When it comes to building the perfect skincare routine for you there are a few steps I always recommend taking before you go ahead and get your new skincare routine in place! It's easy to get swept up in the hype of products, trending ingredients or routine recommendations, but it's always best to outline your routine and products, tailored to your skin's needs.

With that being said, I've rounded up my top 5 tips for building the skincare routine that's right for you to make it even easier for you:

Tip #1 - Identifying your skin type: Before you get to work you need to know exactly what you're working with! Like a painter about to begin a masterpiece, who has to make sure the paint they use is right for the material they're working on, you too must know about the material you're working on (your beautiful face!) before you pick your skincare routine or products! Here's a handy guide to each skin type to help you determine yours:

Dry - Skin is prone to dryness, and red patches, and can have a rough complexion & more visible lines

Oily - Skin is prone to an oily/shiny complexion and can be prone to clogged pores, blackheads, blemishes and acne.

Combination - Skin is drier in the cheek, jawline and hairline areas but oily/shiny in the T-zone & jaw area.

Normal - Skin is well balanced, not too oily or too dry. Skin texture is more regular and soft in appearance. Less likely to have sensitivity concerns and often has a smaller pore size.

Sensitive - Not strictly a skin type as you can be any of the above skin types AND have sensitive skin, but important to know if you are. Skin sensitivity to ingredients or products can usually present as red in appearance, feel warm or tingling, itching or dry.

Tip #2 - Outlining Your Skin Goals: Once you've determined your skin type you want to think about how you want to look after and treat your skin. Do you want to maintain it as is, do you want to improve your skin's health, reduce dry skin, regulate oil production, manage blemishes, or reduce or prevent signs of ageing... there are many different skin goals people might have. Everyone is different, but it's good to get a rough idea of what you're looking for out of your skincare routine and products before you start.

Tip #3 - Start Small: The internet is full of 12-step skincare routines and recommendations, but the truth is, not everyone needs a 12-step skincare routine! This can result in a build-up of products we might not actually need and it's not the most accessible type of routine either. Elaborate skincare routines like this aren't really possible for everyone for many reasons, whether it be financial reasons, physical or mental energy/ability, accessibility, time constraints, or other responsibilities... I could go on! I recommend literally starting with what you know you need. Look back at your skin goals, find out what's best for them and keep it basic. You can always build your routine bit by bit.

Tip #4 - Be Intentional About Time: The key to an effective skincare routine is consistency, so make sure the routine you build is sustainable. Something you can definitely dedicate the time to AM/PM every day. Whether you set aside 5 minutes for a quick routine or carve out 30 for a more elaborate ritual, consistency is king! Remember - we're keeping it basic here to start, so it can be as short or as long as you like!

Tip #5 - Remember That SPF Belongs in Every Routine: One non-negotiable for every skincare routine should be SPF. No matter your skin type or your skin goals, we all need protection from the sun's harmful rays. I recommend a daily SPF of 30 minimum, of course, 50 would be even better!! There's a whole Universe of gorgeous SPF's out there, do a little digging and you're bound to find the perfect one for your skin type and goals in no time!

For me, using these tips as a guide really takes away the overwhelm of getting a skincare routine in place. It allows you to get to know your skin better, and where you want to go and makes sure you're using the right products and can dedicate the time to get you there!

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Until my next blog post!