Lifestyle, Style & Beauty

Basic Daily Skincare Routine

|Dawn Le

I wear skincare like I’m putting on my supersuit.  More than makeup or fashion, skincare gives me the greatest confidence to take on the world.  My routine has changed from my old one, and it’s for the better:  I wear minimal to no makeup, spend less money, and use fewer products –  even the ones that I thought were essential, like masks and eye creams.  If you have a solid enough skincare routine, I discovered that you may not need them (maybe just to pamper yourself, of course).  So, what does a solid skincare routine look like?  That’s totally personal, since everyone’s skin is unique.  However, cleansing, moisturizer, & sunscreen are the bare minimum steps.  If you can achieve great skin with just these three steps, lucky you!  For the rest of us though, we probably need to do more to meet our unique skin concerns.

As an example, my skin type can be complicated (depending on the climate, etc.), but for the most part, I have combination skin that leans more towards the dry side.  This means that although I don’t get as much acne, my skin is prone to dehydration and wrinkles.  For that reason, I have to go beyond the bare minimums and incorporate active ingredients.  

Before I share what my basic daily skincare routine looks like, here are some good rules of thumb to keep in mind: 

  • As you’ll see in this post, treat your nighttime routine like a skin repairing process, and your daytime routine like a skin protecting process; your skin regenerates and heals itself as you sleep, while it endures daily environmental stressors when you’re awake. 
  • Whether it’s day or night, remember to apply your products from the thinnest to thickest consistency (or watery to gloopy). 
  • Last but not least, the most important rule of thumb is to listen to your skin – feed it with what it needs, not what’s on trend, unless that’s what it needs. 

 

Night Routine: The Repairing Process

Step 1: Double Cleanse

Like my old skincare routine, I still double-cleanse:  Use a cleansing oil or balm first and then a regular cleanser.  The former emulsifies with any dirt, oil, sunscreen, or makeup residue from the day and melts down the gunk, while the latter thoroughly cleanses everything off the face, leaving behind a clean bed sheet for the night repairing process. 

Banilla Co.’s Clean it Zero is a cult classic cleansing balm.  I prefer balms over oils because they’re easier to travel with.  As for cleansers, I’ve been using the A New Leaf Cream Cleanser from Soko Glam’s new skincare line, Good (Skin) Days, along with other products (mentioned throughout this post).  This hydrating cleanser doesn’t strip your skin and feels refreshing, probably due to the mugwort and green tea ingredients.

 

Step 2: Toner and/or Essence

After double cleansing, I come in with a toner.  I’ve heard mixed opinions on whether or not a toner is necessary.  Personally though, my dull skin can’t seem to get a brighter complexion without it.  People use toners to add a boost of hydration, prep the skin, incorporate more of their favorite skincare ingredients, or all of the above.  For me, it’s all of the above, which leads me to essences.  I wrote “and/or” because my regular method is to use a toner first and then follow up with an essence afterwards.  However, I’ve been hearing that toners and essences are actually the same thing!  I’m not sure what to make of this new information yet, but for now, I’ll stick to the above reasons:  The desire for a boost of hydration, a way to prep the skin, and include more of my favorite skincare ingredients.  If all three are included in one toner, great.  If not, then I don’t mind including an essence to achieve all three. 

I’ve been looking for a toner that does it all and contains rice as an ingredient, because rice helps brighten my dull skin.  I’m From’s Rice Toner seems to fit the bill.

      

Step 3: Serum

Serums contain highly concentrated ingredients that target specific skin concerns.  I often change serums, depending on my skin concerns at the moment.  These days, I’ve been using anti-aging serums with ingredients that target wrinkles, such as peptides and ginseng.  

Ginseng is powerful at diminishing fine lines.  So, I picked up a serum with it as the main ingredient.  I’m From’s Gingseng Serum has 7.98% essence from six-year old Red Ginseng.

 

Step 4: Moisturizer

Noticed how everything above was a thinner consistency?  It’s thinner because the ingredients are meant to penetrate deeper into the skin.  Moisturizers are the thickest consistency, and they serve as a blanket to tuck all those ingredients in at night.  When I look for moisturizers, I seek out ones with simple formulas that do the job – no need for anything fancy.  Lately, I’ve been specifically drawn to ceramides as an ingredient for moisturizers.  Ceramides are lipids naturally found in the skin’s barrier that help maintain moisture and protect against environmental aggressors.  When in a moisturizer, they truly provide a nourished, protective blanket for your skin at night.   

