letsFACEit.: How to Build Your Skin Care Routine in 5 Steps

There are a lot of personal things in life & your skin care routine is one of them. What works for some, may not work for all & that is okay. A skin care routine can be anywhere from 3 to 10 steps, even more, depending on your goals and how extensive your products are. Adding eye creams, serums and treatment masks are beneficial additions to your routine, but won't be included in these steps. This routine is a good start for someone interested in taking better care of their skin, but doesn't know where to start.

The first thing to know is that sequence matters. Applying products in the correct order makes sure that you receive the full benefits of that product for your skin. For example, applying a cream-based product before a serum would stop the serum from penetrating fully due to the weight of the cream-based product. Applying a water-based moisturizer over a sunscreen can water down the sunscreen which would dilute its efficacy. An easy rule to follow is to apply products from the thinnest consistency to the thickest, whether it's night or day. Save all of the specialty products (serums, eye creams, masks) for the night time.

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Now, let's talk about the routine itself.

Step 1: Cleanser

As the first step in all skin care routines, your cleanser gently clarifies pores and removes impurities. It should be used every morning (to remove sweat & extra oil build up) and night (to remove makeup and dirt from the day).

Step 2: Exfoliator

Exfoliators are essential in keeping skin radiant by unclogging pores of dry skin and dirt. You can choose from mechanical (skin brushes & products with granules/seeds/beads) or chemical (acids & enzymes) exfoliators. Mechanical formulations work to remove surface level impurities, while chemical exfoliators work on a cellular level to promote collagen production