How to Build a Skincare Routine that Works for You
At StyldLife, we always talk about how a one-size-fits all approach doesn’t always work for styling, and this rule true too for skincare. It can be difficult to navigate skincare products and developing a routine that works for you. Between new fads and trending products and our favorite influencers and celebrities partnering with brands to create content that makes us wonder if that product will work wonders on our skin too, it can be a struggle. We’re going to break down how you can navigate the skincare industry and see through shiny new and trendy products for the one’s that will take care of your skin.
When it comes to this advice, we do want to say, there are some skincare issues and concerns we won’t be covering and recommend seeking the help of a professional for these issues to prevent long term skin damage.
Skin Types Vary
Skin types can vary greatly. Not only are there different skin types, but there are many different factors that can impact your skin. Some of these factors change over time, such as hormones and age. Some factors you can control, such as your diet. External factors like the environment can impact your skin, such as seasonal weather and pollution.
Skin Type Breakdown
Normal: well-balanced, smooth supple skin, small pores, rarely breakout
Oily: shiny T-zone (forehead, nose & chin), enlarged pores, and prone to acne, blemishes, and blackheads
Dry: lacks moisture, tight and possibly flaky skin, appears dull and shows fine lines, prone to showing signs of aging faster
Combination: oily T-zone and normal to dry cheek areas
Sensitive: easily irritated, prone to redness, itching, and burning, often dry, can be triggered by skincare, environmental factors, and stress
Factors that can impact your skin:
Genetics
Age
Hormones
Stress
Diet
Activity Level
Environmental Conditions
Determining your skin type can be tricky, especially if you have combination skin. We hope our breakdown descriptions of skin types can help guide you. If you’re still having trouble, schedule a session with one of our stylists.
Tip: During a session with one of our stylists to get skincare advice and tips, make sure to come to your appointment with a clean, make-up free face, so our stylist can see your natural skin texture. Ensure you will have adequate lighting for your session, possibly even adding an extra source of light, such as a ring light.
You Know Your Skin Type, Now What?
Knowing your skin type makes the process of building your routine a bit easier. Now you need to determine what your skin needs. Ask yourself these questions:
Do I have any specific skin concerns? Some skin concerns are acne, hyperpigmentation, sensitivity, redness, wrinkles, or lines. You want your skincare routine to help these concerns.
Is my skin tolerant to active ingredients? This one can be tricky to find out, we suggest trying out products on a small patch of skin on your arm when you try a product out for the first time. Active ingredients like retinol or acids can be too harsh for sensitive skin. Whether your skin can handle these products will determine not only what products you use, but how regularly you will use a product. Some skin types require a product daily, while others might only use a product once or twice a week.
What is my budget? Skincare products range in price, so knowing your budget will help you prioritize which products you want to include in your routine. If you’re looking for an affordable product, don’t skip out on StyldLife’s Beauty Shop.
What is my lifestyle, and how much time will I dedicate to my skincare? This can be an important question to ask before purchasing any products since some products require daily use, to be used morning and night, etc. A product that requires application morning and night might not be good for someone looking for a simple routine. In addition, for someone who is willing to apply a multiple step routine that goes beyond just the essentials, you’ll want to include serums and mask that target specific concerns.
How often will I apply products? This answer is different depending on the product. Exfoliants and treatments are usually only used a few times a week. Essential products like moisturizers and sunscreen should be used daily.
*The only non-negotiable skincare advice that works for everyone is: Don’t forget your sunscreen. We all need to protect our skin from UV damage. What you will want to decide on your own is if you want to just apply sunscreen, or use a product like a moisturizer that also has built-in SPF.
Are there ingredients I want to avoid? This will depend on your personal preference. Some people avoid products with fragrances, alcohol, certain preservatives, or parabens. People with sensitive skin typically avoid certain products that they find cause them irritation, redness, or other reactions. This preference can also be due to allergies.
How does my skin react to seasonal and environmental changes? Skin can react differently to humidity and temperature changes. Depending on how your skin reacts, you may want to have seasonal products you use for only part of the year.
Do I want to layer products? This question is based on if you’re seeking a minimal routine with only essentials, or if you’d like to layer serums and treatments for different concerns.
Do I need professional help or advice? If you’re uncertain, don’t be afraid to seek advice from a professional for guidance, especially if you often have allergic reactions to new products or have serious skincare concerns.
Product Recommendations
We’ve gone over the nitty-gritty of skin types and what to ask before you build your routine. Now it’s time for the fun part: our product recommendations! We’re going to break this down by the essentials, our favorite sunscreens, extras, like serums and treatments, for those interested in a more expansive routine.
The Essentials
Cleanser: When it comes to cleansers, there are many types. Here are the most common: Gel (best for oily & acne prone), cream (best for dry and combo), oil (best for dry), foam (best for oily & acne prone), Micellar (good for all), and Wipes & Pads (best for oily and combo). Here are two of our favorite ones: Youth to the People’s Superfood (best for oily, combo, and normal) and Tatcha’s The Rice Wash (best for dry, combo, and normal).
Moisturizer: We can’t talk about our favorite moisturizers without mentioning our very own Rejuvenate Moisturizer. This moisturizer is good for all skin types, so it’s great for someone who is just beginning to dive into skincare.
Favorite Sunscreens
We’ve shared our favorite sunscreens before, but there are always new products being released, so we’re going to cover this again! Here are our top two sunscreens: Supergoop!’s 100% Mineral (Re)setting Powder (good for all skin) and Shiseido’s Clear Sunscreen Stick (good for oily, combo, and normal).
Extras: Serums, Treatments, and More!
Serums: Our Vitamin C Serum is a great morning serum for those looking for a brighter and hydrated complexion. This serum is good for people of all ages to prevent and decrease signs of aging, people with blemish prone skin, and those with oily skin who are looking for a product to protect their skin barrier. If you’re looking a serum that will target dark spots and discoloration, try out Topicals’ Faded Serum.
Toners & Essence: Many people get these two confused. The key to what makes toners and essence different is that toners help cleanse, while essence helps nourish and hydrate. Our top picks for toner and essence are LANEIGE’s Cream Skin and ILIA’s The Base Face Milk Essence. Both of these products are good for all skin types.
Eye Creams: Some people don’t like eye creams, while others swear by them. At the end of the day, it comes down to your skin concerns. If you need extra hydration for your under eyes or want to treat dark circles, fine lines, and puffiness, then you might want to try one out. Considering the area under your eyes can be sensitive, we love Rare Beauty’s Find Comfort Hydrating Under Eye Patches for its gentle formula.
Are you ready to build your skincare routine? Remember to put your skin concerns and what works best for your skin type over trending and popular products. When in doubt over what to do for your skin, get advice from a professional.
