If You Have No Idea About Skincare and Where to Start, This One's for You.
Your ultimate guide to the first steps you need to take in skincare if you want to actually see positive changes while maintaining your skin's health along the way.
There are quite literally like a million skincare products on the market, and that can be so overwhelming for someone just starting out. Before I started esty school, I would spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars at Sephora or Ulta just trying to find products that worked for my skin. There was no rhyme or reason behind the products I purchased, I just wanted change. After a few years, I got tired of not understanding and decided to become an esthetician so I could help people who are in the same shoes that I was. I learned the science behind how our skin works, so you don't have to.
Before & After, from dehydrated to hydrated
Hydration Comes First
Whether you have acne or clogged pores, wrinkles, inflammation, excess oil, your skin feels dry, or whatever it may be, you must always start by treating dehydration first. And odds are if you aren't being consistent with your routine or you have no routine at all, your skin is more than likely dehydrated. Dehydration is the root cause of the majority of your skin issues, so this will be your starting point.
How Do You Treat Dehydration?
Every skin type is susceptible to be dehydrated, even if you identify your skin as oily. A lot of the time, your skin will produce more oil to try to make up for the lack of hydration. The easiest way to tell if you are dehydrated is by pinching your cheek; if your skin wrinkles or stays in place instead of returning back to its natural state, you’re dehydrated. Dehydrated skin will also feel tighter than normal and may look dull and lifeless. So let’s talk about how you can fix this.
A home care regimen of these 4 basic steps are imperative to start treating dehydration: cleansing, toning, a gentle hydrating exfoliant, and a moisturizer for your skin type. These are the basics, the 4 products every single person should be using. Below, I've listed some of the main ingredients best suited to hydrate your skin.
Glycerin
Aloe
Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide)
Vitamin E
Ceramides
Skincare and Lifestyle Tips for Dehydrated Skin
Use a mild, non-drying cleanser to prevent stripping the skin.
Adopt a healthier lifestyle. Up your fruit and veggie intake and focus on eating whole foods. Be sure you're drinking lots of water. Vitamins and minerals can help replenish the skin barrier from the inside out.
Avoid using harsh mechanical exfoliants like sugar scrubs on your skin, this can do more harm than good for your skin. Doing this could cause micro injuries in the top layer of skin, and may further damage your skin barrier.
Avoid using hot water on your face. Instead, try lukewarm or even cool water.