Skin Care Products for Beginners

Being comfortable in your skin begins with the proper skin care routine. But with countless brands offering claims and promises on their labels, choosing the right skin care products can be overwhelming. 

At My Skincare Routine, we know the importance of a routine to help nourish your skin, protect it from the sun, and make you appear younger. It is easy to waste time and money chasing after brands and price tags, but a healthy relationship with your skin begins with scientific information and reading the ingredients. Here is a guide to choosing the right skin care products.

Skin Care Routines and Their Benefits

Adhering to a skin care routine can keep your skin healthy and youthful. Over time, your skin loses moisture and nutrients, and it can become more sensitive with age. A well-balanced skin cleaning, moisturizing, and maintenance ritual can help you replenish and protect your skin.¹

Different Skin Care Products

Which products should be part of your skin care routine? The following products can help you keep your skin young and healthy:²

• Cleanser is a gentle face wash that cleans the skin without leaving it dry. You need to match a cleanser with your current skin type. A cleanser without alcohol or fragrance suits dry skin, and one without oil is best for oily skin.³  
• Toner smooths your skin when applied after washing the face. Toner restores nutrients to your skin and reduces swelling and redness. You can also use it after makeup removal.⁴
• Moisturizer is used to hydrate the skin. If applied to damp skin, a moisturizer can prevent your skin from drying out. If your skin is oily, opt for an oil-free or gel-based moisturizer.⁵
• Sunscreen protects the skin from the harmful effects of the sun. You should choose a sunscreen with at least 30 SPF to protect yourself from ultraviolet radiation.⁶ Though some moisturizers and creams contain SPF, you should still apply sunscreen. Studies show that UV radiation results in premature wrinkles and skin aging.⁷
• Exfoliator removes the flaky layer of dead skin cells to smooth the top dermal layer and improve your circulation. Exfoliators suit dry skin but may cause irritation if you have sensitive skin. You should use them once or twice per week.⁸
• Serum contains antioxidants like vitamin C or E. These products have anti-aging properties, and can also hydrate and brighten your skin. Serum can also protect your skin from pollution and UV radiation.⁹

Choosing the Right Skin Care Products

You know the benefits of a routine. You also know which types of skin care products to stock up in your cabinet. But how do you find the one that suits your skin? There are multiple factors.

Know Your Skin Type

Before choosing a skin care product, you need to understand how your skin behaves. There are five main skin types: normal, dry, oily, combination, and sensitive.¹⁰

• Normal skin is neither too dry nor too oily. It’s clear and not sensitive.
• Dry skin is less elastic, itchy, or rough.
• Oily skin is shiny and greasy, with a thick complexion. 
• Combination skin is dry or normal in some areas and oily in others. 
• Sensitive skin could show redness, itchiness, and dryness. People with this skin type may experience stinging or burning sensations after using a product.

Read the Ingredients

Once you know your skin type, you should choose products with suitable ingredients. Some ingredients can cause irritation to certain skin types. Research shows that products containing fragrances, preservatives such as parabens and sulfates, and other chemicals of concern can cause side effects such as dermatitis and allergic reactions.¹¹

Keep an eye out for ingredients useful to your skin. These include alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), vitamin C, and retinol. AHAs such as hyaluronic, glycolic, and lactic acids hydrate, clean, and renew the skin respectively. BHA salicylic acid fights acne and pimples. Vitamin C and retinol are antioxidants that improve skin regeneration.¹²

Consider Your Sensitivities

If your skin is sensitive, helpful chemicals and natural, essential oils can still cause irritation. While temporary, these reactions can dry out your skin. Before applying a product to your face, you should use a dot of it behind the ear and wait one or two days. If there’s no reaction, it should be safe for your skin.¹³

Ingredients Over Budget

Instead of picking your skin care products based on their price tags, you should choose them based on their ingredients. The cost of a product doesn’t necessarily correlate with how well-suited the product is to your needs.

Your choice should also suit your skin. Many beauty products contain chemicals that could irritate sensitive skin. But you could also be allergic to some natural ingredients.¹⁴

Bottom Line

Nobody knows your skin better than you. And with proper research, you will know how to choose the right skin care products for you. In addition to the right products, an ideal skin care routine should also include a healthy lifestyle. You should manage your stress and eat a balanced diet.¹⁵ Lastly, don’t forget your beauty sleep. Poor sleep quality can increase signs of aging.¹⁶

SOURCES:

1. Cleveland Clinic: ” How to Start a Skin Care Routine with Dr. Kiyanna Williams.”
2. Northwestern Medicine: ” Do You Really Need a Skin Care Routine?“
3. Northwestern Medicine: ” Do You Really Need a Skin Care Routine?“
4. Northwestern Medicine: ” Do You Really Need a Skin Care Routine?“
5. Northwestern Medicine: ” Do You Really Need a Skin Care Routine?“
6. Cleveland Clinic: ” What Products Do I Actually Need for a Simple, Everyday Skin Care Routine?“
7. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology: ” Skin ageing.”
8. Northwestern Medicine: ” Do You Really Need a Skin Care Routine?“
9. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology: ” Anti‐aging and brightening effects of a topical treatment containing vitamin C, vitamin E, and raspberry leaf cell culture extract: A split‐face, randomized controlled trial.”
10. American Academy of Dermatology: ” Skin care tips dermatologists use.”
11. Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene: ” Skin safety and health prevention: an overview of chemicals in cosmetic products.”
12. Shift London: ” Beginner’s guide to active skincare.”
13. Cleveland Clinic: ” What Products Do I Actually Need for a Simple, Everyday Skin Care Routine?“
14. Cleveland Clinic: ” What Products Do I Actually Need for a Simple, Everyday Skin Care Routine?“
15. Cleveland Clinic: ” What Products Do I Actually Need for a Simple, Everyday Skin Care Routine?“16. Clinical and Experimental Dermatology: ” Does poor sleep quality affect skin ageing?“