Jennifer Wang
For me, developing a skincare routine and following through each day has allowed me to feel like I have some control over my life.
When I’m feeling anxious, I feel so powerless, but when I choose to take care of my skin, I’m taking a more active role in caring for my body. I start to feel like I do have the power to make positive changes in my life.
Having a good skincare routine can also combat feelings of negativity towards your looks. Making my skin look its best gives me more confidence in my appearance.
What You Need If You’re New To Skincare
For all you skincare newbies, you may want to start off just with 3 basic products.
- Cleanser
- Moisturizer
- Sunscreen
Your cleanser should be used up to twice a day, typically once in the morning and once in the evening. There are so many options now for cleansers. You could use a gel, cream, oil, or even stick formulation.
You then should follow up with moisturizer. This, to some people’s surprise, applies to everyone. Even those with oily skin will benefit from a moisturizer. Just make sure to get one that’s targeted towards your skin type.
Those with dry skin can handle thicker consistency moisturizer, while those with oily skin may want to stick to a gel or lighter cream. A great option for most skin types will be Thielo’s Ageless Natural Revitalizing Extracts.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, finish up with sunscreen in the morning before you step outside of your home. Sunscreen is the best way to prevent future wrinkles, and also protects you from harmful rays that cause skin cancer. For more information on the importance of sunscreen, check out 8 Reasons to Wear Sunscreen This Summer.
If You Want to Dive in Deeper
Check out the wonderful world of Skincare Addiction (/r/skincareaddiction). This is an online community on Reddit where thousands of people share skincare tips and post reviews of products. You can even ask for help with your specific skincare routine.
Another great resource is a free app called Trove Skin, which is available on iOS and Android. You take a photo of your skin and Trove will analyze it and give it a score. It’s a great way to track your progress as you tweak your skincare routine. It also allows you to track the products you are using each day.
When to Call in the Experts
If you’re struggling with severe acne or a skin condition like rosacea, you may want to go to a dermatologist. Not everyone’s skin can be improved with the simple 3 step routine that I mentioned above.
If going to a dermatologist in person is not something you can afford, there are options to see one online.
Curology is a service that matches you with a dermatologist who can analyze the photos that you submit online. This dermatologist will come up with a custom prescription formula for you, which will then be sent to you on a subscription basis.
Some Words of Caution
Once you start getting into skincare, it’s easy to fall into the trap of buying too many products. Try to keep yourself from spending too much money. Your skin can only handle so many products at a time.
Also, make sure to stick to your budget. Skincare products can be expensive, but there are also many affordable alternatives to pricy products. CVS and Target are great places to go for skincare products. There are also affordable skincare brands like The Ordinary.
Finally, please keep in mind that images you see on Instagram or in magazines are usually photoshopped or filtered. Comparing yourself to others will do your mental health no favors. Caring for your skin is an act of self care that should be a positive experience.
Try to remember that wherever you are on your skincare journey, you’re doing this for you.
