Skincare 101: Creating a Routine

Skincare is my favorite part of beauty.  The skin is our largest organ so I think that it's important to take good care of it.  I also think it's so great that if you take the time to take good care of your skin you'll be able to actually see the results.  Moreover, the best way treat and prevent a lot of skin issues such as fine lines, wrinkles, blemishes, and more is to establish a good skincare routine and to stick to it.

Developing a good routine can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be.  When putting together your routine think about what you want out of skincare and how much you're willing to put into it (be realistic!).  Do you just want to keep your skin clean and clear?  Stick with the basics.  Do you have small issues you want to address?  Go with an intermediate level routine.  Do you want your skin to glow, while taking care of any issues, and preventing further issues?  Go with a more advanced routine.

Today I'm breaking down how to create a skincare routine that's right for you.  Whether you want something super simple or something that rivals celebs I've got you covered.  I'm also teaching you how to layer products so they work the best because figuring all of that out can be a pain.  Read below to learn how to get your best skin.

This is the most basic routine around.  If you do nothing else make sure to wash your face, use toner, and moisturize.  These three simple steps will help to keep blemishes at bay and create a nice canvas for makeup.  (Two notes: Always take off your makeup before bed, and use a moisturizer with SPF in the morning!)  

CLEANSE: Cleansers are important to remove excess dirt, oil, debris, bacteria, pollution, and more from your face.  You can use a cleanser to address issues from acne to dry skin and choosing the right cleanser for your skin type is important.  Not sure what cleanser to use?  Check out this post with a breakdown of the different types of cleansers, and this post with recommendations from my most beauty savvy friends.

Current Favorites: GLAMGLOW ThirstyCleanse and Fresh Soy Face Cleanser

TONE: Toner is important because it makes sure that you haven't left any cleanser on your skin and it restores your skin's pH balance.  I recommend choosing a gentle toner without alcohol so you don't dry out your skin.

Current Favorite: Mario Badescu Seaweed Cleansing Lotion

MOISTURIZE: In my opinion moisturizing is one of the most important things you can do for your skin.  Moisturizers come with a variety of different benefits and can help with with various skin issues.  Applying moisturizer plumps up your skin and makes it look its best.  When choosing a moisturizer it's really important to know your skin type so that you don't use something that can create an issue like clogging your pores.  Not sure what moisturizer to use?  Check out this post with a breakdown of the different types of moisturizers, and this post with recommendations from my most beauty savvy friends.

Current Favorites: Aveeno Smart Essentials Night Moisturizing Infusion Lotion and Neutrogena Hydro Boost Moisturizing Gel.

These are the steps to add if you want to upgrade your routine from just the basics.  These steps will ensure cleaner, softer, and better moisturized skin.

FACIAL BRUSH: Using a facial brush with your cleanser a few times a week can drastically change your skin for the better.  It gives your skin a much deeper clean and helps all of the products you use to better absorb.

Current Favorite: Clarisonic Mia 3

EYE CREAM: The skin around your eyes is thinner than the skin on the rest of your face and therefore it needs special care.  Eye creams are important to address a variety of issues from aging to dark spots.  The best way to find an eye cream that's right for you is to think about what you want in an eye cream and then look into what the eye cream is formulated to do.

Current Favorite: Clinique Even Better Eyes Dark Circle Corrector

FACE OIL: Facial oils are important to all skin types.  Oils are particularly helpful to those with oily skin because they help to curb and regulate oil production and for those dry skin face oils help to moisturize and soothe.  Most facial oils also provide other benefits such as anti aging and antioxidants.   If you want more to learn more about oil check out Sephora's Buying Guide, which is filled with helpful information!

Current Favorite: The oil I love and am currently using was discontinued so when I need more I'm going to be buying Tarte Maracuja Oil

Adding these few steps upgrades you to an advanced routine.  With these steps your skin is sure to be super hydrated and glowy.  You can also further address any skin issues you may be facing.

ESSENCE: An essence is like adding an extra dose of hydration to your skin.  This watery treatment that is applied after your toner helps to plump up your skin and can also feature anti aging benefits.  I've been using one for a few months now and am totally hooked on it.

Current Favorite: Belif Hungarian Water Essence

SERUM: Serums are made to target specific skincare concerns.  They are super concentrated and lightweight to penetrate skin more deeply.  With a serum you can address issues such as aging, UV damage, dark spots, large pores, and more.

