Many people in India don’t create a skincare routine until later in life, especially an advanced one. They adopt the most popular one, CTM (Cleanse+Toner+Moisturizer), and even then a toner might be missed many times. While this method might work for younger and teenage skin, as we get more older and wiser, we start to see other needs of our skin more. How so? Well, with age, there is less elasticity and collagen in our skin which can lead to wrinkles and pigmentation, getting more noticeable with time. That’s when it hits people they should’ve spent more time building a skincare routine. Don’t be one of those people and understand the need of skincare early on to keep that youthful and plump look.
Moving to the main thing, actually creating a skincare routine. Phew, it sounds tedious already! Who has the time to search multiple products and go to consults just for it to miss the mark? The thing is that most people are frustrated or think skincare doesn’t work due to misinformation. From our research, where people go wrong is ordering premium skincare by watching others and on the other hand, newcomers say it looks too difficult and complex. While it may require some trial and error, if you have reliable information, it’s not that difficult to build and follow. For the people following trends and influencers, it’s important to understand that your skin is different from theirs. Since every skin type is different, skincare is also not one-size-fits-all.
Skincare Routine Steps To Follow For Every Skin
Even though there are different skin types with varying needs, there is a rule of thumb that most people follow. We are here to share all that and more so you can create the perfect me-time regimen for every day and night.
Top Five Products
Cleanser
Use a gentle face wash according to your skin to start your day and routine. Lather the face wash in your hand until it becomes bubbly and creamy. Rub it on your face for atleast 30 seconds to get every dirt and grime off.
- For oily skin: Try a cleanser with salicylic acid or is labelled for excess oil, unclogging pores, and prevent breakouts.
- For dry skin: Opt for a hydrating cleanser with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or ceramides.
- For sensitive skin: Better to go with a gentle, fragrance-free, sulphate free cleanser with soothing ingredients like aloe vera.
- For combination skin: Find a balanced cleanser that caters to both oily and dry areas, such as one containing niacinamide or green tea extract.
After cleansing, pat your face dry with a clean towel, ensuring not to rub too much, which might irritate the skin.
01
Toner
It is important to prep your skin for all the skincare and makeup with a toner. It can help in tightening the pores and calming any irritated area, leading to an overall better effect from the upcoming skincare. There are many brands like Plum, Biotique, Mamaearth, The Face Shop and more when it comes to choosing the a toner that feels light and absorbs quicker.
Some Ingredients To Seek Out: Rose Extracts, Cucumber, Aloe Vera, Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide.
Some Ingredients To Avoid: Alcohol, Parabens, Fragrance, Heavy Oils
02
Serum Or Essence
Make sure to put on any essence or serum while the toner is still damp for maximum absorption. Pour some on your hand from the dropper and pump top to apply it to your face. Make sure that it's properly distributed on the face before moving onto anything else.
Some Ingredients To Look For:
- Hyaluronic Acid - For Hydration
- Vitamin C - For Glowing Skin
- Niamcinamide - For Even Tone And Blemishes
- Snail Essence - Skin Repair, Hydration, and Elasticity
- Rose Essence - For Hydration
03
Moisturizer
After all the steps above, you need something to lock everything in. That’s the job of a moisturizer. You need an effective and lasting moisturizer for your skin to make sure that it doesn’t dry out during the day. There are many types of moisturizers like gel and cream to suit every skin type or seasonal changes. Once you figure out which type your skin is, you can get the one most suitable for you.
Reliable Moisturizer Brands In India:
- Derma Co
- Cetaphil
- Dot & Key
- BioDerma
(Do a patch test before applying any moisturizer to your face)
04
Sunscreen
Everything becomes null and void if it is not protected from the sun and its searing rays. Specifically with India getting very hot during the summers, people get literal burning sensations and your face skin becomes dull. Applying and re-applying your sunscreen should become a habit if you are planning to go out anytime. Just like other products, there are specific types of sunscreen available in the market.
Types Of Sunscreen You Can Find:
- Gel Sunscreen
- Cream Sunscreen
- Tinted Sunscreen
- Powder Sunscreen
- Spray Sunscreen
What To Check For In A Sunscreen?
The SPF: The lower the SPF is on the bottle, the less effective it might be. That doesn’t mean that you have to get the 60 SPF or 70 SPF, it would work with 50 SPF as well. The difference they provide after 50 isn’t too much so you can save your money while you are at it.
PA+ Rating: You might not know the real damage done by UVA rays but it is there. The PA+ rating means that it protects against those rays. The more + there are, the higher the protection.
05
How To Identify Your Skin Type?
Since you need to have a routine that caters to your skin needs, how do you choose what products to get? The answer simply depends on your skin type. Indian skin comes in many shades and textures, so determining your skin type is much more important before picking any product. We can help you figure that out by some easy DIY tests before providing you with tips to make a skincare routine. Use these methods, separately or simultaneously, to understand what your skin type is.
Method #1: Wash And Wait
The most widely used idea for skin type identification is to use a face wash or cleanser on your face and wait for atleast half an hour.
- If your entire face shows shine and greasiness after some time, then you have oily skin.
- If your skin feels stretchy and looks white and flaky, then you have dry skin.
- If your forehead, nose, upper lips and chin (T-zone) get oily in that span, leaving the rest of your face dry, then you have combination skin.
- If your skin gets tender or red, then you might have sensitive skin.
- If your skin feels totally normal without excess oil or dryness, then you have normal skin.
Method #2: Blotting Paper/ Sheet
If you can’t tell your skin type just by feeling, you can use a blotting sheet to get a conclusive answer. Leave your face alone after a wash for an hour or so and get the blotting sheet to touch your face.
- If the sheet gets full of face oil and turns translucent then you have oily skin.
- If the sheet remains as it is, then you have dry skin.
- If the sheet absorbs oil from the T-zone primarily, then you have combination skin.
- If you feel some inflamed areas, then you are on the sensitive spectrum.
- If the oil absorbed is not too much, then you have normal skin.
You can also use tissue paper as an alternative to blotting paper, though it might not be that clear.
(Note: Do these tests before applying anything on your face, so the answers are authentic and genuine)
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