Know your Skin Type
Before you design the optimal skin regime, it’s critical that you define your skin type. We recommend a simple test which involves thoroughly cleaning your skin with a mild cleanser. Once you’ve done that, leave your skin to dry without any moisturizer of makeup. After waiting a minimum of 30 minutes you should check your chin, cheeks, forehead and nose for shine. Wait another 30 minutes and then consider how your skin feels. If when making facial gestures your skin feels tight then you likely have dry skin. If you still have shine on your T-Zone (forehead and nose) then you likely have combination skin. If you have shine on your T-Zone as well as your cheeks then you likely have oily skin. Note: if you have noticed that your skin in sensitive you should seek products that are specially formulated for sensitive skin.
Cleanse
Dry Skin – seek ingredients with Glycolic Acid, Aloe Vera or Lactic acid. You should look for ingredients such as petroleum, lanolin and mineral oil on the label. All of these ingredients moisturize without leaving a film. We also recommend seeking using natural ingredients that are hypoallergenic, free of fragrance, chemicals, or alcohol and are non-foaming.
Combination Skin – combination skin is tricky because you need a balance of moisturizing as well as drying and deep cleaning. Luckily, most products are labeled clearly for combination skin. If you want specific cleanser options we think this byrdie.com article summarizes options well.
Oily Skin – is the result of excess oil being produced by the skin, which can lead to clogged pores, trapped bacteria and ultimately acne. It makes sense that you want a cleanser that unclogs skin so that you have better balance but this can be very tricky if you have oily but sensitive skin. Look for ingredients like salicylic acid, tea tree oil or glycolic acid
If you want to read more about the best cleanser brands, we liked this article from NY magazine. Note: if you have noticed that your skin in sensitive you should seek products that are specially formulated for sensitive skin.
Moisturize
Dry Skin – if you suffer from dry skin you should seek a heavier, oil-based moisturizer. Think cream or even ointment. If you want some ideas on specific brands we like this summary from webmd.
Combination Skin – If you have oily or combination, a lighter texture, like lotion will be best. Quality products will state that they are formulated for combination skin.
Oily Skin – remember that the key to glowing but not oily skin is to keep the pores open and unclogged so you should seek a lotion with non-comedogenic moisturizers like shea butter, jojoba oil, lavender oil, aloe vera gel, olive oil, honey, and almond oil.
Note: if you have noticed that your skin in sensitive you should seek products that are specially formulated for sensitive skin. Look for a hypoallergenic, fragrance-free moisturizer that contain a minimal number of ingredients. Try to focus on all-natural products/ingredients as they tend to be more gentle and it will be easier to define any allergies or reactions.
Sunscreen
The good news is that many skin creams have SPF if them but it may not be enough. No matter what your skin type is you should seek a sunscreen that is oil-free or non-comedogenic. This means if will not clog your pores. Avoid labels that highlight minerals as they can irritate your skin. You should also pick a broad-spectrum sunscreen that shields your skin from both UVA and UVB rays. An SPF of 30 or more is best. If you want specific brand options we liked this summary from prevention.com. Note: Note: if you have noticed that your skin in sensitive you should seek products that are specially formulated for sensitive skin.
Special Skin Needs
If you find that the basic daily routine is not optimal or you have special skin needs we recommend adding additional steps. Some of the most popular include:
Toner – If you feel your skin isn’t clean enough from your basic cleansing than toner can help. Toner is great for oily skin or any skin that needs to be more deeply cleansed. A good toner helps to remove any last traces of dirt, grime and impurities stuck in your pores after you wash your face. Toner can also restore your skin’s pH levels and smooth skin by refining rough patches and improves skin tone.
Eye Treatment – Many of us seek a solution for wrinkles and fine lines, caused by the smiling or squinting, or puffy/dark underage circles. Amalie recently created Under Eye Dark Circle & Wrinkle Serum., a powerful hand crafted formulation designed to minimize the appearance of dark circles, wrinkles and fine lines. Our serum is made with 100% organic ingredients. The formulation is non-greasy and absorbs easily into the skin. Roll it on daily as part of your routine and say goodbye to dark circles and fine lines.
Note: the skin around and under your eyes is very fragile so we advise using something organic or natural first. Assuming you have no allergies to the ingredients, your body is more likely to accept organic ingredients than it is harsh chemicals. If you need something stronger you can test other stronger formulas later.
Spot Treatments – If you have any specific issues with your skin like dark spots, localized acne break-outs, fine lines in one place, other… Seeking a spot treatment may make sense. Yes, it’s just what it sounds like – applying a specific cream or gel to a spot as needed.
Note: we don’t recommend adding additional steps until you try the basic daily 3 step routine first. You actually may not need additional treatment if you get your core regime right.
In summary, you can test and create the optimal skin regime for yourself. Getting your daily skincare regime right can help to simplify your beauty steps and form a beauty foundation like no other.
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