What is a Proper Skincare Routine?

Whether you’re new to the world of skincare or your haphazardly purchased collection of cosmetics doesn’t seem to be working well for you, putting together an effective skincare routine isn’t always as easy as it may initially seem.

Not only do you need to select the right products for your skin, but you also need to apply them in the correct order. Get this wrong and not only will your skincare routine fail to work in the way that it should, but you could also end up unintentionally damaging your skin in the process.

So, what exactly does a proper skincare routine consist of? Keep reading – Lionesse is about to talk you through everything that you need to know!

Why is a Skincare Routine So Important?

Wondering why you need a skincare routine in the first place? 

There are a few reasons for this. Firstly, let’s not forget that the skin is the largest organ in the body. Your other organs are internal, meaning that they’re well protected from environmental damage, but your skin bares the full brunt of this. Everything from UV rays to pollution to the chemicals you come into contact with can harm your skin cells. A good skincare routine will keep them feeling protected, ensuring that they function to their full potential.

Environmental damage aside, the skin goes through a number of changes as it progresses through life. The visible signs of aging, from wrinkles to dark spots, are inevitable, but you can prevent their appearance for much longer with the right skincare routine. 

Most skincare ingredients take a while to work. Sure, some products, such as the Lionesse Black Onyx Line Eraser Syringe, provide results pretty much immediately after application. However, those results are temporary. If you want to see long-term improvements in your skin, then you need to pamper your complexion with the right ingredients regularly and consistently. This allows them to accumulate in your skin to the point where they’re capable of making the changes you want to see.

The state of a person’s skin also plays a big role in how confident they feel. If your skin looks healthy and vibrant, then you’ll most likely feel so much better about yourself. You won’t need layers of makeup or expensive clothes to boost your self-confidence – your flawless complexion will do this all on its own!

Putting Together a Basic Skincare Routine

So, now that you know why a skincare routine is so important, how do you actually go about putting one together?

This is where it can get a little complicated. There are so many skincare products out there and you need to make the right choices. Not only should the products that you pick be suitable for your skin type, but they should also be capable of targeting your main visible skin concerns.

Let’s take a closer look at the fundamental steps that every skincare routine should contain:

Cleansing

Whether you’re keeping things simple with a 3-step routine or you plan on going all out with 10-15 different layers of product, every skincare regimen should always begin with a good cleanse. 

However, don’t go reaching for the very first cleanser that you see…

In order to properly clean your skin, a cleanser needs to contain surfactants. They form the base of every cleansing solution since these are the compounds that mix in with the oil and water in your skin to remove dirt. They may sound good so far, but many surfactants, especially those composed of harsh chemicals, are known for cleansing the skin a little too well. This causes the skin to dry out.

To counter this, it’s vital that you use a cleanser that contains gentle surfactants, such as the Lionesse White Pearl Facial Cleanser. Most of the cleansing agents in this formula are derived from coconuts, which makes them far kinder to your skin. 

We’ve also infused our cleanser with a number of hydrating and moisturizing ingredients, including argan oil, aloe vera leaf extract, and moringa seed oil. These botanicals will ensure that your skin feels soft and refreshed, rather than dry and tight, once you rinse your cleanser off.

Moisturizing

There are other steps that you can add into your skincare routine in between cleansing and moisturizing, and we’ll talk about those later on. However, if you want to keep things basic, then the next product that you need to reach for is a moisturizer.

For best results, you need a moisturizer that not only complements your skin type but also targets your main visible skin concerns. For example, if fine lines and wrinkles are your biggest issue, then reach for Lionesse’s Black Onyx Cream. Brimming with numerous vitamins and botanicals, along with a sprinkling of black onyx powder, this moisturizer will leave your skin looking smoother and firmer.

On the other hand, if you’ve been dealing with sun damage and dark spots, then you may prefer the Lionesse Golden Sapphire Cream. It’s loaded with antioxidants that will help to repair the look of UV-damaged skin. It also contains licorice root extract, an ingredient that has been proven to lighten the visibility of dark spots and hyperpigmentation.

Sun Protection

The final must-have in every skincare routine is a good sunscreen. 

When it comes to the various forms of environmental damage that your skin has to deal with, UV rays are the most harmful. Not only are they responsible for up to 80% of fine lines, wrinkles, and other forms of skin aging, but they can also cause skin cancer.

