We are gonna be honest. Building a skincare routine can be overwhelming, especially if you’re a beginner. You have plenty of questions, like, do you really need a toner or a serum, and what’s the correct order of application? If you don’t know where to begin, first, take a deep breath. We, at JCPenney, promise that by the end of this, all your doubts will be cleared, and you’ll feel confident by picking the right products you need. From cleansers, face serums, and toners to face oils, this step-by-step guide will unlock your AM and PM skincare routine.
How Do I Start My Skincare Routine
The less is more approach works the best even when it comes to your skincare. A five-step routine with not more than five products should get you the desired skin over a period of time. The most basic need for your skin is cleansing, hydration, and moisture to maintain a good skin barrier. The more products you layer, the higher the risk of skin irritation, breakouts, and allergic reactions. It’s always better to pick products for the target problems you want to treat.
The Order of The Products
Here’s a little screenshot that can be saved.
| AM Cleanser –> Toner –> Serums –> Moisturizer –> Sunscreen PM Cleanser –> Toner –> Serums –> Eye cream –> Spot Treatment –> Moisturizer –> Face Oil |
How to Layer the Products
The key rule of an effective skincare regime is to layer the lightest under heavier products. Layering your serum over the moisture will serve you no purpose.
Step 1: AM and PM – Cleansing
You might already know this (or if hearing it for the first time), but you cannot skip removing your makeup and washing your face before applying the products. Additionally, avoid using makeup wipes as they leave behind a layer of gunk on your face, which can lead to breakouts. Opt for a cleansing oil that will dissolve the residue. Then follow up with a gentle cleanser. Remember, your skin cannot absorb the ingredients if your skin isn’t clean.
Dry Skin: Seek creamy, non-foaming face washes with skin barrier-boosting formulas like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin.
Oily Skin: Avoid ingredients with charcoal, sulfate, or clay-based and grab gel-based or gentle foaming cleansers.
Acne-Prone Skin: Consider mild creamy cleansers to minimize inflammation and dry and irritated skin.
Sensitive Skin: Try creamy face washes packed with colloidal oatmeal, aloe vera, and niacinamide.
Step 2: AM or (and) PM – Toner
Toners are not something that’s supposed to sit on your skin. It’s your daily primer that preps your face for ingredients to absorb that follow. If your toner is alcohol based-ditched it now pick a better one with the following steps.
Acne-Prone and Oily Skin: Consider toners filled with BHA (beta hydroxy acid, like salicylic acid) and AHA (alpha hydroxy acids, like glycolic acid or lactic acid). It unclogs pores, prevents breakouts, and dissolves blackheads over time.
Dry and Sensitive Skin: Hydrating toners are the best for these skin types. They help build your skin barrier and lock in moisture.
How to Apply Toner:
Spray or tap the toner over clean, dry skin every morning or night. Wait for 60 seconds before applying other products to prevent neutralizing the acid. You could also use cotton to dip the toner and wipe it across your face gently.
Step 3: AM and PM Serums
Serums are shots of concentrated ingredients or nutrients filled with hydrating formulas or antioxidants that boost your skin’s health.
AM: For almost all types of skin, vitamin C serum are the holy grail. It’s most effective in the morning as it protects your skin from inflammation and damage caused by radical factors and fades dark spots when the consistency is maintained.
PM: Use a hydrating serum to plump your skin or consider acne treatment and anti-aging products to treat target problems.
Step 4: PM – Eye Cream
It’s always better to use eye cream before you apply moisturizers, creams, or oils, as they are a thinner formula.
PM: Just tap on a simple hydrating eye cream that protects your under-eyes and heals your skin barrier overnight.
Step 5: PM – Spot Treatment
It’s best used at night because that’s when your body is working its hardest to repair itself. Ensure you apply it before moisturizing so it can do its job.
For Dark Spots and Acne Scars: Niacinamide, a.k.a vitamin B3 formula, works wonders in lightening marks and scars over time.
For Pimples and Breakouts: Try products with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, but never together. The first kills acne-causing bacteria (best for whiteheads), while the latter dissolves oil and skin cells (clogged pores and inflamed bumps)
How to Use Spot Treatment
Regardless of which formula you go for, the application is the same. Dab a thin layer over your spot or the zit and wait a full minute for it to dry. Apply moisturizer to the rest of your face to avoid the spots. After, tap a dot of moisturizer on the spot treatment.
Step 6: AM and PM – Moisturizer
You need to moisturize daily twice for healthy skin. It also helps lock all the products to help them work more effectively. Load up on formulas packed with ceramides, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid. You could also tiptoe on anti-aging night cream with a subtle dose of retinoids to treat your wrinkles and fine lines.
Oily Skin: Pick lightweight moisturizers with cream or gel-based to keep your skin hydrated without making it greasy.
Dry Skin: Pick creams filled with hyaluronic acid, lipids, and proteins in the cream-based formula for night and morning.
Acne-Prone Skin: It will depend if your skin is oily or dry to pick the right moisturizers as mentioned above. You could even go for formulas with salicylic acid at night to get your pimples under control.
Step 7: PM – Face Oil
Face oils seal in all the ingredients, including moisturizer from evaporating quickly from your face. When you layer them over your other products, they help build a routine efficiency leaving your skin softer and smoother. But remember, oils can penetrate through your serums and moisturizers but never the other way around. It has to always be applied at night in your PM skin routine.
Step 8: AM – Sunscreen
Sunscreen has to be the last step in your morning routine. It’s your only armor from environmental radicals during the day, and the bare minimum you need is an SPF 30, which acts as an anti-aging and reduces skin cancer risk.
Now that you know almost everything (ish) on building an effective skincare routine, it’s time to stock up on the best products. Check out the entire range and pick the ones that suit your needs. You could also share your secret tips for the best skincare routine by tagging us at #AllAtJCP. Then, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to see if you are featured.
