Published:
Whether you’ve gained a newfound interest in skincare or your current skincare habits need a reset, skincare can seem like a complex world to explore. When it comes down to it, keeping it simple is the best way to go for now. Not only will this save you from overloading your skin barrier with too many new products all at once, but it will also make your new routine more convenient to carry out and, therefore, easier to stick to.
So, where do you actually start? Read on as VouPre shares some pro tips on how to put together a skincare routine for beginners.
Put Some Effort Into Finding the Right Cleanser
Just about every dermatologist would agree that cleansing is one of the most important steps of any skincare routine. However, many newbies make the easy mistake of picking the wrong cleanser…and things usually go downhill from there. Some end up with a cleanser that’s too aggressive for their skin, meaning irritation, sensitivities, and dehydration are usually the outcome. Others choose cleansers that aren’t powerful enough for their skin’s needs, resulting in congestion, inflammation, and breakouts.
So, how do you pick the right cleanser?
Your skin type should be the biggest influencing factor. If your skin type is oily or combination, you’ll need a cleanser that’s capable of lifting the excess grease on your skin. Foaming cleansers are great for this, but always opt for sulfate-free formulas, like the VouPre ClearSuds Foaming Purifier.
On the other hand, if your skin type is dry or sensitive, a gentle cleanser is a must. Removing too much sebum from your skin, which is already lacking in natural oil, will only damage your skin barrier. Pick a cleanser that contains plenty of moisturizing components, like the VouPre Radiance Facial Cleanser.
Hydration and Antioxidants Should Be the Focus of Your Serum
A skincare routine for beginners should be simple and easy to follow. Therefore, although there are other products that you could slot into your routine after cleansing, like toners and essences, we’d recommend moving on to a serum. Once you get to know your skin better and your new routine has become a habit, you can then look into adding in more products.
How do you decide which serum to use when there are literally thousands out there to choose from?
Your main priorities should be hydration and antioxidants. While some use two serums, one that focuses on each, going with a single, multitasking formula is much more convenient when you’re starting over with skincare and building a new routine. The hydrating ingredients in your serum will give your skin cells a much-needed moisture boost, while the antioxidants will keep your skin feeling protected from free radical damage.
The VouPre Vita C Serum offers all of this and more, which is exactly why it’s one of our bestsellers. This formula brings two forms of vitamin C, one of the most popular antioxidants around, together with vitamin A, vitamin E, and grape stem cells, all of which are also known for their high levels of antioxidant activity. Meanwhile, the inclusion of humectants and plant oils enables this serum to quench thirsty skin, ensuring a plump and supple finish.
Day and Night Call For Different Moisturizers
Moisturizing is another crucial part of any skincare routine. While some choose to use the same moisturizer day and night, it’s important to understand that your skin’s needs are very different in the mornings compared to the evenings. This makes it well worth having separate creams for day and night.
During the day, your skin cells focus on defense, and your moisturizer should support this. A moisturizer that contains plenty of antioxidants, like the Corrective Facial Cream from the VouPre Thermal Collection, is the way to go. With this cream also feeling silky and lightweight when applied, it’s perfect for daytime use.
Antioxidants are important at night as well, but so is hydration. Natural moisture loss increases overnight – your moisturizer should work against this. A cream that draws moisture to the skin while also locking it in with occlusives, like the VouPre Revitalizing Night Cream, will help to keep your skin feeling hydrated until morning.
UV Protection is Everything
We’ve already talked about how cleansing is one of the most important aspects of a skincare routine for beginners. However, when it comes to the most important, nothing beats UV protection. The sun causes so much damage to the skin in numerous ways. The most effective way to keep your skin looking and feeling healthy, both now and in years to come, is by keeping the appearance of UV damage at bay.
The issue for many skincare beginners, however, is finding a sunscreen that actually feels good on the skin. Many can feel overly thick or greasy. Some even leave a white cast behind on the skin, resulting in a ghostly appearance.
