Cindy Truong, Class III
Skincare Cosmetics by @mohamed_hassan on Pixabay
Disclaimer- I am not a licensed professional or an expert on this topic. Everyone should contact their dermatologist if they are starting a new product and have concerns. Everyone’s skin is different so one product that works on a person might not work on everyone else who tries it.
The skincare world has been exploding in popularity recently, with influencers like Hyram sharing their knowledge online on maintaining a simple but beneficial skincare routine. Having a routine that works for your skin is not only helpful for controlling breakouts as teenagers but maintaining a well-rounded routine helps prevent future skin conditions. Forming healthy skincare habits and educating yourself on your skin can be time-consuming and work, but many people are willing to prioritize their skincare to ensure their skin is functioning and looking its best. You do not need a 10-step skincare routine or to spend hundreds of dollars on skincare products to get started, and there are many great affordable options out there. Here we will break down the steps of a simple 5-step skincare routine as well as product recommendations from TBLS discipuli you might consider incorporating into your own routine:
1. Cleanser
Cleansing your face is essential for removing impurities and oil for a clean surface to apply products on. Although it varies from person to person, everyone should cleanse their face at least once a day, most importantly at night. There is a wide selection of cleansers in the market ranging from foam cleansers to cream cleansers to oil cleansers. It is important to research each type of cleanser to know if they would function well with your skin type, and choosing the right one is a matter of trial and error.
If you wear makeup or if your skin is oily, you might want to consider double-cleansing at night. A double cleanse involves using two cleansers, the first usually an oil-based cleanser followed by a water-based one, to thoroughly clean your face. Since oil dissolves oil, using an oil cleanser first is ideal to fully allow the water-soluble cleanser to work on your skin.
“I really like the Herb Day 365 cleansing foam. It makes my face feel so clean after. The only thing is it does have fragrance.” – Christina Li, Class I.
“I recommend the Clean & Clear Continuous Control Acne Cleanser for face washing. I like it because it gets rid of most acne and makes my skin less oily. I know a lot of teenagers have acne, so I think this product will help.” – anonymous discipula, Class III.
“My favorite skincare product has to be the Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser. It leaves my skin very soft and bouncy and really helps reduce redness. It’s amazing for dry and irritated skin, as it helps nourish and bring back the healthy glow,” Samiha Amin, Class III.
2. Exfoliation
Exfoliation is one of the most important steps in our skincare routine but can damage our skin if done wrong. There are two types of exfoliators: chemical and physical. Both chemical and physical exfoliants remove dead skin cells from our skin and help increase the cell turnover rate. This can leave your skin looking bright and revitalized. However, you should only exfoliate your skin once or twice a week to ensure that you are not damaging your skin barrier, and always read the instructions labeled on the product before using.
3. Serum
Have you ever heard that serums are unnecessary to include in your skincare routine? While they are not always necessary, adding a serum into your regimen can be effective if it has high-quality products and targets a specific skin concern you are dealing with. Serums are highly concentrated treatments, and every serum is different in its focus or function. Many clinical trials have been conducted to demonstrate their efficacy in reducing fine lines, hyperpigmentation, or simply hydrating the skin. If you plan on incorporating a serum into your routine, make sure you have done sufficient research on the product, as serums contain powerful ingredients that can potentially irritate your skin.
“I really like The Ordinary’s Niacinamide and Zinc serum because it helps clear blemishes like acne scars, and the Zinc works to help with oily skin and controls sebum production.” – Sally Chen, Class III.
“One of my all-time favorites is the Tea Tree Oil Face Mask from the Body Shop. I love this product because it really helps with breakouts and it reduces redness, irritation, and swelling leaving your face feeling cool and calm. Besides this as a face mask, you can use it as a spot treatment where you apply it to your pimples or blemishes at night and then wash it off in the morning. If you do this for 2-3 nights it works wonders." – Victoria Pudova, Class III.
4. Moisturizer
After cleansing, exfoliating (occasionally), and applying a serum onto your skin, it is essential to lock them all in with a moisturizer. Whether your skin is oily or dry, using the right amount of a good hydrating daily moisturizer, for most people, is necessary for maintaining and protecting their skin’s moisture barrier. Moisturizers vary in thickness and potency, but generally, lightweight, oil-free moisturizers are more suitable for acne-prone or oily skin, while thicker formulas are better for dry skin. It is also best to avoid fragrances in your moisturizer and other skincare products to further minimize the irritation that can occur.
5. Sunscreen
People stress the message ‘make sure you apply sunscreen daily, even when indoors’ and there is a good reason why. Exposure to the sun is vital for our health, but the repercussions from prolonged sun exposure on the skin can be concerning. Indoors or outdoors, we are constantly exposed to UV radiation that cumulates overtime. This can increase the risk of developing cancer, wrinkles, and dark spots. Wearing a high-quality, trusted sunscreen protects our skin from harmful effects from the sun, helps prevent sunburn and premature aging.
“My favorite product would probably be the Paula’s Choice Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50 because it’s the lightest and most breathable sunscreen I’ve ever tried." – Sophia Li, Class III.
“I recently started using Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence sunscreen and it doesn’t irritate my skin while offering great protection. It has a gel-like consistency that soaks right into my skin and leaves no white cast." – Cindy Truong, Class III.
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