Current Favorite: Skin Inc. Ceramide Serum Reinforce

SLEEPING MASK: Sleeping masks are meant to be applied at night before bed and washed off in the morning.  They are typically meant to be used to moisturize and give your skin extra hydration; they help to seal in water that your skin typically loses at nighttime.  Sleeping masks are more hydrating than your typical moisturizer, but not as harsh as a traditional mask since they are meant to stay on the skin for a long period of time.

Current Favorite: Sadly my absolute favorite sleeping mask was discontinued so when I need more I'm looking to purchase First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Overnight Mask

FACIAL SPRAY: This is the newest addition to my skincare routine and my latest skincare obsession.  You can use a facial mist before moisturizing, to set makeup, and throughout the day to refresh.  Just lightly spritz your face with this and you're good to go.

Current Favorite: Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs, and Rosewater

This can be a part of any of the routines, but is necessary for intermediate and advanced ones.  Exfoliating is extremely important to your skin because it helps to remove dead skin and speed up cell turnover.  Exfoliating can help to unclog pores, prevent pores from clogging, get rid of dry patches and more.  Additionally if you exfoliate you're allowing your skin to better absorb the products you put on.  I personally like to alternate between the two types of exfoliants listed below, but only using one will work too.

PHYSICAL EXFOLIANT: Physical exfoliants have a gritty texture, which you gently use to mechanically scrub your face.

Current Favorite: Unfortunately the physical exfoliant I love and am currently using was discontinued so when I need more I'm going to buy Peter Thomas Roth Camu Camu Power C x 30 Vitamin C Brightening Cleansing Powder

CHEMICAL EXFOLIANT: Chemical exfoliants use exfoliating acids like glycolic acid to breakdown the barrier that holds dead cells to your skin.  They tend to be more gentle than physical exfoliants and help to change the texture of your skin.

Current Favorite: Mario Badescu Rolling Cream Peel with A.H.A.

This can be apart of any of the routines, but is necessary for intermediate and advanced ones.  In my opinion face masks are the most relaxing part of skincare - you just put one on and relax while it works it's magic.  They are meant to treat your specific skin type or a specific skin concern that you have.  Masks are a very important step to keep your skin healthy and glowing.

FACE MASK: These typically have the consistency of a cream and address everything from dryness to blemishes.  You cover your face with it and then rinse off after the amount of time indicated on the packaging.  There are countless masks on the market and they can address just about any skin problem you're experiencing.

Current Favorites: GLAMGLOW ThirstyMud Hydrating Treatment and Fresh Rose Face Mask

SHEET MASK: Sheet masks are a huge craze that has come to the US from South Korea (aka the land of the skincare gods).  A sheet mask is a thin sheet with cutouts for your eyes, nose, and face, that is soaked in a serum that has different skin benefits.  You place a sheet mask on your skin and leave it on for the amount of time indicated on the packaging.  After you remove the sheet mask you do not rinse your skin, but instead massage the excess serum into your face.  The best part is, is that you can typically get sheet masks pretty inexpensive, especially from South Korean brands like Tony Moly.

Current Favorites: Sephora Collection Sheet Masks, Too Cool for School Egg Cream Sheet Mask, and Tony Moly I'm Real Mask Sheet

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Below is a guide to layering your skincare products.  Basically you just follow the steps with only the products you're using.  The whole idea of layering is to go from the lightest to the heaviest product, which is what I've done below.

If you have any questions about any of this please feel free to ask in the comments or email me.  I love talking about skincare so I would love to help you or answer any questions!

  

                

Make sure to add me on Snapchat - @kthomp22!

Today I'm linking up with Tutu Tuesdays, Confident Twosday, and Style Sessions.

Welcome to Tutu Tuesdays a linkup with The Blush Blonde and The Fairy Princess Diaries!  Linkup whatever you'd like and make sure to do a little mingling - our goal here is to create a community of bloggers where we can all connect, find new blogs, and support one another.  We love new friends, supporting other blogs, and meeting fellow girl bosses!

There are just a few rules we ask you follow to join in on Tutu Tuesdays:

1. Please follow both Jordyn and me, your lovely hosts, on Instagram and/or Bloglovin.

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