by Dianna Esguerra
Having perfect skin isn’t easy, but it is certainly achievable. In this article you’ll be shown what skin type you have, what routine you should follow for that skin type, general skin care tips everyone should know, and makeup products/skin care products that are cruelty free.
Finding Your Skin Type:
Oily Skin:
Do you have occasional acne breakouts? Are your pores larger than life? When you touch your face does a greasy residue come off? Well then, you have oily skin. The cause of oily skin is that your follicles produce more oil than normal, giving you that iconic shine. Oily skin is very common for most people, it’s especially prominent in a person’s t-zone (the forehead, nose, and chin). Oily skin is usually seen in your teen years but can go on to your adulthood as well. About 75% of teens and adults have oily skin.
Acne-Prone Skin:
We all get it eventually, but some more than others. Pimples can appear on any part of your face. Those tiny bumps on your face are very common for teens and adults alike. Approximately 85% of people between the ages of 12 and 24 experience at least minor acne. There are many causes of acne, genetics, too much oil being produced, diet, hormones, and even stress.
Dry Skin:
Does your skin flake/peel? Does it feel like it’s being pulled? Do you sometimes get white/ash patches when you don’t moisturize? If it does, then you have dry skin. Dry skin is a type of skin that can feel like someone is pulling on your face.
Sensitive Skin:
When you try new products does your skin turn red? Do you break out into rashes? Do you break out into itchy/burning hives? Do you constantly need to switch products in order to not break out? If yes, then you have sensitive skin. Sensitive skin can be frustrating for people, especially since the products they use containing scents might break them out. About 50% of women have sensitive skin, and 38.2% of men have it.
The Skin Routine For You and Your Skin:
Oily Skin Routine:
- In the morning you should wash your face as soon as you wake up. Try getting a face wash that doesn’t dry out your skin. Remember to only wash your face twice a day, don’t over do it. Also don’t wash your face with hot water, warm water is always the best choice. Use an alcohol-free toner like Witch Hazel to clean out your pores and get rid of oil, put them especially on your t-zone.
- Then use an oil-free moisturizer. Using a moisturizer is essential even though it seems logical to skip it, by using a specific oil-free moisturizer you make sure that your skin is healthy and glowing.
- Then put on sunscreen, this is a no brainer to make sure that you protect your face from harmful ultraviolet radiation.
- Remember to use oil blotting sheets to take off extra oil produced throughout the day.
- If you put on makeup during the day, always remember to take it off at night.
- After that you can put on a face mask to remove any excess oil before going to sleep.
Acne-Prone Skin Routine:
- When you wake up, wash your face gently to not irritate your skin. Use products that remove the oil from your pores but don’t dry out your face.
- Then use an exfoliator to remove all dirt and dead skin cells from your pores.
- Afterwards, apply rose water and let it dry.
- After that, use Witch Hazel as a toner by putting it on a cotton swab and applying it.
- Then, if you have it, use your acne medication that a doctor can prescribe to you.
- After that, use an oil-free moisturizer and sunscreen.
- Regularly wash your face but don’t do it to the point to where you irritate your skin. Always avoid products with alcohol in it to avoid drying and irritating the skin.
- Drink lots of water throughout the day and use oil-blotting sheets when your affected area produces oil.
- At night, wash your face and put on a face mask for acne before going to sleep.
Dry Skin Routine:
- In the morning wash your face with warm water.
- Right after, use a moisturizer to lock in the moisture to your face, make sure to set the moisturizer in by gently doing circular motions.
- Then, use rose water as a toner to gently keep the moisture on your face.
- After that, apply a thin layer of a moisturizing sunscreen to protect against ultraviolet radiation and to keep your skin silky smooth. Make sure to keep applying the moisturizing sunscreen throughout the day.
- Always remember to wear lotion if it’s cold outside.
- When it’s nighttime, use a dry skin face mask and then switch to a night cream specifically for dry skin.
Sensitive skin:
- In the morning when you are washing your face, make sure that you are using warm water.
- After you’ve done that, gently blot the skin with a clean towel and avoid scrubbing.
- Then, apply rose water to calm any irritation you may have on your face.
- Next, put on a moisturizer and a sunscreen for the day.
- At night just wash your face again gently.
General Skin Care Tips Everyone Should Know:
- Drink a lot of water, at least 2 water bottles a day.
- Use sunscreen to avoid sunspots (there are sunscreens with moisturizer for dry skin).
- Cut junk food from your diet, I’m not saying don’t eat what you want, but be more conscious of the food you are putting in your body.
- Rose water is known to calm redness of your skin.
- Relax as much as possible, as said in the acne-prone section, you can get pimples from stress.
- Change your pillowcases regularly. You are sleeping on months and years worth of dead skin cells– gross.
- Use only a little tea tree oil on pimples, but don’t over do it because it can lead to more.
- Witch Hazel is a great toner to balance the pH levels on your skin.
- NEVER scrub your face with hard objects, use spinning brushes if you need to really clean your pores out.
- Don’t do face masks everyday, it can cause more bad than good with you breaking out.
- Be patient, sometimes pimples don’t just go away overnight, it’s a natural thing that happens to all of us, just be positive and eventually they’ll go away.
Cheap cruelty free drugstore products for your skin:
- Alba Botanica
- Pacifica
- Kiss My Face
- Acure Organics
- Yes To
- Desert Essence
- Avalon Organics
- Andalou Naturals
- Nip + Fab
- Nourish Organic
- Derma E
- Aubrey Organics
- Queen Helene
Cheap cruelty free makeup brands:
- Wet n’ Wild
- Milani
- Bare minerals
- Kat Von D
- Physicians Formula
- Glossier
- Flower beauty
- Catrice
- BH Cosmetics
- Jane Cosmetics
- Pixi
Sources Listed:
https://www.aad.org/media/stats/conditions
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21781068
http://www.crueltyfreekitty.com/skincare/cruelty-free-skincare-brands/