How to Build a Skincare Routine

A step-by-step process of how to assemble the perfect routine just for you.

Building a routine for your specific skin and needs doesn’t have to be overwhelming! Here’s an easy, five-step process to follow when trying to create a routine specific to you.

Step 1: Start with products designed for your skin type.

There are five main skin types: normal, dry, oily, sensitive and combination. Not sure which type you have? After washing your face, assess your skin.

Which skin type are you?

• Normal–no significant redness or shine
• Dry–dry, flaky, dull and tight all over
• Oily–looks and feels shiny all over
• Sensitive- easily irritated
• Combination–t-zone (forehead, nose and chin) are shiny, while cheeks are dry and tight

The five core products to long-term healthy skin across all skin types. Here’s a starting place for all skin types:

1. An exfoliant – to deep clean pores and help your other products penetrate better (2-3 x per week)
2. An antioxidant – for healing and protection from free radicals
3. A retinoid – for increasing cellular turnover, collagen and elastin production, and keeping premature aging at bay
4. An eye cream- a targeted cream for the delicate skin around the eye
5. An SPF – the holy grail of topical skincare

Step 2: Choose products targeted to your skin concerns

Each skin type, and every individual, has their own skin concerns, but there is a best overall method for approaching treatment to get the desired results you’re looking for.

1. Always treat the skin barrier first
2. Nourish and hydrate the skin
3. Treat acne
4. Treat aging

Step 3: Apply products thinnest to thickest

Once you determine the products you’re going to try, how you layer them matters! Thinnest to thickest is the golden rule. That’s because the thinner the product, the faster it gets absorbed into the skin. Other tips for product layering? Products are better absorbed on damp skin and you don’t have to wait between applying products.

Here’s an example of a basic am/pm skincare routine and how to apply your products on a daily basis:

AM

1. Cleanse
2. Vitamin C
3. Serums/Boosters
4. Eye Cream
5. Moisturizer/SPF

PM

1. Cleanse
2. Retinol/Retinoid

Step 4: Exfoliate 2-3 x per week

Exfoliation is a key building block when establishing a skincare routine. There are two main types to know about:

• Mechanical: physically loosens and removes dead skin cells from the surface (micro-beaded scrubs)
• Chemical: chemical reactions used to loosen the bonds between dead skin cells so they can shed more easily (AHAs and BHAs found in Alpharet Pads)

Step 5: Use SPF daily

SPF is the gold standard of all skincare routines. So much in fact, that using a full skincare routine full of creams and serums is all for nothing, if you don’t actively protect your skin from sun damage and the environment.

Most SPFs protect for 6-8 hours, when not exposed directly to UV rays for an extended amount of time, or 2 hours max when actively outside. Reapplication every 2-3 hours is critical for proper skin protection!