Pick your skincare routine products right

Skincare is not optional but essential for everyone. Following a basic routine for the skin will not only keep various skin issues like pimple, dullness, age spots away from your skin but will also keep the youthful glory intact for years to come. The success of any skincare routine highly depends on the products you are choosing. Choosing correct products for your skin type can be quite tricky sometimes. Check out our top picks for each skin type. 

Oily Skin 

People with oily skin tend to have hyperactive oil glands on their face and body. Humid weather, use of harsh skincare products or even the slightest change in the body’s hormonal balance triggers oil secretion in oily skin. It is a very common skin type among teens and people in their early 20s. Frequent occurrences of pimples, clogged pores and dull skin are some issues of this particular skin type. Basic skincare routine for oily skin should cover the cleansing, toning and moisturising along with weekly cleanup of blackheads or clogged pores. 

Cleanser:  

Cleansing is the utmost important step for oily skin, but you should not overdo this step. Choose oil-free face cleansers containing neem, tulsi, grapefruit extract, lemon or tea tree. Sulfate-free gel-based face washes are best for oily skin. Scrubbing is not advisable for oily skin. Vigorous rubbing often bursts the pimples or creates microtears. So, pick a 2-in-1 face wash cum exfoliator with salicylic acid or glycolic acid.  

Toner: 

Oily-skinned people love alcohol-based astringent toners because they have an instant pore minimising effect. If you have oily skin, never fall for the tricks of alcohol. Its effect is short-lived, and the dryness and damage it does to your skin is beyond repair. Go for witch hazel or aloe vera based light toning solutions. You can also try plain rose water or hyaluronic acid-based toners.  

Moisturiser: 

Oily skin people often skip moisturiser because they think it will make their skin more oily. In reality, the opposite happens. When you avoid moisturiser, the skin senses its dryness and starts to produce more oil. Plain aloe vera gel is the best moisturiser for oily skin. You may also try glycerine, calamine or apple cider vinegar-based moisturisers.  

Face Pack & Spot Treatment:  

Weekly treatment is a must for oily skin. Use a good clay-based face mask. It will unclog the pores and loosen the roots of blackheads. When you have an active pimple on your face, spot treatment is a must to heal your acne faster. Salicylic acid-based spot treatments or tea tree oil works best on big bumpy acne.    

Combination Skin 

Combination skin type is perhaps the most common skin type among Asian people. If your skin feels oily at the nose and forehead while the cheeks stay normal or even dry, then you have combination skin type. Caring for such a skin type can be a bit tricky. Anything suitable for oily skin will leave the dry parts even drier. On the other hand, the oil-based products will cause pimples on the nose and forehead. Here’s what you should include in your skin type. 

Cleanser cum Exfoliator: 

Combination skin needs a blend of exfoliants and cleanser to remove the excess oil and dirt from the sections of the face that are oily and clean the face entirely. Using this mixed formula provides a complete cleanse and targets the excessive oily area to remove the shine.

Essence: 

The regular astringent or toner is not enough for combination skin. You need to add something extra to increase its vitality. Essence works best for combination skin. Essence is a thicker form of toner that contains ingredients like rice water, hyaluronic acid, ceramide or aloe vera. Apply a drop of essence on your slightly damp skin and gently pat into the skin. 

Moisturiser: 

Any oil-free moisturiser works pretty good on combination skin. Look for ingredients like rosehip or pomegranate, berry extract or glycerine in the moisturiser. You may also use gel-creams. Add a drop of rosehip oil in plain aloe vera gel, and you will have your favourite moisturiser at hand.  

Multi masking: 

Only one type of face mask doesn’t fit in case of combination skin. Clay face masks will dehydrate the dry parts while cream masks grease up the oily T-zone. Get the best of both worlds in your weekly pamper routine instead; divide the face into oily and non-oily zones. Apply appropriate masks in each zone. You may also use pore-cleansing sheet masks.     

Normal Skin 

Very few people are blessed with problem-free normal skin. This skin type has proper oil balance, so there’s no pesky pimple or flaky part of skin anywhere in the face. Other than from slight dullness and sun damage, normal skin needs no additional maintenance. 

Cleanser: 

If you are blessed with normal skin you should choose your face cleanser from both combination skin or dry skin range as per your skin’s need or your liking. Your cleanser should cleanse off the superficial impurities without drying. Choose lemon or turmeric-based cleansers. 

Scrub: 

Exfoliation is an additional maintenance step. It will keep your skin looking fresh and radiant. It will cleanse your pores too. You may use chemical or traditional grainy exfoliators as you like. Go for apricot scrubs if you want a deep cleansing experience every now and then. 

Toner: 

Skin brightening toner is the best type of toner for normal skin. Choose something light but not watery. Rice water toners will add the required glow to your skin. You may also use homemade rose water-rice water mixture to nourish your skin.  

Moisturiser & Masking: 

People with normal skin do not have pore-clogging issues so they may use any moisturisers. Just make sure your moisturiser is not making your skin dry or oily. Go for moisturising lotions instead of thick creams. Turmeric, rose, aloe vera and bamboo-based masks are the best friends of normal skin. Use the sheet masks once or twice a week for a lasting glow.    

Dry Skin 

Dry skin produces the least amount of oil which can’t satiate the needs of the skin. Ultimately the skin becomes rough, flaky, lifeless and dull. Fine lines and wrinkles start to appear early in this skin type if not properly cared for. The skincare routine for dry skin should have oil-based products that lock in the moisture. 

Cleanser: 

Cream cleansers are what dry skin needs. Go for milder formulas, preferably the sulfate-free ones. Always cleanse the face with lukewarm warm and a drop of cleanser. It will prevent excess dryness. Never cleanse the skin more than one or two times a day. Cleansing balms and cleansing milks are also good options for dry skin. 

Scrub: 

To cleanse off the dead skin layers sitting on top of the exposed skin is essential for dry skin. Dry skin hinders the penetration of nutrients from the serums and moisturisers to the layers beneath. Go for cream-based coffee, walnut-based scrubs. You can also try peeling exfoliators.  

Moisturiser: 

Moisturisers for dry skin have heavier formulations. Do choose your moisturiser with care; don’t use the thick cold cream type moisturisers frequently. They might clog your facial pores and cause acne. Look for light whipped creams containing shea butter, cocoa butter or almond cream.  

Facial Oil: 

Moisturisers sometimes feel inadequate if your skin is getting too dehydrated. Use natural oils like argan, apricot or rosehip to seal the moisture to your skin. These oils have good penetrating power; they will moisturise with zero greasiness. You can also use them under makeup. They will help the foundation to spread better.  

Pro Tip- Sunscreen is a must for all skin types. It protects the skin from UVA and UVB damages and prevents free radical damage. If you are regular with your sunscreen, you won’t ever need those expensive anti-ageing creams and serums. Choose the sunscreen according to your skin type. Oil-free gel-based sunscreens typically work for all skin types. You may also opt for tinted sunscreens if you don’t like adding layers pf makeup after sunscreen.