Basic
Skin
Care

I have gotten a couple of questions about my skincare routine so I thought I would share what I know! Personally, I like to stick to a more basic skin care routine. The whole “less is more” approach, if you will. There are 3 main steps that I try to stick to when taking care of my skin.

Cleansing is all about getting that yucky stuff out of your pores. This allows your skin to breathe, once the sebum and buildup has been removed. The market is full of cleansers, but not all of them are created equal. Look for a gentle, preferably fragrance free cleanser that works for you! Also, I know that a lot of girls like to work their skin over while cleansing, but it is so important for your skin’s health that you DO NOT over-cleanse. This can cause further irritation and worsen existing breakouts, even create new ones! So remember, be gentle!

Exfoliation is another important step. I’ve been asked the question of “My skin is very sensitive, so I should never exfoliate, right?”. That’s not entirely true. Even those of us with sensitive skin still can and should exfoliate, even if that means doing it once a week. If you are still worried about irritating your skin, you can always dilute your exfoliator with a little bit of water. Another good trick is to dilute it with your cleanser and use them at the same time like an all-in-one!

Moisturizing is vital, no matter what type of skin you have. Dry, combination, or even oily. Yes, oily skin needs moisture just as much as dry skin. I see my friends scrub their faces bare with product only to leave it at that. Oily skin will only work harder to produce more oil when moisture is stripped from it and not replenished. This can, again, cause or exacerbate breakouts. Oily skin types should look for an oil-free moisturizer as this will compliment (not overpower) the oil already produced by your skin.

My top tip would be (as a girl with sensitive skin myself) that fragrances are always one of the first things to irritate my skin. I try to stay away from fragrances altogether, but doesn’t effect the range of products available to me. Don’t be afraid to let go of your favorite fruity scent in your face wash! It could be the best thing you’ve ever done for your complexion. In the end, basic skin care doesn’t have to be “basic” at all. It is all about finding what works best for you.