Skincare is one of those things I always feel like I should be better at (and that I’m failing as a girl because of it somehow). I’m lucky as my skin is fine really (I drink a lot of water) so I’ve never really done anything. Selfcare is something I struggle with generally so never found it worth the effort.

I’m thinking as I enter my thirties though I should. Just had a sheetmask and enjoyed it but I have no idea where to start generally in terms of it.

What’s your skincare routine? Is it worth the effort/cost?

  • trufax@beehaw.orgEnglish
    2·
    11 months ago

    You don’t have to get complicated, there’s a few key things in my experience:

    Most importantly, sunscreen. One you will actually use every day. Formulas have gotten so much better in recent years, so there’s lots of great ones out there. When picking a sunscreen, the first choice is chemical or mineral. Personally, I live in the south and tend to run warm and sweat easily, and I have found that chemical formulas are fine on my body, but they get into & sting my eyes as soon as my face gets dewy in the heat. So I use a Supergoop! mineral formula called matte screen. It has a texture like those powder gel primers and a mild beige tint (minerals can leave a white cast.)

    Cleanser: does your cleanser leave your skin feeling dry, greasy, taut, soft? Try different formulas-watery/micellar water, gels, cream based, oil cleansers, experiment until you find a good everyday cleanser, and one that’s good for washing off stubborn makeup.

    Moisturizer: having a relatively light one for everyday use and a thicker or richer product for the occasions when skin needs extra moisture may not be necessary, but it feels that way for my skin. Which ones to use is a personal thing you can only learn from trial & error, but understanding your skin type and common issues will help guide you.

    The only anti-aging item (other than sunscreen) that is evidence backed: Rx retinols. Don’t waste your $ on OTC retinol/retinoid products. If you want to try retinol, getting a prescription for tretinoin (or something similar) is pretty easy. (I used the Nurx app and dodged the annoyance of an in person visit.)

    That’s pretty much it, unless you feel you need a toner. Masks, serums/actives, peels, these things have all gotten trendy, but they’re optional, and are best worked in after establishing the foundations above and learning what your skin isn’t going to react poorly to.

  • literallyacat@beehaw.orgEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    If you have good skin already, do the least possible. Wear sun screen and hats to prevent sun damage, and gently cleanse/ moisturize at night. You don’t need a whole ass routine unless you have problem skin (acne, dark spots, etc). The less you mess with your natural biome, the happier your skin will be.