INTRODUCING SKINCARE SATURDAYS
Skincare Saturdays
We are introducing a new highlight where we will be discussing skincare every Saturday on our Instagram stories.
Skincare for beginners
In creating your first skin care routine, keep it simple. Start with your basics and expand as you see fit.
Skincare Basics
The three basic steps include:
Step 1. Cleanse
Step 2. Moisturize
Step 3. Protect
Step 1: Cleanse
It is ideal to cleanse your skin twice daily (Morning and Evening). The rule of thumb is to cleanse for a minute. Cleansing in the morning helps remove any sweat or oil that accumulated on the skin at night.
Cleansing your skin in the evening should never be skipped. It helps remove skincare products, make up, excess oil, sweat, dead skin cells, pollutants and other debris collected on the skin throughout the day.
When choosing a facial cleanser, beginners should opt for a gentle, hydrating one. This is because any skin type can tolerate such facial cleansers.
A good cleanser should be fragrance free to avoid irritation. Additionally, a good cleanser should have ceramides to restore and maintain skin barrier. Examples of such cleansers include:
Cerave Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Simple Moisturizing Facial Wash
Simple Refreshing facial wash
Cetaphil Gentle Foaming Cleanser
Step 2: Moisturize
The second step is to use a moisturizer. An oil free, fragrance-free moisturizer is well tolerated in all skin types. Moisturizers have different ingredients including:
Hyaluronic Acid- Plumps skin and restores hydration.
Ceramides- To restore Skin-barrier esp for those with dry skin and eczema.
Vitamin C- For antioxidant protection and overall skin brightening.
If you have oily or acne prone skin, you should NOT skip this step.
Moisturizers are very essential regardless of skin type. Over-washing or not moisturizing oily skin will trigger overproduction of oil and hence breakouts. Instead use a non-comedogenic moisturizer. A non-comedogenic moisturizer won’t block pores or cause breakouts. Most Neutrogena moisturizers are non-comedogenic.
Step 3: Protect
PUT ON SUNSCREEN DAILY
We can’t stress enough how important sunscreen is! It is the single most important step of a skin care routine if we do say so ourselves!
Use a sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher and apply it daily even when it’s cloudy. Whether you are black or Caucasian, Sunscreen is a must! Sunscreen is the final step of your skin care routine.
LIVE. LAUGH. WEAR SUNSCREEN.
Once you have a basic skin care routine that works for your skin then you can begin to add in extra steps needed. These include:
Exfoliating
Toning
Masking
Applying serums
Important Tips to Recall
- Understand your skin type first (oily, dry, sensitive, acne-prone)
- Try new products one by one so you can see how your skin responds/ reacts.
- Use products that are fragrance free.
- If a new product seems like it “isn’t working” immediately be patient. Skin care products usually take at least 30 days for there to be noticeable changes.
- Give your skin two to three months before switching a product. Unless you are experiencing an allergic reaction or irritation.
- A product that gives immediate results can be dangerous.
- BE CONSISTENT IN YOUR ROUTINE.
- If need be consult your dermatologist.
Q and A
Any questions you have regarding building a better skin care routine?
