It goes without saying that over the years, the skin care community on social media has grown significantly. Everyone seems to be talking about skincare! With several new products being introduced into the market and so many ‘miracle’ ingredients being raved about daily, it can be hard to keep up. Although the retail therapy of buying skincare products can be soothing and almost therapeutic, nothing beats the feeling of finally seeing results when you have been consistent with your skincare routine. Skincare is not cheap and navigating through the sea of products to be able to find what you need and what works for you can be tough especially if you are a newbie to the world of skincare. This situation has left many wondering how they can build a sustainable skincare routine. If you are in that category, I would like to share a few tips with you.
1. Get To Know Your Skin
The first step is to assess and identify your skin type and skin needs. Ideally, the first thing you should know before stepping out of your house on a mission to hunt down skincare products or what your skin needs, is your skin type. Your skin type and skin concerns are what lay the foundation for the rest of your routine. Everyone’s skin type is different and range from oily to combination, to dry to sensitive skin and so on and so forth. The products in the market are tailored to suit specific skin types and skin needs. This simply means that what can be a miracle product for one skin type may not benefit another skin type. You can opt for scheduling an appointment with a dermatologist or if that is not an option for you right now, there are multiple tests you can do at home to determine your skin type. Once you can clearly identify your skin type, you are well on your way to making that skin pop and glow.
2. Consider The Sustainability Of Your Routine
Skin care can be fun and can feel like your own little ritual though it is a lot more fun to think about in theory than in practice due to laziness. I think one aspect of self-care that has been overlooked is the plain fact that sometimes you just do not feel like it. After sitting in Lagos traffic for hours or after a long and hectic day the last thing on your mind is doing your night-time skincare routine. This is the time of day where a lot of people slack off in their routine. If you are a busy bee then I guess the 10 step K-beauty routine may not be for you. The key to healthy skin is consistency and the secret to being consistent in your skincare routine is to make your routine sustainable.
3. How Accessible Are The Products In Your Routine?
Considering the accessibility of the products in your skincare routine will save you so much stress when it is time to re-stock finished products. The importance of consistency in achieving maximum benefits in your skincare routine cannot be overemphasized. It is therefore advisable to ensure the products you choose to include in your routine are easily and readily available to purchase when they run out. Failure to do this will lead to a disruption in your routine which can in turn lead to diminishing results. Yes, your go-to beauty supply store only stocked a small quantity of that product every skincare guru has been raving about but remember to be sure the product will be easy for you to access when it runs out if you want to make it a staple in your routine.
4. Know Your Budget
Majority of us have at least one account we are not using, so why not turn it to a self-care account? This is where you save the money you have allocated to all your self-care needs. The pillar of a sustainable skincare routine is staying within your budget. As a result of the high consumerism in the beauty industry, new products are released almost everyday therefore the tendency to overspend is high because catchy adverts aim to convince us that we need to have specific products even when we do not really need them. There is really no need in getting that high-end moisturizer while on a student budget. Knowing and sticking to a budget will keep you from going broke in the name of skincare.
5. Have A Set Time For Your Skincare Routine
The last step in this journey once you have identified your skin type and needs, created a budget, gotten products that are readily available so you can be consistent, is to set a time frame or period that works for you to do your day and night-time skincare routine. Procrastination is the undoing of a successful skincare routine so if you are not disciplined you can easily find yourself waking up with your face full of makeup the next morning. It is important to have a dedicated time allotted to your daily self-care routine set in stone. This way you are sure to be consistent and will certainly see amazing results over time!
Skincare is one of those things that can be intimidating at first but once you get a hang of it, it can be fun and exciting because it elevates the whole experience from something you dread doing do to something you look forward to. By taking care of your skin, you are loving, tending and appreciating it for all the hard work it does protecting you. Love your skin and your skin will love you back!