In Western countries, the standard skincare routine tends to be a 3-step process of cleaning, toning, and moisturizing. More skin savvy women may have a 4-step skincare routine that also includes a serum. In contrast, Asian skincare routine can have anywhere from 5-step up to 12-step skincare routine in the morning and evening. It seems a huge difference by comparison, and it may even sound like it would overwhelm the skin with moisture. But it is not overwhelming at all. Most of the Asian skincare especially Korean skincare products are lightweight in general, which lean more on aqua-based and humectants products to keep the skin hydrated. 

If you know your skin type well, you can always customize your own skincare routine based on your skin’s daily needs i.e. if you will be spending a lot of time in a dry environment one day and a humid environment the next, it’s easy to adjust your skincare to accommodate those environmental changes. You can also customize your skincare routine to treat specific skin concerns such as sensitive, acne, aging, hyperpigmentation, etc.

Hydration

Hydrated skin appears fresh, translucent, smooth and resilient and it is more resistant to free radicals that cause aging. Drink plenty of water, use only natural and gentle cleanser, add avocado to your diet, use a humidifier in your room, apply hydration face mask, eat more fruit, increase intake of omega-3 fatty acids, to improve your hydration level.

Sun Protection

The desire for an even skin tone is the emphasis on sun protection. Sun exposure/sun damage is the primary cause of visible signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. In addition, it can elevate your risk of developing skin cancer. The primary distinction between UVA and UVB is that UVA rays are responsible for cancer and premature aging and UVB rays are responsible for sunburn. Sunscreen is essential to keep the skin healthy and slow down the effects of aging.

Patch Testing

If you have extremely sensitive and allergic skin, it’s always recommended to do a patch test (behind your ear, neck, on the underside of your forearm) for compatibility prior to using any new products. Watch it over the next 2-7 days to see how your skin reacts.

One Product at a time

It’s also best to introduce only one new product at a time. You’ll have no way of knowing which products is the culprit if you have a bad reaction when you are using multiple new products at once. Try to space your new product introductions apart by a least a week.

I always encourage people to start basic skincare at a young age as research shows that as early as 25 our skin’s two structural proteins – collagen and elastin decrease gradually, and that’s when aging starts! It’s ideal to begin the skincare routine in the teen years, but it’s never too late to start. It is far easier to prevent the signs of aging than it is to reduce them once they appear.

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