Getting started: How to build a skincare routine

Building a skincare routine may sound complicated but trust me when I say it is much easier than it seems. I have put together this simple guide on building a skincare routine. So, follow through and analyse, but most importantly, ENJOY building your skincare routine and taking care of your skin.

1. Cleanser:

A cleanser is a product that washes away dirt and impurities from the skin, thanks to surfactants. Surfactants cleanse the skin by englobing dirt particles and dissolving them in water, so that the particles can then be washed away.

There are many cleansers on the market, and it is important to choose one that is suitable for your skin. Cleansers tend to contain a high concentration of anionic surfactants. Anionic surfactants are popularly used in cleansers for their high foaming capacity and solubility. However, anionic surfactants can be quite drying. If you have dry skin, it Is important that you select a mild cleanser with less anionic surfactants, which are less drying to the skin. The catch? Cleansers with little to no anionic surfactant tend to not foam or at least not as much as the anionic ones. So, if you like a cleanser with lots of foam, this may not be for you.

Cleansers with active ingredients can also be used to help achieve a certain result. For example, gentle exfoliative cleansers with ingredients such as salicylic acid or lactic acid help in gently exfoliating the skin and removing buildup in the pores, which overall helps in reducing acne breakouts. Depending on the desired effect, different actives can be incorporated at this stage. However, because cleansers are washed away, the active ingredients cannot result in the same kind of effect as they would in leave on formulations, which are in contact with the skin for a longer period, allowing the skin to properly absorb the active ingredients.

2. Exfoliant:

An exfoliant is a skincare formulation or tool used to remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. Physical exfoliants use grains, beads or even tools such as brushes and towels to remove dead skin cells by friction. Chemical exfoliants use acids to loosen the bonds between skin cells to exfoliate the skin, while Enzymatic exfoliants use enzymes to serve the same purpose.

Types of exfoliants:

Physical: Use tools such as brushes, towels which can be reused, making them cheaper than other exfoliants

My pick: Glow Hub AHA Body Scrub

Chemical: Use acids to break the bonds between skin cells by denaturing skin proteins that help hold corneocytes(cells in the outermost layer of skin) together

My pick: REN Clean Skincare Glow Tonic

Enzymatic: Uses enzymes  to break the bonds between skin cells by denaturing skin proteins

My pick: Beauty Mallow’s Pineapple Enzyme Mask

3. Serum:

Serums are water-based solutions used for hydrating the skin or introducing  certain active ingredient into the skin. Depending on what you’re trying to achieve, you can apply an azelaic acid serum for hyperpigmentation, a hydrating serum with ingredients like hyaluronic acid or polyglutamic acid, and more. You name it! The options are endless.

4. Moisturiser:

Moisturisers are products used to relive or prevent dryness. Moisturisers are usually in cream or lotion form, however they can also be in gel form. When picking a moisturiser, it is important to pick a moisturiser according to your skin type. If you have dry skin, go for a moisturiser with not only a high humectant concentration(glycerine, polyglutamic acid, etc.) but also a high concentration of emollients, and vice versa if you have oily skin. The important thing is to be attentive to what your skin really needs.

5. Sunscreen(daytime only):

 A sunscreen is a lotion or cream that is used to protect the skin for UVA and UVB rays. These sun rays are harmful to the skin. While UVA rays increase oxidation and cause ageing of the skin, UVB rays cause burns. High exposure to the sun can cause serious burns. It is important to apply and reapply sunscreen on a daily to protect your skin from UV rays

Sunscreens can be divided into two categories: Organic(chemical) and Mineral(physical) sunscreens. Mineral sunscreens contain physical UV filters that block sunrays by forming a film over the skin. This film reflects sun rays. The catch? Mineral sunscreens tend to form a white cast on the skin which isn’t ideal for consumers, especially people of colour. Chemical sunscreens on the other hand work by absorbing these rays and converting them to heat. Oppositely to mineral sunscreens, chemical sunscreens do not leave a white cast when applied to the skin.