These Are The 5 Products to Add to Your Skincare Lineup

Skincare is having a moment. If you need proof, just look at all the skincare trends roaming on TikTok. From glass skin to Vaseline slugging and more currently, everyone’s obsession with lymphatic drainage, there’s no denying that skincare is all the rage right now.

And with all the skincare trends comes skincare recommendations. One look at Sephora's website and you’ll find hundreds of brands. On Amazon, you’ll find thousands more. It can be hard to choose products that work for you. So I thought I’d share some skincare basics/building blocks to help you start your skincare journey. If you’re a skincare newbie trying to figure out where to start, this article is for you.

Note: While this is by no means a complete skin care routine, this guide can help you start off the process of building a skincare routine. When building your skincare routine, it’s best to do lots of research to find products that work for your skin.

1. Makeup remover: we’ve all heard the “don’t go to bed with makeup on” rule, but maybe you don’t really know why this is such a big deal. Sleeping with makeup on can clog your pores and lead to breakouts. It can also cause dry skin because by keeping your makeup on overnight, you’re not allowing your skin to breathe. This can lead to premature aging too, so make sure you’re using a makeup remover in your skincare routine. (This can serve as one step in a double cleansing skincare routine.)

2. A good cleanser: no matter what age you are or where you are in your skincare journey, a good cleanser is a must. Not only does it cleanse your skin of built up oils from the day, but depending on the cleanser, it can also help improve various skincare problems (this is where research is necessary). Look for a cleanser that caters to your skincare needs.

3. Eye cream: if you haven’t reached your twenties yet, this may not be necessary for you. But as we get older, eye cream starts to become more of a necessity. The skin

around our eyes is thin, and because of this, it is more fragile and probably the first place you’ll start to see some aging. There are many different eye creams for different concerns, including wrinkles, dark circles, and under eye bags. Make sure you choose an eye cream that addresses one of these as it relates to your specific concerns.

4. Toner: if you’re anything like me, you probably started using those alcohol-heavy toners in college. But over the years I’ve learned that those kinds of toners did more harm to my skin than good. Alcohol toners can actually damage your skin barrier. They can enlarge pores and increase the greasiness of your skin as well as lead to dryness and irritation. A toner is meant to gently refresh and balance your skin without stripping it of natural oils. Like most skincare products, certain toners target specific skin concerns such as acne, sensitive skin, or dry skin, so you can choose which one is best for your skin.

5. SPF: this is a big one. Incorporating SPF into your daily skincare routine can do wonders for your skin. Not only does using SPF protect your skin from harmful UV rays and reduce the risk of skin cancer, but it also protects against visible signs of premature aging. Some other benefits of using SPF daily include reduced inflammation and even skin complexion since sun damage can cause uneven complexion.