Adaptable Skincare Routine
By Quinn E.
The first step to any skincare routine is to cleanse your face. If you usually wear makeup, you will want to use either a cleansing cloth or cleansing oil. Generally, cleansing oil will remove any traces of makeup on your skin. Also, if you have fairly clear skin, then you may be able to skip cleanser by using cleansing oil. However, cleansing cloths are very convenient and easy to use, but you will need to follow up with a proper cleanser afterwards. If you don’t wear makeup, it will work fine on its own. For this cleanser, you should choose something lighter that provides a less harsh cleanse, considering you have dry skin and not too many breakouts. It will strip less of your skin’s natural oils. But, if your skin produces more oil or is acne-prone, you’ll want a deeper cleanser. You may want to invest in a cleansing brush that will help exfoliate, especially if your skin is flaky or bumpy. Then if your skin is oily or acne-prone, you may also consider following up with a toner or cleansing water to get every last bit of makeup, dirt, or oil off your skin.
After cleansing your skin, you should immediately follow up with a moisturizer no matter what skin type you have. Even if you have oily skin, you’ll want to moisturize, as it will help your skin produce less oil. The reason for this is that if you have oily skin, it means that your skin is trying to make up for a lack of moisture. Thus, you will not need to produce as much oil if you moisturize your skin. For moisturizer, I recommend Cetaphil Daily Advance Lotion for all skin types. It is very moisturizing without making you feel greasy. I personally find that my skin feels very soft after using it. If your skin is particularly dry, you may want to switch out your regular moisturizer at night. You can substitute it with face oil or a thicker cream product and it will help to nourish your skin.
Additionally, you should use a special cream under your eyes designed specifically for that area. The skin under your eyes is generally the thinnest and most delicate. So, you may want to splurge on this product, if possible. However, there are plenty of cheaper options that will get the job done. If you have puffy under-eyes, look for a product with a metal or generally cool applicator, as it will help decrease the puffiness. If you have dark under-eye circles, you may want to look for an eye cream that is advertised as brightening. It will help reflect the light and make your under-eyes appear lighter. For other purposes, just use something highly moisturizing and it will help prevent wrinkles or fine lines from forming.
Finally, for acne or just the occasional pimple, I recommend using pure Tea Tree oil as a spot treatment. Tea Tree oil is highly anti-bacterial. From experience, I can say that it will greatly diminish redness within just a few hours. It will also completely get rid of the pimple in just a few days. It may be slightly harder to find than the average spot treatment. But, try looking at your local health food store. In addition, the product should last a decent amount of time, since it is highly concentrated, so you just need a little bit.
The months are getting colder, so take advantage of these tips. Good luck with forming your new skincare routine!