SPF moisturizers, like the VouPre Age Defense Cream SPF 30, don’t tend to do this. In fact, this formula looks and feels like a silky day cream. It disappears into the skin quickly, providing a radiant glow and enough sun protection to last you for a couple of hours.
Remember – no SPF product is capable of providing enough protection for the entire day. If you want to ensure that your skin is fully protected, you’ll need to reapply your sunscreen every two hours.
Gradually Introduce Exfoliation to Your Routine
When building a skincare routine for beginners, exfoliation needs to be approached carefully. Yes, it’s important – it clears away dead skin cells to prevent the appearance of clogged pores and acne. Exfoliation also gives the skin a luminous glow, providing the instant gratification that can help motivate skincare newbies to stick with their new routine.
At the same time, however, over-exfoliation is a problem that needs to be recognized. It happens when you either exfoliate too often or use an exfoliator that’s too powerful for your skin. The result is severe skin barrier damage, which can take months to recover from.
So, if you’re new to exfoliation, take it slowly to begin with. Pick a gentle exfoliant that isn’t going to irritate your skin, such as the VouPre Deep Renewal Facial Peel. Start by exfoliating just once a week to give your skin a chance to get used to it. After this, you can gradually increase how often you exfoliate, depending on your skin type. If your skin is sensitive, stick with once a week. Dry skin can usually be exfoliated twice a week, whereas oily skin tends to benefit from exfoliation three times a week.
A Face Mask Can Offer Numerous Benefits
Although face masks aren’t essential in the way that a cleanser or a sunscreen is, they’re useful products to add to your routine once you get into the swing of things. Face masks are usually packed with active ingredients. They’ll give your routine a boost, making it easier for you to tackle your visible skin concerns.
Many people also find masking to be very enjoyable. It offers therapeutic benefits, especially if you choose a mask that has been designed with this in mind. The VouPre Detoxifying Thermal Mask, for example, gently warms up once it has been applied to the skin. It feels ultra relaxing and very decadent. Not only will it do wonders for your complexion, but it will help to relieve mental stress too.
As always, remember to only use face masks that are suitable for your skin type. Some masks, like the VouPre Hydra-Glow Revitalizing Facial Mask, are safe for all to use. This mask focuses on hydrating the skin, which is something that all skin types need.
Learn to Listen to Your Skin
Once you’ve started following your new skincare routine, it’s crucial that you really listen to your skin. Sometimes, even though a product may theoretically be perfectly suited to your skin, the reality can be very different.
Your skin will tell you if it isn’t happy with any of the products that you’re using. Often, the signs can be quite subtle at first, which is why you really need to pay attention. If your skin is reacting in a negative way, either scale back your use of that product or switch it out for something completely different.
Always Patch Test New Skincare Products
When putting together a skincare routine for beginners, you will likely end up using several products that you’ve never used before. This is where patch testing comes in. Every new product should first be patch tested on a small area of skin on your arm. If no reaction is seen after 24-48 hours, repeat the patch test on your face. Again, if after a day or two, your skin seems to be happy with that product, you can then go ahead and apply it to the rest of your face.
Your Lifestyle Matters Too
People often turn to skincare only once they’ve started noticing issues with their complexion. There’s no denying that a good skincare routine can really help with this. However, don’t forget that your lifestyle matters too. Even the best skincare routine in the world isn’t going to be able to do much if, at the same time, you’re destroying your skin with your lifestyle choices.
You’re probably already aware of which lifestyle habits are good and bad for your skin. Excessive alcohol consumption and smoking, for instance, are generally known to be bad news. On the other hand, eating a healthy, balanced diet, getting plenty of exercise and beauty sleep, and keeping stress to a minimum will all do your skin the world of good.
Summary
Although putting together a skincare routine for beginners can seem overwhelming at first, the tips that we’ve shared above will ensure that you’re on the right path. Once you’ve decided on your new routine, be consistent with it – this is vital if you want to see an improvement in your complexion as soon as possible.
Click here to boost your new skincare routine with more bestselling products from VouPre.
