There are a few things to consider before you start a new skincare routine. consider this a dos and don'ts article on skincare routines. First off what is a routine?
Routine
With the overwhelming number of new products streaming into the market on a daily basis, it is easy to be dazzled by all the latest and greatest. My overwhelming curiosity has led me down the rabbit hole a couple of times in the past. Unfortunately, constantly switching your products can make you to lose track of what is and what is not effective. While it might seem tempting to replicate someone else’s routine based on how their skin looks, it is not necessarily wise. It is imperative to always tailor your routine to your own personal needs, based on how your skin feels on any given day and your skin type. Remember we all have different skin and what plagues it. In this post, I will give you a guideline on the things to consider before starting a new skincare routine.
Are you consistent with your current skincare routine?
As individuals, we always want the easy way out, we are drawn to the promise of instant gratification. I mean why not, who wants to put in so much work when there's a promise of an easier route? With technology always at our fingertips, we are growing more impatient by the minute. From the click of a button, we can have almost anything instantly. Same day delivery services enables our shopping to arrive within a 24 hour window. It is easy to be tempted by the promise of instant results. Therefore, it will not be entirely out of place to overlook the fact that the human body does not give the same instantaneous response of a machine.
It is easy to abandon a product if, after a couple of days or weeks, you see little to no visible results. I think we’ve all been guilty of this. Well news flash, some skincare ingredients can take up to 2-3 months before visible results are seen. Yes, months. You can use a 5-minute sheet mask as desired for that instant gratification. The truth however is, the results gotten from a one-off treatment will NEVER compare to the long term results from a consistent daily routine. Consistency is key.
You need to answer honestly the question "have I been consistent with my routine"? Have you given your products enough time to actually see visible results? Or is it as the spirit leads for the most part. Excluding the number of times you've gone to bed without removing your makeup of course. Sometimes life happens and we're unable to carry out our normal routine. It happens we’ve all been there. So, consider how consistent you are before starting that new skincare routine. Remember, patience is the mother of all virtue.
Does your skincare routine have a time constraint?
There are multiple steps routines from K-beauty and Asia that are hot right now. You might be tempted to jump on the trend and curate a multiple step routine for yourself. However, if you have a routine that consists of many aimless superfluous steps, you may be wasting valuable time and not reaping any real benefit. You will find it much more beneficial to streamline your routine to a few specific products that you know make the real difference. As opposed to fluffing it up with as many products as possible.
While some relish their skincare ritual with a lot of products, it may turn others off completely. An elaborate twelve or fourteen step routine may appear fascinating to some people, it doesn't make it more beneficial and it is not always the most practical. There is zero proof that an effective routine has to be one that is an extensive number of steps. The best kind of skincare routine is one you stick to and is tailored for your skin needs. There is absolutely no point purchasing eighteen or more different products when the thought of committing to using them all is overwhelming. If you enjoy dedicating time to an elaborate multi-step routine every day, then go for it. If like me, you prefer to only use the most effective products and take the shortest amount of time, there is zero shame in that as well, go for it. Do your thing and move on to other tasks. Take time to decide on how much time you are willing to commit to skincare application daily before curating a new skincare routine.
What is your primary skin concern?
We are all aware that we should care for our skin. The question is, are you simply using products without really mapping out a proper plan? Are you just using skincare for the sake of using it without knowing how your skin is affected? Consider how well your current routine is serving you before starting a new routine. You can then gauge what mode of action to change.
You might have a fix it all approach in mind, but it's never that easy. Starting a new skincare routine might seem like the ideal fix. This may even lead you to overdoing it on the advanced anti-ageing treatments, actives, and harsh peels. The overwhelming desire to go in guns blazing and fix everything at once.
It is important to note here that, if you are trying to target everything, you will not be effective in targeting anything. Rather than pursue aimlessly a number of products, get clear on your main pain points (targeted skin issues). Look for products that target your main skin concerns. Once you have that on a lock, zero in on something else.
When it comes to the skin, we tend to pay special attention to specific areas over others. You may struggle with acne breakouts or have significant areas of hyperpigmentation, a skin condition like psoriasis or eczema. Or maybe you just want a soft and hydrated skin. Get clear on your desired result before starting a new skincare routine.
How much are you willing to spend on a new skincare routine?
Skincare products are not exactly cheap. It is of great importance to consider the budget you are willing to allocate to your skincare. So, before being influenced into replicating your favourite celebrity’s entire skincare routine from a magazine article or Instagram post, consider this. Can you continuously maintain that skincare routine after depleting your first haul? It is harmless to fall in love with a set of products. However, if you will be unable to potentially re-purchase these products in the future, you might not be able to maintain the results.
Some people have the luxury of being able to invest in the best high-end skincare products there is. If like most people you are on a budget, it is important to keep in mind how sustainable your new routine will be. You do not want to have sleepless nights or go into debt to maintain a routine you clearly cannot afford. Fake it till you make it is not the way to go.
