How to Build a Basic Skin Care Routine for Beginners

Step 1: Know Your Skin Type
Step 2: Make a List of Essential Products
1. Cleansing
2. Moisturizing
3. Sun Protection
Step 3: Additional Products for Advanced Skincare
1. Exfoliation
2. Serums and Treatments
3. Eye Creams
Step 4: Consistency is Key
Step 5: Listen to Your Skin
Step 6: Get Help from a Professional
Final Thoughts: Start Simple

Skin care has become a primary focus for many people who want to improve their appearance. The state of our skin can often tell us important things about our body’s overall health like how well we’re sleeping, whether we’re effectively eliminating toxins, and whether we’re getting enough of the right nutrients.

When it comes to the topical aspect, starting a skincare routine can be overwhelming with the abundance of products and advice available today. You might be wondering about things like serums, sunscreen, and even devices for skin.

But building a basic skincare regimen doesn't have to be complicated. The key is to focus on fundamental steps that cater to your skin type and concerns. This guide will walk you through the essentials of skincare, helping you create a personalized routine that will help you get your glow.

Here’s how to build a basic skin care routine for a beginner:

Step 1: Know Your Skin Type

Before diving into products, it's crucial to understand your skin type. Knowing your skin type will help you choose the right products that address your specific needs.

- Normal Skin: Balanced skin with minimal issues like oiliness or dryness.

- Oily Skin: Prone to excess oil production, often leading to shine and acne.

- Dry Skin: Lacks moisture, resulting in flakiness, tightness, or rough texture.

- Combination Skin: A mix of oily and dry areas, usually oily in the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) and dry on the cheeks.

- Sensitive Skin: Easily irritated by products, environmental factors, or even diet.

Step 2: Make a List of Essential Products

A basic skincare routine involves three main steps: cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection. If you’re dealing with a specific challenge like acne or wrinkles, you may want to add a serum or cream to address those issues. We’ll discuss this more in Step 3.

The steps below are the foundation of healthy skin, and you can add other steps as needed once you're comfortable with the basics.

1. Cleansing

Cleansing is the first and most important step of any skincare routine. It removes dirt, oil, makeup, and impurities that can clog pores and lead to breakouts or dull skin.

- How to Cleanse: Use a gentle cleanser that suits your skin type. For oily skin, look for foaming cleansers that help control oil. For dry or sensitive skin, opt for cream or hydrating cleansers that won't strip your skin of moisture.

For most cleansers, you’ll place a quarter sized amount of the cleanser in your palm then gently massage it into your skin in circular motions before rinsing with lukewarm water and patting your face dry.

- When to Cleanse: Cleanse your face twice a day—once in the morning to remove any oil and sweat from the night and once in the evening to wash away makeup, dirt, and pollutants.

Recommended Starter Products:

- Normal Skin: CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser

- Oily Skin: Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash

- Dry Skin: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser

- Sensitive Skin: Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser

2. Moisturizing

Moisturizing is vital for all skin types as it helps to hydrate the skin and maintain its natural barrier. A good moisturizer will lock in moisture and prevent dryness or irritation.

- What to Use: Choose a moisturizer based on your skin type. Oily skin types may prefer a lightweight, oil-free gel moisturizer, while dry skin types may benefit from richer, creamier formulations.

-How to Moisturizer: Place a small dollop of products in your palm then gently massage it into your face until it's absorbed.

- When to Moisturize: Apply moisturizer after cleansing, both in the morning and evening.

Recommended Starter Moisturizers:

- Normal Skin: Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream

- Oily Skin: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel

- Dry Skin: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

- Sensitive Skin: Aveeno Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer

3. Sun Protection

Sun protection is arguably the most important step in any skincare routine. Daily sunscreen use protects your skin from harmful UV rays that cause premature aging, sunburn, and even skin cancer.

- How to Choose a Sunscreen: Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30. Reapply every two hours when outdoors, and don't forget areas like your neck, ears, and hands.

-How to Use Sunscreen: Squeeze a dollop of the product into your palm and apply it to your face, being sure to spread it to your ears and neck. Apply more product if you don’t completely cover exposed areas.

- When to Use Sunscreen: Apply sunscreen every morning, even on cloudy days or when you're indoors near windows, as UV rays can penetrate glass.

Step 3: Additional Products for Advanced Skincare

Once you've established a basic routine, you can gradually add more products tailored to your skin concerns, such as serums, exfoliants, and treatments. Here are some additional steps you may consider:

1. Exfoliation

Exfoliating helps remove dead skin cells that can accumulate on the surface, leading to dullness and clogged pores. It can reveal brighter, smoother skin and improve the absorption of other skincare products.

- Types of Exfoliants: You can choose between physical exfoliants (scrubs) and chemical exfoliants (like AHAs and BHAs). For beginners, chemical exfoliants are often gentler and more effective.

- How Often to Exfoliate: Start with exfoliating 1-2 times a week and adjust based on how your skin responds.

Recommended Starter Exfoliants:

- Physical Exfoliant: Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant

- Chemical Exfoliant: The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution (AHA) or Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant (BHA)

2. Serums and Treatments

Serums are concentrated treatments that target specific skin concerns, such as dark spots, fine lines, or acne. They are typically more potent than moisturizers and can deliver active ingredients deep into the skin.

- Common Serums:

- Vitamin C: Brightens skin and protects against environmental damage.

- Hyaluronic Acid: Hydrates the skin by drawing moisture from the environment.

- Retinol: Promotes cell turnover, helping to reduce signs of aging and acne.

- How to Use: Apply serums after cleansing and before moisturizing. Start with one treatment product to avoid overwhelming your skin. Follow the instructions on the packaging for best results.

Recommended Starter Treatments:

- Vitamin C Serum: TruSkin Vitamin C Serum

- Hyaluronic Acid Serum: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

- Retinol: Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Serum

3. Eye Creams

The skin around your eyes is delicate and prone to showing early signs of aging. While not essential, an eye cream can help address specific concerns like puffiness, dark circles, or fine lines.

- How to Use: Gently tap a small amount of eye cream around the orbital bone, avoiding direct contact with your eyes.

Recommended Starter Products:

- Eye Cream: Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado

- Eye Cream: Good Molecules Yerba Mate Wake Up Eye Gel

Step 4: Consistency is Key

Consistency is the secret to seeing results in your skincare routine. It takes time for products to work. Skin turns over every 28-42 days so you’ll want to be patient. Some improvements may be visible in a few weeks, and it can take months to see significant changes. Stick to your routine, and don't be tempted to switch products too often.

The Glownote web app can help you organize your skin routine and form the habit of completing your morning and evening routine.

Step 5: Listen to Your Skin

As you build your skincare routine, pay attention to how your skin responds to different products. If you notice irritation, breakouts, or dryness, it may be a sign that a product isn't working for you. It's okay to experiment, but introduce new products slowly and one at a time so you can easily identify any issues.

Step 6: Get Help from a Professional

If you find yourself overwhelmed by the options, consider investing in a personalized plan or visit to a specialist to get more insight.

-Glow Plan: Glownote offers custom skin care routines designed by licensed and experienced estheticians.

-Dermatologist: The American Academy of Dermatology Association offers a searchable database to find a qualified dermatologist near you.

Final Thoughts: Start Simple

For beginners, simplicity is the best approach. Start with the basic steps of cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection. As you become more comfortable with your routine, you can add other products like exfoliants, serums, and treatments based on your skin's needs.

Remember, skincare is personal, and what works for one person may not work for another. Building a routine that works for you will require some patience and experimentation, but with the right approach, you can achieve healthy, glowing skin that makes you feel confident every day.