How do I start a skincare routine?

Skincare is a trend. Social media is full of favorites, game changers and holy grails. But your skin isn't happier after you've bought 5 of them? That could be because your skin's basic needs aren't being met, leaving special active ingredients with virtually no foundation. Or because the active ingredients don't match your skin's individual needs. We'll look at these topics for your beauty routine below:

The basics:

There are basically only 3 product categories that are helpful for almost all skin types and that alone can be very beneficial. If you want to build a skin care routine, start with these 3 products, stick with them for a while and then see if you want more. There are also some great, inexpensive products to be found in the drugstore, especially when it comes to the basics!

1. Mild cleansing

A cleanser should be mild so as not to dry out the skin excessively. It doesn't have to do much more than clean. Your skin should feel pleasant after cleansing and not tight. There are many forms: cleansing gel, cleansing foam, soap-free cleansing bar, cleansing balm, etc. It's up to you which variant you like best. You can use the same cleanser in the morning and evening. If you wear a lot of sunscreen and make-up, however, an oil-based cleanser such as a cleansing oil or cleansing balm is recommended for the evening. These cleansers can dissolve a lot of product with ease and are still gentle on the skin.

2. Moisturizer

A moisturizer consists of water-binding and nourishing substances. This helps the skin to prevent moisture loss. This is essential for healthy skin. Healthy skin can often regulate itself very well. However, in everyday life we ​​are often exposed to heated air, hot showers and other environmental influences, so a little support can be helpful and pleasant. There are different forms here too. Dry skin probably prefers a nice, rich cream, oily skin may be happy with a light gel. The richness can also be adapted to the season (richer in winter, lighter in summer).

3. Sun protection

Sun protection is essential for skin health to protect against harmful UV rays. In combination with shade and long clothing, a cream with SPF should be part of your morning routine. From March to October between around 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., the sun intensity in Germany can be so strong that the WHO expressly recommends sun protection. But there are also other advantages to using the UVA booster as a day cream, for example. Make-up with SPF is not enough! Try out a few products and see which texture you like best. Especially with sun protection, it can be a challenge until you find something that suits you. But it's worth it. Because the best sun protection is the one you like to wear regularly!

When to use what?

Morning: Cleanser and moisturizer are optional in the morning. Oily skin may prefer two cleansers a day, dry skin may like an additional cream under the sunscreen.

Evening: Sebum, product residues and dirt should be washed off in the evening with a cleanser. Then moisturize the skin.

What skin type am I?

We have already talked about oily and dry skin, but knowing your own skin type is sometimes not so obvious. There are a few common misconceptions :

1. Impure skin is not always oily. Dry skin can also be impure.
2. Oily skin can also lack moisture. This is dehydrated skin (not enough water). Dry skin produces too few oils.
3. Many people say that they have combination skin. However, true combination types are rare. It is completely normal for the T-zone to be a little oilier than the rest of the face.

Knowing your own skin type can help you to estimate how rich the products should be. In the end, however, it helps the most to experiment and see which texture is most pleasant. Even dry skin "can" use a cleanser for oily skin. They should be mild anyway.

What are skin needs?

While skin type is more or less a one-dimensional scale from dry to oily, there can be a variety of skin needs. You can have several at the same time and in combination with each skin type. While skin type is largely genetically determined and not very changeable, skin needs are skin conditions and could be satisfied with a little help.

Possible skin needs and suitable active ingredients :

◆ Dehydrated skin: Glycerin, hyaluronic acid, urea, lactic acid
◆ Impure skin: Salicylic acid (BHA), niacinamide, azelaic acid
◆ Irritated skin: Panthenol, Ceramide, Centella Asiatica, Liquorice root, Ectoin
◆ Hyperpigmentation:High UVA protection , arbutin, thiomidol, tranexamic acid
◆ Slow-Aging: Retinol, peptides, vitamin C, antioxidants

It is important not to use everything at once, but to limit yourself to ONE most important skin need for a few weeks before integrating another additional product into your routine. Not every active ingredient helps everyone equally well. Some active ingredients should not be used in any quantity as they can irritate the skin. Please inform yourself briefly beforehand. It is better to start with small concentrations and once a week than to over-stimulate the skin.

The active ingredients can be integrated into the routine in the form of serums, toners, sprays, treatments, masks, peelings, etc. The basic rule in the order is:

◆ from liquid to viscous
◆ from watery to oily

In the end, what is good is what works and what you like!

Conclusion: The art of skin care

You definitely don't need a 10-step routine for a proper facial care routine. But of course you can if you want and your skin can tolerate it. The three basics are important: cleansing, moisturizing and sun protection. Also, concentrate on the most important individual skin needs and always be gentle on the skin. Skin care should never feel uncomfortable. A certain level of regularity and a bit of patience are the key. It doesn't hurt to change your face towel more often, always go to bed without makeup, pay attention to the shelf life of the products and live a healthy lifestyle.