Skincare for beginners: How to master the perfect routine.

Step 1: Cleansing

Cleansing is one of the most important steps in the skincare routine; it removes dirt, excess oils and other built up product such as sunscreen and makeup. It's important to find a cleanser that works for your skin as different cleansers cater to different skin types (oily, combination and dry). Knowing your skin type is a vital step before going out and spending your hard-earned money on various products that may not be suitable for you.

Once you know your skin type, you now need to find a cleanser that works for you. For oily skin types you want to find a strong but gentle formula that does a great job at removing excess oil from your skin. Ingredients like niacinamide and glycolic acid are actives you should look for when choosing a cleanser. A great cleanser to use is the Youth To The People Kale + Green Tea Superfood Face Cleanser.

For dry skin you should focus on more hydrating and moisturizing ingredients. Hyaluronic acid, glycerin and ceramides are great for locking in moisture. Hyaluronic acid in particular is a humectant meaning it draws moisture from your environment into your skin. Another thing to note about dry skin is that it can be more prone to irritation so think about more soothing ingredients like green tea, centella asiatica and colloidal oatmeal. I recommend the Aveeno Face Calm + Restore Nourishing Oat Cleanser.

For combination skin, use a gentle formula that has some of the beneficial ingredients we mentioned earlier. A great option for this is the Simple Water Boost Micellar Facial Gel Wash

If your someone who wears makeup often or uses sunscreen daily (as we hope you do) its beneficial to incorporate at 2-step cleanse on the PM. First you wash with a cleansing balm or oil, following with you usual cleanser.

Step 2: Toning

Toning by no means is an essential step, at least not anymore. This step was once used after cleansing to add a layer or hydration to the skin after using a harsh cleanser (often bar soap). Nowadays, our cleansers really aren't that stripping to the skin so this step is completely optional.

If you are interested in mixing a toner into you routine however, they can have many beneficial anti-oxidants and actives. The black rice hyaluronic toner by Haruharu WONDER is favorite among skincare gurus as its super hydrating and contains black rice which is a powerful anti-oxidant ingredient. Other toners such as the Paula's Choice salacylic acid toner acts as an exfoliation step, great for reducing blackheads and acne.

Step 3: Treatment

The treatment step is another that is optional but can be extremely beneficial with addressing specific skin issues such as acne, excess oil and aging. As these are the three most common causes for using treatment I will go through just these for today. Keep in mind that there are treatments available for all of your skin worries however.

To address the issue of acne there are a few treatments that work well for most people. Salacylic acid (as I mentioned before) can be formulated in a treatment, toner, cleanser and even sometimes moisturizer so you can really implement this ingredient where you prefer. Salacylic acid is so effective because it's oil soluble, meaning it can get deep into your pores to really push out any sebum and dirt build up.

The next ingredient I'm going to mention is commonly used for its anti-aging benefits but is also effective at treating acne and acne scares. Retinol. Now, retinol can be irritating to some so it's advised to slowly implement this ingredient into your routine. Start first with once a fortnight, then once a week and so on. I recommend using this at a maximum of three times per week.

In terms of excess oiliness, look no further that niacinamide. Niacinamide also has other benefits like reducing the appearance of pores, evening out skin tone and soften out fine lines and wrinkles. In other words Niacinamide is a great all-rounder for your skin needs.

Step 4: Moisturize

Moisturizer is a key step in the skin routine; it not only keeps skin hydrated but in turn retains the skin's natural function of the moisture barrier. Your moisture barrier is probably the most important asset in terms of your skin.

For oily skin moisturizers that have a light weight gel like consistency makes sure you don't look excessively shiny. The one I recommend is the Rovectin Clean Lotus Water Cream as it's super light weight and leaves the skin hydrated but not greasy.

For combination skin something closer to your traditional cream moisturizer is best. A favorite of mine and one I've used for a few months now is the Aveeno Face Calm + Restore Oat Gel moisturizer. This is great for sensitivity as it contains prebiotic oat but isn't heavy on the face.

Finally for my dry-skinned readers out there, look for moisturizers that have a thick, creamy texture. One's that contain ceramides are perfect for dry skin as they protect and restore moisture barrier function. The CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is amazing at deeply hydrating the skin. This product in particular has three essential ceramides for proper barrier function, so it's an absolute powerhouse for dry skin.

Step 5: SPF

Now, I know what you're thinking, "it's not even sunny!". While that's a great observation SPF is without a doubt the most important step in taking care of your skin. Even on cloudy, rainy days UV rays penetrate the clouds and damage our skin. This can lead to sun damage and premature aging which I assume you do not want! If you're going to invest in anything from reading this, make sure a good quality SPF is on your shopping list.

Some of my recommendations are the Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel, Pipette Mineral Sunscreen and the Torriden Mild Sunscreen. All of these are SPF 50 so will be super protective.

Conclusion

Hopefully you now know all you need to know for a simple yet effective skincare plan. If you want specific advice and guidance on your skin then I highly recommend visiting your dermatologist for expert advice.