For most people, a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 is sufficient. However, if you’re dealing with sensitive or aging skin, then go for a higher sun protection factor.

Most importantly, remember that sunscreen needs to be in your skincare routine year-round. Many people stop using sunscreen once winter rolls around. After all, between the gloomy weather and short days, chances are that you don’t spend much time in the sun. However, the sun’s UV rays are present year-round, including those days when it doesn’t look bright and sunny outside. In fact, they can even penetrate through glass, so make sure that your skin is always protected.

Taking Your Skincare Routine to the Next Level

When it comes to skincare, the above three steps are a very basic minimum. If you would like your skincare routine to meet your skin’s more complex needs, then you’ll need to add in a few more products:

Serum

Serums are usually applied after cleansing and toning, but before a moisturizer. Since they’re so thin and lightweight, they wouldn’t be able to penetrate through the thick layer left behind by a moisturizer. 

Serums are one of the best ways to tackle any visible skin concerns that you may be dealing with. They really pack a punch in terms of active ingredients, enabling them to produce results quickly. That said, you’ll need to do a little research to ensure that the serums you’re using contain the ingredients that your skin actually needs.

Of course, there’s one ingredient that just about everybody’s skin would benefit from; vitamin C. You’ll find two forms of this potent antioxidant in our White Pearl Vitamin C Serum. From wrinkles to dryness to dark spots, vitamin C’s multi-tasking properties can improve the appearance of such a wide range of issues.

Exfoliants

Rather than being a daily product, exfoliants should be added to your weekly skincare routine. They’re best applied after cleansing but before a toner, a serum, or a moisturizer.

Exfoliants come in many different shapes and forms, from liquid acid-based solutions to gel-like peels, with the Lionesse White Pearl Facial Peeling being one of the latter.

Exfoliating peels are a gentle but powerful way to exfoliate. They won’t leave your skin feeling irritated or dry in the way that many other exfoliants can. However, they’ll still remove dead skin cells to leave your complexion smoother and brighter.

Face Masks

To some, face masks may seem like an unnecessary indulgence. However, just like serums, they’re a great way to hone in on the skin concerns that you’re struggling with. They’re usually brimming with a high concentration of complexion-boosting ingredients. Even better, each mask formula will contain a blend that has been crafted for a specific purpose.

The Lionesse Black Onyx Mask is a great example. It has been designed to leave the skin feeling deeply detoxified and rejuvenated, and reviews confirm that it does this well. What makes this mask super effective is how it gently heats up as it is applied to the skin. It gives your skin and your pores a relaxed sensation. This makes it much easier for the ingredients within the mask to soak into your skin.

Where exactly does a face mask fit into your skincare routine?

Use your mask after cleansing and exfoliating. This way, your skin will be perfectly clean and prepped to receive all of the goodness that your mask has to offer.

Toner

A toner is applied to the skin directly after cleansing. Its purpose is to clear away any residue that your cleanser left behind. At the same time, it’ll also leave the skin’s pH feeling balanced and healthy.

The Lionesse White Pearl Skin Toner is perfect for this. Not only will it do the above, but it will also hydrate your skin, minimize the look of large pores, and give your skin a glow.

Applying Your Skincare Routine in the Correct Order

We’ve already mentioned where each product that we’ve featured fits into a skincare routine. However, let’s quickly go over that again. After all, this can have a huge impact on how well your routine works.

Let’s begin with a daily routine. After cleansing, you move on to toning. Then, it’s time to apply any essences or serums that you have. You can apply multiple serums if you have multiple skin concerns to target. However, try not to use more than three at a time. Ideally, start with the lightest and thinnest serum first before moving on up to the thickest. Finally, finish off with a moisturizer, as well as a sunscreen in the mornings.

A weekly skincare routine begins with cleansing too. Follow this up with an exfoliant, and then a face mask. You can then continue on with the rest of the steps from your daily routine.

Summary

With so many different steps and products to consider, it can take a while to fully understand everything that’s involved in a good skincare routine. However, follow the advice above to put together an effective routine of your own and all of those steps will soon become second nature!

Click here to add more bestselling Lionesse skincare products to your skincare routine.