None of us were born knowing how to take care of our skin, and it can often take a lifetime of lessons learned the hard way to find a routine that works for your particular skin type.
Most skincare routines take some time to show their effects, and so it can take months to realise that a particular set of products or treatments is not working for you unless they immediately start stinging or you seek the help of an online skin consultation.
It can take a long time to build up the skincare knowledge that helps you look your best, but here are some golden rules which will help you start your skincare journey on the right foot.
Quality Matters Far More Than Quantity
The old saying goes that you get what you pay for, and whilst it is far from always the case that paying more gets you the best products, seeking out quality skincare products matters far more than the quantity you use.
This is not only the case for the price of individual parts of your routine but how many components you use in your skincare. Three or four very well-chosen products are a far better purchase than a 12-step routine that overwhelms your skin.
Overdo it too much, and you can damage the delicate balance of your skin microbiome and inadvertently cause skin irritation.
Beautiful Skin Comes From Within
Not enough people appreciate the connection between how the skin looks and the rest of your body, and particularly as it starts to slow down its cell turnover, diet and especially hydration become increasingly important keys to maintaining a healthy glow.
Thankfully, any balanced diet with sufficient hydration and enough sleep will help considerably with any skincare routine, as well as help you to feel better in general.
Oil Is Not The Enemy
For people with oily skin types, especially if they are younger, one of the most frustrating parts of learning about skincare is how to balance any products you use with the increased risk of acne breakouts.
It can be tempting to eschew oil-based products at all costs to stop clogging your pores, but this is a case of throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
The skin barrier needs a certain level of oil to function properly and keep the skin hydrated and if you use the right oils on your skin you will not have issues with clogged pores.
Consistency Is Far More Important Than Trends
Much like with diet and exercise, the routine you can stick to is far better than inconsistently following a more rigorous plan.
If you do not feel you can fit an elaborate skin cycling routine into your daily schedule, then stick to a cleanser, a moisturiser, SPF if you are going out and one or two other products at most rather than wrapping yourself up in knots.
Similarly, whilst it can be easy to get wrapped up in viral beauty trends and trending routines, switching between different elaborate routines may be counterproductive to your skin.