A Basic 5 Step Skincare Routine For Beginners

Managing your personalized skincare routine may not be an easy task, especially where there are plenty of skincare products out there. Trust me, I understand the overwhelm. The range of cosmetics and skincare options can be dizzying, leaving you wondering if you’re on the right track or just grasping at straws. But, NO WORRIES! I won’t leave you wondering, so I have gathered the 5 step basic skincare routine to just make everything easy for you.

I know, I know, the social media trends can also be confusing, especially TikTok beauty trends, which don’t work for everyone due to the reason “you are not using products according to your skin type.” Also, it seems too hard to manage everything while following your skin’s needs, but in reality, it’s not as hard as it seems you just need to follow the right track.

Read on! Learn all the basic skincare steps in just 5 steps and achieve your desired healthy, glowing skin!

Understand Your Skin Type/Needs

Skincare doesn’t have to be complicated, nor does it require fancy, expensive potions. Sometimes, all your skin needs is a little TLC with products you can easily find at your local drugstore! We’re all unique, and our skin reacts differently to various substances, formulas, and even scents. So, the first step in your skincare journey is understanding what your skin loves and “what doesn’t.”

Before jumping into any skincare routine, practice a little self-care. Take a moment to understand yourself, your body, and how it changes over time. Our skin types are as diverse as we are. What works wonders for your sister might not work for you. That’s why it’s crucial to do some research before starting out your skincare routine.

Now, let’s talk about understanding your skin type. First, I want to let you know that our skin reacts as we age, whether you have oily, dry, or combination skin. Of course, due to the reason for hormone changes, sometimes we go through the biggest hormone changes. For example, PMS or pregnancy can significantly affect your skin’s condition.

So, how do you actually understand your skin type? First, consider your skincare goal. What do you want to achieve with your routine? For example, if you have oily skin, your goal might be to control that extra oil from your face. If you have dry skin, you might want extra hydration to achieve that desired glow. Once you have a goal, you will be able to collect products that help you achieve it.

Before you step into a 5-step skincare routine, I want you to keep this in mind: “Every skincare routine takes time and requires consistency.” The more patiently you do it, the better results you will see. Mark my words!

Step 1: Cleansing

The first step in skincare is cleansing! This is where the fun begins. Cleansing doesn’t only wash your face; it gives your pores a good clean also, and it cleans the leftover stuff as well. Furthermore, it helps keep oil in check, stops pimples, and clears out those pesky blackheads.

Cleansing also makes your skin ready to soak up all the products you apply after cleansing, like serums and creams. Trust me, the efforts will pay you off. Now, here’s the deal: don’t go crazy with cleansing. Do it once or twice a day! Overdoing can dry out your skin.

If you are with oily skin, wash your face twice a day, morning and night, to keep it fresh. For everyone else, once a day works just fine. Just remember, less is more when it comes to cleanser. wash gently for that healthy glow!

How to use a cleanser

1. Use a small amount of your favorite gentle cleanser. You don’t need a lot!
2. Wet your face with lukewarm water to get those pores ready.
3. Massage the cleanser into your skin in circles, focusing on oily spots.
4. Rinse well with warm water to wash away all the cleanser.
5. With a clean towel, pat your skin gently to dry.

Step 2: Exfoliation

Exfoliation is the secret weapon in your skincare arsenal! This step removes dead skin cells that clog pores and dull your skin. It just gives your skin a new, fresh start.

Also, it allows your skincare products to penetrate deeper into your skin. Plus, it reduces fine lines and wrinkles, leaving your skin smoother and more glowy.

But hold on! Exfoliation is a powerful step, so you need to go hard on your skin. Once or twice a week is more than enough. Otherwise, you’ll end up irritating your skin. So, always be gentle when it comes to exfoliating. You have to slough away those dead cells without causing any damage.

How to exfoliate

1. Choose your exfoliant, whether a gentle scrub or a chemical exfoliant. Pick one that suits your skin type.
2. Apply a small amount to damp skin after CLEANSING,, focusing on areas that need a little extra love.
3. Gently massage in circular motions for about a minute; be careful not to scrub too hard.
4. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water to remove all traces of exfoliant.

Step 3: Applying Serum

When we hear the word “serums,” the ONLY scenario comes to mind: “Those tiny little bottles.” They are not just cute bottles: They are packed with the most powerful ingredients that target specific skin issues, like lines, acne, or dark spots. Yes, they cost you too much, but worth it to fight with your all-skin issues.

