Here’s how to achieve skin minimalism with a natural, streamlined skincare routine
When it comes to skincare, sometimes the simpler the routine, the more effective. And when I say simplicity, I’m referring to not only the number of steps, but the inherent simplicity of product ingredients too. At LASPA, we believe in product transparency and source all of our ingredients from natural toxin-free sources. These are our core values at LASPA.
Everyone’s skin is different, so it can be quite the challenge when it comes to nailing down a streamlined yet effective regime that will benefit your unique skin. The aim of this LASPA article is to educate you on the benefits of a simple skincare routine and arm you with valuable information to help you put together one of your own. Let’s get started.
Different Skin Types Explained
Oily: Got a little excess oil? Shiny complexion? Large pores? Your skin type is oily. You may notice that you are prone to blackheads and general breakouts. But there is a silver lining. You might not appreciate your skin’s natural oiliness, but your skin will age better than dryer skin types. The extra oil gives your skin a more plump and younger look as you age.
Combination: Combination skin is just that; a combination of the oily and the dry. Combination skin is most frequently oily on the T-zone area and dry on the area of your cheeks. Combination skin is sensitive to the elements and weather, so its oiliness/dryness will fluctuate based on the season.
Dry: Does your skin often feel tight or look flakey in appearance? Your skin is of the dry type. Dry skin is more prone to visible fine lines, so it’s extra important to keep your skin hydrated if you are in this category.
Sensitive: Sensitive skin is very prone to reaction with skincare products and procedures. If you have sensitive skin, it’s essential that you are careful with the products you use and the treatments you undergo because your skin type commonly experiences burning, bumps and spots, blemishes, and eczema too. So be very mindful of your skin and what might cause it to be irritated.
Normal: Normal skin is neither oily or dry; it has a smooth-looking appearance and is normal to the eye. Normal skin doesn’t experience irritation with most products and is easier to maintain than the other skin types as it requires less maintenance. But don’t be fooled; people of this type can still benefit immensely from a thoughtfully curated skincare routine.
It is common for people to fall into more than one category. Your skin can be categorized under a combination of types, and it is common for skin types to change over time.
4 Steps to Healthier Skin
With a myriad of skin products on the market with varying uses and application methods, it can be tough to figure out which basic steps are required. Serums, milks, toners, oils, and the list goes on and on. Well, the truth is, all you need to do is stick to three basic steps. These steps, used in succession, will benefit all skin types. Let’s outline this simple skincare routine below.
Cleanse
No matter what skin issues you may be facing, a
remains a go-to staple product in everyone’s skincare regime. Do not use that bar soap on your face, we repeat. Ultra gentle facial cleansers are beneficial and effective for all skin types. But, keep it simple!!! Many gentle skin cleanser options and drugstore face washes on the market are drying and will strip your skin of its natural oils. So choose a skin cleanser that will nourish your skin and preserve its natural oils instead whether that’s a facial cleanser for sensitive skin or dry skin. Options are abound, cream cleansers, foam cleansers, and hydrating cleansers too.
If you’re using one of those infamous skin drying options, do your skin a favour, kick it to the curb and try our LASPA gentle facial cleansers. Our gentle hydrating daily facial cleanser is made of simple natural ingredients that you are familiar with and trust, and won’t clog pores. With its 100% bio-sourced ingredients, our LASPA gentle facial cleansers are hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and will remove dirt and nourish your skin. Feature facial cleanser benefits include moisturizing and anti-inflammatory abilities, it gently cleanses and acts as a makeup remover too.
If you have acneprone skin you will want to select an option that will give you a deep clean. But always opt for a deep cleansing non-comedic or oil free product. Other popular washes for sensitive skin and acne prone skin include the Cerave hydrating facial cleanser and Purpose Gentle.
Don’t have a daily cleanser? A good hydrating gentle cleanser should be step one of your daily routine; it can be used morning and night to rid your skin of dirt and gunk and leave skin feeling fresh and youthful. Always look for a facial cleansing option free of harmful and toxic chemicals. Your skin will be thanking you, dry sensitive skin types too.
Tone
This step is often overlooked in most people’s daily skincare routines. Is it necessary? Or is it an extra step? Well, it’s a very, very crucial and beneficial step. Make sure that the toner you are selecting is alcohol-free to avoid drying out and irritating the skin. Post use, skin feels fresh and hydrated.
Flower waters and hydrosols are both excellent options to use for toning. If you are looking for an effective toner on a budget, you can try rose water – it’s got excellent healing properties and make a wonderful addition to your daily routine. So if you aren’t already, get on the toner train.
