What Skincare Products Should I Use?

I want to help you get your healthiest and most beautiful skin.

We all know these days that not skincare products are not a one size fits all. It seems everybody with gorgeous skin has a 24-step skincare routine that they swear by. But, what works for one girl, can be completely wrong for another. If you wondering how you can choose the right skincare products for you, then you’ve come to the right place.

There is an abundance of skincare products out there, and you might have a few in your collection already. From anti aging serums to moisturizing facial oils and cleansing toners, what skincare products should I use?

You’re going to love this.

I am going to be taking you through how to select the best products for your skin type so you can build the best skincare routine that is simple, but effective. I’m going to show you which products you should be including building a routine for men, as well as how to incorporate them into your routine.

Here’s a tip- Simple is best, so you can be consistent. You don’t need to have all of the products to be able to build a skin care routine that works for you. Keep it up daily and you will see results in no time!

Let’s go!

Why knowing your skin matters

When it comes to looking after your skin, you need to understand what it needs. That’s why so many times we try one product after another, in the hope that it works out.

The truth is, before believing the label on the bottle, we need to know if it’s going to work for us. That’s why some of us research our skin, the products, even the best brands so that we only put the right stuff on our skin.

Rather than buy on a whim, we want to know about our skin’s needs and how to achieve the best results.

Although skin care doesn’t have to be expensive, there are a couple of rules that skin care addicts live by. Firstly, prevention is easier than treatment! and consistency is key. So if you want results, selecting the right product for your skin is the start to any good skin care regimen.

Rather than doing a what skin care products should i use quiz, I thought I would share with you the best skin care products for each skin concern, so you can skip straight to what your skin needs.

How healthy is your skin?

Before you go and treat your skin concerns, you need to ensure you have healthy skin. What do I mean by that?

I’m talking about having a healthy skin barrier. Sometimes, sun damage from tanning, UV rays and free radicals or using harsh exfoliants can damage your skin’s barrier and lead to moisture loss and dry or sensitive skin that gets irritated with everything.

Here are some signs of unhealthy skin:

Uneven Skin Tone- healthy skin should have a consistent tone, but if it is unhealthy then you may notice patches of redness or discoloration, particularly around the eyes. It could also be caused by too much stress or an unhealthy diet.

Dry Skin-Sometimes extremely dry or flaky skin is a sign of unhealthy skin, especially around the eyes and lips. Aside from using lotions, your skin should be able to stay hydrated from the inside out.

Itchy, tight skin– If you feel your skin tight or itchy, or maybe even a burning sensation, it could be a sign you have sensitive skin, or an allergy to an ingredient.

The good news is if you have any of these signs its not the end of the world. It simply means you need to focus your skin care routine on restoring your healthy skin barrier.

What is your skin type?

Knowing your skin type is going to make all the difference when it comes to choosing the right products.

Normal skin– Congratulations, you have everybody desired skin type! Your skin is healthy, neither too shiny or too dry.

Oily skin- If your skin feels shiny and breakouts easily, you might have oily skin. Sometimes you might feel every cream you use makes your skin greasy and clogs your pores.

Dry skin- Your skin feels tight, maybe has dry patches, and you might have to reapply facial cream multiple times throughout the day.

Combination skin- This is a mix fo oily and dry, typically a shiny t zone area (forehead, nose and chin) with drier areas.

Sensitive skin- For my sensitive skin gals out there, it can seem like every ingredient is an issue. Red, blotchy and even a burning sensation can be a hint that you have sensitive skin.

Mature skin- When we hit our 50s, our skin needs change. If you’re looking to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, firm skin and get a youthful glow, make sure your skin routine is adapted to mature skin.

In all cases, once you know your skin type, you can select the right products for it. You’ll have a much better chance at getting results.

How to select the right products for your skin

Whatever your reason for starting a skincare routine, selecting the right products for the desired result is key, whether that’s for a morning routine or a nighttime routine. Personalized skincare is just one step away for all skin types.

If you have- Dry skin

When it comes to using a cleanser, it’s best to avoid stripping or harsh cleansers. Go for a cleanser that is hydrating with no drying alcohols in the ingredients. When choosing a serum, you need to go for ones that hydrate, for example, oil-based serums like rosehip oil, and hyaluronic acid, which is key to locking in moisture and preventing moisture loss.

Finally, go for a moisturizer with a clean formula in the form of a rich cream rather than a lotion. This will help your skin absorb it and retain moisture all day long. Ensure it is an oil based moisturizer, or one that contains water as a first ingredient. Night creams are your best friend.

