Options for entertainment and self-care have drastically changed over the past year. Just like the renewed interest in baking, and at-home workouts, many people have embraced skincare.
The first rule to keep in mind when setting up a basic skincare routine is “first, do no harm.” This means, not sleeping with your makeup on, using a gentle cleanser and moisturizer, and most importantly, wearing sunscreen every day.
Below are affordable and easily accessible products for the BARE minimum starter skincare routine.
The products mentioned below will work for all skin types and ages but are not intended to treat any particular skin concern. All the products recommended are intended for sensitive skin, so most people should be able to use them.
This article will not help you select the most appropriate active ingredients for any skin concerns. If you are looking for that, please look here. This article will teach you the very basic steps into the journey of skin health. Skincare is more than aesthetic pleasure, it part of health and hygiene.
You MUST remove your make up!
Your skin regenerates while you sleep and not removing your makeup will cause premature ageing in the long term and breakouts in the short term. You may skip this step if you are not wearing makeup. Simple Micellar Water is a gentle and effective product that is easy to find at any drug store or box store. It isn’t greasy and doesn’t irritate eyes. It is an effective product for daily makeup but if you have lash glue or waterproof mascara on you may need to do two rounds of this gentle makeup remover.
Gentle Cleanse
You must cleanse your skin every night. This is not optional. Even if you can’t see dirt or makeup on your skin, pollution and However, most people do not realize that cleansing with harsh cleansers can actually damage your skin. Drug store skincare has come a long way in gentleness and quality in the past 30 years. This fragrance-free gentle cleanser is a great price point and can be found at any drug or box store. It also available for purchase in travel-size if you want to try it before you commit to a full-sized bottle of it.
A note about cleansing: if you do not have oily skin you can skip cleansing in the mornings if you are trying to keep steps to a minimum.
One journalist stopped her nighttime skincare routine and make-up removal and aged her skin 10 years in one month! For more details, read here.
Moisturize
Even if you have oily skin, moisturizer is a MUST! There are a few great brands that are easily accessible. These Neutrogena and CeraVe products work well for beginners. If you have more oily skin look for a LOTION and if you have more dry skin, look for a cream. It is normal for your skin’s moisture needs to be different in the summer and winter. All of the moisturizers mentioned here can be used in both daytime and night time.
Protect
Only 10% of how your skin looks it up to genetics. The good news is 90% of how your skin ages in your control. If you are only going to purchase ONE product, make it a sunscreen that you will wear. The best sunscreen is one that you will actually apply every day. This one is a fan-favourite that is easy to get your hands on.
If you currently do nothing for skincare and you take just one thing from this article, let it be this: wear sunscreen. Seriously, wear sunscreen every day. Even if you just wake up, splash your face with water, quickly apply sunscreen into the mix, before you head out the door. That simple action will make a difference in your skin’s ageing process. Sun damage is the main cause of environmental ageing and skin cancer is real. Wear sunscreen!
Thou Shall Not Pick
The foundation of skincare is “do no harm.” If you find that you get the occasional breakout and you enjoy picking and popping, then this is Sephora product that is worth your investment. Picking and popping will cause more inflammation and long-term damage and scarring. These nifty little stickers provide a gentle treatment, great adhesive, and will stop you from picking your pimples.
If you already feel that you have a grasp on skincare basics and want to level up your routine or address a particular concern, please take this quick skincare solution tool to see more advanced product recommendations.
There has never been a better time to start taking care of yourself. Skincare can be simple, the first rule to starting your journey is as simple as “first, do no harm.”