Moisturize
You already saw this one coming. Every board-certified dermatologist will agree, moisturizer is essential. And if you’re not using one, well, what are you doing? Although it does come in many forms, lotions, balms, oils, and more. So how do you choose a gentle skin moisturizer that’s right for you? Well, that depends entirely on your skin type.
The general rule of thumb is, the drier the skin, the thicker the moisturizer. So if you are super dry, look for words like “nourishing, hydrating, cream” these are the products that will give you the hydration you need. And on the other end of the spectrum, if you have oily skin, look for “lightweight” and “oil-free” products.
Sensitive skin? Opt for an ultra gentle hydrating fragrance and alcohol-free option; this will prevent your skin from experiencing irritation and inflammation.
Sunscreen
At LASPA we believe that sunscreen is a must-have in your daily routine, and not just on a sunny summer day. According to dermatologists, SPF should be worn regardless of season as UV rays are always around us, even in the comfort of our own homes. So it is imperative to wear SPF daily to keep your skin protected and safe from damage.
When choosing a sunscreen for the face, you will want to select an SPF30 or higher. Mineral sunscreen is your best bet because it doesn’t contain chemicals and ideal for all skin types. Mineral sunscreens are especially beneficial for sensitive skin.
The LASPA mineral sunscreen option is SPF30 and formulated with natural plant-based materials and is free of parabens, artificial fragrance, colours, and chemical UVA/UVB filters. So if you are looking for a practical daily sunscreen option, look no further. Apply on the face, neck, and decolletage daily…don’t forget to reapply when needed and apply that aloe vera aftercare post intense sun exposure!
Skincare Routines for Your Specific Skin Type
The above four-step routine is effective for all skin types. But below, we are going to get a little more specific and share tailored routines for the different skin types. So if you are looking to build a practice that will benefit your skin type, keep reading. At LASPA, we aim to educate our customers and readers to help them make intelligent skin care decisions.
Step-by-Step Skincare for Oily Skin
Morning: Gentle facial cleansers, lightweight non-greasy moisturizer, and oil-free SPF for the face.
Night: Gentle facial cleansers, lightweight non-greasy moisturizer
Other products/ingredients of benefit: Cleansing oils, exfoliating facial scrubs; also look for labels that include salicylic acid and glycolic acid. A facial scrubs with beneficial acids gently exfoliates the skin removing excess oil to aid beauty and balance of the skin’s complexion.
Step-by-Step Skincare for Combination Skin
Morning: Gentle facial cleansers, balancing facial moisturizer, and oil-free SPF for the face.
Night: Gentle facial cleansers and balancing moisturizer.
Other products/ingredients of benefit: Moisturizing serums. Hyaluronic acid, lactic acid, and vitamin B are your friends.
Step-by-Step Skincare for Dry Skin
Morning: Washes for dry skin (Gentle daily facial cleansers/gentle cleansing bar), nourishing moisturizer, and SPF for the face.
Night: Gentle hydrating facial cleansers, rich moisturizing night cream.
Other products/ingredients of benefit: Indulge in a hydrating facial. Moisturizing bodywash. Ingredients that will benefit your skin type are shea butter, squalene, and rosehip oil.
Step-by-Step Skincare for Sensitive Skin
Morning: Gentle facial cleansers (our LASPA foaming face wash option is perfect cleanser for sensitive skin), chemical-free moisturizer, and mineral sunscreen (LASPA has excellent mineral sunscreen options). Look for products free of alcohol, artificial fragrances, and active ingredients like glycolic acid or vitamin A.
Night: Gentle facial cleansers and hydrating gentle moisturizers.
Other products/ingredients of benefit: Micellar cleansing water, fresh soy face cleanser, ultra gentle hydrating daily facial options. Ingredients to keep on your skin health radar include vitamin K, niacinamide, shea butter, and squalene.
Step-by-Step Skincare for Normal Skin
Morning: Gentle facial cleansers/cleansing gel/creamy face wash, light moisturizer, and mineral sunscreen.
Night: Gentle facial cleansers or gel cleanser and hydrating night cream.
Other products/ingredients of benefit: Ingredients that agree with your skin type include vitamin C, AHAs, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide.
Conclusion
When building your skincare routine, focus on the fundamentals:
- Wash your face morning & night and your skin will thank you for it.
- Always remember to remove makeup, even when you’re too tired (Micellar water is effective, a popular drugstore option is the Garnier skinactive micellar cleansing water)
- Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.
- SPF!
- Skin refreshing spray in your purse, for a midday complexion pick-me-up and LASPA SPF50 Ultra-Sun Stick great for SPF touch-ups throughout the day.
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