The Only Skincare Routine You Need – The Basics

The last skin care related content you'll see - Lets Fix the Basics

Author

N K
August 20, 2024

The reality of people in skincare

Every day, over 100 hours of skincare content are published online.

The total worth of the skincare industry is $184 billion.

They keep uploading new content.

But most are the same.

Just repackaged

TL;DR

It may feel like a chemistry class because of too many chemical names.

Don’t worry follow the simple trick:
Select the products → compare with the list below → buy.
Pro Tip: Do a patch test, before using it fully to avoid reactions.

Products: Cleanser, Moisturizer, Sunscreen, Retinol.
Daily routines:
• Day: Cleanser → Moisturize → Sunscreen
• Night: Cleanser → Retinoid & Moisturizer
Websites (To check about ingredients): INCI Decoder, EWG Skin Deep 

Before purchasing, refer to the image

Credit: A top one-page reference from Dr. Usama Syed, a dermatologist.

The Rules

Rule 1: Don’t spend more than Rs. 2,500 ($30) on a single product.

Rule 2: Products alone won’t fix everything. Drink water. Get 7-8 hours of sleep. Eat a balanced diet. Change your bed sheets, pillowcases, and towels regularly.

Find Your Skin Type

Before finding the products, find your skin type.
Knowing your skin type is key to choosing the right product. It will help you avoid one that could worsen your skin.

  1. Wash your face with water.

  2. Check after 1-2 hours:

    • If Shiny, oily -> Oily skin

    • If Dry, tight -> Dry skin

    • If Shiny and tight in different areas -> Combination skin

Choosing The Right Product

🫧 Cleanser (Removes dirt and oil) (Optional)

You can use soap, face wash, or cleanser to remove dirt.

  • Oily Skin: Get Foaming cleansers with salicylic Acid (start with low) niacinamide.

  • Dry Skin: Get Non-foaming cleansers with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycerin, and aloe vera (not all)

  • Combination/Normal Skin: Any Gentle cleanser

Product Recommendation:

Retinoid (Start Low Concentration%) (Only at Night)

  • Benefits: Anti-aging, Anti-pigmentation (dark spots) and acne, anti-skin cancer.

  • Causes: dryness, irritation, skin peeling (at the beginning).

  • Usage: 

    • Use a pea-sized amount for the whole face.

    • Avoid the eye area and the folds between the nose and cheeks.

    • Use every other night at beginning, Use at least for 4 to 8 weeks.

    • Combine with moisturizer to reduce side effects.

Pro Tip: It’s difficult to get it without a prescription, so check a dermatologist.
For reference: Tretin 0.025% Cream

💧Moisturizer (Keeps your skin hydrated) (2 Times a day)

  • Oily Skin: Salicylic Acid (start with low), Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid, Retinol (in the evening)

  • Dry Skin: Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramides, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Shea Butter, Aloe Vera (not all)

  • Combination/Normal Skin: Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramides, and Vitamin B5.

Products Recommendation:

🌞 Sunscreen (A must-have)

  • Why: It protects your skin from UV rays. It prevents aging and skin cancer.

  • Fun fact: Clouds don’t stop UV rays, So use it every day.

  • Avoid: Parabens, Ethanolamine, Phthalates, Polyethylene Glycol, Formaldehyde Releasers. and check the list below.

Ingredients to avoid in sunscreen

Products Recommendation:

Avoid these ingredients:

1. Parabens (isopropyl-, butyl-, isobutyl-)

2. Ethanolamine (DEA, TEA, MEA)

3. Phthalayes (DBP, DEHP, DEP)

4. Polyethylene Glycol (PEG compounds)

5. Formaldehyde Releasers (Quaternium, Diazolidinyl urea, DMD hydantoin)

🛒Shopping List:

🫧Cleanser:

💧Moisturizer:

🌞Sunscreen:

Stick to the basics and start today; that will save both your skin and your wallet.

I'm not a dermatologist. Consult one before starting any skincare routine. Some links may be affiliate links.