Your skin is the largest organ in your body and clearly needs to be looked after. But more than that, it is also often the source of your confidence (or lack thereof) as it is the first impression you make anywhere you go.

With so much at stake, skin care should naturally be a top priority in everyone’s books. But what most people don’t realise is that skin care is a personal journey. And your best friend’s or even your sister’s skin care routine is not necessarily the right one for you.

So, how do you create a personalised skin care routine that is perfect for you? Read on below to find out!

What is your skin type?

Clearly, everyone’s skin is different. And knowing your own is a crucial first step to creating a perfect skin care routine for you.

Dermatologists generally classify skin into 4 main types:

• Normal skin
• Dry skin
• Oily skin
• Combination skin

Each of these benefit from a different and specialised skin care routine that targets and cares for the skin in a specific way. Therefore, correctly identifying your skin type is an important part of your skin care.

Normal skin is termed as such because it is not excessively oily or dry, and usually requires no special blemish or spot treatments.

Dry skin tends to be dull, cracked, flaky, and tender. It is extremely sensitive and requires attentive care.

Oily skin is characterised by a shiny and greasy appearance due to an excess of sebum. People with oily skin tend to have larger pores and are more prone to acne.

Combination skin is exactly as it sounds; a combination of the above-mentioned skin types. This may show itself as an oily T-zone with surrounding dry patches, or normal skin with occasional dry areas.

What should your skin care routine include?

Typically, your skin care routine should include 3 main steps:

• Cleansing
• Toning
• Moisturising

The steps of your skin care regimen may be adjusted to include special treatments for specific issues such as for the treatment of acne or dark spots.

Similarly, your skin care routine may be altered to suit the time of the day. For example, a day time routine could include a light moisturiser with an SPF rating of at least 30. Whereas, a night time regimen could forego the sunscreen, but could instead comprise the application of an eye cream, exfoliator, and a dose of an antioxidant-rich serum.

Should your skin care regimen take into consideration your skin type?

Yes. Unequivocally yes.

Selecting products that balance, harmonise, soothe, clean, treat, and heal your skin without aggravating it or stripping it, is the core of an effective skin care routine. Fortunately, the range of cleansers, toners, and moisturisers that cater to each specific skin type is vast; allowing you ample variety to choose the very best for your skin.

How do you build your skin care routine according to your skin type?

With each skin type requiring specialised care, it is important that your routine is based around what your skin needs rather than simply what’s on trend. Therefore, after identifying your skin type, you should aim to find products that optimise and enhance your skin’s health, while treating any issues that affect your skin’s appearance.

Ideally, your skin care routine should be built around these principles:

Normal skin

Typically, the easiest to care for and maintain, normal skin types could benefit from an effective cleansing routine followed by an alcohol-free toner.

And don’t forget the sunscreen! A day-time moisturiser with an SPF of 30-50 will provide you with the sun protection you need while still hydrating your skin. At night, opt for an antioxidant serum with brightening ingredients followed by a creamier moisturiser that rejuvenates and nourishes the skin.

Our top picks:

• L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Gel Wash Cleanser
• Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunscreen
• L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Night Cream

Dry Skin

Bordering on the sensitive side, dry skin types require hydrating formulas that seal the moisture barrier and replenish the skin.

A gentle, super mild cleanser with an antioxidant-infused serum followed by a hydrating sunscreen is ideal for the morning routine. At night, including a retinol serum along with a peptide-rich eye cream can do wonders to lock in the moisture while boosting collagen activity.

Our top picks:

• Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
• Neutrogena Bright Boost Resurfacing Polish
• Boots Vitamin C Brightening Eye Gel
• CeraVe Moisturising Cream for Dry to Very Dry Skin

Oily Skin

The goal of skin care for oily skin types is to control the skin’s excessive oil production without stripping the skin of its natural oils and drying it out. This is turn can lead to a significant reduction in acne, spots, and blemishes.

Choosing a cleansing gel with salicylic acid, a toner with witch hazel, a serum with tea tree oil, and a sunscreen with zinc oxide will leave your skin feeling cleansed, refreshed, healed, and hydrated. All while reducing shine, and leaving behind a matte-finished appearance.

Our top picks:

• CeraVe Blemish Control Cleanser
• Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Sunscreen
• Neutrogena Refreshingly Clear Daily Exfoliator
• Neutrogena Refreshingly Clear Oil-Free Moisturiser 

Combination Skin

Combination skin types are typically tricky to care for, but selecting the perfect products can go a long way in making you look and feel your best.

Start off with a gentle cleanser followed by a pore-minimising serum (preferably with tea tree oil or salicylic acid). Include a lightweight moisturiser and a zinc oxide sunscreen for all day hydration + protection. A retinol-based serum at night, with the occasional clay mask can help end your day in the perfect way.

Our top picks:

• Garnier Skin Active Micellar Cleansing Water
• La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVmune 400

Why is it so important to stick to a skin care routine?

The way your skin looks and feels depends on more than just genetics. In fact, a large part of your skin’s health hinges on the care it receives. This is where your skin care regimen comes in.

Like the rest of your body, your skin requires cleansing, nourishment, elimination of toxins, and hydration. And a perfectly created skin care routine can help you achieve exactly that; which allows you to look and feel your best.

However, we cannot simply mimic another individuals skin care routine and adopt it as our own. Why? Because our skin is as unique as our personalities. And taking care of its health requires careful consideration of its type and what would work best for you.

Optimal skin health, after all, is not achieved in a day or even a week. It requires patience, discipline, and consistency. Selecting the right products for your skin type is also not enough. Keeping up with your carefully curated routine is what makes the difference between unhealthy, dull, blemish-prone skin, and skin that is healthy, radiant, and glowing.

Looking to create the ultimate skin care routine? Start by checking out the incredible array of products that are available just a click away! Visit essentails.lk today to find the best products at the best prices!