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Skincare Essentials 101: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners

Skincare Essentials 101: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners

Skincare can seem really overwhelming and complicated when you're just starting out, but it doesn't have to be! If you're new to skincare or haven’t used many products before, this simple guide will give you a general idea about different products and their functions. Let's get started with our skincare 101!

What Are the Basic Steps of a Skincare Routine?

  1. Cleanse: The first step is to wash your face with a gentle cleanser to remove dirt, oil, makeup, and impurities that build up during the day or night. Products like DIVE IN Cleansing Foam from Torriden and Black Rice Moisture 5.5 Soft Cleansing Gel from haruharu wonder would work great on any skin type. 
  2. Tone: Toning helps balance your skin’s pH and prepares it to absorb the next products. It’s especially helpful for those with oily or acne-prone skin but can benefit all skin types. The 1025 Dokdo Toner from Round Lab is a great example.
  3. Treat (Serum): Serums are normally more concentrated and are packed with ingredients for addressing specific skin concerns, whether it’s hydration, anti-aging, or brightening. APLB’s Glutathione Niacinamide Ampoule Serum is nice for both moisturizing and brightening. 
  4. Moisturize: This step locks in moisture and keeps your skin hydrated throughout the day. Moisturizers come in many forms and textures such as gels, emulsions, and creams. The COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream is one of my go-to day creams for how gentle and lightweight it feels. For those nights when my skin feels drier, I would go for a cream with thicker texture like mixsoon’s Bean Cream.
  5. Sunscreen (Morning Only): Don’t forget to apply sunscreen throughout the day! It is such an essential part for protecting your skin from UV rays. 

What Does Each Step Do?

Now that you know the basic steps, let’s talk about  why each is important and what it actually does:

  • Cleansing: Some might think this step is not as important, but in fact, starting with a nice and thorough cleanse helps your other skincare products absorb better and work more effectively. It’s just like preparing a clean canvas before painting on it!
  • Toning: Toners can hydrate, exfoliate, or treat specific skin concerns like acne. For beginners, toners with hydrating ingredients would never go wrong. Here’s a special tip for you: If you’re feeling extra dryness from time to time, you can get instant hydration by making your own toner pads - just simply soak your cotton pads with your hydrating toner and leave them on those dry areas for around 3-5 minutes.
  • Serum: Serums contain active ingredients that penetrate deeper into the skin to deliver powerful results. A popular pick nowadays is a serum packed with vitamins for reducing the appearance of hyperpigmentation or blemishes, such as numbuzin’s No.5+ Vitamin Concentrated Serum.
  • Moisturizer: A good moisturizer hydrates your skin and creates a protective barrier to prevent water loss. It would also lock in the moisture that your skin has just absorbed during earlier steps.
  • Sunscreen: Harmful UV Rays can lead to wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots, so never skip sunscreen in the morning​.

A Little Bit About Face Masks

Face masks are a great way to treat specific skin concerns, whether you need extra hydration, oil control, or soothing. Masks also come in a variety of functions like hydrating, soothing, deep cleansing, or even anti-aging. In most cases you could apply them 1-2 times per week, however, there’s also masks that are designed for everyday use. Applying a mask really is a quick way to give your skin a boost. We will definitely dig more into this topic in future posts, so stay tuned! 

You might ask: Do I need to use a serum if I already use a mask?

It’s actually up to you! Yes, a serum is still important, but you’ll need to take your skin type into consideration. For example, a person with oily skin may already feel hydrated enough after using a mask, and so they will directly go to the next step without an extra serum. This brings us to the next topic, which is distinguishing skin types.

How Do I Distinguish My Skin Type?

Knowing your skin type is extremely important in developing a skincare routine that works for you. Here’s a simple guide to help you identify yours:

  1. Dry Skin: Your skin feels tight, rough, or flaky after washing, and may show dry patches or fine lines.
  2. Oily Skin: If your skin gets shiny or greasy throughout the day, especially in the T-zone, you likely have oily skin.
  3. Combination Skin: You have both dry and oily areas, commonly with an oily T-zone and dry cheeks.
  4. Sensitive Skin: Your skin reacts easily, or getting redness or irritation often.
  5. Normal Skin: Your skin is balanced, neither too oily nor too dry, and reacts well to most products.
  6. Acne-Prone Skin: If you have frequent breakouts or clogged pores, you likely have acne-prone skin. This type of skin can be oily, sensitive, or even combination, with a tendency to develop blackheads, whiteheads, or cysts​.

You can also TAKE A QUIZ HERE to learn your skin type!

How to Choose the Right Products for Your Skin Type for Beginners?

Choosing the right products for your skin type ensures that you get the best results:

  • Dry Skin: Look for hydrating products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid. Avoid harsh toners that contain alcohol, which can further dry out the skin.
  • Oily Skin: Lightweight products are the best for you. Products like the Green Tomato Pore Lifting Ampoule Toner from SUNGBOON EDITOR and SOME BY MI’s AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Cream are formulated with gentle acids to control oil production. Gel-based moisturizers are a great option for keeping your skin hydrated without adding excess oil. 
  • Sensitive Skin: Look for gentle and fragrance-free products. Calming ingredients like Centella Asiatica and Panthenol could help soothe and protect your skin. SKIN 1004’s Madagascar Centella Toning Toner and Madagascar Centella Ampoule is a perfect combo when your skin feels a bit irritated.
  • Acne-Prone Skin: Using a cleanser like Anua’s Heartleaf Quercetinol Pore Deep Cleansing Foam would be a good start of your skincare routine for its deep cleansing, soothing and moisturizing effects. It also contains salicylic acid that can be able to treat breakouts. Gentle exfoliating products and lightweight moisturizers could also help getting rid of excess oil. Avoid heavy creams or products with harsh fragrances, as they may irritate your skin and cause acne. 

Conclusion

Starting a skincare routine is actually not as complicated as you’d imagine. With just a few steps, you can set the foundation for healthy skin. Experiencing all kinds of products to see what works best for you is also a fun journey.

Ready to start exploring? Check out our selection for different skin types HERE to find the perfect match for your skin!