Humans are creatures of habits, and consistent habits are vital to achieving goals in life, irrespective of the nature of the goal. This philosophy applies to skincare as well. We all want glowing, beautiful skin, don’t we? To perpetuate that, forming a skincare routine and adhering to it for a prolonged period is essential. It is also important to pay attention to the fact that everyone has a different skin type, and every trending skincare routine out there may not suit you or benefit you.
Things to consider before starting your skincare journey
Before developing a skincare routine, it is crucial to assess whether you have dry, oily, normal or combination skin. This is important because you need to choose the products making up your routine based on this finding. It would be wasteful to invest your hard-earned money in a product that is not meant for your skin in the first place, and moreover, it might cause an adverse reaction to your skin and make it worse. Another important step while purchasing products is to look at the ingredients and check for any component to which you might be allergic. Even after you buy a product, it is always advised to perform a patch test on a small patch on your neck or hand to see if the product is eliciting any allergic reaction in your body. If you face even the slightest irritation or discomfort, it is best to avoid further usage of the product.
With the popularity of Korean skincare products and routines, people often get caught up in the thought that the more products you use, the better chance you stand of developing good skin. This, however, is a myth. You can achieve healthy and luminous skin even through a basic 3-step skincare routine which would not only go easy on your pockets but also prevent you from coming into contact with a ton of chemicals.
Week 1 Schedule
Follow this easy routine to get glowing skin in 21 days:
1. Cleansing
This is the most crucial skincare routine step, irrespective of your goals. It is essential to use a mild yet effective cleanser like the Put Simply Get Your Greens Cleanser which removes accumulated dirt, residual makeup and sunscreen from your face. If a cleanser is too harsh on your face, it stands to strip your skin of its natural oils and good bacteria that contribute to the pH and balance of your skin. This product also contains hyaluronic acid, which provides extra hydration to your skin. Cleansing preps your skin for the upcoming steps of your routine and ensures its full efficacy. Ideally, you should wash your face with a cleanser twice daily, once in the morning and once at night. This ensures that any residual skincare and makeup products are removed from your face, thereby unclogging your pores and leaving your skin receptive to a new round of products, allowing their better absorption and functionality. The Coccoon Purifying Face Cleanser With White Tea & Neem is another excellent option for targeting impurities of the skin & gives you smooth skin.
2. Toning
A toner finishes the work of a cleanser. If any remnants of makeup or products are there on your face post-cleansing, using a toner can remove it all. Toning also helps balance the skin tone, removes excess oil, maintains skin pH, and allows better penetration of other products into your skin, in addition to making you feel a calming and cooling sensation. Just like the cleanser, the toner should also be used twice daily in order to restore the moisture back into your skin post-washing. The Minimalist 3% PHA Face Toner with pre-biotics and pro-biotics could be an excellent addition to your skincare routine. The Rovectin Lotus Water Calming Toner is a great product to use for cleansing & self-purifying your skin. Enriched with hyaluronic acid & xylitol, it’s lightweight texture gets absorbed into the skin easily & leaves no stickiness behind.
3. Moisturizing
This is an indispensable step towards achieving hydrated skin. Moisturizing leaves your skin feeling supple and fresh for long durations and prevents moisture loss. When you are not using any additional serums or face oils, it is important to use a hydrating moisturizer. Invest in a good moisturizer like the Detoxie Anti-Stress and Hydrating Youth Preserve Moisturiser, which induces collagen synthesis, works on fine lines, reduces pigmentation, and provides excellent hydration levels. The d’you in my defence moisturiser is loaded with 5 ceramides which leave your skin feeling calm, nourished and supple.
In addition to this skincare routine, you should also ensure to drink sufficient water to keep your skin naturally hydrated and make it capable of flushing out toxins. If possible, try to incorporate some form of exercise, such as yoga, running or even home workouts, as they help with blood circulation and keep your hormones balanced. Consuming nutrient-rich foods like green veggies, fruits and nuts is also important for achieving smooth and glowing skin.
If you stick to this simple 3-step routine religiously for 21 days, you will notice a significant improvement in your skin. And if you can carry forward this routine indefinitely, there would be none happier than your own skin!
- Srishti Chakraborty
