Even though we are considered experts in skin care, we understand how confusing skincare can be. Do I use a cream or gel-based cleanser? What exactly is a serum? Do I need to exfoliate? Is my skin dry? Skincare is not one size fits all, and the best way to achieve your skin goals is by having a daily skincare routine tailored to your specific skin type.
To take the guesswork out of your skincare, we present this guide to help you pick the correct skincare that will support your skin type. If you need help determining your skin type, click here to take our online quiz.
In this Blog Post you will find:
- Basic Daily Routine
- Normal Skin Type Routine
- Dry Skin Type Routine
- Combination Skin Type Routine
- Oily Skin Type Routine
Basic Daily Routine
The Basic Daily Routine that everyone should be following is:
AM: Cleanse, Tone, Eye Care, Moisturize, SPF
PM: Cleanse, Tone, Eye Care, Moisturize
Exfoliate: 1 - 2 times/week
Then once you have that down and are consistent with it, you can start adding in more. After all, skincare is supposed to be fun!
Are you ready? Keep scrolling for the best skincare routine for your skin type.
Normal Skin Type Routine
You may see the word “normal” on your skincare. There really is no such thing as perfect skin, but having a normal skin type is going to be as close as you can get. It is also known as balanced skin. Your skin won’t have an excess of oil or be too dry with tiny pores and very few imperfections.
A good skincare regime is essential to keeping the skin in balance even if you have normal skin (the rarest skin type) and very few skin concerns. Regardless of how perfect your skin is now, aging, sun damage, environmental damage, and mid-life changes to your skin will eventually show up and take their toll. PREVENTION is key with this skin type.
Some basic skin care that benefits a normal skin type includes:
AM and PM:
- Use a gel-based cleanser that won’t strip the skin of its natural oils. Pro tip: Your skin should feel hydrated and balanced after cleansing, not tight and dry.
- A hydrating and balancing toner. Avoid toners with strong astringent ingredients in them, such as alcohol.
- A light or medium-weight moisturizer. You may need to use a lighter, more water-based one during the summer months and a heavier one in the winter. Look for ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, squalene, vitamin E or panthenol.
AM:
Your morning routine should be all about PROTECTING the skin. This is where you would want to include an antioxidant or Vitamin C Serum to protect your skin from environmental aggressors, hydrate, even tone, and prevent pigmentation. Also remember to take care of the eye contour. And sunscreen of SPF 50 to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Sunscreen is a non-negotiable if you want healthy skin for years to come. Yes, even in the winter. Yes, even if you aren’t planning on leaving the house that day.
PM:
Your evening routine should include products that will repair or resurface your skin. Your skin absorbs 30% more while you sleep, so using these products during the evening will help you reach your skin goals even faster.
Dry Skin Type Routine
Dry skin is prone to redness, irritation and usually is very sensitive. It will feel tight and brittle, especially throughout the day. Your complexion will look dull, feel rough to the touch, and can be blotchy and uneven. Your pores will be barely visible, but fine lines and wrinkles will be more evident. Dry skin has an impaired barrier which increases moisture loss and allows irritants to get into the skin, causing sensitivities.
Dry skin types should AVOID over-drying and using ingredients that strip the skin. Instead, they should focus on NOURISHING, HYDRATING, and CALMING the skin.
AM and PM
- A rich, cream-based cleanser is best for dry skin as it will hydrate, calm and nourish your skin. Look for cleansers that contain calming ingredients like Vitamin E, Aloe Vera, and Chamomile.
- A hydrating and alcohol free toner. Avoid toners with strong astringent ingredients in them, such as alcohol.
- A serum to provide elasticity, firmness, smoothness, and luminosity to the skin. and a rich moisturizer. A rich, nourishing cream will be best for dry skin. Look for ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid, ceramides, vitamin E, glycerin, and Sodium PCA.
- An anti-aging eye cream. The skin around your eyes has no oil glands. It shows dehydration quicker than anywhere else on the face, especially on dry skin. At night, you can use a peptide-rich cream to help boost collagen production.
