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sundayskin · 4 years

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The Basic Steps of Skincare (What to Use & When) ✨👏🏻

Hello skincare friends!! It’s been some time since I last made an actually informative (useful?) post. I’ve been really busy with, well, life, as most of you are too! And so many new people have joined our chill & fun skincare community—welcome newcomers! This post is going to be a longer one because there’s a lot to talk about. If you want a condensed version—there’s no condensed version, lol. So grab your coffee or your tea and some snacks and get comfy! FYI, instead of going by product type like cleanser, toner, cream, etc., like most step-by-step guides do, I’m going to go more by skin needs. Okay, you ready? Let’s go!

So, in my opinion, the two most basic steps of a skincare routine that everyone should start with are cleansing & moisturizing (+ SPF). That being the case, the sections below are going to be broken down into the basic “musts” when it comes to skincare and then the “extra” skincare steps that are optional, and for those wanting advice, I’ll put my personal tips below each step:

⭐ STEP 1: CLEANSE. The cleansing step is pretty straightforward. You can use a cleanser (or two) and, if you want, a toner, which is often the second and last step in the typical (Korean/Asian) cleansing routine. Toners are put onto a cotton pad and used to wipe your face.

🗸 Tip! “Double cleansing” is typically recommend if you need an extra, deeper cleanse. This is often the case if you (1) wear makeup, (2) wear heavier SPF, or (3) your skin gets very dirty/congested by the end of the day. Double cleansing can be using an oil cleanser + a water based cleanser, makeup wipes + a water based cleanser, a cleansing water + a water based cleanser, and so on—basically it’s cleansing twice people. The method you use is totally up to you, like everything in your routine is!

🗸 Tip! Opt for lighter cleansing in the morning and deeper cleansing at night. In the morning, your skin shouldn’t need a deep cleanse & you don’t want to strip your skin of its nutrients by over-cleansing. I only rinse my face with water and use a cleansing water/toner in the morning and it’s helped my skin so much!

🗸 Tip! Remember, cleansing doesn’t literally have to be limited to a “cleanser;” try using cleansing waters or an oil or a powdered cleanser etc. There are so many cleansing options out there so find one that works for you. Don’t feel pressured to get one of those tube shaped bottles with “cleanser” written in the title, lol.

🗸 Tip! Keep your face semi-wet after cleansing because it helps your skin retain moisture. Pat dry instead of rubbing. Have a designated face towel or use something less bacteria-harboring like tissues, a facial sponge, or just your hands! Likewise, don’t wait a long time after cleansing to follow up with your moisturizer/other products.

⭐ STEP 2: MOISTURIZE. Aka the “giving back” part of your routine. There are seriously so many ways to moisturize and whatever skin type you have it’s a must in some form or another. If we’re talking about the most basic routine for beginners or those wanting a simple routine, this step entails simply using one or more moisturizers for, you guessed it, moisture.

🗸 Tip! You can use just about any product meant to go on after cleansing as a moisturizer—essences (some “toners” are really essences; they just had to make skincare more confusing), serums, ampoules (why is this even a separate category from serums/essences?), oils, mists, creams, gels, you name it. Just like cleansing, as long as you’re moisturizing enough, whatever way you do it is up to you.

🗸 Tip! For oily skin types, I recommend trying a mist, essence, or gel-textured moisturizer. For drier skin types, I’d choose something heavier or layer lighter options—but it’s best to skip out on the “7 skin method”—that’s old news and it’s really, really, way too many layers. We ain’t got money to be using 7 layers a day! And likewise, go for lighter options in the warmer months and heavier options in the colder months. And, FYI, by “heavier” I mean more hydrating/moisturizing, which isn’t always literally a heavier product!

🗸 Tip! If you find your skin feeling “dehydrated,” a heavier cream isn’t always the best option. Often thicker moisturizers won’t go “deep” within the skin but they’ll just create a layer on the surface. So, if you’re feeling your skin is really thirsty, the best option is layering something thin like an essence or serum—something that will absorb into your skin—then topping it off with a moisturizer to lock in that hydration.

🗸 Tip! Your “giving back,” after-cleansing products can also double to treat your problem areas. For instance, you can use a brightening serum or a soothing cream or an acne-fighting essence, the list goes on—basically, I’m clumping everything into this broad category of “moisturizing” for simplicity’s sake, so go wild and be as basic or as complex in this step as you want. If you want to stay basic, just go for something that moisturizes, don’t worry too much about getting all the other 100 possible benefits products can give you—besides, odds are, any moisturizer you use has skin benefits beyond moisturization. Really, moisturization itself leads to other skin benefits. You don’t want to see me in my Skin Theory 101 mode—I can go on for days.

