Cleansers, moisturizers, serums, toners, masks, exfoliants, etc. You can quickly lose yourself in the never ending sea of skin care products, but you will never fully reap the benefits if you don't know how to use them in the proper order.
The Basics
Cleansing, toning, and moisturizing are the backbones to a great skincare routine.
I know, I know! What about exfoliation? I did not add exfoliation because when and how you use it depends on the type of exfoliant you use. So, if you don't do anything else, you better get your behind up to cleanse, tone, and moisturize your face twice a day! If this is all you're doing, make sure your daytime moisturizer contains SPF! I now offer "The Basics" as a set for a discounted price. Check them out in the store!
The "Extras"
Cleansing comes first no matter what. If you use physical exfoliants like a sugar scrub, you'd use it immediately after cleansing. Applying a wash-off mask after physical exfoliation would be an ideal time. A wash-off mask is any mask you wash off after applying (clay, milk, and honey masks are a few examples). Now, we apply toner and serums. This is when things get a bit confusing because your toner and/or serum can be exfoliants. So, if you use chemical exfoliants in the form of a toner, you apply it directly after cleansing. If your chemical exfoliant is a serum, you'd apply it after toning. Lets say you use regular toners and serums, you'd apply toner first and serums immediately after. After applying your serum or any multitude thereof (there's no shame in applying numerous serums honey!), you can apply a sheet mask. Sheet masks are "leave on" masks, meaning you don't wash the remnants of the masks off after you remove the "sheet". Sheet masks are essentially serum soaked sheets, so you want your face to soak all of that goodness in! Finally, you'd your apply moisturizer and sunscreen (this is only for daytime routines, and your moisturizer can be your sunscreen if it already contains SPF).
Girl, Whet?!
WHEW! That was a lot of information, but don't fret. I'm going to include a graph to visually summarize the last paragraph. I will also include my personal routines. Yes, I said routines with an "s". You'll see why in a second.
Vanity's Routines
Morning:
Honey Cider Cleanser
5% AHA Toner
Essential Serum
Face Quench
Neutrogena Hydro City Boost Sunscreen
Night:
Honey Cider Cleanser
Balancing Toner
Skin Renewal Serum
Face Quench
Once a week: (this replaces either my day or night routine)
Honey Cider Cleanser
Oatmeal & Baking Soda Scrub (equal parts of colloidal oatmeal & baking soda mixed)
Wash-Off Mask
Balancing Toner
Essential Serum
Face Quench
Graduation
Congratulations, you've made it to the end. Stand up, reach your arm around to your back, and pat it. You are ready to start your own skin care routine/ ritual. Just start with the backbone products, then add in your favorite "extra" products. Comment your routine below, I'd love to read them!
I am wishing you all peace, blessings, and an A1 skincare routine! - Vanity
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