The Basics of Skincare: A Simple Starter Guide
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Picture this: You are freshly in your 20’s and have started becoming all too aware of the social media influencers and dermatologists emphasizing how your skincare journey needs to start now. The 12-step processes you see across TikTok are daunting, expensive, and you have no idea where to start searching for your perfect skincare routine.
As someone who is still learning herself, I won’t act like a skincare guru, but I can provide a small guide that I wish I had when I began buying skincare products. There is no point in going out and buying every product you see online if you have no idea what they are meant for and how to use them. If there is one piece of advice I wish to leave with you in regards to skincare it is that less is better, especially when you are young.
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If you are looking into what basics to get I recommend: a gentle cleanser, toner, moisturizer, and sunscreen. Dermatologist Dr. Carlos Charles expresses that cleansing your face is the most basic and important step of skincare as it “gently removes all the oil, dirt, and environmental factors our skin comes in contact with everyday.” My most trusted cleanser over the years has been from CeraVe, a brand recommended by many dermatologists, and one that is relatively affordable for college students. The magic of this brand is that they have products for various skin types and conditions, even featuring a quiz on their website to figure out the best skincare solution for you.
Image Courtesy: Cerave
After cleansing your face, a nice follow-up product would be a toner. Toners essentially act as an additional cleanser to remove impurities and balance out your skin. Though this can absolutely be an optional step in your routine, facial toners help cleanse, hydrate, exfoliate, and strengthen your skin - so they do a lot. You do not have to buy an expensive one either to see results! An affordable one from Neutrogena or Good Molecules at the drugstore does the trick. Your skin will be thanking you for keeping it hydrated and healthy.
Of course, the two products that provide the most skin support are moisturizers and sunscreen. Moisturizers are key products in preventing water loss and protecting the skin’s natural oils. They are also recommended by dermatologists as a daily, year-round product.
Cleansing and moisturizing go hand-in-hand; cleansing daily can strip your skin’s natural barriers, but if you follow-up with a moisturizer, you are able to retain the moisture and hydration necessary for that lovely glow. If you are looking for an affordable moisturizer, I have found that Nivea’s moisturizer leaves my skin feeling incredibly soft and applies extremely well. I will admit I am a sucker for Korean moisturizers and sunscreen — my favorite brand is Innisfree, which I have surprisingly found in retail stores like TJ Maxx and Marshalls. I bounce between these two moisturizers depending on the amount of hydration my skin needs, and I can say they have never disappointed me.
Lastly, if you were to minimize your skincare routine to only two products, you need sunscreen to be one of them. Sunscreen is extremely important towards protecting your skin and perhaps the most crucial part of a skincare routine. Sun damage is no joke, and sunscreen protects the skin from skin cancer, fine lines, wrinkles, and imperfections caused by the environment.
Dermatologists recommend applying sunscreen 15-30 minutes before sun exposure and reapplying every couple hours. It may seem tedious, but it truly is one of the best and most effective ways to take care of your skin. I live by this rule of thumb so much that I carry my Innisfree sunscreen with me — it may be the only product I consistently remember to use.
So while our TikTok influencers mean well and should be thanked for not gatekeeping great products, remember that you do not need a 12 step routine to obtain good results. You can easily achieve clear and beautiful skin with a simple routine consisting of cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. The purpose of developing a skincare routine is finding what works best for you. Starting small will help you get your feet in the water without your bank account and skin barriers taking a hit.
Strike Out,
Writer: Isabella Koeut-Futch
Editor: Annika Chaves
Graphic Design: Paige Yoskin & Sav Galbert
