Skincare Routine Essentials

It's finally happening - my very first blog post is live, and I am beyond excited about this journey and everything that the future will hold.

One of my main goals with this blog is to be a source of inspiration and information. No matter if you are a skincare lover or a newbie to this. I want to make it equally informative and that is why I wanted to write my first post about 'Skincare Routine Essentials'. Before randomly buying products, you should always get your basics right. Products that you use on a daily basis and that you can always go back to in case your skin freaks out by something. In the following steps, I show you my absolute basics when it comes to skincare.

Cleansing

Cleansing is one of THE most important steps for clear skin and all the following products. If the skin is not free from all dirt, makeup, sunscreen, and oil, all your other products cannot sink into your skin properly and do their magic. Especially for people like me who live in a big city like Berlin where the pollution is significantly higher it is even more important to cleanse your skin properly.

I have been a big fan of the double cleansing method for a while now. As the name suggests you cleanse your skin twice and this is really necessary to remove all grime and dirt. For the first step, I use a cleansing oil and I truly enjoy this part when I slowly massage the oil into my skin and all my makeup starts to melt off. I highly recommend using cleansing oils as they thoroughly yet gently cleanse your skin and do such a great job at removing your whole makeup including mascara, lipstick and foundation. I enjoy trying out different cleansing oils and never really stick to just one brand. A lot of times I just use pure jojoba oil which I highly recommend for all skin types.

Instead of cleansing oil, you can also use micellar water. It's fast and easy to use and removes your makeup in no time. I use micellar water whenever I feel very exhausted or lazy (no matter how tired you are don't forget to take off your makeup!). I like the Garnier micellar water for normal/dry skin but there is a wide range of products out there.

For the second step of the double cleansing method, I like to use creamy or gel-like cleansers that don't dry out my skin and are very gentle. No matter what skin type or skin concern you have, your skin should never feel particularly dry after cleansing. My current favorites that I recommend for any skin type are the Facial Cleanser by Alex Carro, the Renaissance Cleansing Gel by Oskia and from the drugstore the 3in1 Cleansing Oil Gel by No Makeup.

Exfoliation

Exfoliating the skin is one of my absolute favorite skincare steps! It has such a big effect on your skin and can literally transform it. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells and cleanses clogged pores, therefore it is a crucial step in your skincare routine. You differentiate between chemical and physical exfoliation. Chemical exfoliators remove your dead skin cells with the use of acids (AHA - alpha hydroxy acids and BHA - beta hydroxy acids), so your skin cells turn over faster and you are left with smooth and glowy skin. It also helps to absorb the following products better. Over time, you might also notice an evener skin tone. AHA is more suitable for dry skin and BHA for combination and oily skin.

My personal favorites for chemical exfoliation are the 2% BHA Liquid by Paula's Choice (THE most effective product for blackheads and my milia) and the Lotion P50 by Biologique Recherche. If you're new to chemical exfoliators I would recommend a mild AHA toner with glycolic acid, something like the one by Pixi or The Ordinary. Sensitive skin types should definitely patch test before committing to a full-size product.

Physical exfoliators have more or less the same effect, they just contain tiny particles that create the exfoliation. One of my absolute favorites in this category is the Honey Love 3 in 1 by Leahlani Skincare. First off, it smells incredible and you can use it as a cleanser, exfoliator or mask. The tiny crystals gently remove dead skin cells and leave a soft and clear skin behind.

Serum

You might think - a serum as an 'essential'? I tell you why this step is so important. Serums are packed with high quality and concentrated ingredients. Most of the times they contain active ingredients such as vitamin c or retinol. If you think your skin doesn't need these type of ingredients I would still recommend a hydrating serum to you. They provide your skin with a boost of hydration and trust me everyone's skin loves some hydration. They leave your skin feeling and looking fresh and healthy.

For this step I can recommend the Facial Hydration Serum by Merme Berlin with pure hyaluronic acid. It sinks in quickly and is a perfect base for the following products.

One of my all time favorites is the Deep Rich Organic Flowers Toner (what a mouthful!) by Whamisa. It doesn't really fall into the category 'serum', it's more like a toner or an essence. I still included it into this essentials post as hydration is such a crucial part of my routine. You only need a few drops to give your skin a big boost of hydration. My skin is literally drinking and thanking me for it. Afterwards my skin feels soft and plump. I can recommend this product to anyone but Whamisa also does some more lightweight versions of this toner. Even though perfume is listed as the last ingredient, I would still suggest sensitive skin types to test it beforehand.

Moisturizer

A good moisturizer is a perfect finish to your skincare routine. It provides enough moisture and depending on other ingredients it can have further benefits to your skin. In the summertime, I prefer a more lightweight moisturizer but my absolute favorite type of product to end my skincare routine with is a face oil. There are so many different face oils for many different skin concerns but one of my must-haves from my collection has got to be rosehip oil. It regenerates and strengthens the elasticity of the skin, helps with acne and dry skin and is therefore suitable for all skin types. I really love the Rosehip Oil by Bare Origin, I can also recommend the one by Pai Skincare.

Another highly important step after applying your moisturizer is sunscreen. Yes, sunscreen should not merely be used on vacation, but every single day, no matter if it's summer or winter. Many people underestimate this step and the long term consequences and effects that UV rays have on our skin. Nowadays, there are so many great sunscreen options out there that sink into the skin quickly and don't leave a white cast, so there is really no excuse.

Those are my skincare routine essentials - my four steps that are always part of my routine. As soon as you found your essentials, you can of course add more specific products like face masks and so on. I would love to know what your essentials are and if the steps in your routine differ from mine.