🗸 Tip! Your day-time moisturizer should have SPF or you should apply SPF at the end of your routine after moisturizing. If you want to keep your routine simple, get a moisturizer that’s going to give you sun protection too. SPF can be annoying sometimes, but it’s an absolute must, unless, you know, you want things like premature aging, wrinkles, dark spots, loss of elasticity, and so on, but no, yah, totally up to you.

🗸 Tip! Oftentimes, your oils, serums, or your essences can double as lip-care—say what?? Yep, it’s true. Just be aware of the ingredients, like strong exfoliants, that aren’t really meant for lips. But generally, what you put on your face is also safe (and beneficial) for your lips.

Read on for extra steps beyond the basic cleanser + moisturizer (+SPF) routine.

EXTRAS (Depending on your skin needs.)

Spot treatments. For those with acne or other spot-related issues.

🕒 When: Typically last, though this isn’t exclusive. For one, pimple patches should go after the cleansing step: less between the pimple patch and your skin the better it’ll work.

🗸 Tip! Drying spot treatments (like drying lotions) are great, particularly for oily skin types. If you don’t want to break the bank for that Mario Badescu drying lotion, try using a clay mask you have instead, leaving it overnight on small target areas just as you would a typical drying lotion! For dry skin types, tea tree oil is a personal favorite all-natural spot treatment of mine.

🗸 Tip! If you have a bad habit, like me, of itching, popping, and messing with your blemishes, use pimple patches to not only treat those blemishes, but to keep your hands off of them!

Targeted Treatment Products/Masks. This is again a super diverse section that overlaps others. You can use any sort of mask, leave-on treatment, or even a treatment tool, it’s up to you. You can even, you know, be like me and buy a $500 LED mask (or, better, DON’T be like me).

🕒 When: Wash-offs are usually after or before cleansing (read the package) and leave-ons (serums, ampoules, sleeping packs, sheet masks, etc.) usually depend on how thick they are (thin > thick), and, of course, their instructions. Always check the fine print people.

🗸 Tip! Clay masks are great for people with acne, pore problems, and excess sebum—shout out to my oily skin types, I see you! Sheet masks are cute and fun, but really sheets masks are like glorified single uses of an essence or serum, so I prefer using an actual essence or serum over spending $3-$5 on a single use version. Sorry sheet mask fanatics, the secret’s out. That $3 to $5 can, like, buy me a coffee at Starbucks, okay.

Exfoliation. Basically, exfoliating helps your skin shed it’s dead skin cells so that your skin cells can renew themselves. It helps all sorts of skin issues from acne to scarring to signs of aging.

🕒When: Almost always on a cleansed face before moisturizing. Use one to three times a week, depending on how sensitive your skin is and how “harsh” the product is. I tend to exfoliate once to twice a week because my skin is pretty sensitive right now and I’m using a lot of other strong ingredients/products. There are exfoliators that are said to be for everyday use, which some people swear by, but I personally don’t think I need to exfoliate daily.

🗸 Tip! Opt for chemical exfoliation (product key words: “peeling” “aha” “bha” “pha” etc.) over physical—no matter how good that apricot seed scrub feels when you use it, scrubs are almost always irritating to your skin, whether you can see it or not. Plus, they can create micro tears in your skin, especially the ones containing bigger granules—yikes! Exfoliants are sometimes in a wash-off mask form or can be left on the skin. They range from gentle to mild to so strong it feels like your skin is falling off—I don’t recommend the latter.

🗸 Tip! There are a whole bunch of ingredients and things you should avoid when exfoliating, which are typically said to be vitamin c, exposure to the sun without high SPF, retinol/retinoids, other exfoliants, etc. If you aren’t sure, feel free to ask me or, better, Google it.

P.S. You’ve probably realized this already but I should point out that these “different” steps or product types can, and often do, overlap each other. Like an exfoliant can be a treatment mask and a mask can also be a moisturizer and a cleanser can have ingredients that are exfoliating. It’s all too much, I know. Just start with the basics and gradually try more, if you want.

Overwhelmed? Are you currently like that dog just sitting in the kitchen saying “this is fine” while everything’s on fire? If you’re overwhelmed, that’s absolutely okay and normal! Start by getting products that meet the absolute basic needs of you skin—cleansing and moisturization (+ SPF). What I like to do when trying to find new products is (1) read a lot of reviews, (2) watch YouTube videos featuring the product to see it in real time, and (3) always search the ingredients on a website like CosDNA that tells you what each ingredient is. After you’ve got the basics down, I’d start with a gentle exfoliating product—no scrubs people, just don’t do it. Then, once you’re comfortable with skincare, consider if you want to incorporate other products or steps or tools depending on your skin needs. Never start using all kinds of different products at once; start simply and slowly. In any case, my ask is open, so let me know if you want any advice, but remember that I’m not an expert, I just love skincare and I’ve been doing it for a long time (just ask my very disappointed bank account if you want proof). Good luck guys and gals, catch ya later!

