The Affordable 7 Step Skincare Routine you Need to Know
The following is a list of products that work for me, and that don’t break my bank account. When creating a routine: trust your skin and your results. Everyone wants to tell you which way to go, and what to use but ultimately only you will know what is right. Listen to your skin to find what makes you glow.
—By Reilly Severin
My journey into skincare began when my cheeks became canvases for angry, red, hormonal acne. I’ll save you the emotional meanderings, but my skin is blessedly clear now. I owe that to spironolactone, and quality products. The most important rule, when making changes to your routine, is to incorporate new products slowly. And I mean, slooooowly. Upon introducing a new product in my line-up, I wait two weeks to see how my skin reacts. This enables me to identify which products are working, and which ones are causing flare ups. I always read the ingredient lists, and doing so helped me notice that any product with Vitamin E (tocopheryl acetate) makes me break out. I have sensitive, sometimes dry skin that can be prone to redness and acne. What works best for me is a routine that focuses on boosting hydration, as opposed to stripping my skin with acne products. Korean skincare enthusiasts will scream from the rooftops about the importance of hydration, and I’ll be right there along with them.
Step 1: Cleanser:
Price: $12.95
This is an extremely gentle cleanser that is formulated for sensitive skin. It is a safe choice for all skin types as it is free of fragrances, dyes, parabens and oils. This is a “no frills” product, and the packaging reflects that. I love this cleanser because it does its job of cleansing without irritating my skin or drying it out and making it feel tight. Cleanse twice a day (morning and night) as the first step in your skincare routine.
Step 2: Exfoliate (1- 2x per week)
Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask
Price: $76.00
Exfoliating is the process of removing dead skin cells from the surface of your skin to reveal the glowing visage underneath. It helps keep your pores unclogged and promotes radiance. I prefer using chemical exfoliants, as some physical exfoliants can cause micro-tears in the skin (I’m looking at you St.Ives Apricot scrub). Start by using once a week in the PM, right after cleansing. While exfoliation can cause dramatic results, it is important not to overdo it as it can cause damage to your moisture barrier. After exfoliating I take extra care to really moisturize and soothe my skin. This REN mask is a cult favourite and a great gentle product to start with if you’re new to exfoliating.
Step 3:Toner:
Price: $22.00
If you follow Korean Skincare then you’ve heard about the seven skins method: a practice that helps boost hydration by adding three to seven layers of a hydrating toner or essence. The idea is to give the skin time to drink up the moisture, which will leave your skin plump and glowing. After cleansing, put the product on clean hands, pat it in, and repeat (3-7x). Then apply your serums, and finish with your moisturizer. The Pyungkang Yal Toner is often touted as a holy grail product in Korean Skincare, as it is so moisturizing. If you’re struggling with fine lines, using products that boost hydration will make a real difference.
Step 4: Serum
Yeouth Hyaluronic Acid Plus Vitamin C Tripeptide 31
Price: $31.95
Vitamin C is a powerhouse ingredient that boosts radiance, brightens and helps even out hyperpigmentation. It improves collagen production, and helps reduce fine lines. Use consistently for 4-6 weeks to see results. Because it is an active ingredient (meaning it is very strong) do not use it in the same routine as any retinol-based products or other actives (ie: exfoliants like glycolic acid). Use every day in the AM, and apply sunscreen after, as it can cause heightened skin sensitivity. If you are new to vitamin C start slowly with a lower dosage, as it can cause irritation at first.
I love this product because it works. I have really seen the results upon consistent application. My skin has become a lot brighter (which was my main concern), more radiant, and the fine lines on my forehead have disappeared. The serum is a little bit thicker but it absorbs like a dream, and it has never caused any irritation.
Step 5: Serum
The Ordinary: Amino Acids + B5
Price: $6.80
If you’re like me and love the texture of oil serums but hate the breakouts they cause, then you will love the Amino Acids + B5. I love, love, LOVE this serum. It is a holy grail product and one that I will never live without. It hydrates my skin like no other, and it has the same luxurious texture of an oil-based product. The Amino Acids + B5 is vegan, formulated without oil, and is sold at the whopping price of $6.80 (thank you The Ordinary).
Step 6: Moisturize
Price: $25.99
Montreal’s cold winters wreak havoc on my already dry skin, leaving me with flaky patches on my face. I have searched to the ends of the earth for a great moisturizer, and yet I’ve never found one better than Cerave. It is unscented and suitable for sensitive skin. The ingredients are non-comedogenic, and it has never caused me to break out. Cerave is formulated with hyaluronic acid and ceramides that help lock moisture into the skin (bye, bye dry patches). It is a thicker moisturizer, so for those of you who have oily skin, you may prefer to use it in your PM routine.
Step 7: Sunscreen
Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF 47
Price: $47.00
SPF is hands down the most crucial step in any skincare regime. Why? Because it protects your skin from the UV damage that causes wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and loss of firmness. For those who are really struggling with hyperpigmentation from acne scarring, or melasma, applying SPF everyday will make a big difference. Anyone who has ever spent hours scrolling the internet for the right sunscreen knows that it is a struggle. It is so hard to find a mineral sunscreen that does not clog your pores or leave a white cast. The solution: Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF 47. I’ve been using it for months and it has never caused a breakout (win), and it absorbs easily upon application. It has a slightly radiant finish and could be used as a moisturizer for oilier skin types. A little goes a long way with this product as it has taken me six months to finish a bottle.
Photographer César Ochoa
Beauty by Ewa Bilinska
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