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How To Build a Skin Care Routine

How To Build a Skin Care Routine

Published by KBB on Nov 4th 2021

There is a plethora of information overwhelming the internet with skin care products, tips, and hacks. It's hard to keep up with the latest news and it's even more confusing learning which companies to trust and determine just how many products we really need in our bathroom cabinet. Great skin isn't as simple as being born with the right set of genes- your daily habits have a profound impact on what you see the mirror. 

Choosing products for your skin is a personal choice and learning how to care for your body is unique and specific to your set of needs. Here's exactly what you need to keep in mind as you're trying to find what works best for you. 

  1. Create Daily Habits
  2. Cleansing
  3. Toning
  4. Moisturizing
  5. Sunscreen

CREATE DAILY HABITS

Alas, it's true. Eventually, we become the sum total of our habits. We know there are a few "magic" pills on the market that claim to have unbelievable results without lifting a finger. We really wish we weren't the bearers of bad news... but there just aren't any shortcuts to having great skin and desirable health. Before we share the foundational products of your skin care routine, it's important to note that products without healthy habits to support them is a waste of your time and money. If you're only sleeping 3 hours a night on a regular basis, the odds of your eye cream reducing the dark circles under your eyes is slim. Investing time into self-care is so much more than just smothering on a moisturizer before you head out the door.

Self Care Tips

  1. Sleep for 8 hours every night. This may not always be possible in our busy schedules, but sleeping until you are well-rested is one of the most important beauty tips. Sleeping on your back prevents the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, plus it is healthier for our muscular tissue.
  2. Stay hydrated throughout the day. Stay hydrated! A healthy amount of water intake will keep the skin glowing and supple. The actual amount depends on your body weight. We shoot for 1/2 gallon every day.
  3. Exercise at least 3 times a week. Yoga. Swimming. Walking. Get yourself moving 2-3 times a week for at least 30 minutes. Exercise stimulates your blood flow and releases endorphins into your brain that incite a feeling of joy that exudes outward. 
  4. Limit alcohol intake and processed foods. No rocket science here. Alcohol and processed sugars are toxins. They are chemicals that age you from the inside out. While indulging every once in a while won't have a grave impact on your skin, less is definitely more. 
  5. Maximize natural foods. Healthy proteins, grains, veggies, and fruits will keep your skin healthy, happy, and younger looking. 

Creating new habits can be challenging. Start one new habit at a time and be gentle with yourself as you learn to introduce new decisions into your routine.

STEP-BY-STEP ROUTINE

Now, let's talk the basics. The idea of skin care is to enhance your natural complexion and highlight your skin so that it is functioning at its best. The steps listed in our routine are intended to deliver those results. You'll notice that the image of our routine has the addition of masks, serums, and spot treatments. Product like these have a powerful impact on the appearance of your skin but they are not fully necessary unless you have a skin issue you are trying to correct. For this post, we will share only the must-haves for anyone starting out on their skin care journey, or for the veterans who need some reminders on best practices. 

Visit our Serums & Mask: The Powerful Skin Allies blog post if you'd like to learn more about these products.

Here's the ideal morning and evening step-by-step routine. 


CLEANSING

The first step in your routine is cleansing the skin. This process removes the impurities and bacteria from your pores, keeping them clean and breathable. We are exposed to harsh properties in the outside world, and sometimes, even in our home. Cleansing our face twice a day ensures that toxic elements do not have a chance to seep into our pores. 

Trycleanser that is gentle so it doesn't strip your skin of moisture or nutrients. 

Tips

  1. Perform a double cleanse. If you are wearing makeup, it's imperative to remove your makeup before cleansing your face. This can be done with a baby wipe, micellar water, or you can simply use your cleanser twice. Think of it as the first time you are cleansing, it is to remove your makeup, the second cleanse, it to remove the impurities and dirt from your skin.
  2. Wash your face for 60 full seconds. Your skin will benefit from a gentle massage that lasts 60 seconds in order to properly cleanse the skin. If we rush through cleansing, or do not fully rinse off our face, it could lead to acne or imbalances in our skin. It's also good practice to use this time to feel around with your fingertips for any changes or bumps that may appear. 
  3. Rinse thoroughly. Remove all the suds and soap from your face. Missing some spots, or wiping suds off with a towel, could lead to breakouts or skin issues.
  4. Move quickly to the next step. We want to move quickly through our routine so that the skin does not dry out. Once the skin drys out, it becomes difficult to rehydrate. We are moving quickly so we can lock in the moisture with our lotion.


TONING

Applying a toner, balances your skin and resets your ph level to receive the maximum benefit from your skin care products. Certain ingredients are only effective within a specific range of ph levels. The ph level of tap water can vary and it's usually not within the desired range for our skin. Since most of us wash our face with tap water from our sink or shower, applying a toner immediately after cleansing helps to prepare the skin so the rest of your routine can be effective. 

Toners also remove any last residue that may have been missed during our cleansing step. Depending on the formulation, ingredients in toners deliver an extra dose of nutrients to your skin- sign us up!

Tips

  1. Use toners that avoid alcohol (like ours!) to avoid stripping and drying out the skin.
  2. Try using reusable cotton rounds to lessen waste. We love this set of facial rounds from Marley's Monsters.
  3. Applying with clean hands can help reduce product waste since some of the product is absorbed if you are spraying it on cotton rounds.

MOISTURIZING

Humans are made up of 75% water at birth. As we age, the amount of water stored in our bodies reduces, resulting in wrinkles and loose skin (anyone else envisioning a grape turning into a raisin?). Moisturizers are a big drink of water for our skin; replenishing hydration back into our system and preventing us from losing more. They sit on top of our skin to lock-in the moisture. Their purpose is two-fold: hydrate and soften. 

Tips

  1. Look for ingredients such as glycerin and panthenol (vitamin B). These are powerhouse humectants. Their main function is to draw moisture to the skin. 
  2. Everyone's skin needs are different so make sure to choose a lotion that fits yours. 
  3. Use two separate moisturizers: one for your face and another made for your eyes. The skin around our eyes is much thinner and more delicate than the rest of our skin so its crucial to use a product intended for your this area of our face.


SUN PROTECTION

Sunscreen is by far the most crucial product in your routine lineup. The sun has many benefits and provides several nutrients to our body. However, being overly exposed to the sun can have drawbacks, especially for our skin. While skin care gurus don't always agree on beauty tips, using sunscreen to protect from the sun's powerful rays is unanimous amongst the skin care industry. 

There is some controversy over the safety of certain sunscreen ingredients and brands. So, do your due diligence before investing in your sunscreen purchase.

Tips

  1. Wear it every day. Rain or shine, overcast or sunny, apply your sunscreen 365 days of the year.
  2. This should be the last step in your morning routine but there is no need to apply sunscreen before bed, unless you will be sleeping in full view of the sun.
  3. Use an SPF of at least 30.
  4. Use hats, sunglasses, and visors when in the sun for a long period of time. Check out our favorite visors by Bluestone Shields

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