— sundayskin��❤️

#sorry this turned out so long lol #I'll probably update this whenever I feel like I need to #skincare #korean skincare

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gothify1 · 5 years

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Let’s be real, I think the quest for perfect skin is one we’ve all been on since getting our first taste of acne in seventh grade. Now, being a junior in college, I’ve had years of testing out several skincare products—the good, the bad, and the ugly—and I’ve concluded that expensive does NOT equal better. Until about four years ago, I struggled with persistent unsightly blemishes that wouldn’t go away no matter what I did. For a while there, I just sort of accepted that I had acne and always would, no matter how much time and money I spent on fancy facials and luxury skincare products that promised to make all my troubles go away. It wasn’t until my junior year of high school that I started making some subtle changes that almost instantly cleared my skin: I started paying attention to what I ate and drank and stopped spending so much dang money on my skincare routine. Through recommendations from friends and dermatologists , I was introduced to products that have not only consistently kept my skin clear and healthy but are actually affordable . I know what you’re thinking—you get to spend less money on skincare and have a flawless complexion? It’s almost too good to be true. Keep reading for the nine best skincare products under $50 I swear by for clear, glowing skin all year long. My number one, no-exception rule for flawless skin? NEVER SLEEP WITH MAKEUP ON. I don’t care how tired, lazy, or buzzed you are. Washing your face at the end of the day is a must (whether you wore makeup or not). Consistently sleeping with makeup on causes eyelash breakage, wrinkles, and, of course, acne from clogged pores. I've tried (and then ditched) quite a few makeup removers, from chemical-ridden makeup removing solutions to rough wipes that felt like they were harming my skin more than helping it. My favorite all-natural face and eye makeup remover is Trader Joe’s jojoba oil—and it was recommended to me by my dermatologist. Jojoba oil is one of the few natural oils that actually fights against acne with its anti-inflammatory properties while also removing every trace of makeup from heavy foundation to the most stubborn mascara. With clean hands, I massage this oil over any areas I applied makeup to and then wash off the oil with my facial cleanser. During winter or whenever my skin is on the drier side, I love to add a few drops of this to my moisturizer as well. Investing in a great facial cleanser is a must for clear and healthy skin. This one’s a no brainer, but it’s something I overlooked for years! Several popular cleansers on the market use harsh chemicals that can strip your face of its natural oils and cause irritation (hello, redness!). I’ve been using iS Clinical’s Cleansing Complex for two years now, and I can say in confidence that it’s majorly changed the texture of my skin. The cleanser is promoted for all skin types, using a combination of bio-nutrients, antioxidants, and mild resurfacing ingredients that thoroughly cleanse the skin without stripping its natural oils. I used to only wash my face at night since I’m prone to dryness until an esthetician told me washing my face in the morning is essential to preventing breakouts since we often sweat in our sleep. Luckily, this cleanser is gentle enough to use morning and night without drying out the skin (even during winter). Did you know excess sun-exposure is the top cause of premature aging? Sunscreen is crucial to having tight, glowing skin not only in your 20s but as you get older too. My go-to facial sunscreen is Elta MD’s Facial Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 46. The formula was developed by dermatologists for acne-prone skin and is oil-free, so don’t worry, it won’t break you out. The sunscreen comes in clear, which I wear under makeup, or in a tinted shade for days when you want a little more coverage. I wear this daily, applying one pump to my face and neck after moisturizer. So many young adults overlook the importance of wearing sunscreen for preventing discoloration and wrinkles, but it really is the key to aging gracefully. Trust me, your future self will thank you. As a college student, I’m not trying to break the bank over my skincare routine. That being said, I’ve learned not to overlook drugstore products. Believe it or not, your local CVS holds some of my favorite products for perfect skin! One of them is Garnier’s Micellar Cleansing Water, which I'm sure you've already heard about. The French skincare secret cleans your pores while locking in your skin's moisture. I love to use this after washing my face morning and night for a glowing complexion; just apply some micellar water on a cotton pad and gently rub it on your skin like a toner. After the water dries, go on with your usual skincare routine. This product also doubles as a great makeup remover if oil cleansing isn't your thing. Another drug store product I use religiously is CeraVe’s PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion. Even though it’s a nighttime product, I use this moisturizer morning and night. The ultra-lightweight and oil-free lotion is perfect for hydrating the skin without appearing oily and, most importantly, without breaking you out. For years I bounced from cream to cream trying to find one that doesn’t leave me ridden with whiteheads; not only is this one ridiculously affordable, it does its job perfectly. Sometimes we can do everything right and still wake up with an unwelcome pimple (especially around that time of the month). It’s inevitable! But when it does happen, leave the blemish alone. I can still hear my mom screaming at my ninth grade,pimple-popping self: “YOU’RE MAKING IT WORSE!” she’d say. It took me dozens of acne scars, some of which I still have today, to finally realize she was right. Unless you’re a licensed dermatologist, you probably don’t know what you’re doing. Popping pimples can make blemishes worse and cause post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation, especially if you’re prone to scarring like me. Even though it’s tempting, save yourself the agony and dry out the blemish instead. Mario Badescu’s Drying Lotion is one of the most popular skincare products for a reason—that reason being that it works. This magical spot treatment uses salicylic acid, sulfur, and zinc oxide to draw impurities from the skin without scarring. Moral of the story here? Hands off the pimples. You know that saying “you are what you eat”? Well, every 27 days, your skin completely regenerates itself with cells made from the nutrients we get from our food. For the sake of my complexion, I try my best to avoid foods that cause inflammation (dairy, highly processed and greasy food) and focus more on fruit, veggies, grains, and responsibly sourced protein. In addition to being aware of my diet, a habit I’ve adopted this past year that has made a noticeable difference in the elasticity and tightness of my skin is taking collagen supplements. I add one scoop of Vital Protein’s Collagen Peptides to my smoothie or coffee every day (it’s completely tasteless); not only does collagen help strengthen hair, skin, and nails, but it also fights aging. We start losing collagen as early as age 25, so feeding your collagen supply early isn’t a bad idea. Plus, the supplement will leave your skin glowing! Like the food we eat, water intake is crucial to having clear and hydrated skin. Sure, it’s the oldest trick in the book and you're probably sick of hearing it, but it’s a non-negotiable for a healthy complexion. Drinking two to three liters of water per day flushes out inflammation-causing toxins and helps the skin self-moisturize (hello, natural glow!). The benefits of drinking water go far beyond skincare, so diminished blemishes is just one of the perks that come with healthy water intake. I carry a reusable water bottle with me at all times so I don’t forget to keep sipping. If plain water isn't your thing, try spicing it up by adding lemon wedges, mint leaves, or sliced berries. Lastly, one of my favorite products that helps achieve a flawless complexion is the SkinCeuticals Micro-Exfoliating Scrub. I use this product before facial cleanser once a week during the warmer months and then twice a week during the winter since cold weather means dryer skin. The smoothing polish sloughs off dry and dead skin cells from the skin’s surface. It also increases blood circulation, which in turn helps you to achieve a natural, healthy glow. This exfoliant was created for all skin types and is especially beneficial to repairing dehydrated, discolored, or aging skin. However, it’s also important not to over-exfoliate, as doing so can strip your skin of its natural oils. For more affordable skincare products we swear by, see what Versed's founder would buy from her own line .

