Medically reviewed by Minimalist Health Specialist - Written by Nancy Agrahari (Journalist) on 26th Sep 2020
Daily Skincare Routine For Glowing & Healthy Skin
Are you tired of slathering your face with Cosmetics?
Putting on the highlighter or concealing the pimple has become a regular in our world. Taking care of the face while fighting the current exposure to the virus has become a constant battle.
You want the products that protect your skin from the sun, reduce breakouts, face acne scarring while keeping the face hydrated and clean. The first step towards clear, even skin is to plan an effective skincare routine.
You need an effective skincare routine
A skincare routine is so much more than just blindly applying every skincare product available in the market. Every product like the cleanser, toner, moisturizer, acne-actives has a purpose. You wouldn’t want to use an expensive anti-aging cream and then clean it up with a toner a few minutes later. Would you?
Even though you may have been using products to fight acne, not following a day and night skincare routine can mess the whole thing. Skip breakouts, if all you want is to have healthy, even skin that has a goddess glow, you need the Minimalist skincare Routine.
What you should do to follow a skincare routine
Every skin type is different, like our DNA, so using the same products that your friend brags about is not the smartest idea. For healthy skin, you need to understand your skin, know your skin type, and then choose the products that will work for it.
We understand how exhausting the process can be, so we cleared the air and did the homework for you. Here are some important pointers:
- Identify your skin type
- Why you need the dual skincare routine
- Steps to get a visible glow on your face by following the day and night skincare routine
- Things you should never add in your skincare.
1. Identify your skin type
When it comes to an understanding of your skin type, every other person has an opinion to share. Regardless of people’s view, there is a list of dos and don'ts to get clear, glowing skin. The first step starts with identifying your skin type.
Identifying your skin will give you an idea of whether it is normal, dry, dehydrated, oily, or acne-prone. Then you can create your routine around the same.
2. To identify your skin type-
Step 1-
Wash your face with a gentle cleanser.
Step 2-
Pat dry your face and do not apply any cream for 40-45 minutes.
Step 3-
After 40 minutes, examine your face in the mirror to check your skin type.
Not applying any cream or moisturizer will help you understand the texture of the skin. If it forms an oily barrier, then you know your skin is oily.
Deciding between dry and dehydrated skin can be tricky. Though they might feel similar dry skin is a type of skin, while dehydrated skin is a skin condition. If your skin is dry, it needs hydration and other essential oils.
If you have dehydrated skin, then you have excess oil but no hydration.
For acne-prone skin, things are a bit dense. Though acne can be developed anywhere on the body, it mostly appears on the neck, face, or shoulders. If your acne is covered with blackheads or whiteheads (non-inflammatory) or is red and swollen pimples (inflammatory), go with the ultimate acne-prone/oily skincare routine. It is an effective skincare routine that minimizes your pores and gently focuses on giving you clear, smoother looking skin.
Once you know your skin type, proceed with choosing the right product for your skin type, the next step is to figure out the routine.
Why you need the dual skincare routine-
Your skin goes through a lot in a day. Even though we are currently restricted to our home and practicing social distancing, our skin is still affected. Wearing face masks all day, applying products through zoom calls and dirt can make it dry, itchy, and unhappy.
Your task is to protect your skin from the harmful UV rays, pollution, and now even dirt and viruses in the morning. The nighttime routine is all about cleansing and prepping up your skin before your beauty sleep.
In other words, daytime skincare is always about protecting your skin, and nighttime skincare is about prepping the skin before the beauty of regeneration.
Daytime Skincare routine
Start your day with a good face wash. Washing/cleansing your face is an important routine you should follow no matter what. This includes applying sunscreen every day too. Our skin is exposed to various elements throughout the day; following a daycare routine will keep it healthy and glowing.
The routine you choose helps you to order your skincare products. The standard rule is to layer skincare products based on their weight. The products should be applied from thinnest to thickest consistency so that the skin absorbs it well. For example- you should always apply serums before creams and moisturizers. Follow the Minimalist step to step skincare routine for clear, glowing skin.
Step 1- Cleansing the way through
The first step to glowing skin is cleansing the skin. Using a gentle cleanser with lukewarm water will rid your face of all the excess bacteria, oil, dirt, and dead skin cells.
To apply products and protect your skin, you need a clean canvas to start with, right? So cleansing the face is a must.
If you wonder why you need to clean your face just after you wake up, then we have the science behind cleansing your face in the morning. You see, when we sleep, the dirt from the pillowcase or the bacteria from the hair sits on our face. Cleansing the skin gets rid of all the serums and dirt leaving it plump and radiant.
Target Areas:
- Gently cleanse the face of all impurities
- Allows your skin to penetrate all the skincare products gently.
When to Use: AM & PM
Products to use: Cleansers with Salicylic Acid or other milky cleaners that clean the skin without drying it.
How to Apply:
- Wash your face with lukewarm water.
