There are plenty of things people complain about when it comes to their skin – acne, oily skin, dark circles – the list goes on. Many people wonder how to create a skin care routine that is best for their skin.

So much information is available online and on social media regarding what products to use that it can be so confusing to figure out what works for YOU – influencers and ads are very convincing, after all!

We have curated some crucial information you need to know for determining what your skin type is, and how to craft the perfect customizable routine for you.

What Is My Skin Type?

First things first, you must know what your skin type is. This is the first and most important step to know when creating a custom skincare routine. Only once you know this information should you continue forward with product research.

You can find quizzes online or information on dermatologist and estheticians’ websites that can tell you how to identify your skin type. Here are the basic skin types:

Oily Skin

Dry Skin

Combination Skin

Normal Skin

Sensitive Skin

While you can technically use any facial product that advertises “for all skin types,” they still have limitations if they don’t cater specifically to your skin. Many cleansers and moisturizers are more likely to be fine for different skin types, but for serums and other topical formulas, you should be extra careful to buy for your particular skin category.

Make Space For a Few Essentials Based on Your Skin Type

Knowing some essential ingredients or “must-have products” will be a lifesaver when filling up your Amazon cart.

This does not mean that you become a pharmacist and know every element beneficial for your skin – however, there are some ingredients you should learn to recognize. Make a habit of checking the product descriptions and ingredients list of products before you buy them. 

For example, certain vital ingredients like oatmeal and shea butter are ideal for sensitive skin types. Similarly, aloe is a great addition to products that cater to skin with sun damage or dry skin.

Next, we suggest you buy products that contain hyaluronic acid, alpha hydroxy acids, and benzoyl peroxide for oily skin. They help your skin retain the ideal amount of hydration but also control the creation of extra sebum. This creates a beautiful and healthy glow!

Last but not least, if you have dry skin, lactic acid and shea butter are two crucial items to go for. They help your skin remain exfoliated which allows for the growth of new vibrant skin cells.

One of our favorite top skincare brands, Obagi, offers a wide range of skin products for all kinds of skin. You can buy Obagi online and save yourself the time it takes to visit the store and buy it. Read out the descriptions and see the ingredient lists carefully before taking your pick.

Should You Buy Into Skin Care Trends?

From Instagram to Tik Tok, influencers are everywhere telling you what to wear, how to do your makeup, and what to buy. Skin care has become such a popular trend over the past few years that it can be overwhelming to figure out what is truly a good product, and what is merely being shilled by influencers who are being paid.

Don’t be fooled by celebrity endorsements or pretty packaging – lookup real reviews online from customers as to how they found that product for their skin. Similarly, you can follow dermatologists or licensed estheticians to get their (more qualified) recommendations.

Facial Product Ingredients to Stay Away From

Some things you must avoid putting on your skin, no matter how fancy and tempting the product might look. For instance,

• Formaldehydes – While they aren’t widely found in products anymore, you should never use this ingredient on your skin
• Added Fragrances: if you’ve got the slightest bit of sensitive skin, then fragrances could mean skin irritation and allergies for you. Yikes!
• Paraben: It’s a chemical that prevents bacteria development. Using skin products with parabens might cause issues with your hormones and could even lead to breast cancer.

How Organic is Organic?

Natural and organic might sound like a fantastic practice in theory, but how can you be sure what that truly means? Many skincare manufacturers use them as promotional hacks to lure you into buying their products and don’t contain helpful non-toxic ingredients.

Simply because it is organic or natural doesn’t mean it will always work well with your skin – it’s okay if your skin responds well to non-organic products!

One of the biggest examples of this is essential oils – similar to fragrances above, essential oils have a chance of irritating your skin. If you find that is the case, stay away from products that include those oils.

Customize a Skin Care Routine Today

Living in the age of information means that while we don’t suffer from a lack of information, we may find ourselves in an overload of recommendations instead.

Use careful research to sift through all of these products to ensure you are choosing the right ones that will benefit your skin care journey!