How to Get The Most Out of Your Skincare Routine

It’s a problem just about everyone faces at some point: you want to take good care of your skin, but you’re not entirely sure how. You may have read articles that seemed trust-worthy and purchased products that a friend or influencer recommended, but something’s just not right. Maybe you’re still struggling with acne, maybe you’re experiencing dryness or irritation, or maybe there’s another problem entirely — what gives?

The fact is everyone’s skin is different, and no single skincare regimen is going to work for everyone. If you want to get the most out of your skincare routine, you need to understand the basics of skincare and know how best to work with your type of skin.

Skincare Routine Basics

Almost every skincare routine can and should be broken down into 4 phases: cleansing, toning, moisturizing, and protecting. Here’s more on each of those:

Cleansing

Before you do anything else to your skin, you need to be sure that it’s clean first. Oils, dirts, dead skin cells, and air pollution particles can all collect in and around your pores, so the very start of your skincare routine should be removing them. Your skin gets dirty at night as well, meaning that you need to wash twice a day in order to keep your skin healthy. While cleansing with water will do in a pinch, a good, hydrating, non-irritating cleanser can get you a lot further.

Toning

Think of toning as a kind of skin maintenance: the right toner will replenish nutrients and can balance the overall composition of your skin as well. Unless you buy a brand that specifies otherwise, most toners only need to be put on at night, meaning that this step can generally be skipped during a morning routine. If you use other skincare products such as eye creams, serums, or peels, put them on during this part of the process.

Moisturizing

Moisturizers are key for people of all skin types (even oily skin), so be sure not to skimp out on this step. Moisturizer prevents your skin from losing too much water.

Protecting

If you’re going to be outdoors during daylight hours, even briefly, sunscreen is essential. Non-irritating sunscreen of SPF 30 or above is a crucial component of a daily skincare routine. Too much sun can result in dry skin, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and even cancer, so be sure to give your skin the shield it needs before you head out.  

Skincare Routines by Skin Type

While those steps are crucial for every skincare routine, different types of skin demand different treatments, so make sure you know which solutions will work best for you.

Balanced skin

Balanced or “normal” skin is just what it sounds like: skin that isn’t excessively dry or oily and doesn’t have any sensitivity issues. Those with balanced skin should avoid cleansing with traditional soaps, as they may dry out the skin — use gels or foams instead. For moisturizing, a simple lotion will do the trick, and make sure to apply mild toners gently with a cotton ball; anything more severe could interfere with the composition of your skin. 

Dry skin

People with dry skin should also think twice about cleansing with normal soap which would risk drying out their skin even further; creams, gels, and lotions are definitely the way to go there. The same rules for people with normal skin apply for those with dry skin when it comes to toner: apply gently, and don’t use anything too irritating. The star of the show for those with dry skin is moisturizer: use an ultra-hydrating one in order to compensate for natural dryness. 

Oily skin

Cleansing oily skin is a bit different: be sure to use foaming liquids or clay-based cleanser in order to remove excess oils from the skin. For both toning and moisturizing, be sure to use products that are oil-free — gels tend to work best for people with naturally oily skin. 

Sensitive skin

Conversely, those with sensitive skin should actually cleanse with oil-based cleansers, as they’re often the products least likely to cause irritation. Be very careful with toners, as many aren’t designed with high levels of skin sensitivity in kind. For moisturizing, creams and powerful balms are the way to go.

Combination skin

People with combination skin get the best — or maybe the worst — of both worlds: parts of the face that are dry and other parts that are oily. Generally speaking, most options that work for people with balanced skin will work for those with combination skin. If, however, there are parts of your face that are extra dry or extra oily, consider using products specifically to address those areas instead of looking for a general solution. 

It may all sound overwhelming and complicated, but we here at Nurx are here to guide you through the process. Get in contact with a member of our team today to see how the right skincare routine and products can give you healthier skin and less acne.