by Kat Montinola
Whether you’re driving down EDSA, walking down the mall, or scrolling down Instagram, there’s no denying that beauty products are ruling the trends. Skin care, specifically, can either excite you or terrify you: there are dozens of products, various kinds of routines, and many different beauty tips. As essential as skin care is, it can seem very overwhelming at times. It seems like the latest beauty products from South Korea, America, or Thailand just come to the country one after the other; it’s as if skin care costs a fortune, so would naturally not be a priority for you, who could instead splurge on other things.
But the thing is, skin care is not supposed to be complicated or expensive— which are just some of the misconceptions that keep us from taking the time to buy different products and develop our own skin routine. Skin care also does not have to be time-consuming, if you developed a routine that works for you. But with many different choices on the market, where does one start?
How do I start a basic skincare routine? What is a good skin care routine?
Here are some basic steps to get you going:
- Before heading to different shops to look for beauty products, you first and foremost have to know what skin type you have. Usually, the main categories are oily, dry, or acne-prone. Skin types also depend on your age, skin sensitivity, weather, hormones, and other factors. If you already have a feeling where you belong to, it’s easy to research on your type and find the suggested kinds of products that are best for you.
- Know that skin care is not a miracle worker. You’re not going to get results overnight, or even after a few days. It may take up to weeks before evident changes are noticed, and even then, you may even find out the product doesn’t work for your skin at all. This definitely requires patience; it’s easy to throw your routine away and give up, but if you stick to it, you might wake up one day with better skin that ups your confidence!
- Wash your face. How often you use a facial cleanser and which kind you use depends on your skin type, so research before choosing a product. Many people regard this as the first step of any routine. When you’re on the go, splashing water on your face is sometimes all you can do, but taking the extra minute to thoroughly wash your skin is a step in the right direction.
- Moisturizer. This is an essential product to keep your skin hydrated throughout the day and night. There are different types of moisturizers with different consistencies—these will definitely have various effects on your skin, so try reading reviews of products by people with similar skin types to get an idea. You don’t necessarily need to buy the fancy, technological-esque moisturizer; choose what works with you.
- Sunscreen. In a country as sunny and hot as the Philippines, it’s a must to have protection against the harsh UV rays. Try looking for sunscreen with SPF 30 above that does not make your skin too dry or too oily. Many often take sunscreen for granted, because the harm caused by UV rays is not always immediately visible. Over time, skin cells may get damaged and spots on the skin may darken, so it’s best to protect yourself as much as possible.
- Masks? Serums? Creams? For some, additional products are a must in their routine. Maybe you want to stick to basic, affordable options, and that’s okay. Your routine doesn’t need ten different steps to work; there are some products you’ll need more than others depending on your daily activities, so take those into account before filling in your shopping basket.
- Treat Pimples and Blackheads with care. As tempting as it may be to pop or scrape unwanted spots off your face, you have to practice self-discipline. Sometimes, touching these spots too often or adding too much of a product can only make things worse.
- Makeup free or not, flaunt what you have. The most important thing is confidence. Having bright, glowing skin can be enough for others, while some may prefer to have additional makeup on. No matter what your preference is, know that every individual is different, so comparing oneself to others doesn’t help much. Skin care involves a lot of trial and error, so be open to experimenting and making different kinds of choices.
References
HB Team. “21 Skincare Tips That Will Transform Your Skin.” Huda Beauty, 11 Apr. 2019, https://hudabeauty.com/21-skincare-tips-thatll-transform-your-skin/.
Molvar, Kari. “How to Build a Skin Care Routine.” The New York Times, https://www.nytimes.com/guides/tmagazine/skincare-routine.
Wong, Mandy. “Basic skin care routine steps for Asian women (2020 edition).” Daily Vanity, 25 Dec. 2019, https://dailyvanity.sg/beauty-tips/skincare-steps/
