Many people have realized over the years that skincare is more than washing your face, putting on a good moisturizer, and drinking enough water. In fact, it is a series of steps that impact the efficacy and efficiency of the individual product and the complete routine. 

Hence, a lot of people are now inclined towards not only using the right products for their skincare but also learning the series of skincare routine steps involved in it. If you are someone in the same boat and want to read a friendly guide on how to build the best skincare routine, then we have you covered. Hop on below to learn the series of steps for all – beginner, intermediate, and advanced – levels of skincare.

Building a Perfect Skincare Routine – A Beginner’s Guide

While it took the millennials a bit of time to get on the skincare bandwagon, Gen Z was quick to hop on it. So, whichever generation you belong to and you have finally realized that it’s about time you invest in some skincare, then we are sure that questions like ‘What should my skincare routine be’ and ‘What skincare products I should use’ might be looming in your head. Well, do not worry because we have a step-by-step guide covered for you in this face care regimen. Keep on reading!

Step 1: Facial Cleanse

We cannot stress enough how important cleansing is. It is like the foundation of the entire skincare routine, the building block on which everything else stands. Cleansing helps you remove dead skin cells, impurities, and makeup residue. 

Without a good cleanse, the rest of your skincare routine will be in vain. Hence, ensure that you invest in quality cleansers like chamomile cleansing butter (dry skin), tea tree oil (oily and blemish-prone skin), and vitamin E facial wash (normal skin).

Step 2: Apply Toner

Toning in a skincare routine helps restore the skin’s pH and removes any remaining dead cells and residues. Moreover, based on its ingredients, the toner also has several other benefits, like hydration and exfoliation. Some of the best toners you can use are tea tree oil (for oily and blemish-prone skin) and vitamin E facial wash (for normal skin).

Step 3: Apply Eye Cream

While the facial area is highly focused on during skincare, people often neglect eye care. However, this should not be the case as your eyes get a lot of attention from others, and you should ensure to take care of them as well. You can do this by investing in products like eye creams, eye cream gels, or eye concentrates to help minimize the appearance of dark circles and wrinkles.

Step 4: Moisturize 

The cherry on top and the last step, which finishes the beginner-level skincare routine, is to moisturize. Moisturizing is an essential skincare routine that helps replenish the skin’s natural moisture barrier. So, based on your skin type, be sure to invest in a high-quality moisturizer. 

Building a Perfect Skincare Routine – An Intermediate’s Guide

If you’ve been following the beginner-level skincare routine for a while and you now believe it is time to step up, then worry not; we have you covered on this as well. Notching up to an intermediate-level skincare routine is not hard, and all you have to do is follow the same routine with just a  few additional products. Here is all that you need to do.

Step 1: Facial Cleanse

Step 2: Apply Toner

Step 3: Use Serums

While serums aren’t always a must-have in the skincare routine, they are still a great addition to boost the effectiveness of your face care regimen and target specific skin concerns. 

Serums help penetrate the skin more deeply, making them an excellent choice for those who want to achieve an extra glow. You can use either a water-based serum or an oil-based one in your skincare routine. However, if it’s oil-based, you can apply it after your moisturizer, but if it’s water-based, you can use it before moisturizing.

Step 4: Apply Eye Cream

Step 5: Moisturize

Step 6: Masks

Face masks also help focus on a set of specific skin concerns. These masks are quite simple to incorporate into a step-by-step skincare routine and are a great pampering tool after a long day at work. If you have oily or combination skin, your skin may benefit from a clay-based mask, which you should use twice a week. Dry skin might benefit from a nightly routine of leave-on masks to achieve better hydration.

Building a Perfect Skincare Routine – An Advanced Guide

If you want to go more advanced, then a nine-step skincare routine is what you need to follow in order to improve your skin. However, what you should understand is that whether you are following a beginner’s guide or an advanced one, following the correct order of the skincare routine steps is essential. Here is a perfect skincare routine for an advanced skincare enthusiast:

Step 1: Facial Cleanse

Step 2: Apply Toner

Step 3: Use Serums

Step 4: Apply Eye Cream

Step 5: Use Spot Treatment

Using acne spot treatment in your night skincare routine is a smart idea because this is when your body is in its repair mode. However, ensure that you do not layer acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid with retinol or benzoyl peroxide, as they can cause irritation. Your main goal should be to keep your skin calm and hydrated.

Step 6: Moisturize

Step 7: Apply Retinoid

Retinoids are derivatives of vitamin A that can help reduce fine lines, dark spots, and breakouts by increasing skin cell turnover. However, retinoids can be irritating to sensitive skin, so one should always patch test before using them.

Moreover, it is essential to use retinoids only during the night as they can break down in the sun. 

Step 8: Apply Face Oil

While not an essential part of your skincare routine, some people still like to use facial oils for their added benefits. However, you should ensure that you apply facial oils after you have applied other skin-care products. Once applied, the facial oils will not allow anything to penetrate through them.

The Bottom Line

No matter which level of skincare routine you follow, you should consider applying sunscreen whenever you head out during the day. Protecting your skin from UV rays will not only help you prevent skin cancers and other signs of aging, but it can also keep your skin healthy and bouncy!Neglecting the inclusion of SPF in your skincare routine is not the right approach because without protecting your skin from the sun, the rest of the skincare steps you followed would all go in vain. So, ensure that you wear your sunscreen religiously and remind your friends to do it as well! We hope this guide was helpful for you and that you work around a skincare routine for yourself.