Spotless, glowing skin is no easy feat – and sometimes, even religiously following a CSMS routine can get you nowhere. The trick lies in picking the correct set of products and building a skincare arsenal best suited to your skin type, concerns, and needs. If you’re overwhelmed at the thought of curating a skincare regimen ideal for you, fret not, for we’re here to guide you through.
Below, we’ve jotted down some simple tips and tricks to help you make the most of your skincare essentials.
1. Read the Label
The proof lies in the words. Read through the ingredient list and instructions before committing to a skincare product. Read to see if the product makes any claims about its efficacy or if it asks you to avoid sunlight exposure or layering with other products. The instructions will also advise you on how long to leave the product on and may help you avoid an adverse reaction from misuse.
2. Follow the Correct Order of Application
The most vital aspect of any skincare routine is layering your products in the correct order. If your products aren’t layered correctly, they will fail to penetrate through your skin for maximum benefit. As a rule of thumb, apply in the order of lightweight to heavyweight formulas – begin with a water-based serum and end with a sunscreen.
After cleansing your skin with a suitable face wash or cleanser, dab a toner-laden cotton pad on the epidermis (alternatively, you could use your bare fingertips to apply the product to your face). A toner helps balance the pH level of your skin while removing dirt and grime.
Next, dab a lightweight serum or essence on your face, followed by a spot treatment and moisturiser. During the day, always end your routine with an SPF 30 or more sunscreen. Allow the moisturiser to dry before slathering on sunscreen, as it will dilute the product if the previous layer is still wet.
3. Skip Cotton Pads and Use Your Fingers
Consider applying the products directly to your skin with cleansed hands. Cotton pads tend to absorb much of the product, making you go through bottles at a faster rate. Plus, it harms the environment. When using a toner, apply a few drops to your fingers and use the press-and-pat method to distribute the formulation onto your face and neck.
4. Pair Complementary Ingredients to Maximise Results
Certain ingredients work in tandem to visibly benefit your skin. Split your routine into morning and night. Ingredients such as vitamin C should be used in the morning, under your sunscreen, since the antioxidants in vitamin C help SPF work better. Plus, SPF protects your skin against hyperpigmentation that you’d use vitamin C to lighten. Also, pair your strong acids with rich moisturiser to keep your skin barrier intact.
5. Avoid Overloading Your Skin With Products
When we speak of skincare, less is more. While you may feel tempted to layer on several products from different brands, avoid doing so. Exfoliants such as glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acid shouldn’t be layered since they tend to be too strong for your skin.
Also, remember not to club acids with retinol since the former has an intensely drying effect on the skin. Meanwhile, if you’re using a spot treatment such as benzoyl peroxide, ensure you don’t pair it with other active treatments. The trick is to customize and buy skincare online to tackle a skin need or concern one at a time instead of aiming to achieve your skin goals altogether.
6. Attend to Sudden Breakouts
Be alert. If you notice your skin breaking out, investigate the root cause as to why it may be happening. Does your skincare routine feature a rogue ingredient? Or your hands aren’t clean before you touch your face. Consider cleaning your mobile screen, too, and change your pillowcase regularly. Dirty surfaces hold bacteria and can transfer them onto your skin on direct contact.
7. Boost Penetration of Product
Consider rubbing products between your palms to warm them up and accelerate penetration. You could also steam your face before kickstarting your skincare routine to open up the pores and facilitate greater absorption of products. Exfoliating your skin twice a week can also boost the penetration of the product.
Meanwhile, skincare experts also recommend applying specific products to damp skin, as it tends to be more permeable than dry skin. Use lukewarm water to cleanse your skin since hot water can strip the epidermis of its natural oils, while cold water may not be as effective in removing debris and residue.
8. Wait a Month Before Making a Judgment
Don’t expect anything to change overnight. If you’ve invested in a product, give it a month or so before tossing it away. Skincare isn’t magic; it takes consistency and patience. Allow your products some time to show visible results.
During this time, follow your skincare routine religiously. Your skin takes around 30 days for renewal – shedding dead skin cells to give you a fresh, rejuvenated epidermis. And certain ingredients like retinol take even longer to deliver visible results. So, if you’ve written off a specific skincare product too soon, consider welcoming it back into your skincare routine.
Conclusion
Each one should follow a structured AM-PM skincare routine for flawlessly spotless skin. Good skin also creates the base for makeup. If you don’t cater to your skin needs, you’ll notice your skin breaking out, with added concerns such as hyperpigmentation and dullness. While indulging in a skincare regime, remember to be gentle with your skin.
Being too harsh with your skin or over-exfoliation can cause micro-tears and severe dryness and sensitivity. Following a simple yet effective skincare routine can help keep wrinkles, acne, fine lines, and other signs of ageing at bay. If you’re new to beauty, consider following a simple CSMS routine – cleanse, serum, moisturise, sunscreen. Pick products that suit your skin type and concerns, and be mindful while layering ingredients. To feel beautiful inside out, adopt healthy lifestyle habits and eat a well-balanced diet.