Disclaimer: All content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider before making any health-related decisions.
Finding my Routine
Being a teen with dry skin seemed easy to me. I didn’t have any acne, and I was grateful for that. Without any concern in the world, I would sometimes use a bar of soap to wash my face (I am not joking). Unfortunately, at some point, my skin became tight and started causing me discomfort. That’s when I realized I needed better skincare and found myself lost in the world of a million products. Where to start?
Luckily, my older sister had more knowledge about skincare than me and was available to help me out. She had asked me what I was using to cleanse my face in the mornings, and when I said a bar of soap – she was shocked.
Without extra moisture, my skincare would sometimes produce dry flakes. I showed them to my older sister, and she suggested I use a gentle cleanser and her moisturizers. It helped relieve the discomfort from dryness on my skin, but after that, I realized that it wasn’t enough moisture for me.
For those who are new to skincare, here is a small cheat sheet below.
My Skincare Cheat Sheet
Cleanser
- Usually a gel-like substance that is basically a soap for your face! It very gently cleanses your skin from skin oil or other impurities.
Moisturizer
- A heavier formula like a cream that hydrates the skin.
Sunscreen
- Protective layer from UV radiation coming from the sun. Sunscreens can come in many forms but gel or cream are most common!
The Benefits of Seeking Help
Sometime later, my mom scheduled an appointment with an aesthetician for me, where they examined my skin and told me that my skin was indeed dry. Their suggestion was to get a gentle cleanser, as some of the harsher ones would dry out my skin more (not to mention the bar of soap), to use a toner before the nourishing hydrating moisturizer, and to include sunscreen in my daily routine.
To this day, I use that advice and enjoy having elastic skin. I invested in some good products for dry skin like various night cream moisturizers and a specialized cleanser for dry skin. I wash my face once a day (usually every morning), and apply my moisturizing products afterwards. Then, after they are absorbed a bit by the skin, I apply sunscreen. Some people prefer to wash their face twice a day – after waking up and before bed – but I find that it’s too much for my dry skin.
I have wondered if there is anything beyond the products I use that could help improve my skin. Spoiler: there is!
My advice for those who are beginning their skincare journey is, of course, to consult a professional if possible. While appointments with aestheticians can get quite pricey, please bear in mind that there are skincare options that are suitable for all skin types. You might want to try some of the “all-skin-types” products first.
Start small – I find it important not to overwhelm myself with a plethora of changes to my lifestyle. After all, what matters is that you want to take care of yourself more – and I am proud of you for that! Hope I was able to provide some insights into this sometimes daunting journey.
What’s your skincare journey been like? Have you tried out any products or lifestyle changes for your skincare? Please share in the comments!
