Skincare routines
We’ve all wanted skin as glossy and smooth as the actors you see on screen. We remember when the K-Wave started to take over the world, everyone wanted in on the trade secret and soon after, people were adopting the famed 10-step skincare routine. But, did you know that some steps may do you more harm than good, and others are not as important? Do you really need that many steps in your everyday routine?
Here, we discuss the bare basics of skincare routines and why you should invest time into having a daily one.
Why do I need a routine?
Let’s start with today’s big question. Your skin is the largest organ in your body, and particularly, the skin on your face is the most sensitive and most receptive to the changes in the environment. Your skin is also constantly changing because the older cells on the surface will make way for newer skin on the lower layers. Having a proper skincare routine helps keep your skin healthy and gives it the nourishment it needs to stay looking youthful.
Plus, skin problems like wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and acne scarring can be prevented with a proper routine that can help your skin rejuvenate and be revitalized. It saves you time and money from more frequent trips to your dermatologist or doctor in the future too.
What should I include in my routine?
Whether you’re a fan of the famed 10 step routine or prefer to stick to the basics, to get the most out of your skincare routine, you should be performing 4 simple stages: cleanse, treat, moisturise and protect. Be it in your morning or night routine, you should include at least 1 product that helps to address these stages. If you’re overwhelmed by the choices in the market or just need a starting point, here are our recommendations of steps and products to encompass all stages:
Cleanser
First off, you’ll need the right cleanser to wash off the dirt and oils that have accumulated on your face from the day/night. It’s important that you take into consideration the type of skin you have in order to use the right product for your face - anything too weak and it may not be effective, and anything too harsh and it may cause adverse effects.
A lot of cleansers can wash away natural oils on your skin and may cause dryness on your skin. If your skin feels squeaky clean and tight after you wash it, your cleanser might be too harsh for your skin. If you have sensitive skin, opt for a milk cleanser to unclog and cleanse your pores while retaining the moisture at the same time, like Caring Skin’s Sensitive Skin Cleansing Milk.
Toner
While some say this may be an unnecessary step, we think it’s important. A toner helps to balance out the changes in pH on your skin. Having a toner also helps to soften your skin for better absorption of your skincare products.
Caring Skin’s Moisture Rich Soothing Toner is formulated with effective ingredients like witch hazel to help protect your skin against skin damage and aggressors, eucalyptus for its anti-inflammatory properties and oat seed extract to smoothen and moisturise skin. Another key ingredient is ceramide, which helps repair your skin barrier (which is important in ensuring your body is kept away from harmful pollutants and chemicals).
Moisturiser
Although basic, moisturiser is a crucial step to your routine. Applying a moisturiser helps to keep your skin hydrated and prevents it from drying out. It also acts as a barrier to protect your skin from the surroundings like pollutants and bacteria. You should apply this towards the end of your routine as most moisturisers are heavier and products are more effective when applied from lightest to heaviest.
However, some moisturisers can feel heavy on your skin due to the high amount of moisturising ingredients like oils. If you’re looking for a hydrating moisturiser that feels light on your skin, Caring Skin Daily Protective Emulsion could be your best friend. Not only is this formulation oil-free (making it lightweight), it is packed with protective ingredients and antioxidants that bring many benefits to your skin - like niacinamide, capparis spinosa and bisabolol extracts, licorice root and pseudoalteromonas ferment extract. With this mix of powerful yet gentle ingredients, your skin is easily moisturised, soothed and protected against environmental aggressors.
Sunscreen or SPF
Most don’t notice the importance of sunscreen. We are constantly being exposed to the sun, especially UVA and UVB rays. UVA penetrates deep into the skin and breaks down the fibers between collagen, which causes our skin to develop wrinkles and fine lines, while UVB is the cause of some pigmentation and burns.
If you need a lightweight sunscreen that can help shield you from these harmful rays, Caring Skin Antioxidant SunProtector SPF 30 is packed with loads of antioxidants like vitamin A and vitamin E and formulated with zinc oxide which helps block out the UV rays. Plus, it is suitable for all skin types and does not leave a white cast after applying!
Exfoliator
Here is a step that you don’t need to do as frequently. Exfoliating, which falls under the treat step, is important as it helps clear out the old skin cells that are on the outermost layer of the skin. Sure, we shed old skin cells naturally but this process slows down as we age. Without proper removal of these old skin cells, it may lead to acne and pigmentation.
Sensitive skin or acne prone skin may be challenging to exfoliate as many formulations can be too harsh or may cause micro-tears on the skin. We recommend Caring Skin’s Gentle Exfoliator as it is gentle to the skin and is infused with grapefruit and orange peel oil to calm redness and acne inflammation. Plus, there are also super fine biodegradable Jojoba beads and mild acids to help physically scrape the skin cells off. We recommend that you exfoliate once or twice a week at most, to refresh your skin and prevent skin burns.
Serum
Serums are light, fast absorbing liquids used as an addition to your skincare routine to target specific concerns or needs your skin may have. It is usually a more concentrated liquid of active ingredients so your skin may absorb them more effectively and enjoy the benefits quicker. All you may need is just a few drops and pat it into your skin before your moisturiser.
If you want to start to incorporate serums in your skincare, hyaluronic acid is a good option to start with. Hyaluronic acid is celebrated as a hydrating acid, which pulls moisture from the surroundings and keeps your skin cells topped up with water. In turn, it makes your skin look refreshed and younger. Try it out with Caring Skin Power Hydrator 2% Hyaluronic Acid, which is great for all skin types including sensitive and acne prone skin.
Skincare routines
Unfortunately, not all skin is created equal. You may know someone who can have great looking skin and not have a skincare routine. Different skin types, external factors, and way of life are some of the key factors that can affect the way we need to treat our skin. With all that said, you should be creating a routine that best suits your lifestyle, skin type and skin goals. At the end of the day, glowing, clear skin takes a lot of time and patience, so be kind to yourself and keep to your routines and you’ll be on your road to achieving your #nofilter selfie.
