The Basics
The Breakdown (aka a handy checklist of products you should integrate into your skincare routine)
Cleanser(s) - your daily face wash for am/pm
Toners
Moisturizer +/- face oil
SPF
Weekly mask treatment
Lip Balm
How to decide which product to pick?
First, determine your skin-care goal. Whether that is wanting clear skin or hydrated skin or refreshing currently dull skin etc.
Figure out your skin-type. This is super important. You can use online tools like the Sephora skincare quiz to help you determine this. I use my foreo luna fofo (a facial cleansing device) to ‘read’ my skin and tell me about hydration levels etc.
Next, figure out the skin concerns that you’d like to tackle. Do you use makeup? Is your skin acne-prone? Answering these questions is vital to curating the best routine for you.
Pay heed to your allergies. Products made from a wide variety of things and it’s important to check labels. Also remember to patch test every product on your arm before your face
My routine and recommendations:
The first step of my skincare routine is *drum roll* washing my face. I have several cleansers I like to alternate between depending on how my skin feels on that particular day. My current no-frills favourite is the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin (available at the drugstore, wallet friendly, and exceptionally effective). Other great cleansers for my skin type (combination and dehydrated) are: Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Aging Cleansing Gel (available at sephora, and smells divine) and Glossier’s Milky Jelly Cleanser (available at the glossier website, incredible texture and an Allure beauty award winner).
I then like to go in with a toner (I spray it onto a cotton pad and then swipe it over my face). It leaves my skin feeling really refreshed and clean. My personal favourite is the Lush Eau Roma Water (available at Lush) and Fresh Black Tea Kombucha (available at Sephora). There are tonnes of really budget-friendly to luxury toners out there - pick one that suits your skincare concerns. Try to pick toners that do not contain alcohol.
Moisturizer - the most important step of any routine and one that I used to be quite lazy with but have since learnt better than to ignore. I use two items - a hydrating hyaluronic acid based product followed by a moisturizing facial oil. I am currently using Bioderma’s Hydrabio Serum Moisturising Concentrate (a little hard to find, I picked it up in France) followed by Laura Mercier’s Flawless Skin Infusion de Rose Nourishing Oil (available at sephora, expensive but lasts a long time). Alternative recommendations I enjoy: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 and Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA (super budget friendly), Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream (sephora, works for every skin type).
SPF! It is definitely been a lifetime of trying to find a sunscreen that does not irritate my skin, is not itchy, does not smell awful, and actually works. Here are my recommendations: La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL spf 50 and Coola Classic Face Sport spf 50 (sephora).
The world of masks is endless, beautiful, and filled with a lot of great scents. I try to do a mask every sunday. My skin feels more hydrated and looks glowy - that’s all I need. Here are my holy-grails: Aesop Primrose Facial Cleansing Masque (available at aesop and nordstrom, the best smelling and silkiest mask I have ever used), Lush Mask of Magnaminty (a cult favourite, Clarins SOS Comfort Nourishing Balm Mask (sephora, super creamy and very moisturizing), and Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask (bye-bye breakouts).
Lip balm - the most underrated step. I use it not only on my lips but also on my brows (it keeps them in place and makes them look super full and glossy) and they can be put on those pesky papercuts to seal them up when you don’t have anything else on hand. Here are the picks: Rosebud Perfume Co. - Rosebud Salve (sephora), Glossier balm dotcom, Burt’s bees balm original (drugstore! And a tried and tested classic).
And that’s it folks! Remember to pick products formulated with good ingredients. Also, stick with your routine! You’re not going to have flawless skin overnight (or you might.. In which case I am envious but I am here for it).