By: Kassandra Lippincott
How to get started.
Your skin is the biggest organ in your body so it would make sense to care for it in the best possible way. Many individuals are unfamiliar with where to begin when it comes to taking care of their skin and I have taken the time to compile a list of dos and don’ts when looking for products to best suit your skin. It can seem overwhelming when beginning your skincare journey and it consists mainly of trial and error until you find the products and routine that suit you best.
#1
Moisturizer
When choosing a moisturizer there should be two things kept in mind, there is AM and PM. Moisturizers used in the morning should include some form of SPF to protect your skin from the harmful rays projected from the sun. The main form of harm is skin cancer which is most commonly known but it also helps reduce wrinkles, inflammation, and redness. You can find more information in this article from Eminence Organic Skincare.

When choosing a cream for the evening, it’s important to consider what occurs to your body while you sleep. Your skin cells begin to regenerate and it’s best to give it all that is required to effectively do so. Using a heavier cream can benefit your skin as it does lose water as your body temperature changes. There is also the factor of what you don’t want your body to absorb since it is at its most vulnerable while you’re asleep.
This can seem overwhelming and a lot of information so here are some dermatologist-recommended moisturizers for AM and PM use:
- CeraVe AM & PM Daily Moisturizer
- Cetaphil Deep Moisturizing Face Cream
- Clarifying Preprobiotic Moisturizer
- Nourish Organic Lightweight Moisturizer
#2
exfoliating
The next important factor in developing a healthy skincare routine is integrating some sort of exfoliator. There are many benefits to exfoliating and various types of products to help do so. The main point of an exfoliator is to help remove dead skin cells and help stimulate collagen production which is the main component of skin production. It can also assist the penetration of other skincare products which helps their effectiveness. The types of exfoliators can be confusing since there is the most common scrub with sugar or dissolvable beads included, as well as BHA, AHA, and PHA’s. By doing some research on your skin type and what you think best suits your complexion, you can purchase various products to assist in your goals.

The nice thing about exfoliating is that they are only to be used between one and three times per week. are various kinds of exfoliators but to get started here’s a list of recommended products:
- No7 Laboratories Resurfacing Peel
- AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
- 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
- Glossier Solutions
#3
retinol
If you think moisturizers and exfoliators are confusing, wait until you hear about retinol. Retinol is an over-the-counter product that can take the shape of creams, serums, and even face washes. The core of retinol is vitamin A which aims to assist in anti-aging factors, unclog pores, and even prevent acne. It can help reduce the appearance of pores and dark spots. It’s something that comes highly recommended by dermatologists. It would be a good idea to consult a dermatologist to see if retinol or retinoid are right for your skincare regimen but their effectiveness is still impressive.

If you decide it is a product that you would benefit from here are some recommended brands:
- 1% Retinol Cream
- The Ordinary 0.05% Retinol Serum
- Gentle Retinol Cream 1oz
- Youth to the People Retinal + Niacinamide Youth Serum
Where to go from here?
It’s always important to consult a professional and get their opinion before committing to purchasing various skin care products. Some products are pricey and it’s better to be confident in your purchase rather than receiving something and having some sort of reaction or irritation occur. But from the information gathered from my own research, this is a good place to start. Everyone should feel beautiful in their own skin and certain products and regimens can assist in that. Do your own research and again, consult a professional if this is something you are interested in learning about!
SOURCES
ARTICLES
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10522-020-09865-z
- https://odacite.com/blogs/tohealthandbeauty/the-dirty-dozen-top-12-ingredients-to-avoid-in-your-skincare
- https://eminenceorganics.com/ca/blog/2020/11/20/benefits-sunscreen-why-do-i-need-wear-spf-every-day
- https://www.thehealthy.com/beauty/face-body-care/whats-happening-to-skin-during-sleep/
- https://www.eccotique.com/blogs/news/why-is-exfoliation-so-important-for-your-skin
- https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/meaning-of-exfoliating#benefits
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/23293-retinol
- https://www.firstderm.com/aha-vs-bha-vs-lha-vs-pha/#:~:text=Unlike%20AHA%2C%20PHA%20does%20not,skin%20more%20sensitive%20to%20sunlight.&text=Therefore%2C%20AHA%20is%20most%20helpful,those%20with%20combination%20skin%20types.
- https://scopeblog.stanford.edu/2020/08/06/does-retinol-deserve-the-hype-a-stanford-dermatologist-weighs-in/



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