Holika Holika’s Good Cera Super Cream is packed with ceramides. Muji’s Moisturizing Cream is one that I repurchased many times – simple, no frills, does the job.

 

Alternate Days

On some days during the week, I use a chemical exfoliator and a retinol – products that are not recommended for everyday use.  Two times a week, I swap out the toner step with a chemical exfoliator, and three times a week, I swap out the serum step with a retinol.  Don’t use these products at the same time though, because it could be too much for your skin in one go.  I will usually reach for a retinol one night, and then a chemical exfoliator the next night.  

Chemical Exfoliator

There are two types of exfoliator:  A physical exfoliator is a wash-off scrub that you use to buff away dead skin, whereas a chemical exfoliator contains active ingredients (AHA, BHA or PHA) that you leave on your skin to slowly shed the dead skin away.  In the past, I exclusively used scrubs to exfoliate, probably because I saw immediate results with them.  However, I’ve learned that scrubs can be quite abrasive for your skin, and products with “instant results” may not be good for you overtime.  Also, scrubs only scratch the surface of the skin, whereas chemical exfoliators dig deeper into the skin to clear out pores and may provide added skincare benefits, such as collagen production.  Chemical exfoliators may show slower results than physical ones, but overtime, the skin will feel healthier.  I’d even say that chemical exfoliators is the reason why I don’t reach out for masks as often.   

Some by Mi’s 30 Days Miracle Toner is a chemical exfoliator that contains AHA, BHA, and PHA.

Retinol

Retinol is the only skincare ingredient that has been scientifically proven to reverse signs of aging.  It’s also considered a “cure-all” ingredient for any skin concerns.  However, it’s not commonly available because it can be tricky to formulate and use.  People often need to build a tolerance to retinol first, starting with lower concentrations and usage frequency, then build their way up.  

Versed’s Press Restart Gentle Retinol Serum is a great one for beginners. You can also find Versed products at Target.

 

Day Routine: The Protection Process

Step 1: Toner and/or Essence

The day routine is simpler than the night one.  Instead of using a cleanser in the morning, I just splash my face with water.  Then, I use the same toner and/or essence from the night before to prep my skin for the following daytime products.   

 

Step 2: Vitamin C Serum

As an active ingredient, vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that protects your skin throughout the day.  You can find it in moisturizers or even toners, but I prefer it as a serum.    

C’s the Day Serum, another Good (Skin) Days product.  Dare I say?  Probably my favorite Vitamin C serum, and I’ve only tried it for a week so far.

 

Step 3: Moisturizer

Moisturizers are important for both night and day.  I usually use the same moisturizer to save costs and minimize the amount of products that I have.  From time to time though, I’ll try out a new moisturizer that doesn’t provide enough moisture for me at night (your skin is drier at night).  When this happens, I’ll use it during the daytime and find a more nourishing moisturizer for the nighttime process. 

I’ve been testing out I’m From’s Mugwort Cream.

 

Step 4: Sunscreen

Protecting yourself against the UVB and UVA rays of the sun is crucial.  This is especially true if you play with active ingredients, such as retinol and vitamin C, since they make your skin more sensitive to the sun.  UVB rays are known for causing sunburn, while UVA rays sink deep into the skin and are the culprits for dark spots, fine lines, uneven skin tone, and wrinkles.  They can even pass through window glass!  When looking for a sunscreen, I recommend finding one that protects against both UVB and UVA rays.  In other words, a sunscreen that’s labeled “broad spectrum” or says something like, “SPF 50 (the number represents the level of protection against UVB rays) and PA ++++ (the pluses represent the level of protection against the UVA rays).  Also, it’s important to reapply sunscreen throughout the day, every 2-3 hours if you’re always outside.  I admit, I haven’t been adventurous in the sunscreen world, because let’s be honest, sunscreen is often chalky, unpleasant to reapply, and leaves a white cast.  However, the Biore UV Watery Essence has been my failsafe.  I discovered it when I was in Japan, and it’s affordable, hydrating, does not leave a white cast, and is pleasant to reapply.     

Biore UV Watery Essence is great for all skin types. Oh, and the little black octopus? It’s actually a skincare product too – Tonymoly’s Tako Pore Stick.

 

That’s pretty much all of the steps!  Most of these skincare products, along with a wide-range of other products, can be found on Yesstyle.  If you use the code INKFORMANT during check-out, you can get 5% your first purchase.  I earn a small commission if you do, and as I mentioned in the About page, any money that I generate from the blog will go directly towards Panels & Me.

As always, thank you so much for your support, and cheers to all our skin health!

Dawn is the creator of The Inkformant.

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