How to Customize Your Beauty Routine for Your Skin Type
How to Customize Your Beauty Routine for Your Skin Type
By: Briley Rakow
With the constant bombardment of ads and testimonials about different skincare products and brands, it can be difficult to tell which products are right for your skin. Once we have these products, figuring out how often to use them and which to pair together can be a struggle. Skincare should be customized to fit your personal needs, and every routine should be unique to your skin.
There are a few universal tips no matter what type of skin you have. Avoid harsh scrubs and fragrances when possible. Physical exfoliants strip the skin and can cause dryness and irritation. It is better to opt for chemical exfoliants to remove build-up without stripping the skin of its natural oils. Fragrances can also be incredibly irritating and, while it is okay in small amounts, it is a good rule to avoid products that list fragrances high up on the ingredient list. Reading the ingredients list of skincare products is another helpful tip to avoid ingredients like alcohol and citric acids.
Moving into tips for people with dry skin, it is important to find products that are gentle and will not strip your moisture barrier. This can happen in all skincare products, so staying vigilant about what products you use is key to maintaining healthy skin. The Krave Beauty Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser is very gentle and does not froth up very much when used, which is usually a good indicator that a cleanser is stronger. Ingredients like green tea soothe irritation and make your skin feel bouncy and healthy after using. Krave Beauty is also a great brand for treatments, with products like the Great Barrier Relief Serum working to repair the moisture barrier and reduce the appearance of dark spots. With moisture being a key issue for those with dry skin, finding a thick moisturizer that prevents transepidermal water loss is key. The SkinFix Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Face Cream keeps your skin hydrated overnight and leaves it with a fresh glow in the morning. The most important and often overlooked skincare product is sunscreen, which should still be chosen based on your skin type. A great option for dry skin is the Kinship Self Reflect Probiotic Moisturizing Sunscreen Zinc Oxide SPF 32. It is very moisturizing and has barely any white cast so it works on a wide variety of skin tones.
For all those with combination skin, it can be difficult to find products that equally address the dry and oily areas of your skin. The Aveeno Calm + Restore Nourishing Cleanser has oat kernel extract that softens the skin and is a very gentle option to ensure that too much oil is not stripped from your skin. Simple formulas are usually key for combination skin, and the treatment phase is no different. The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Night Treatment is a simple and gentle serum that targets hyperpigmentation and uneven texture overnight, making it a great treatment for those with combination skin. Moisturizers can be particularly tricky for combination skin, but the Selfless by Hyram Niacinamide & Maracuja Moisturizer manages to control oiliness with niacinamide while protecting the moisture barrier with maracuja oil. For sunscreen, the Dr. Dennis Gross All-Physical Lightwest Wrinkle Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 30 works wonders. It is a bit pricier, but worth the money due to its lightweight formula that sinks into the skin with ease.
For oilier, and often more acne-prone, skin, ingredients need to work deep into the pores to remove buildup without stripping natural moisture. The Youth to the People Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser is an all-time favorite and offers a very deep cleanse while also soothing the skin. For further oil control, the Selfless by Hyram Salicylic Acid & Sea Kelp Pore Clearing & Oil Control Serum works to clear out your pores and leave your skin feeling clear and healthy. Lightweight moisturizers typically work better on oily skin, and the Rovectin Lotus Water Cream is lightweight but still boosts hydration. With oily skin, it is important to differentiate between oil and moisture, as your skin still needs to stay hydrated for optimum health. To round out your routine, try the Sun Bum Mineral Sunscreen Face Tint SPF 30, a silicone-based sunscreen that is light and very easy to reapply throughout the day (which you should ALWAYS be doing).
Treatments depending on your skin type are super important, but there are some skincare issues that affect all skin types. If you are looking to correct uneven texture and color in your skin, there are a few serums that are excellent for all skin types. The Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Exfoliating Toner is a chemical exfoliant that minimizes the appearance of pores and smooths out skin texture literally overnight. It is perfect for all skin types, but especially those with more combination to oily skin. For those who struggle with dark spots, the First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Niacinamide Dark Spot Serum is a nourishing formula that can greatly improve the appearance of dark spots. Similarly, the Selfless by Hyram Retinol & Rainbow Algae Repair Serum helps to fade acne scarring and even out hyperpigmentation in the skin. If you struggle with redness or sensitivity, the Glow Recipe Avocado Ceramide Redness Relief Serum could be right for you. It uses avocado oil and niacinamide to reduce redness and dryness in the skin, so it can be used daily or only when your skin is going through a rough patch.
Skincare is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, and knowing about your skin type can help you pick products that benefit you the most. Whether your skin is dry, combination, or oily, there are products that can address your skincare concerns and leave your skin feeling healthy every day.
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