Dry skin does well with GENTLE exfoliation. Dry skin has a build-up of dead skin cells on it, and if you don’t remove them, your serums and creams aren’t penetrating into the skin properly. You want to look for enzyme exfoliants as they will not disrupt the skin’s already impaired barrier.
Oily Skin Type Routine
Oily skin is caused by overactive sebaceous glands that produce too much sebum or oil.
Oily skin is prone to blemishes, skin issues, and acne. It is caused by genetics, hormonal changes, stress, lifestyle, diet, environment, medications, and improper skin care. Your pores will appear enlarged and visible, and the skin will appear thicker. It will have an excess of shine, especially throughout the day.
Oily skin types always get a bad rap, BUT the good news is oily skin appears more plump and hydrated. It can age slower than someone with a dry skin type due to the increased hydration caused by your natural oils.
Oily skin types should work to CONTROL oil production and blemishes without over-drying their skin. Over-drying and stripping the skin can cause more oil to be produced, contributing to even more breakouts.
AM and PM
- Use a gel-based prebiotic cleanser that will deeply cleanse but won’t strip the skin of its natural oils. You want it to remove the excess oils and balance the skin without stripping the skin of the oil it needs.
- A balancing toner that helps to remove bacteria without the use of alcohol.
- A balancing and breakout controlling serum. Using a serum that will help to keep your oil glands balanced throughout the day and control bacteria will be key in helping an oily skin type. Bonus points if it also helps with inflammation and calms the skin too.
- A lightweight moisturizer. A light, water-based moisturizer will be best for an oily skin type. Yes, you still need to hydrate and oily skin type to prevent the overproduction of oil. Look for ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid.
AM:
Your morning routine should be about PROTECTING the skin. Using
A sunscreen of SPF 50 protects your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Yes, even in the winter. Yes, even if you aren’t planning on leaving the house that day. Sunscreen is a non-negotiable if you want healthy skin for years to come.
PM:
Your evening routine should include products that will repair or resurface your skin. A glycolic acid gel is perfect for reducing the appearance of enlarged pores, diminishing acne and bacteria, and helping with skin texture. Your skin absorbs 30% more while you sleep, so using these products during the evening will help you reach your skin goals even faster.
Combination Skin Type Routine
Combination skin is one of the most common skin types. It can be dry or normal in some areas and oily in others. Most commonly oily in the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) and drier and prone to redness on the cheeks. Pores can look larger than normal, blackheads are common, and an oily shine can be present in the T-zone, especially throughout the day.
AM and PM:
- Gel-based cleansers typically work best for a combination skin type, but not always. Don’t be afraid to swap out a gel-based cleanser for a cream or milk one if you feel your skin needs that extra hydration and nourishment.
- A hydrating and alcohol free toner. Avoid toners with strong astringent ingredients in them, such as alcohol.
- A lightweight moisturizer. You may need to use a lighter, more water-based one during the summer months and a heavier one in the winter. Look for ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, squalene, vitamin E or panthenol. Don’t be afraid to use two different moisturizers if you need to. If your cheeks are dehydrated and sensitive, use a heavier moisturizer on your cheeks only and a lightweight one everywhere else.
AM:
Your morning routine should be all about PROTECTING the skin. This is where you would want to include an antioxidant or Vitamin C Serum to protect your skin from environmental aggressors, hydrate, even tone, and prevent pigmentation. Also remember to take care of the eye contour. And sunscreen of SPF 50 to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Sunscreen is a non-negotiable if you want healthy skin for years to come. Yes, even in the winter. Yes, even if you aren’t planning on leaving the house that day.
PM:
Your evening routine should include products that will repair or resurface your skin. A glycolic acid gel is perfect for a combination skin type to reduce the appearance of enlarged pores, even skin tone, and improve texture. Your skin absorbs 30% more while you sleep, so using these products during the evening will help you reach your skin goals even faster.
Be consistent in your SkinCare Routine and your skin will thank you in the long-term.