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mistressemmedi · 7 years

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May, what products are you currently using for facial care? I'm really looking to expand my arsenal of skincare products! Right now, I'm using an activated charcoal mask, an alcohol-free toner, and a clarisonic face cleansing device.

Waddup sunshine, I’ll put this under the cut because the list is loooooong

(Disclaimer, what works for me may not necessarily work for you)

Alright, I’ve got an AM/PM care. Usually in the morning my routine is a lot quicker since I tend to always run late everywhere.

I’ll make a list of all the products that I use interchangeably and I’ll write a lil bit about them, hopefully this helps

Cleansers

I go for cleansers that are slightly acidic and thus are similar to the natural’s skin’s PH which is around 5-5.5 or so. By doing so, I don’t “strip” the skin of it’s natural skin barrier.

KOSE Softy Mo Facial Cleansing Oil Speedy(x) - I use this in the evening. It’s an oil that I slap on my face and let it sit, before I massage it in and wash away. It leaves my skin really soft, doesn’t tug and takes away the most stubborn waterproof mascara. A little goes a long way. (PM)

Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash by the Body Shop(x) - This I use when I have breakouts on my skin (which lately has decreased dramatically, so I don’t use it often). I will work some between my hands and make it into a foam, which I’ll gently glide over my skin (NO RUBBING OR TUGGING!) (AM/PM)

Micellar Cleansing Waterby SkinLab (x) - I use this in the morning, right when I wake up. Dab some on a cotton pad, pass it on the face to take away any sweat, grime or residue from the night before (AM)

Actives

Some of the most common actives are chemical exfoliants such as BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid) and AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) which help remove dead skin to stimulate skin renewal. Common AHAs include glycolic acid, lactic acid and mandelic acid. BHAs, on the other hand, are anti-inflammatory and used in the prevention and treatment of acne, and thus can sometimes cause dryness and irritation for those with sensitive or dehydrated skin.

