This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Illinois chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

In today’s world, it’s easy to be swayed by trending skincare products. However, each person’s skin is unique and requires its own kind of care. Everyone is different! That’s why it’s important to choose products that work specifically for you.

Woman doing skincare routine — Photo by Sora Shimazaki from Pexels

Step 1: Identify Your Skin Type

The first step in building the right skincare routine is identifying your skin type. Below are some of the most common skin types based on their key characteristics. What skin type are you?

Dry skin: Feels tight, may be flaky or have rough patches, small pores, produces little oil

Combination skin: Can be oily and dry or oily and normal, T-zone is oily, visible pores in T-zone

Sensitive: Easily irritated, often appears red, may flare up or break out often, can feel itchy or burning

Oily: Skin is often shiny, sometimes greasy looking, likely to have larger or noticeable pores

woman applying lotion — Photo by Sora Shimazaki from Pexels

Step 2: Build a Routine That Matches Your Skin Type

Now that you know your skin type, you can create a routine that is unique to you!

Dry Skin Routine: Focus on Deeply Hydrating Products That Help Retain Moisture

Cleanser: Choose a gentle and hydrating cleanser.

Toner: Use an alcohol-free toner that hydrates and soothes your skin.

Moisturizer: Apply a rich and nourishing moisturizer.

Serum: Include serums that have hyaluronic acid or glycerin.

Exfoliation: Exfoliate gently about once a week.

Combination Skin Routine: Use Products That Address Both of Your Skin Concerns

Cleanser: Select a gentle cleanser that balances the skin.

Toner: Apply a hydrating toner to the dry areas and a balancing toner to your T-zone.

Moisturizer: Use a lightweight moisturizer in the T-zone and a richer one on the cheeks.

Exfoliation: Exfoliate the T-zone more frequently and the dry areas less often.

Sensitive Skin Routine: Use Gentle And Hypoallergenic Products To Soothe And Protect Your Skin

Cleanser: Use a gentle and fragrance-free cleanser.

Toner: Apply an alcohol-free and soothing toner.

Moisturizer: Choose a hypoallergenic and fragrance-free moisturizer.

Serum: Use calming serums with ingredients like chamomile and aloe vera.

Exfoliation: Exfoliate gently and infrequently.

Oily Skin Routine: Use Products That Control Sebum Protection And Keep Your Pores Clear.

Cleanser: Use a foaming or gel cleanser that removes excess oil.

Toner: Choose a toner that has salicylic acid to control oil.

Moisturizer: Apply a lightweight and oil-free moisturizer.

Serum: Apply serums that have niacinamide to reduce oil production.

Exfoliation: Exfoliate with a beta hydroxy exfoliant or BHA twice a week.

skincare products sit clustered together on a table or vanity — Charisse Kenion | Unsplash

General Advice: Some Skin Care Tips Apply to Everyone.

It’s important to remember to use broad-spectrum sunscreen every day, drinking plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated from within you, eating a balanced diet full of vitamins that can help your skin stay healthy, and making sure that you get enough sleep to help your skin repair.

A Guide To Skincare Based On Your Skin Type