For most college students, a skincare routine would be on the bottom of the list of things they think about on a daily basis. A year ago, I was the exact same. To me, the closest thing to a skincare routine was washing my face in the morning and at night. That was until I found out how important a skin care routine is, and why starting one when you’re younger is crucial. One of the biggest reasons why having a skincare routine is essential is because it prevents future skin problems like deep wrinkles, dark spots, acne scars, and dry skin. Also, a lot of skincare products include SPF, which will protect your skin against damaging UV rays from the sun, even when it’s not summertime. That small protection could potentially protect you from developing various skin cancers like melanoma. So, how do you start your search for the right skincare routine? First, assess your skin type. Do you have more oily skin or dry skin? For myself, I have combination skin that is also extremely sensitive. Knowing the type of skin you have will help you find products that work for your skin. In my search for skincare products, I also went a step further to look for products that had natural ingredients because of my skin sensitivity. I definitely recommend products with natural, or vegan, ingredients because it reduces the chance for your skin to break out into hives or acne-related issues. This is because there will be very little to no added chemicals or dyes that irritate your skin. Next, assess your budget. How much are you willing to divest into a skincare routine? Giving yourself a budget gives you a sense of what type of products to buy, such as generic or name brands. If you go a more natural skincare route as I did, those products may be a bit more expensive so I would definitely urge you to take that into account as well.
So, now that we have your skin type and budge settled, what kind of products should you include in your skincare routine? If you don’t want to do the hassle and have a quick routine, the main three things you need are a cleanser or face wash, a toner, and a moisturizer. If you would prefer a more complex skincare routine would include a cleanser, toner, serum, eye cream, spot treatments, and moisturizer. For myself, I personally use a cleanser, moisturizer, serum, eye cream, and night cream. I would recommend starting out with a short, but effective, skincare routine in the beginning and then adding on as you become more confident in your skincare journey.