Sometimes skincare can seem like an abstract topic – there’s so many creams, serums and methods that you can get lost in the weeds.
In this article, I want to help you build a skincare routine that will give you quite literally model tier skin.
We’re going to build a routine that is backed by the latest science in skincare.
This guide will be very easy to follow and I’ve included a routine to follow in the end. But make sure you read the entire thing to truly have a strong knowledge base when applying your brand new routine.
We’re going to focus on the core fundamentals of skincare and eventually build off it into more advanced skincare regiments.
Let’s start.
Understanding Your Skin Type
It all begins with self-awareness. To pick the best products and routines, you first need to figure out your skin type. This isn’t just about how your skin feels but understanding its behavior throughout the day and in different situations.
Oily Skin:
If you find your face shining brighter than a freshly waxed car by midday, you’re in the oily club.
It’s not just about the shine; it’s about pores that might be more visible and frequent breakouts.
Remember, this isn’t a license to over-cleanse. Overwashing can strip your skin, making it produce even more oil.
The mantra for you is balance. Seek out oil-free or mattifying products, and consider using clay masks weekly to help control excess sebum.
Dry Skin:
Imagine the Sahara Desert. If that’s how your face feels – tight, parched, with occasional flaking – you’ve got dry skin.
Your priority is hydration and protection.
The environment, from air conditioning to cold weather, can be harsh on dry skin. Layering hydrating serums under thick moisturizers can be your saving grace. And remember, hot showers, though comforting, can be your skin’s worst enemy.
Combination Skin:
A bit of Sahara and a bit of shine? That’s the hallmark of combination skin.
It’s like having the challenges of both dry and oily skin, often with an oily T-zone (that’s your forehead, nose, and chin) and drier cheeks.
Your challenge is managing this balance. Targeted treatments can be effective, such as lightweight gels for the oily parts and richer creams for the dry areas.
Sensitive Skin:
The temperamental type. Easily reddened, itchy, or irritated, especially when trying new products.
Your watchwords are gentle and hypoallergenic. Avoid harsh chemicals and fragrances, and always introduce new products slowly, one at a time, to monitor for any reactions.
Normal Skin:
The Goldilocks of skin types. Not too oily, not too dry. It feels smooth, with no significant sensitivities.
But this doesn’t mean a free pass from skincare!
Regular cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection are still crucial. The thing with skin type is it’s not static. It changes with age, diet, weather, and stress levels. Listen to your skin, and be ready to adapt.
The Essentials of Skincare
Knowledge of your skin type is just the starting line. The journey involves understanding and practicing the pillars of skincare.
Cleansing:
Think of this as setting the foundation. Every day, dirt, oil, and pollutants pile up on your skin. A good cleanser removes these impurities, giving you a clean slate. The key? Find a cleanser that suits your skin type, and remember, scrubbing harder isn’t cleaning better.
Recommended:
- CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser: A gentle, hydrating cleanser formulated with ceramides and hyaluronic acid. Suitable for normal to dry skin.
- La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser: Formulated for normal to dry skin, it provides hydration while effectively cleansing.
- Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser: Fragrance-free and made for sensitive skin. It provides a thorough cleanse without harsh ingredients.
- Fresh Soy Face Cleanser: A gentle gel cleanser suitable for all skin types, known for removing impurities without drying out the skin.
- Youth To The People Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser: A gel-based cleanser packed with antioxidants from kale, spinach, and green tea.
Exfoliation:
This is your skin’s refresh button. Exfoliating helps to remove the dead skin cells that can make your complexion look dull. There are two primary types:
- Physical exfoliants use tiny granules to manually slough off dead skin. It’s like sandpaper but gentler.
- Chemical exfoliants deploy acids or enzymes to renew your skin. Names like glycolic, lactic, or salicylic acid might sound familiar. These work deeper, unclogging pores and promoting skin renewal. The trick? Don’t overdo it. Too much exfoliation can leave skin irritated. Once or twice a week is usually enough.
Recommended:
Physical Exfoliators:
- Fresh Sugar Face Polish: This exfoliator contains real strawberry seeds and brown sugar crystals that slough away dead skin cells, leaving the skin smooth and soft.
- Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant: This is a rice-based powder that activates upon contact with water, releasing papain, salicylic acid, and rice enzymes to polish the skin. It’s gentle enough for daily use.
Chemical Exfoliators:
- Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant: This exfoliant contains salicylic acid, an excellent beta hydroxy acid (BHA) for combating acne and clearing out pores.
- The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution: This toning solution offers mild exfoliation to improve skin radiance and clarity. Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) known for its ability to brighten and smooth the skin’s surface.
Moisturizing:
If there’s one step you shouldn’t skip, it’s this. Moisturizers hydrate the skin and lock in all the goodness.
They come in various consistencies – from lightweight lotions to rich creams. For oily skin, you might think, “I produce enough oil, why add more?” But remember, oil isn’t hydration.
Look for oil-free or gel-based moisturizers that provide hydration without making you feel greasy. For dry or combination skin, a richer formula might be more beneficial, especially in colder months.
Recommended:
- CeraVe Moisturizing Cream: A rich, non-greasy cream that’s packed with ceramides and hyaluronic acid. It’s fragrance-free and suitable for both face and body, making it ideal for those with sensitive skin.
- Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel: This is a lightweight, water-based gel moisturizer that’s perfect for oily and combination skin. It contains hyaluronic acid, which helps retain skin’s natural moisture.
- La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer: This moisturizer is suitable for sensitive skin and contains ceramides, niacinamide, and a high concentration of prebiotic thermal water. It’s also oil-free, making it suitable for a variety of skin types.
- Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb: A gel-cream formula that provides a burst of hydration, making the skin feel cool and refreshed. It’s ideal for combination to oily skin types.
- Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream: A protein-rich moisturizer that combines peptides, growth factors, and amino acids to improve skin texture and tone. It’s suitable for all skin types and helps address signs of aging.
Sun Protection:
The sun, while essential for vitamin D and those beach days, is a significant culprit behind premature aging.
Daily exposure, even on cloudy days, contributes to dark spots and fine lines.
SPF isn’t just an afterthought; it’s your daily shield. A broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30 is recommended. And don’t forget to reapply, especially if you’re spending extended time outdoors.
Recommended:
- EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46: This is a favorite among dermatologists, especially for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin. It’s oil-free and contains niacinamide, which can help reduce redness and inflammation.
- La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-in Milk Sunscreen SPF 100: This sunscreen is known for its high protection and creamy, hydrating formula. It’s suitable for both face and body.
- Supergoop! Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50 with Sunflower Extract: This broad-spectrum sunscreen is water and sweat resistant, making it a great choice for active days outdoors. It’s also enriched with sunflower extract to help protect the skin from external environmental elements.
- COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF50 PA+++: A popular K-beauty option, this sunscreen not only protects the skin from the sun but also contains moisturizing aloe to keep the skin hydrated.
Advanced Skincare Tips
Once you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to explore the world of targeted treatments.
Serums:
These are the MVPs in the skincare world.
Highly concentrated, they tackle specific concerns.
Want to brighten your skin? Vitamin C is your ally. Combatting fine lines? Say hello to retinol.
But, as with anything powerful, start slow. Introduce one serum at a time to see how your skin reacts.
Recommended:
Face Masks:
These aren’t just for relaxation; they’re a potent tool.
From clay masks that absorb excess oil to hydrating sheet masks infused with essence, there’s one for every concern. Incorporate a mask session into your weekly routine, and you’ll soon see the benefits.
Recommended:
- Hydrating – Laneige Water Sleeping Mask: This Korean beauty favorite is a gel-based overnight mask that provides deep hydration while you sleep. It contains mineral water and other active agents to soothe and moisturize the skin.
- Detoxifying – Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay: This mask is made from 100% natural calcium bentonite clay. It’s popular for its deep pore-cleansing properties. When mixed with apple cider vinegar or water, it forms a paste that draws out impurities from the skin. It can be quite powerful, so sensitive skin types might want to use it with caution and for shorter durations.
Eye Cream:
The skin around your eyes is different – thinner, more delicate. It’s also where signs of aging or fatigue first show up.
An eye cream, specifically formulated for this area, can help reduce puffiness, lighten dark circles, and keep crow’s feet at bay.
Recommended:
- Anti-Aging – Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye: This eye cream is part of Estée Lauder’s renowned Advanced Night Repair line. It’s formulated to tackle signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness, and dark circles. The formula contains hyaluronic acid, which hydrates and plumps the skin, along with other ingredients that repair and rejuvenate.
- Hydrating – Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado: A moisturizing eye cream enriched with avocado oil that provides hydration and nourishment to the under-eye area. Its creamy texture is particularly known for not migrating into the eyes.
- Brightening – Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Crème: Inspired by the makeup artist must-have—”banana powder”—this eye cream is formulated to target dark circles and improve radiance. It contains vitamin C and collagen to address signs of aging, as well as special pigments to instantly brighten and color-correct the eye area.
Beyond Products: A Holistic Approach
Skincare isn’t just about what you slather on your face. Your overall lifestyle plays a pivotal role.
- Diet: You are, quite literally, what you eat. Foods rich in antioxidants like berries, nuts, and green veggies can boost your skin’s health. Stay hydrated too. Your skin loves it when you drink plenty of water.
- Sleep: Those 7-9 hours aren’t just for your brain. Your skin repairs and rejuvenates as you snooze. Don’t shortchange yourself; ensure you’re getting quality rest.
- Stress Management: Continuous stress can wreak havoc on your skin. Find ways to relax and manage stress – be it through meditation, exercise, or simply reading a book.
Embrace skincare as a journey, not a destination. It’s a commitment, but the glow of healthy, happy skin is worth every bit of effort.
Building a Routine: Consistency is Key
You wouldn’t expect to have ripped muscles after one day at the gym, right? Similarly, skin improvements take time. The key is consistency.
Here is an example routine that will give you amazing results based on the products we recommended:
Morning Routine:
- Cleanser: Choose a gentle cleanser suited to your skin type. A suggestion from the list above would be the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser for its gentle and hydrating formula suitable for most skin types.
- Serum: Apply Paula’s Choice Vitamin C Booster for antioxidant protection against free radicals and to help brighten and even out skin tone.
- Eye Cream: Gently tap on Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Crème to address any under-eye darkness and to provide brightness.
- Moisturizer: Use the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel for lightweight hydration.
- Sunscreen: Finish with EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays during the day.
Night Routine:
- Cleanser: Cleanse again with the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser to remove any remnants of sunscreen, or daily pollutants.
- Mask (1-2 times a week): Use the Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial for a deeper exfoliation. Remember not to use this daily, once a week or every other week would be sufficient for most skin types.
- Serum: Apply Retinol to deeply hydrate the skin.
- Eye Cream: Use the Kiehls Avocado Eye Cream for its reparative properties.
- Moisturizer: Apply a slightly richer night cream or continue with Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel if it provides enough hydration for your skin.
Weekly additions like exfoliation and masking can be added depending on your skin’s needs.
Skincare for men isn’t about vanity; it’s about health and self-care. By taking care of your skin, you’re not only presenting your best self to the world but also investing in your long-term well-being.
It’s never too late to start, and the journey, though filled with trials and errors, is worth every step.