If achieving glowing skin were as easy as drinking a magical potion, we’d all be walking around like radiant goddesses. But, alas, great skin takes a bit more effort (and a lot less magic). Whether you’re a skincare newbie or have a bathroom full of serums you don’t quite know how to use, this guide is here to save your face—literally.
Ready to unlock your glow-up? Let’s dive into the seven steps that’ll have your skin beaming brighter than your future.
Know Your Skin Type (And Stop Using Your Friend’s Products)
The first rule of skincare? Stop copying what your bestie does. Her products might work for her, but they could turn your face into an oil slick (or a desert). Knowing your skin type is the key to picking the right products.
A quick guide to follow goes somewhat like this:
Oily Skin: You’re basically glowing all the time, but not in the good way. Your skin oils up on its own even when you don’t apply anything. Stay away from the creamier stuff, for instance, your moisturizing is better done with lotions(lower oil-to-water ratio), and not creams(higher oil-to-water ratio). Look for mattifying ingredients like niacinamide.
Dry Skin: If your skin stays dry 1 hour after washing and cloth-drying, then yeah, you have naturally dry skin. You are the one they had in mind when they invented skin care creams!
Combination Skin: Lucky you, you get the worst of both worlds. Treat your face like the mixed bag it is—lighter products in oily zones, richer in dry ones.
Sensitive Skin: By now, I’m sure the word is out – you know it, you have sensitive skin. This is essentially not a skin type like the others – meaning you can still have an oily or dry sensitive skin, in which case, that consideration has to be made in addition to taking care of the sensitivity. With sensitive skin, less is better. Shorter ingredient lists are the winner for you. Less fragrance. Less layering. Less mixing (and less borrowing). Stick to soothing, gentle formulas that won’t freak your skin out.
Cleanse Like You Mean It
Let’s face it: that 5-in-1 body wash/shampoo/conditioner/face wash you borrowed from your friend isn’t cutting it. A proper, gentle cleanser is the start of any great skincare routine.
- Morning Tip: Here, you just need a quick refresh. A gentle cleanser will do.
- Evening Tip: If you wear makeup or sunscreen (which you should be), double cleanse! Oil cleanser first, then water-based
Toner: The Unsung Hero
Think of skin toning as the pre-game to the real party: it removes leftover grime and balances your skin, making everything else work better. It comes in somewhere, after you’ve washed and towel-dried your face, but before you apply your moisturizer and the other stuff. It does the final preparation of your skin for all stuff that comes after. Plus, it’s kinda like the skincare equivalent of saying, “Hey Suzan, I can be fancy too!”
- Oily skin: Go for a toner that controls shine (think, witch hazel, and the like).
- Dry/sensitive skin: Stick to hydrating toners—rose water or hyaluronic acid will make your skin sing.
4. Serum Time: Target Your Skin Issues Like a Boss
If skincare were a sport, serums would be the MVPs. These bad boys are loaded with active ingredients that get stuff done. Want to brighten your skin, fight aging, or just look like you’ve had 8 hours of sleep (which should be doing anyway)? There’s a serum for that.
- Morning Tip: Vitamin C is your glow-up bestie. Brightens, protects, makes you feel like you have your life together.
- Evening Tip: Use retinol or AHAs to boost cell turnover. Warning: you might wake up looking 5 years younger. (Okay, maybe 5 months.)
Moisturize Like It’s Your Job
No matter your skin type, moisturizer is essential. It’s like giving your face a nice hug after everything it’s been through. Oily folks, don’t skimp—hydration helps balance oil. Dry skin people, well, this is your moment to shine, so, bring it on like you mean it. If you use a toner oor cleanser in your routine(which you should), apply the moisturizer lotion (oily skin) or cream (dry skin) right after. Don’t waste time here, as the body may start taking its own remedying action against this temporary skin dryness/nakedness. For the oily skin folks, this means, natural oil production will kick in quickly, clogging your pores.
- Morning Tip: Light, non-greasy moisturizers work great under makeup.
- Evening Tip: Go rich or go home! Slather on a thicker night cream to wake up hydrated AF.
SPF: Because the Sun is Trying to Age You
The biggest secret to glowing, youthful skin? SPF. Every. Single. Day. We know, you’ve heard it before, but trust us—your skin will thank you. Besides, who wants to age like their leather handbag bought in some downtown shop whose name they can’t recall?
- Tip: Speaking of multitasking, find a sunscreen that also hydrates.
Exfoliate (But Not Too Much)
Exfoliating can be magical, but overdoing it can leave you red and regretting life choices. Stick to 1-2 times a week with a gentle exfoliant to buff away dead skin and reveal that inner glow.
- Tip: Chemical exfoliants like AHAs and BHAs work wonders without scrubbing your face like it’s a dirty pan.
Conclusion
So there you have it, the not-so-secret formula to glowing skin. It’s not magic, but with these seven steps, you’ll be glowing like you’ve just had a two-week spa retreat (or at least looking like you did). Stick to the routine, listen to your skin, and let the glow-up begin!