If you have- Oily skin

Oily skin can be difficult when you’re skin is shiny all day long. Nevertheless, you don’t want to be stripping it of moisture either. Use a gentle cleanser, maybe one with salicylic acid that will help to exfoliate and get rid of dead skin cells on a deeper level.

When using a serum, choose oil-free serums with active ingredients such as niacinamide that help to minimize pores and reduce oil production. When it comes to moisturizing, it is extremely important to continue to moisturize, but instead go for a lightweight, fast-absorbing moisturizer that is water-based.

Look for words such as non-comedogenic which means it won’t clog your pores, and make sure you select oil-free products. It’s a good idea to exfoliate with a gentle acid in the evenings such as glycolic acid or alpha hydroxy acids to to help with skin cell turnover.

If you have- Combination skin

It can be tricky to cater for combination skin health as they seem to have opposite needs. You need to go for a gentle cleanser, particularly focusing on your t zone area. You can choose water based serums that lock in moisture such as hyaluronic acid. This will help hydrate without clogging your pores so you can get smoother skin..

You can also exfoliate regularly using chemical exfoliants with active ingredients such as an alpha hydroxy acid or lactic acid to balance the oil. Choose a lightweight moisturizer that is water based, and if necessary apply a richer cream to dry areas such as around your eyes. It is key to use non comedogenic ingredients.

If you have- Sensitive skin

When it comes to delicate skin, you need to check the label. Go for a gentle cleanser in your skin care regimen that has few ingredients, particularly fragrance and parabens or other known irritants. Serums such as hyaluronic acid are a good choice as they are gentle. Avoid harsh acids or strong ingredients that can damage your moisture barrier.

You can also select a nourishing face oil such as jojoba oil or natural oils that can help towards better skin. Don’t forget a lightweight water based moisturizer with a clean formula free from irritants. It’s always a good idea to use sun protection to protect your skin from harsh UV rays.

If you have- Mature skin

Prevention is key when it comes to looking younger. You can start treating mature skin as early as your late 20s as a preventative measure, by using sunscreen and skin care products with retinol or collagen.

Use a gentle cleanser and exfoliate gently regularly. Using serums is key, especially retinol. This can help increase cell turnover and get youthful skin. It would be useful to use skin care products with collagen and retinol, as well as hyaluronic acid. You can also use a peptide serum that will restore key vitamins to your skin. Use an eye cream to treat fine lines and vitamin c serum for dark spots, it’s a great anti-aging ingredient.

As a moisturizer, go for a non comedogenic moisturizer, and rich cream in the evening. You can include one with retinol or collagen to increase collagen production too. Don’t be afraid to use oils such as rosehip oil to hydrate and plump the skin.

If you have- Acne-prone and scarred skin

if you have acne, look for ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide as an acne spot treatment that are perfect for treating breakouts daily. Glycolic acid is another good one cleansing your pores. You can choose a cleanser with salicylic acid to exfoliate daily, and glycolic acid toner in the evenings.

For serums, choose niacinamide to help fight acne whilst providing your skin with essential vitamins. Go for lighter, non-comedogenic, and oil-free formulas for the best moisturizer for you. Retinol can be a key ingredient in treating cystic acne or hormonal acne. You can also use azelaic acid to treat breakouts. For acne scarring, use an alpha arbutin serum and brightening vitamin c serum.

If you have- Normal skin

Looking after normal skin and maintaining a healthy moisture barrier is as simple as having a consistent skin care routine. Find a gentle cleanser with a good formula that works for you. Then you can go for a serum such as hyaluronic acid to niacinamide to provide key nutrients to the skin. Then go for a water-based moisturizer that will restore moisture and protect the skin. Finish off with an spf broad-spectrum sunscreen that will help against skin cancer.

Final Thoughts

What kind of skincare products should I use? There is no perfect regimen but a step by step guide can help. When it comes to skin care, it’s not just about keeping the skin hydrated. With so many products available such as an antioxidant serum, eye cream, vitamin c or a hydrating moisturizer, you’d do better focusing on your specific concerns and selecting products with key ingredients.

Whether that’s to prevent dryness, protect against uvb rays, treat dark circles, fading dark spots, aging signs, or calm irritation and balance the skin’s ph or even out darker skin tones, beauty products are the building blocks of personalized skin care so you can brighten dull skin.

All skin types benefit from a good skincare routine, but the best skin care routine is the one that is exactly what you need. Don’t forget the power of green tea too!

What new skin care products will you be trying today?