If there is one ideology we can attribute to the last year, it is this: Self-care is not the indulgence it was once considered; instead, it is a basic need — especially now.
That being said, starting with the most popular form of self-care, skincare intimidates many. And while skincare fans love adding more bottles to their shelves and skincare fridges, most are just looking for a simple daily routine to implement into their morning and night rituals. Those basics should always include the following three steps, performed in this exact order:
Step 1: Cleanse
Here, the general rule of thumb is to cleanse your skin twice per day, once in the morning, once in the evening. Cleansing in the morning will help remove any residual sweat or oil you gathered in your beauty sleep. However, you may not need two cleanses, especially if you're prone to dry skin.
Cleansing your skin in the evening, however, is non-negotiable. It's essential to remove makeup that you applied in the morning and sweat, dead skin cells, pollutants, and dirt collected by your pores throughout the day.
Step 2: Moisturize
After cleansing, use a moisturizer or a moisturizing product. Doing this not only restores your skin's hydration after cleansing but can also concurrently address specific skin concerns if you use a moisturizer formulated for your particular needs.
Step 3: Protect
Sunscreen is your first line of defense and protection against skin cancer and premature aging of the skin. Reach for an SPF 30 or higher sunscreen, and apply it daily (YES, even on a rainy day), always as the final step in your skincare routine.
Step 4 and beyond
If you have skincare concerns beyond the basics, we recommend seeing a dermatologist to help target problem areas.
