The Truth About Skincare Routines
What a time to be alive! Youtube University gives us access to chemists, dermatologists, estheticians, founders, full celebrity skincare routines and people like us who love to nerd out about all things skin.
Never have consumers been more empowered, more educated or more invested in skincare and the proof is in the numbers. The business of skin is growing at incredible speeds. For the first time, sales of skincare products have surpassed that of makeup.
A new era is upon us (yes, our love for skincare is this dramatic).
Long gone are the days when the options for the non-celebs among us were benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, witch hazel, a certain apricot scrub or for the insured, an appointment with your derm.
There’s so much to buy, so many skin concerns to address. It’s a gift and a curse.
We now understand the potential perils of manual exfoliation and the importance of sunscreen, which is great but much like standing in front of a well stocked shelf at the supermarket staring down 20+ varieties of cereal, the options can inspire a bit of analysis paralysis.
This decision fatigue often leads to a paint by numbers approach being adopted by the majority who, understandably, are overwhelmed with all the possibilities. The easiest thing to do is buy the entire routine of a famous face one relates to or to invest in a brand’s entire range that promises to address your (enter your skincare concern here).
The results generally fall into two categories: 1. Amazing results and happy skin for weeks or even months before a face begins to show signs of irritation or simply reverting back to its original issues. Or 2. An immediate skin freak out expressed through rashes, dermatitis, a compromised skin barrier or (gasp) BREAKOUTS. Obviously there are exceptions, Holy Grail products are often discovered through marketing, celebs and influencers we trust, but I have yet to hear that about an entire routine.
There’s a certain air around this new skin care culture we’ve developed that says the more steps, the more complicated the better. It’s as if it’s says something about the person. I don’t buy that.
The truth about skincare routines is it’s a collaboration between our habits, our products, and our skin. It’s a dance between science, lifestyle, and genetics.
The number one thing missing from most routines is patience.
I like to think of it like going to the gym (remember going to those?) and seeing all the different ways people train. Everything isn’t for everyone, go at your own pace, and find what works for you. Most importantly, DON’T OVERTRAIN.
Now let’s translate this into skin speak.
1. The forgotten patch test is still the only way I know of to see how our skin will react with a product. Audition your products.
2. Introduce one thing at a time so we know which product is doing what.
3. Unless your dermatologist prescribes a product and tells you a purge is normal, never push thru a skin panic. If the skin doesn’t love it, dump it.
4. Don’t over train! I think this might be one of the most important things we’re not talking about. I use several different products but I don’t use every single one every single day. Most days I focus on hydration/moisture and being super gentle. On other days though give me the hard stuff- AHA/BHA/Retinol-esque, etc., and never at the same time, of course. In case your brain works like mine, try using this workout split as a reference for how to approach it in a more balanced way.
Our skin has is part of this incredible intelligence, with its own processes for healing and regeneration.
With all the amazing advancements in skincare we can support and encourage what we want more of and slow down and even minimize (or deny entirely) the natural life cycle.
In general I find that skin responds well to simplicity over time. We don’t need a 20 step daily routine.
My daily routine is simple while my go to super star products are varied. Our routines have to be something we look forward to.
The truth of our skin is personal, it’s unique and ever changing. Our routines should reflect that.
*Note - Outside of being a professional human with skin, I’m not a skincare professional. Offering my perspective and what I’ve learned through my own process and as a pro MUA. Good luck!
Some Tried & True Products I Love + Why I Love Them:
Elta MD Sunscreen - https://bit.ly/2WNTyQv
Paula’s Choise BHA Liquid Exfoliant https://bit.ly/37OW2ED
La Roche-Posay Hydrating Gentle Cleanser https://bit.ly/3ppSRcr
CosRx Advanced Snail Mucin https://bit.ly/2WPnLic
The Ordinary Mandelic Acid https://bit.ly/37SgmVO
The Ordinary Plant Squalane https://bit.ly/2WNoPTB
Thanks for shopping my links :) and don’t forget to research ☺️