When it comes to looking beautiful and flawless, makeup products aren’t your only solution. Looking your most beautiful starts with having a naturally glowing complexion.

One way you can achieve that is by establishing a skin care routine that will fit your skin type. To do that, you need the right products to work with.

If you are new to skin care, here are 5 essential skin care products you need to invest in.

1. Cleansers

Cleansing is the first step to any skin care routine. It prepares your face for the next steps you’ll be doing and the products you’ll be applying.

A good cleanser should be able to remove your skin’s impurities, like dirt, excess oil and makeup residues, so that they won’t cause clogged pores. It should be able to do its job without stripping your skin off of its natural oils and weakening its barrier.

In choosing a face cleanser, make sure you know your skin type.

If you have dry skin, choose a creamy cleanser. In case your skin leans more on the oily side, invest in a foamy cleanser.

There are also acne cleansers for pimples you can try if you are prone to breakouts. Most of them contain acne-fighting ingredients, like salicylic acid, to control your acne.

As much as possible, choose a cleanser that doesn’t contain harsh ingredients. One good example is fragrance.

Although it can make your cleanser a lot more fun to use, fragrance is actually a known irritant that can trigger sensitivity issues.

2. Toners

Toners are used after cleansing. Their benefits differ from their formulation as well as the ingredients they contain.

There are toners that can minimize pore size and control oil. They are great options for those who have acne-prone and oily skin.

Some toners are made to rehydrate the skin and lessen skin flaking. They make a good fit for those who have a drier skin type.

In general, however, toners work to bring back your skin’s moisture which is often stripped away by cleansing. Toners are also a big help in calming the skin and removing any makeup and dirt residues your cleansers may have missed.

In choosing the right toner for you, it shouldn’t always be about the price. There are wallet-friendly toners that can work just as well as your high-end toner.

The trick is in understanding your skin type and being knowledgeable about the ingredients that can address your specific skin issues.

3. Exfoliants

Exfoliation is an important skin care step you shouldn’t miss if you want a clearer and brighter complexion.

You see, when you exfoliate, you are buffing away the dead skin cells that have accumulated on the surface of your skin. These cells are what causes your dull appearance and rough skin.

There are two types of exfoliation you can choose from.

Physical exfoliation refers to the use of friction in removing dead skin cells. This includes loofah, scrubs and pumice.

Chemical exfoliation, on the other hand, enzymes and acids to break down the bond that glues dead skin cells together. It is considered safer than physical exfoliation.

4. Moisturizers

Ideally, you should have two types of moisturizers.

One is your day time moisturizer. It should be able to protect your skin against the pollution, UV rays and stress you encounter during the day.

The other one is your night time moisturizer. Unlike the first one, this moisturizer is geared towards helping your skin repair itself and recover as your sleep.

A great night moisturizer should contain potent anti-oxidant ingredients to prevent free radical damage. As for your day time moisturizer, pick one that has a non-greasy formula and SPF.

5. Masks

Face masks are more than a luxury. They are actually a great help in solving your skin’s specific issues.

Take, for example, the best blackhead mask. Apart from its ability to pull out what’s clogging your pores, it can also help minimize the appearance of your pores as well as tighten your skin.

For skin that’s dry and dehydrated, there are hydrating masks you can use.

Face masks differ in forms. There are masks that need to be peeled once dry while some need to be rinsed off after a few minutes.

Before you actually apply one on your face, make sure to read the product’s direction first. This is to ensure you get the most out of the mask and that you won’t compromise your skin in the process.

Ideally, you should use a face mask twice a week. This is to help boost your skin’s hydration, in case your trusted moisturizer is no longer enough.

6. Serums

Serums are highly concentrated skin care products that are meant to deliver powerful ingredients to your skin. They are thick in consistency but they are made up of smaller molecules to penetrate the layers of your skin.

Serums possess great moisturizing ingredients, like ceramides and hyaluronic acid. This enables them to lock in moisture in your skin.

Despite this, they shouldn’t be used as a replacement for your moisturizer. In fact, they should be applied right after you tone and before you moisturize.

Similar to other skin care products, serums aren’t formulated the same.

For acne prone skin, try a vitamin C facial serum. It can help reduce your blemishes as well as brighten up your skin.

In the case of dry skin, serums with vitamin E and niacinamide work best. These two ingredients can improve elasticity as well as protect your skin against free radical damage.

If you feel like your skin is dull, look for a serum that possesses great anti-oxidants. Resveratrol, green tea extract and ferulic acid make a great choice as they can promote healing and repair.

Take note that serums are potent. Although it’s easy to feel excited about their benefits, you still need to be cautious in using them.

Avoid piling them up on your skin or using more than one serum at the same time without prior research. Make sure you’re aware of what you are really putting on your skin.

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