin once had.
Why You’ll Love It
- Gentle exfoliation removes dead skin cells
- Leaves skin soft and smooth
- It can be used on all skin types
Toning
Skin toner is not always necessary for all skin types. Toning products are typically used after cleansing your face to remove tiny trace particles of dirt that you may have missed while washing your face.
Most people with dry skin can skip this step if they would like to, but there are vital benefits to using a toner. For example, it can give your skin a boost of antioxidants to fight the aging process. People with oily skin should use toner. It can help tighten the pores, remove excess oil, and clean your face.
Our Picks
Tonique Rehydrating Toner For Sensitive Skin
You don’t have to eliminate toner from your skincare routine for beginners just because you have sensitive skin. Products like this one from Tonique are specially formulated to be gentle on your skin while delivering amazing results. Acacia honey soothes the skin while delivering powerful antioxidants.
Why You’ll Love It
- Alcohol-free
- Hydrating
- Moisturizing
- Sweet almond oil further moisturizes and protects the skin
Kylie Skin Vanilla Milk Toner
This vanilla milk toner is designed to give you one benefit after another. The alcohol-free toner helps condition your skin thanks to ingredients like avocado oil. Ingredients like squalene help moisturize your skin for soft skin you can feel. It’s non-drying and gentle enough to make it suitable for people with sensitive skin.
Why You’ll Love It
- Minimizes the appearance of pores
- Gluten-free
- Use it twice daily
Clarins Hydrating Toning Lotion With Aloe Vera
A hydrating toner specially formulated for normal to dry skin to give your skin one amazing benefit after another. All of these benefits make it an amazing choice for a skincare routine for beginners. It’s alcohol-free to help prevent irritation.
Why You’ll Love It
- It helps balance the natural levels
- Aloe vera increases hydration
- Organic fig extract makes the skin softer
Treat Areas Of Concern
After using your toner, you want to treat areas of concern. Typically, these products are lighter than moisturizers, so use them next in your skincare routine. You always go from the lightest to the heaviest, which leaves moisturizers last on the list.
This can involve using serums for particular areas. You can spot-treat pimples. Address your particular skincare needs during this step of your routine.
Our Picks
HERS Fast Fader Dark Spot Treatment
This dark spot corrector is dermatologist-tested to help reduce visibly dark spots on your face. It helps fade dark spots from aging, acne scars, and more! You’ll enjoy a more even skin tone and increased confidence.
Why You’ll Love It
- Paraben-free
- Helps prevent future dark spots
- Fragrance-free
- Soothes the skin
IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Breakout Serum
Need a spot treatment for breakouts? This is the product you’ve been searching for. Powerful ingredients like salicylic acid help reduce breakouts, helping your skin slowly calm down. Lactic acid helps gently exfoliate the skin for a softness you can see and feel.
Why You’ll Love It
- Helps reduce breakouts with continued use
- It helps fade away marks from acne
- Works well for sensitive skin
Moisturize
Finally, you want to moisturize your skin. Previous myths about not needing to moisturize oily skin have proven false. Moisturizer helps lock water into the skin, creating a protective barrier that removes harmful dirt and bacteria. While you might not use the same moisturizer as someone with dry skin, it should still be an essential part of your daily skin routine for beginners.
Our Picks
La Roche-Posay Double Repair Moisturizer
A lightweight, creamy texture ensures you can’t feel this moisturizer after application, making it ideal for makeup application. Intense hydration helps hydrate the skin for up to 48 hours after application. The oil-free formula makes it suitable for oily and dry skin.
Why You’ll Love It
- Fragrance-free
- It helps repair the skin barrier
- Wonderful for sensitive skin
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream With Squalene
This ultra facial cream is great for a skincare routine for beginners. It provides lightweight hydration for up to 24 hours, ensuring it’ll last until your next skincare regimine. You’ll see a dramatic improvement in dryness and how soft your skin feels.
Why We Love It
- Glacial glycoprotein helps boost moisture
- Squalene replenishes lipids for healthier skin
- Strengthens the skin’s barrier
- Available in multiple sizes
Complete Your Skincare Routine Twice A Day
Properly taking care of your skin is a must. This is especially true if you love makeup, which can cause many skin issues. Complete the daily routine to ensure your skin is in the best condition possible. It does not take long, and you’ll start seeing healthier skin within a week!
FAQ
Should you moisturize oily acne prone skin?
Yes! It might seem like a bad idea, but your skin needs moisture. A moisturizer helps lock in hydration. Moisturizer will also help create a protective barrier so that you don’t get as many breakouts from the environment. Opt for a light moisturizer that is specifically designed for oily skin.
How do I start a skincare routine?
Start small. Use the four main steps of any skincare routine first: cleanse, tone, spot treat areas of concern, and moisturize. If you want to include under-eye treatment or serums, add those after a week of using a simple routine. You don’t want to overwhelm yourself.
Is it bad to do skincare every day?
No! At a minimum, you should wash your face and moisturize daily. However, some products should not be used every day. Avoid using products with harsh ingredients or face masks daily, especially peel-off face masks. These should only be used once per week.
Is rose water a toner
Rose water is a natural toner. Rose petals provide several natural benefits, including helping tone the skin. This all-natural toner is the perfect addition to your skincare routine if you want products with the least chemicals and artificial ingredients.
In Conclusion
Starting your skincare routine can seem overwhelming. That’s why it’s essential to start small when developing a skincare routine for beginners. Use the four basic parts of a skincare routine first. Then, add your touches as you learn more about your skin and skincare.
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