If you’re anything like my husband, you have spent a lot of years overlooking your skin. You hear things like, “10 Step Korean Skin Care Routine” and quickly run the other way because honestly, who has the time or patience for that? Maybe you think starting a skincare routine will be too time consuming or don’t even know where to begin. I promise that skincare doesn’t have to be complicated and the benefits will far outweigh the 5 minutes it adds to your day. Let me help you break it down into 3 easy steps.
1. Cleanse
Find a cleanser for your skin that is delicate enough to use daily, morning and night. To do that, you first want to determine your skin type which can be classified as oily, dry, combination, sensitive or normal. To determine your skin type, just consider how your skin feels throughout the day. Does it always look shiny or feel kind of slick to the touch? Those are characteristics of oily skin. If it’s dry, then you probably have some flaky or rough feeling patches. Combination skin means that some of your skin is oily while other parts are dry. For example, your T-Zone might be oily but the rest of your face is dry and flaky. (The T-Zone of your face is the area across your forehead and then down your nose and chin.) Is your skin easily irritated or often become inflamed? You may have sensitive skin. If none of these categories fit you, then your skin is most likely classified as normal.
Once you determine your skin type, look for a cleanser designed to fit your needs or find a multipurpose one. The main goal is to find one that is sulfate free as these produce a satisfying lather but ultimately strip your skin of its natural oils. So check the ingredient list before purchasing.
2. Moisturize and Protect
Now that you are cleansing, the next step is to moisturize and protect your skin. Protecting your skin from harmful UV rays is a top priority. The easiest way to do this is to use a moisturizer that has SPF 20-30 built in. Do the same for chapstick, nobody wants burnt lips!
When looking for a moisturizer, you may be overwhelmed by all the creams, ointments and lotions you find. But don’t be. Buy a moisturizer based on your skin type. Ointments are the thickest and are good for dry skin. Creams are a little lighter and work well for normal or combination skin. While lotions are the lightest and are ideal for oily skin. If you have sensitive skin, then look for products specifically designed for your skin type and test a small patch of skin before applying across your entire face.
Use your moisturizer daily and you will be surprised how quickly you see your skin start to glow.
3. Exfoliate
Finally, exfoliate your skin. Exfoliating removes dullness by clearing out old skin cells and allows your other skin care products to penetrate deeper into the skin. Most skin types can exfoliate 2-3 times a week but if you have sensitive skin, stick to once a week.
When buying an exfoliator, look for the following ingredients which help increase cell turnover: glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids.
1, 2, 3…DONE!
It really is as easy as 1, 2, and 3. Commit to doing this daily for 2 weeks and you will see a dramatic difference in the overall evenness of your complexion and feel of your skin. Even our friend’s noticed a difference in my husband’s complexion after he started this routine. Be it man or woman, y’all look better with healthy, glowing skin.
