The 4 core steps in home regimen
In an earlier blog I mentioned that skincare is a lifestyle, to add to that, it doesn’t have to be complicated. The exciting part of skin regimen though is when you get to play with products. Keep in mind that what products you use is determined by your skin type, concerns/condition. Skin differs from person to person so what may work for your girlfriend, sister, mother, father, brother, or le hubs may not suit your skin or yield same results. Also, I can’t over emphasize that consistency is key. That said what should a good regimen look like?
Basically there are 4 core steps to which you can add others to come up with the 10 steps Korean skincare aka Kbeauty (article for another day). This includes;
Cleansing
Exfoliating
Moisturizing
Protecting
ü Cleansing sets the pace for the rest of the steps. It gives your skin a ‘clean slate’. If your skin is oily and acne prone you want to use gel-based cleansers, clay-based cleansers or a cleanser that has salicylic acid. If your skin is on the dry side, you want to use gel-based or foam cleansers. Normal or combination skin types can use foam cleansers or any of the aforementioned. You want to cleanse morning and evening using tepid water. Pro tip will be using the double cleansing technique. With this you pre-cleanse with an oil-based cleanser. This helps to soften any build up like makeup, most especially by the end of the regimen the skin will not be so dry.
ü Exfoliating is a crucial step if not done properly could really offset the skin. Normally our skin cells have a span of 28-30 days, they shed and give way for new skin. However as we grow older the rate at which the new skin comes on top slows down. So exfoliating helps with this process of shedding skin known as desquamation. You want to exfoliate maximum 3 times a week. There are some really mild exfoliants like daily microfiliant or daily superfoliant by Dermalogica that could be used daily. Proper exfoliation helps products in subsequent steps to better penetrate the skin. Personally I prefer exfoliating at night. So its either in the morning or nights not both.
ü Let me start by saying even if you are super oily like me you still need to moisturize. Now you have cleansed and exfoliated you want to replenish the oils and moisture you have taken away. Again, what moisturizer you use depends on your skin type. So oily and normal-oily will typically use light weight moisturizers while dry and normal-dry will use heavier moisturizers. You want to moisturize every time you clean your face. If you are on the oily side and think its not necessary to moisturize after cleansing you are only causing the skin to be more oily as it is prone auto replenish and by so doing it makes it even worse. Pro tip; before you slap on some moisturizer use a toner to take away any residual from cleansing and exfoliating, correct the skins pH and boost hydration.
ü Last on our 4-core steps is to protect the skin. It is really important that before you step out every morning you wear an SPF (sun protecting factor) aka sunscreen. Before you say you have an affluence of melanin yes black may not crack but you do need an SPF. Every skin type and tone needs protection so please be sure to use one. If you have concerns of the white cast here is a good sunscreen and a very hydrating one at that.
So there you have it. On days you are not exfoliating it will be like 3 steps, night routines will be 3 steps as well, easy peasy. This is the foundation, in subsequent blogs we will build it up and customize it to different concerns/conditions.
Lets keep it simple, lets keep it healthy for you