Simple Skincare Guide for Beginners

Hey all! 👋 Claire here, one of the Content Creators behind Living In Yellow! I’ll be the first to admit that I am NOT a professional when it comes to skincare, but I do consider myself an expert at trying out the latest and greatest beauty products… I like to think of it as R&D. 😉 With that said, I’ve tried a lot of buzz-worthy products and simultaneously learned what not to use! Today I’m sharing a basic guide to a simple skincare routine along with a few of Team LIY’s favorite products!

Before we dive in, keep in mind skincare is personal and results will vary for everyone. What works for me might not work for you! Check with your esthetician or dermatologist before starting something new and if you notice any unusual reactions, stop using the product right away. If you have sensitive skin, apply any new products to a small patch of skin to test before using. If you’re pregnant [congrats!!], do some research and talk to your doctor about pregnancy safe skincare. Now let’s get to the fun stuff!

If you’re looking for a sign to wash your face regularly; this is it, friends! Dirt, oil, and makeup can clog your pores, so you should be cleansing at least once a day before bedtime [no, a makeup wipe doesn’t count 😉 ]! If you have dry skin, it’s okay to simply rinse with warm water in the mornings. There are a lot of great cleansers on the market, but most dermatologists will recommend this basic drugstore brand!

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Step two is optional, but if you’re looking to up your skincare game, using a toner is a pretty simple [and effective!] step to work into your routine. After washing your face with a gentle cleanser, use a cotton round soaked with toner to get an even deeper clean. It isn’t one product fits all, so be sure to use one that targets your specific skincare concerns! These pre-soaked pads are a favorite among the LIY Team and community!

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Another optional addition to your skincare routine: oils + serums. There are thousands of oils and serums on the market and finding the right fit for your skincare concerns can be overwhelming. We put together a guide above, but the main rule of thumb is to be cautious of mixing active ingredients like retinol or retinoids [common in anti-aging products], vitamin C, and salicylic acid ABA/BHA [common in acne/pore treatments]. Layering the active ingredients can cause irritation, dryness, redness, and flaking. Instead, try to use the products on different days or separate the products into a morning and night routine. For example, use vitamin C in the morning to brighten your skin for the day and retinol at bedtime to avoid layering these products together.

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If you prioritize one part of your skincare routine, let it be this! Even if you have oil prone skin, don’t skip this step. Fun fact: not using a moisturizer use can result in over-production of oil on your skin. Do your face a favor and apply an oil-free, fragrance free, noncomedogenic [noncomedogenic = acne safe, won’t clog pores] product to keep your skin healthy and hydrated.

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Last, but definitely not least; is sunscreen. You can bypass this step in the evening, but it’s important to protect your skin from the sun to prevent signs of aging and lower your risk of skin cancer. Use a daily facial sunscreen or incorporate makeup products with built-in SPF into your beauty routine. 20 years from now, your skin will thank you. 😉

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She’s as witty as she is sweet, Claire is one of our Content Creators and our official LIY Book Club aficionado. Between writing blog posts that will make you LOL, curating questions that will get your brain turning for our next book club discussion and snappin’ her feminine style [blush is her middle name], you can find her living life on the lake with a beer in hand and a fishing pole in the other.