Should you have an Extensive or Simple Skincare Routine?

Hello Lovelies,

Today we are going to talk about skincare routines! Since the time that I developed such a keen interest in all things beauty, I have been very interested in learning about the skincare products that people with fabulous skin use on a daily basis. I absolutely love visiting various blog sites that interview celebrities on their beauty routines. Between all the different products they list, it's hard to determine what you really need that will truly make a visible difference in your skin. It actually starts to become rather confusing, especially with all these new innovative products that have recently been released. Essences, sheet masks, face mask primer...Do we really need all this stuff?? What really made me begin to reflect was learning about the 10-Step Korean skin care routine. 10 Steps. It sounds daunting and kind of crazy at first but then you look at the skin that these Korean women have and it all starts to seem like it wouldn't actually be that hard, especially with those kind of results. They GLOW.

But then again, I think that there's a lot to be said about keeping it simple, and not going product crazy. So here's my take on what I believe is essential to a skincare routine.

Cleansing is an absolute must for anyone and everyone, no matter your skin type. People with dry and sensitive skin would probably benefit from gentle cleansers, like oil cleansers or lotion cleansers. I think these are great for people with combination and oily skin as well, but I do believe that they could also benefit from going in with the infamous double cleanse, whether that be with the same cleanser, or following up with a water-based cleanser that yields a deeper clean. You should also take into account how much makeup you wear. If you do wear a good amount of makeup, I would suggest using a makeup remover first, whether it be with a balm or micellar water.

Toner is a step that some find crucial yet others find useless. I say give it a go, but if it doesn't seem to do anything for your skin, you probably don't need it. I personally find toner very beneficial because I think that it really does help your other skincare products absorb much more nicely.

Next would be essences and serums. These are great if you have any skin concerns you want to address, whether it be acne, dullness, wrinkles, or discoloration. Serums and essences penetrate super fast, which is what makes them so effective. If you have skin that doesn't need the extra help, then I don't think that this step is completely necessary. Many women with awesome skin just use moisturizer and that works perfectly for them.

Moisturizer is next, and this is the step that is crucial. Moisturized skin is protected skin that results in skin that is hydrated, healthy and overall balanced. Even people with oily skin need to moisturize. If you don't, your skin will lack moisture and will try to compensate by producing more oil which will result in breakouts. Be sure to find a moisturizer that best suits your skin! Gel moisturizers are lovely for younger skins as well as people with oily and combination skin. They rock in the summertime as well, since they tend to be lighter. Richer cream type moisturizers are typically better for skin that is dry or aging or eczema-prone.

Next is eye cream which is a great step to include in your skincare regime if you are in your twenties or older. Teens don't really need eye cream. If you have a moisturizer that is thin enough, you could also probably get away with using that under your eyes as well. Some moisturizers will state that they are suitable for the eye contour area, which I think is brilliant as it takes away the need to buy two separate products.

This last step is the step that I think is the most important. I'm talking about sunscreen people, and there's no way to get around it. Even kids should wear it every single day. I'm sure you know the drill by now. Never skip sunscreen. It should be worn every day, year round, no matter the season.

After those steps everything else is extra. Exfoliation is a great thing to do a couple times a week, and if you want to, I think adding in a face mask is great! I think the one thing you should take away from this is that whatever works for you is what is best. If you wash your face with cetaphil and moisturize with jojoba oil before slapping on some sunscreen and that's working, keep on doing that!

Bottom line: Don't feel the need to complicate a process that is already working for you. 

I tried to get into a more extensive skincare routine once, and it didn't work out that well for me. People with sensitive skin generally have better luck with keeping things as simple as possible because then there are less products and ingredients that could possibly cause irritation. I use micellar water to remove makeup, cleanse with a lotion cleanser, tone with grape water and then moisturize with a basic, no-frills moisturizer. During the day I add sunscreen. And that's it right now. And my skin looks the best that it ever has.

I would love to hear your take on what's essential within a skincare routine, and what you have found to work best for you. It's always interesting to discover what works for others!

Until next time, beautiful people! :)