1. Determine Your Skintype

Of all the skincare tips, knowing your skintype is probably the most important since not all products suit everyone. Are you normal, sensitive, oily or dry? Perhaps you have combination skin.

To determine your skintype, cleanse your face and gently pat dry. Leave free from moisturisers, serums or any facial treatments for approximately 30 minutes.

Examine your t-zone – the forehead, nose, cheeks and chin – to detect any shine. After a further 30 minutes, decide whether your skin feels ‘tight’. This is likely to mean that you have dry skin. If there is shine on your forehead and nose, you have normal/ combination skin. If you also have shine on your cheeks, your skin is oily.

Once you are fully aware your skintype, purchase products and follow a beauty routine that suits your needs and factor in the environment you live in. Before you start using a new facial product, test it by applying it on a patch of skin such as the ear lobes.

If you suffer with sensitive skin, take extra precaution to choose products that have non-irritating ingredients and are free of parabens, synthetic fragrances, mineral oil, sulfate detergents, phthalates, urea, DEA or TEA.

2. Religiously Cleanse Your Skin

Cleanse your face at least twice a day, in the morning and at night,  to remove makeup, pollutants, dust, grease and extra oil from your skin. Experiment to find out what products suit you best. For cleansing lotions or creams, simply spot your face and gently massage it into your skin using upward strokes. Use a soft face tissue or cotton wool to wipe your face in a gentle patting fashion.

If you prefer to wash your face, stick to less harmful soap-free cleansers. Wash your skin in lukewarm water as hot and cold water can cause damage to your skin and take care not to over-cleanse. Invest in a good makeup remover to throughly get rid of eye makeup instead of just washing it away. You may wish to finish your cleansing routine with a toner to remove residual dirt, grease and excess cleanser, although this is optional.

3. Exfoliate

The skin replenishes its cells every three or four weeks. Regular exfoliation assists in removing dead skin cells that block the pores thus increasing the effectiveness of skincare products allowing them to get to the new cells.

After cleansing the face, gently exfoliate being careful not to scrub it too hard. How often you exfoliate is dependent on the skin type and the environmental conditions.

It should be no more than approximately 4-5 times per week for oily and normal skintypes  and 1-2 times per week for dry and sensitive skins. You may wish to do one or two more in hot and humid weather.

4. Moisturise

Moisturising the face is the important conclusion a of facial skincare routine. Even people with oily skin need moisturisers. They not only seal the moisture in your skin cells, but also attract moisture from air whenever needed. They prevent your skin from getting dry causing the upper layer skin to break, leading to dead skin cells.

Use of too much moisturiser can however clog skin pores and end up harming your skin. Apply with light upward strokes. The amount of moisturiser needed by your skin will become apparent to you within one week of you using a new product.

5. Drink Plenty Of Water

Not only will drinking lots of water keep your skin hydrated but it will help in the overall upkeep of your health, and in turn your skin. This is particularly important if you suffer with dry skin. Avoid diuretics like alcohol and caffeine which can make a significant impact on the appearance of your skin.

6. Get A Good Night’s Sleep

A good night’s sleep is essential not just for skincare but for your health as a whole. Lack of sleep can lead to the formation of wrinkles and dark circles below your eyes. Beauty sleep, is a real thing!

7. Pay Attention To Skin Problems

Do not not ignore any skin conditions such as acne or vitiligo. Consult your dermatologist before you go on to use a skincare product in an attempt to resolve the issue least you do end up harming your skin even more.

8. Apply Sunscreen

It does not matter what colour you are, use sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful UV radiations. Yes, dark skins tan and can sunburn too! Apply them even when it is cloudy.

UV radiations are known to cause skin cancer, so follow this skin care tip without fail. Many daytime moisturisers and even foundations such as KOL Cosmetics Mineral Powders come with UV protection so you can get double benefits from them.