How to Build a Skincare Regimen

 

The most popular question I see people who are trying to build a skincare regimen asking people they perceive have good skin is: “what do you use on your skin?” 


The problem with this is that it sets you up for failure is you don’t know your skin type.


I know, you’re probably getting tired of me talking about skin type, but it’s true! You cannot build a skincare regimen without knowing your skin type. If you’re still not sure what your skin type is, check out our blog where we do a deep dive into the 4 main healthy skin types.


Ok, so you know your skin type. Now what? Consider what problems you’d like to address. Are you experiencing dry patches? Acne? Do you want to start combating aging? Or are you just looking to continue maintenance of your skin? All of these things will play a role in the products you select for your skincare regimen. In this blog, we’ll review the basics of a skincare regimen and some add-ons you can include to target specific skincare goals you may have in mind.


 A basic skincare regimen should include:

  • Cleanser
  • Moisturizer
  • SPF

As we discussed in our skin type blog, selecting an appropriate cleanser and moisturizer for your skin type can go a long way in helping you achieve your skincare goals. In addition to selecting the appropriate cleanser and moisturizer, you’ve got to protect your beautiful skin with a product containing SPF. Check out our blog where we talk at length about the importance of sunscreen and include some helpful tips so you can choose a product that works for you.


Skincare Regimen Add-Ons

Outside of a cleanser and moisturizer, there are several other products you can include in your skincare regimen to treat, improve, or prevent different skin concerns. We took time to select some of the most popular skincare products we see on the market. 

  • Toners
    • Toners are a lotion, tonic or wash designed to cleanse the skin and shrink the appearance of pores. Toners help to remove any lingering dirt, make-up, or grime from the day without stripping the skin of its natural oils. They’re a great option for people with oily, acne-prone skin. Toners can contain active ingredients meant to help treat different skin concerns. Toner should be applied to the face after cleansing and before moisturizing.
  • Essences
    • Essences are water-based that contain a high content of active ingredients to hydrate, protect, and boost the overall health of skin. Because essences are meant to hydrate your skin, they should be applied after a toner. Essences are a great option for people with dry skin, or anyone looking to combat aging.
  • Serums
    • Serums are one of the most versatile skin care products. They work by delivering powerful ingredients directly into the skin. Serums can address a variety of concerns for healthy skin, including hydration, aging, acne, dullness, texture irregularities, and uneven skin tone.
    • While serums offer solutions to many skincare concerns, there are some ingredients that conflict with one another and can lead to irritation, so be sure to do your research prior to using multiple serums at the same time.
    • Using between 1 and 3 serums is ideal. Using more than3 serums can lead to one or more of the products not being absorbed. Serums should be applied after essences.
  • Masks
    • Masks are another incredibly versatile skincare product. There are a variety of masks to address a variety of skincare concerns. 
    • Masks come in many different forms. Some types of masks include: mud, clay, sheet, silicone, and gel. Some masks are even meant to be used overnight.
    • Generally, masks should be applied after cleaning your face, and before the application of any other products.
  • Other Skincare Products and Treatments
    • Retinol- Retinol is a form of vitamin A that can be found in many skincare products. Retinol is used to help with anti-aging by increasing cell production. It can also assist with unclogging your pores, so may be a good option for people with acne-prone skin. While retinol is a great product, it can increase sun sensitivity, so are best used at night. Retinol also conflicts with many other ingredients, so be sure to do your research before adding retinol to your skincare regimen.
    • Tools
      • Gua Sha- Gua Sha is a facial massage tool that assists with lymphatic drainage. Regular face massages can help decrease tension in your facial muscles and increase microcirculation, which smooths fine lines. Regular Gua Sha is also great for people with acne-prone skin by moving congestion and improving circulation. Gua Sha should be done at least twice a week and as much as every day. When using a gua sha, you will need to lubricate your skin with something that will assist the stone in gliding across your skin. Some options include a facial oil, petroleum jelly (if you slug) or doing it while your face is wet from washing.
      • Jade Roller- Jade rollers are somewhat similar to gua sha in that they both offer lymphatic drainage, however, gua sha is more of a facial muscle release massage and meant for sculpting, whereas jade rollers are specifically designed as a facial lymphatic drainage.
      • Kansa Wand- Kansa Wands are another type of facial massaging tool designed to stimulate blood circulation. They’re different from Gua Sha in that they feature a metal dome made of copper and tin. Kansa is a well known Ayurvedic treatment that promotes lymphatic drainage and removes built up toxins. Kansa wands should only be used with a facial oil or serum that will assist in lubricating the skin to prevent tugging.
      • Microcurrent Facial Wand- You may be seeing people using something that looks like a small razor on their face in trending skincare videos and posts. These are called microcurrent facial wands. These wands are designed to deliver a low current of electricity to your muscles and skin cells to help increase collagen production. These devices can be quite expensive, ranging anywhere from $70 - $100. There are debates around the effectiveness of these devices, so be sure to do your research if this is something that interests you.
      • LED Light Therapy Masks- LED light therapy masks are those bulky, robotic facial masks that glow different colors you may see a lot of your favorite influencers using. LED light can assist in treating different skin concerns. For example, amber light helps stimulate collagen and skin your skin’s elastin. Red light helps reduce inflammation and promotes blood circulation. Blue light can help kill acne causing bacteria. While these at-home masks are a nice option, they are not comparable to in-office treatments by a skincare professional. These in-home devices are also quite expensive, ranging from $100 - $800, so they are not incredibly accessible.

I know that was probably an overwhelming read. I sometimes get exhausted just thinking about all of the options out there. The good thing is that these are all just options, meaning they are not a necessity, and you certainly shouldn’t use all of these at the same time- that would be pretty difficult to manage. As always, take your time, assess your skin’s needs, your goals, and most importantly, do your research! 


We hope this guide was helpful! Let us know in the comments what topics you'd like us to explore in future blogs and follow us on our other platforms for more skincare tips and tricks. 

 Want more news from The Regimen Company? Subscribe to our newsletter using the form at the bottom of this page.

Leave a comment