It may sound scary, but most “chemical exoliants” are found in things such as yogurt (lactic acid). But because they exfoliate the skin, they will make it more sensitive to sun. SO USE A DAMN SUNSCREEN OR I’LL BEAT YOUR ASS.

Anyways here’s the ones I use

Vitamic C serum - you can find these practically anywhere. Helps with scarring, esp with acne scars. I use a couple drops every evening (PM)

Cosrx Bha Blackhead Power Liquid (x) - I have pores the size of Russia. This has been helping them from making them massive tiny black dots. I use this only twice a week, otherwise my skin will dry out like cray cray (PM)

Cosrx AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid (x) - FAM, YOU USE THIS ON A WITEHEAD, AND IT FLATTENS OVERNIGHT I KID YOU NOT. I use this as a spot treatment anytime I need help with bringing down an inflamed pimple (those angry, red, nasty ones) and twice a week on my whole face to keep everything under control (PM)

Toners

CLINIQUE Clarifying Lotion 1(x) - It helps with the appearance of pores. It also has witch hazel with helps whenever you have a dry irritated face. (AM/PM)

Cosrx Aha/bha Clarifying Treatment Toner(x) - I use this before I slap on any BHA/AHA active. (PM)

Moisturize

Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream (x) - I love love LOVE this. A little goes a long way to moisturize your skin. It’s jelly like, but it literally glides on your skin, so I use a penny sized amount for the whole face. (AM/PM)

Rosehip oil - can find this at any drug store. Make sure that it is organic and cold pressed. I pat that in on my eyelids and around the eyes as well (does wonders for your eyelashes!) (AM/PM)

Overnight cream

Cosrx Ultimate Moisturizing Honey Overnight Mask(x) - I’ve been using this for the past few days AND IT’S AWESOME. It’s literally all honey and smells delicious. It leaves your skin so soft, it’s crazy. I just wipe any residue left with micellar water in the morning. I love it. And you need so little of it! (PM)

Goat’s Milk Night Cream - Face Cream(x) - I got this for like 4 dollars at some shady polish shop and OH MY GOD, IT HAS SAVED MY POOR SKIN. I NO LONGER HAVE FLAKES BECAUSE OF IT. I am literally going to buy 5 more if I ever go back to that store, I love it THAT much. My skin is severely dehydrated, and this has been a godsend. (AM/PM/In between/With breakfast/Honestly all the time)

Mix and match

For my eyes, I have the same Mizon Snail product in a thicker cream. It helps immensely, especially since I work in a really dehydrated environment and I rub at my eyes due to wearing glasses.

Pimples - wanna make a massive pimple dissapear overnight? Or at least flatten it so you can use concealer? Hydro-colloid patches aka blister bandaids. They are usually medicated with antibiotics that will help with not making them infected. Slap one on (I cut them to fit) on the pimple, remove in the morning. You’ll see the white shit attached to it. It’s disgusting (yet oddly satisfying?)

Sheet masks - all of them haha!

Sunscreen

Avene High Protection Mineral Cream SPF50+- It’s odd, I’m allergic to mineral oils but this and the Speedy cleanser do not seem to affect me. Phenomenal sunscreen, I use it as a primer. The only downside is that it leaves a white cast (which is fine for me because I am pale as fuck but some people may find that not so pleasant)

So these are the products that I use. My skin is dehydrated/combo. You can’t expect one item to address just one issue, that’s why I have so many. My main concern was dehydration of the skin, so a lot of moisturizing products. Once I fixed that, the inflammation of my skin started to subside. I still had pimples and acne issues, particularly cystic acne, so I used products to address that and has been helping immensely.

My suggestion to you? Research, research, research. Find products that may help you and your concerns. In the past three months, my skin has improved to the point that I am confident enough to go out without make up on some days.

I’m still looking for a lotion with a good amount of hyaluronic acid. I’m seeing a lot of hype over Hada Labo, so that may be my next purchase.

Also I need to find something for my cracked, bleeding lips. No success so far.

Anyways, sorry for the long post! I hope this helps :) I linked places where you can buy them or at least read more about the product mentioned.

Any questions? Just ask.

#silwehrleining #q&a #skincare

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