You’re about to step into that famous skin care journey that everyone starts from somewhere, and welcome in advance!
Skincare may sound complicated; questions like, “Did I apply acid before the serum, or did I forget toner?” might leave you scratching your head. But the secret lies in knowing the basic steps. With a few simple habits, your skin can become both healthier and more vibrant.
We’re starting from scratch.
We don’t start anything without knowing your skin.
Is it oily, dry, combination, or sensitive? It’s essential to know which skin type you fall into before starting your skincare routine. If your cheeks are tight, your T-zone is shiny, or you’re prone to breakouts, you might need different products. If you identify correctly, the products you use later won’t disappoint; you might even find yourself saying, “We get along so well.”
Once you know your skin, now is the time to give it a good clean.
Everything starts with a clean face. Dust, dirt, oil, and makeup residue that cling to our skin during the day, and the sebum that accumulates overnight, remain on our face in the morning. Washing your face morning and night with a cleanser suitable for your skin type should be a habit, just like brushing your teeth. For those with oily skin, gel cleansers can be more refreshing, while those with dry skin should opt for cream-based or more moisturizing products.
After cleansing, let’s balance the skin by using toner.
This topic is actually a bit controversial. In the past, toner would immediately conjure up images of alcohol-scented, stinging, and irritating skin. But that’s not the case anymore. Modern toners refresh the skin without tiring it, unclog pores, and regulate the skin’s pH balance. So, toner is great if you use it, but the world won’t go to hell if you don’t. You can apply it with a cotton pad or spray it on for a refreshing, refreshing experience.
You’ve applied your toner, and your skin is ready. Now it’s time to take care of it to its fullest.
Moisturizer is perhaps the most important player in skincare. After cleansing and toning, skin tends to lose moisture. This lack of moisture can manifest as both dullness and premature aging. Every skin type, whether dry or oily, needs a moisturizer. Oily skin prefers lightweight, water-based formulas, while dry skin thrives on more intense, nourishing creams.
You’ve moisturized your skin, but you can’t leave it unprotected: It’s time for sunscreen!
If you’ve been wondering, “Oh, how can there be sun in winter?”, what follows might surprise you a bit. Sunscreen isn’t just for your beach bag; it should be a staple in your morning routine. UV rays penetrate through clouds and glass. The sun is the biggest cause of skin aging, blemishes, and a dull appearance. Therefore, daily protection with an SPF-containing sunscreen is the smartest investment you can make going forward. Also, sunscreens that protect against blue light have recently become available—shout out to screen addicts!
Daily maintenance is done, now let’s move on to the weekly little touches.
Weekly masks are your skin’s time to “recover.” Not too often, not too rarely… Masks applied once or twice a week can pinpoint any skin concerns. Craving a clay mask? It tightens pores and absorbs excess oil. Craving a hydrating mask? It leaves your skin looking like it just stepped out of a spa.
You rested your skin with masks, but did you say goodbye to dead cells?
There are tiny, dead cells on your skin. No matter how much serum or moisturizer you apply, you can’t reveal the beauty beneath without removing this layer. That’s where exfoliation comes in. But if you get carried away and do it every day, your skin will rebel, saying, “Enough is enough.” Once a week is enough. You can use a gentle, granular exfoliator or chemical peels containing BHA/AHA.
You’ve completed your general facial care, now it’s time to take care of the eye area!
Because this area contains the thinnest and most sensitive skin on the face, it wears out more quickly. Lack of sleep, screen light, stress—it all reflects here. Eye cream keeps this area moist, delaying the formation of lines and helping to reduce puffiness and dark circles. Gently applying this cream with your fingertips, taking a few seconds each day, can leave you looking more vibrant and vibrant.
Applying all these products in the correct order is just as important as the products themselves!
You now have a wealth of great products and information, but now comes the sequencing part. Applying products incorrectly can diminish their effectiveness. Simply put: apply the lightest products first, then the heaviest. Cleanser → Toner → Serum (if you’re using one) → Moisturizer → Sunscreen (in the morning). This order ensures that each layer of skin gets what it needs. Remember, every step has its place, and this order will become automatic over time.
And finally: Be patient, be consistent, be kind to yourself.
You can start today, but don’t expect a miracle tomorrow. Change takes time. But if you dedicate a few minutes to yourself every day, you’ll start to see those tiny differences when you look in the mirror within a few weeks. Skin responds to attention. Don’t rush it, don’t pressure it. The gentler, more patient, and more determined you are, the more your skin will respond wholeheartedly.