Even if your skin is doing fine, using an antioxidant gives you a daily boost and protects your skin from damage. There are plenty of options out there for that: Vitamin C serums brighten your skin, while retinol serums help prevent wrinkles. If you’re dealing with acne or redness, niacinamide serums can help calm things down. Furthermore, if you have dry skin, make hyaluronic acid your buddy.

Choosing the right serum might seem tricky, but a little research can do you a little favor, and consulting a dermatologist or esthetician also makes it easier for you.

How to Use Serum

1. After exfoliating, pat it dry.
2. Apply a pea-sized amount; you don’t need much – a little goes a long way!
3. Gently massage it in; use your fingertips to spread the serum evenly over your face.
4. Wait a minute, and let the serum absorb into the skin before applying anything else.

Step 4: Moisturizer

Whatever you do, don’t skip this step “even if you’ve got oily skin.” Yes, you heard me right! Even oily skin needs a good moisturizer. Why? Because moisturizers aren’t there to make your skin oily; they’re there to keep it hydrated, Big difference! As we get older, our skin loses its natural ability to hold onto moisture, so a good moisturizer becomes even more crucial.

Find the right moisturizer for your skin type: 

• For oily skin, a gel moisturizer is your best bet. It’s lightweight and water-based, so it won’t leave you feeling greasy. 

• If you have dry skin, reach for a cream moisturizer rich in oils to give your skin the hydration it craves.

• For those lucky peeps with normal skin, a lotion moisturizer strikes the perfect balance: It moisturizes without being too heavy.

• Lastly, if you’ve got sensitive skin (but no acne), consider a soothing balm that’ll be extra gentle on your skin.

How to use moisturizer

1. After applying the serum, wait for 30 seconds!
2. Take a small amount of moisturizer; A little goes a long way!
3. Warm it up between your palms, rub your hands together to warm up the moisturizer.
4. Gently pat it onto your skin: use gentle, upward motions to apply the moisturizer all over your face and neck.
5. Give it time to sink in, and let the moisturizer absorb fully into the skin.
6. Use it morning and night: Apply your moisturizer twice a day for happy, hydrated skin. Simply after washing your face!

Step 5: Use Sunscreen

If you can only manage one of these five steps, take this one seriously! Sunscreen is like the MVP of skincare, and every expert out there will tell you the same thing.

Why is it so important? Well, for starters, sunscreen is your best defense against wrinkles, fine lines, and, most importantly, skin cancer. Furthermore, it can even help improve your skin’s texture and minimize the appearance of pores. Yes, it is “A Multitasker!”

Now, some people like to combine steps 4 and 5 by using moisturizers with built-in SPF. But personally, I’m not a huge fan. I think it’s less effective. Just a heads up – dermatologists recommend a minimum protection factor of 30, so keep that in mind when shopping for sunscreen.

One more thing: There are different types of sunscreen for different skin types, so be sure to choose one that works for you.

How to use sunscreen

1. Apply it generously: Don’t skimp on the sunscreen! Use enough to cover all exposed areas of skin.
2. Apply it before you head out: Ideally, you should apply sunscreen about 15 minutes before sun exposure to give it time to sink in.
3. Reapply, reapply, reapply: Sunscreen isn’t a one-and-done deal. You must reapply it every two hours or more often if you’re swimming or sweating.
4. Don’t forget those easy-to-miss spots: Pay special attention to areas like your ears, neck, and the tops of your feet.
5. Use it every day: Sunscreen isn’t just for beach days. Make it a part of your daily routine, rain or shine.

Final Remark

So, there you have it, “A basic” 5-step skincare routine that’s easy to follow for beginners. I get it; skincare can be overwhelming with all the products and trends out there. But trust me, it doesn’t have to be complicated. By understanding your skin type and following these basic steps, cleansing, exfoliating, applying serum, moisturizing, and using sunscreen, you can achieve that healthy, glowing skin you’ve always wanted.

Skincare is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Take the time to understand your skin’s needs and be consistent with your routine. Whether you have oily, dry, combination, or sensitive skin, there’s a routine that’s right for you. And hey, don’t forget to enjoy the process! Self-care is important, and your skin deserves a little TLC, too. See you in the next BLOG!