Decide what to splurge on and where you would like to be frugal in your skincare routine. Opt for affordable products that will get the job done nicely. Designate a budget to your beauty routine and work from there.
Any known ingredient allergies?
You should consider skincare product ingredients before purchasing a new set, keep an eye out for ingredients that may cause you irritation. This may involve some trial and error to see what your triggers are if you don't already know them, but you must ensure that the products are not making the situation worse. Some people are intolerant to certain active ingredients like retinol or certain acids. Consider searching for alternatives. In situations where your skin is incompatible with an ingredient, kindly discontinue that product immediately unless recommended by a dermatologist as certain ingredient tend to purge the skin.
When it comes to skincare ingredients, it is advised to patch test a new product before using it over a large area of the skin to see if your skin is compatible to the product. It can be on the jawline. Find out what your triggers are and tailor your product needs around it. It will be extremely wasteful to start a new skincare routine only to have it not agree with your skin.
What's your skin type?
Knowledge of your skin type is a vital part of creating a proper skincare routine. You want to choose products that work with your particular skin type, and not against it. If you have blemish prone skin, it will be unwise to use comedogenic products. If you have really dry skin, you will want to take it easy with astringent toners or stay away totally. For oily skin, do not skip moisturizer but avoid products with oil or anything that makes you feel greasy. No need to feel like a barbequed turkey.
If you are unsure of your skin type, pay particular attention to how it feels completely free of product. A simply rule of thumb is to wash your face, dry with a paper towel and let it sit completely free of products. Examine your skin after thirty minutes. If your skin feels tight and parched, you likely have dry skin. Oily skin will have areas of shine on the forehead, nose and cheeks. If you have some oil through the T zone and are not uncomfortably dry, you may have combination skin.
Are you happy with the current condition of your skin?
Some people are lucky to have really good skin and have no significant issues with their skin’s current state. In this situation you might want to assess how your skin will react to an entirely new routine. It might seem exciting to start a new skincare routine, but you might not actually need it. No need to fix what isn’t broken.
It's just like a person who is already in good shape, unnecessarily going on a diet. Or leaving a great relationship to explore what is out there. Just make sure you are not walking out on something that is already good. If what you currently have works for you, you might want to stick with it and not be carried away by the new best thing.
On the other hand, if you've been sticking to a certain routine but are unsatisfied with the results and you have been consistent in your application for months, and are seeing next to no changes, it might be time to look at alternative treatments. For those with terribly damaged skin, it can be unnerving to start a new skincare routine. The fear that it will cause your skin to get even worse is a real thing.
Pilling your skin with an endless number of products, even if they are tested and trusted efficacious formulations, might be doing you a great disservice. It may be better to actually dial down your skincare for a while and see how your skin acclimates. Then slowly reintroduce new products if the thought of a complete overhaul is a bit overwhelming for you.
Is your lifestyle matching?
If you find the state of your skin unpleasant, it may not necessarily be the skincare products you use. You may find yourself purchasing endless supply of all the very best product formulas and applying them diligently. You may adopt a new skincare routine every other month and still get no result. In situations like this, it may be prudent to assess your lifestyle before committing to a brand-new skincare routine. It would be expediate to address certain lifestyle factors that might be interfering with the potential results you could experience from your skincare.
A person who has been chain smoking for decades will most likely find it really difficult to combat dullness and lines. They may not be able to achieve plump and glowing skin. Regardless of the amount of money they invest in skincare products and treatments.
Are your expectations realistic?
You must remember that there is only so much skincare can do. Marketing campaigns and advertisements may lead you to believe otherwise, but skincare is not intended to work miracles. There is no such thing as a permanent face lift in a jar. If you are spending exorbitant amounts of money on products, you might want to reassess your skincare expectations. Rather than jump from one routine to another, determine what your real expectations are.
We sometimes let ourselves get influenced into believing that products with such high costs must be effective. The expectation is that, the higher the price tag and hype, the more effective it is, after all it must be able to live up to its claims. Nevertheless, certain ingredients certainly play a role in tackling the appearance of the skin, there is only so much lifting and firming it will do for you. It might be more beneficial for you to save the money spent on these products and go for an actual face lift. It is important you manage your expectations to avoid disappointment, and understand that while skincare will do a lot for you, it cannot do everything.
Finally, don’t be so hard on yourself, be patient. Appreciate and enjoy the journey. There's no perfect skin, there's just healthy skin and that should be the goal. Our skin differs from the next person, so enjoy the complexities of yours.
Set up for success
Different seasons sometimes calls for a new routine or a tweak here and there. By taking these factors into consideration before starting a new skincare routine, you are that much closer to a successful regimen tailored just right for your needs.
I hope you found this helpful. Let me know how your skincare journey is going or if you're a starter, I will love to hear from you.
Thank you for reading!
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