- Look for gentle non-drying cleansing cream, preferably with SA in it. Take a small amount of cleanser in your hands and mix it with water to create foam.
- Gently massage it onto your face with circular motions. Avoid the areas around the eyes and lips
- Wash the foam and pat dry your face with a face towel.
Step 2- Exfoliate your skin.
A gentle exfoliator removes all the dead skin cells from the face, for clean, even-looking skin. Ideally, an exfoliator should be used once or twice weekly. Scrubbing your face gently frees off all the dead skin cells left unshed on the Stratum Corneum (outermost layer of the epidermis).
The dirt and other unshed cells give the skin a dull, wrinkled look.
The exfoliator smoothes your skin, leaving it glowy and radiant. You can use an exfoliator of your choice, but use skin exfoliators with Salicylic Acid or Lactic Acid for a long-term glow.
Target Areas:
- Gently scrubs the dull, wrinkled skin for a radiant, smooth complexion.
- Even skin tone, and improves texture
- Fades dark spots and reduces the sign of aging.
When to Use: Preferably PM
Products to use Chemical exfoliators with Lactic Acid or Salicylic Acid. Look for exfoliators like Minimalist Lactic Acid 10%+ Hyaluronic Acid 2% that exfoliates the skin for younger and glowing skin. The skin regenerating technology mildly exfoliates the skin while keeping it hydrated and radiant.
How to Use:
- If you are new at exfoliating, start with using it twice a week. You may also begin by diluting other treatments/serums to reduce strength until skin develops tolerance.
- Take a few drops of this serum, or lather it in your hands and gently apply it all over your face.
- Allow 1-2 minutes before layering other serums or moisturizers.
- Exfoliation makes your skin susceptible to sunburn. Always wear a broad spectrum SPF 30 and above while using an exfoliator.
Step 3- Use Toner To Prep Skin
Toners are generally used after washing the face with a cleanser or soap but before applying serums or creams. Look for water-based toners as they target an array of skin problems like aging, inflammation, or dryness. Toners have evolved through time in the skincare world.
Applying a toner helps to prep up the skin for other heavy products while getting rid of any sebum, dirt, or makeup leftover on the skin.
Target Areas:
- Prep the skin for serums, creams or moisturizers
- Clean the skin of any makeup or dirt leftover by soap or cleanser.
When to Use: AM & PM
Products to use: Products with Vitamins, Aloe Vera, Rosewater or tree tea oil is good for the skin.
How to Apply:
- Take a cotton pad and soak it with the toner.
- Swiftly apply it all over your face and neck.
Step 4- Use Essence
Once you have cleansed and toned your skin, apply a few drops of essence onto your skin. Your skin will love essence as it will help maintain the pH level of your face. An essence is a light on the skin that acts as a motor to hydrate and recharge your face.
Targets:
- Maintains pH balance
- Hydrates and recharge the skin texture
When to Use: AM & PM
Products to use: There are many over the counter products that offer essence. Choose the ones with micro concentration so that it sinks deeply into the layers of the skin.
How to Apply: Soak a cotton pad with essence and gently dap it on the face and neck. Avoid the areas around the eyes.
Step 5- Use Serums
To keep your face hydrated throughout the day, use serums with Hyaluronic Acid in them. Hyaluronic Acid (HA) acts as a humectant that attracts and locks moisture in the skin. It gives you that instant glow from within.
Dr. Malvika Kohli., Dermatologist , Says:
Every skincare routine must have Vitamin C 20% serum, preferably with Hyaluronic acid and ferulic acid
Target Areas:
- Extremely versatile serum that gives you the dewy, angelic glow all day long
- Made with aloe juice instead of water gives you a non-sticky, smooth complexion
When to Use: AM & PM
Products to Use: Minimalist Hyaluronic Acid 2%+Vitamin B5 is one of the best hydrating serums available in the skincare world. It is an excellent hydrating booster with the benefits of Vitamin B5 that keeps you plump, radiant baby-soft skin.
How to Apply:
- Keep the face moist or apply right after using an essence/ toner. Take a pea-sized Hyaluronic Acid serum to your fingertips with a dropper. Apply it on the face by gently tapping it on the skin. With a circular motion, evenly spread the serum and allow your skin to absorb it.
- Allow it to soak for a few minutes then apply other actives/ serums.
Step 6- Use Actives or other treatment serums
Look for treatment serums or actives to reduce acne after you have applied a hydrating serum. The best way to ensure healthy, glowing skin is to use a mix of vitamins/antioxidants, concentrated nutrient-filled treatments.
Antioxidants like Vitamin C benefit the skin by shielding it from harmful UV rays, pollution, or dirt from outside. It also focuses on reducing dark spots or any blemishes from the skin for an even complexion. You can also look for Niacinamide serums or Benzoyl Peroxide if you have acne-prone skin. Read more about the use of niacinamide or Benzoyl Peroxide in significantly improving acne scars and then add them in your cart.
