Starting a skincare routine can be an intimidating project. To begin with, there are a lot of products out there and understanding skincare takes time. You also hear tons of different information about what to use, when, how to use it, or whether or not you should even consider it. No matter the reason, it’s important to take care of your skin because it tells you so much about your body and what’s going on inside of it. Your skin will tell you if you’re malnourished, if you’re allergic to something, or if something needs medical attention. Having a skincare routine helps you become more in tune with your skin and more aware of what’s normal for your body and what isn’t.
How to Build a Basic Skincare Routine
Identify Your Skin Type
The first step to building a skincare routine is to identify your skin type. This is easier said than done and can best be done by seeing a professional. It’s easy to misidentify your skin type, i.e. someone who experiences excessive acne could actually be really dehydrated or someone who feels like they’re aging may need a good exfoliation instead. Seeing a professional will allow you to get to know your skin better and learn how to treat your skin concerns more effectively. Consultations could be scheduled via our online booking and, when you’re in a time crunch, a 30-minute Skin Therapy would even do the trick and allow your esthetician to analyze your skin even further.
Start Slow
Skincare is a huge rabbit hole. Once you’re in, you’re in. It’s easy to get carried away with all the products in the world. At some point you may even become a collector, but what’s important is that you start slow. Start with a cleanser, toner, and moisturizer each morning and night. Sunscreen is the one additional product recommended for daytime use. A small assortment of products will prevent you from being overwhelmed and will allow you to be more diligent with using all the products on a daily basis. Let your skincare routine be routine.
The Routine
Cleanse: twice daily, morning and night.
Removes makeup, dirt, oils, excess debris. Skin should feel comfortable after cleansing, not squeaky clean.
Tone: twice daily, morning and night. Do after cleansing.
Balances the pH of your skin and strengthens your skin barrier. Toners can be hydrating and tend to support the skin for better absorption of other products, like serums and moisturizers.
Moisturizer: twice daily, morning and night. Apply after toning.
Locks in moisture to keep the skin soft and supple. Moisturizers can come in gel and cream forms.
SPF: once daily, morning only. Apply before makeup.
Sunscreen is an important step for your daily life. It helps protect against UV rays that could potentially cause cancer in the skin. Sunscreen has the ability to help prevent dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
Once you get the hang of it and are able to perform each step on a daily basis, adding in additional products becomes easier. Skincare for acne can be tricky, but we have top notch recommendations here. Be curious about skincare and don’t be afraid to ask questions. It’s the best way to learn! Skincare is fun and is all about experimenting to see what’s right for you.
If you have any questions, speak to any of our estheticians for more information on how to build a skincare routine.
For inquiries, E-mail info@bellatrio.com. All links are non-affiliate.
Bella Trio is a COVID-safe full-service salon in Durham, North Carolina. If you are looking for a new stylist, esthetician, massage therapist, or nail technician, we have personalities to connect with everyone. Browse all of our provider profiles and check out our latest work on Instagram.