Target Areas:
- Reduce dark spots, acne, breakouts to revive healthy, plump looking skin.
- Reduce melanin production and visibly improves skin complexion.
When to Use: AM
Products to Use: You can use Vitamin C 20% + Ferulic Acid for visibly improving surface imperfections and dull-looking, unhappy skin. For other treatments, you can use Benzoyl Peroxide 2%+Glycolic Acid 5% or Kojic Acid 2%+Alpha Arbutin 1% to treat dark spots and blemishes.
Step 7: You'll need under-eye creams
Invest in a good eye gel or under eye cream to nourish, hydrate, and smoothen the skin around your eyes. Plus, it helps to easily apply makeup, so it's a win-win situation.
When to Use: Both AM & PM
Products to Try: Look for hydrating under eye gel or cream that leaves your skin soft and plump.
Step 8: Seal everything with a Moisturizer
After applying all the good serums and treatments, you need the moisturizer to boost the skin barrier. The moisturizer or creams act as a shield that protects the skin from the external damage while keeping all the good stuff intact.
So, layering up your face with a moisturizer (preferably water-based for acne-prone skin) should give you a smooth, plump outer layer that repairs your skin's barrier and prevents water loss.
Target Areas:
- Protects the skin from environmental pollution and boost skin barrier
- Act as a shield and lock all the good stuff in.
When to Use: Both AM & PM
Products to Try: Look for well-structured moisturizers (gel, serums, or cream) with both humectants to attract moisture and occlusive that seal and lock.
Step 9: Apply Sunscreen Everyday
Even though you are applying products like Vitamin C that protect the skin from harmful UV rays, they are not substitutes for sunscreen.
Sunscreen is great to protect your skin from exposure to UV rays that can cause sunburn, acne, tan lines, dull skin, or cancer. No matter the season or day, always wear a broad spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen in the house or before leaving the house.
Target Areas:
- Protects the skin from harmful UV rays
- Boost collagen levels for plump, healthy-looking skin.
When to Use: AM
How To:
- The ideal way to incorporate sunscreen is to apply it with a moisturizer.
- Take a generous amount of cream and apply it around your face and neck.
- Wear the sunscreen with Vitamin A, C, and Hyaluronic acid as it encourages collagen production.
Night Time Skincare Routine
There is a slight difference in the night skincare routine. At night our focus is to use products that target our skin problems, repair and rejuvenate it at the same time.
Step 1: Cleanse your face
Our skin goes through so much in a day. Regular use of face masks, makeup, and pollution can make it dull or prone to acne. The first rule tonight's routine is to cleanse your face and never sleep with makeup on, regardless of how tired you are!
If you only use sunscreen and minimal makeup, then a cream cleanser will effectively remove them. Using a cleanser helps clean your skin and leave it fresh and plump for other night care products.
In case you have dry skin, then try not to use cleansers with high alcohol content. Look for cleansers that have a soothing hydrating formula. So always buy a cream-based cleanser for your skin.
For oily skin, a cleanser with a low pH level is good for the skin. Oily skin people should get themselves gel or foamy based cleansers.
People with sensitive skin stay clear of any cleanser with fragrance/odor and additives.
How To:
- Cleanse your face twice a day, both in the morning and in the evening (or at night).
- Use boosting foam or face wash and gently clean your face with it daily.
- For best results, weekly cleanse your skin with a deeper cleanser.
Step 2: Exfoliate
Using exfoliators in the morning or evening depends from individual to individual. If you regularly use makeup or go out in the sun, then exfoliating your face in the evening will give you better results.
How To:
- Use an exfoliator once or twice a week.
- If you have a foamy exfoliator, apply it on the face and gently massage the face in a circular motion to clean the skin of all the dead cells.
Step 3: Active or Treatments
Once your face is clean from the exfoliating, look for hydrating creams or serums like Hyaluronic Acid to apply onto your skin. While exfoliating your skin can be helpful, it can also leave the skin dry. Using a hydrating cream will give it the hydration lost from exfoliation.
Step 4: Active or Treatments
Treat your skin with love by targeting the skin problems and applying treatments to reduce the same. At night our skin relaxes, and this is the perfect time to regenerate the skin cells and use more potent active ingredients. You can target acne by using Retinol 2% or Benzoyl Peroxide 2%.
Step 5: Use Eye cream
Once you have applied all the treatments and serums, take a generous amount of eye gel and apply them under your eyes.
Step 6: Moisturize and Mask
The night time is best to hydrate and keep your skin moisturized. Using a richer moisturizer that is heavier than your daycare moisturizer will prep your skin for the next day.
Try not to use oil-based moisturizers as your skin will already be dealing with bacteria from your saliva and hair.
You can also use a moisturizing face mask twice a week and apply it after the moisturizer and sleep on it for the best results.
