Your basic routine

A uniform skincare routine cannot meet the needs of all skin types, as each skin type reacts differently to external influences and products. The right care supports the skin in its natural function and helps prevent skin issues. A basic routine is the foundation of effective skincare aimed at keeping the skin healthy, protected, and moisturized. The basic steps include: facial cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection.

Your Skin Type: Normal/ Balanced Skin

Normal skin is well-balanced, neither too oily nor too dry. The care should be light and moisturizing to maintain the natural balance. This skin type requires a gentle facial cleanser and a light moisturizer with ingredients like hyaluronic acid that hydrate the skin without overwhelming it. Additionally, daily sun protection with at least SPF 30 should absorb easily and not feel greasy.

Your Skin Type: Dry Skin

Dry skin is characterized by a lack of moisture and lipids. The weakened skin barrier often leads to feelings of tightness, redness, and flakiness. It is essential to use a mild, creamy cleanser that gently cleanses the skin without stripping moisture. Rich moisturizers with ingredients like ceramides, glycerin, or shea butter can intensely nourish the skin and strengthen the moisture barrier. Sunscreen should also have additional moisturizing properties.

Your Skin Type: Combination Skin

Combination skin has both dry and oily areas, usually in the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin). The care must regulate the oily T-zone while providing sufficient moisture to the dry areas. The facial cleanser should effectively remove excess sebum in the T-zone without irritating the dry areas. The moisturizer and sunscreen should be hydrating but not too heavy for the oily T-zone.

Your Skin Type: Oily Skin

Oily skin produces excessive sebum, which can lead to clogged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. The focus here is on sebum-regulating products that do not dry out the skin. Facial cleansers with salicylic acid combat excess sebum and cleanse the pores. The moisturizer and sunscreen should be oil-free.

Your Skin Is Permanently Sensitive

While sensitive skin is temporary for some people, others experience this sensitivity permanently. Therefore, those affected often see their sensitive skin as their skin type. There is a constant readiness of the skin to react. It often responds to external stimuli such as cold, heat, or certain ingredients in skincare products with redness, itching, or feelings of tightness. Unlike a temporary skin condition, these reactions often remain a lifelong feature. The skincare routine requires particularly gentle, irritation-soothing products that calm and strengthen the skin. The facial cleanser should be especially gentle. Additionally, the moisturizer should contain soothing ingredients like panthenol or aloe vera. Daily sun protection should also be free from irritating ingredients such as fragrances, dyes, certain alcohols, or essential oils.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find out what skin type I have?

To accurately determine your skin type, there are a few simple steps you can take at home. Wash your face thoroughly with a mild, soap-free cleanser. Be sure not to apply any other products. Allow your skin to remain in its natural state for about an hour. Now it’s time to observe your skin. If your skin still feels fresh and supple without looking oily or dry, you have normal/balanced skin. If your skin feels tight, rough, or flaky, it is dry skin. If your face is shiny, especially in the T-zone, you likely have oily skin. If your forehead, nose, and chin are oily but your cheeks are dry or normal, you have combination skin. Another simple method to identify your skin type is the tissue test: Gently dab a thin, clean tissue on different areas of your face: forehead, nose, chin, and cheeks. Then, examine the tissue for traces of oil. Additionally, your skin may also be sensitive. This skin condition is characterized by frequent irritation, redness, and tightness. This factor is particularly important when selecting suitable skincare products.

Which products are suitable for morning and which for evening?

In the morning, the focus should be on protection and hydration. During the day, the skin is exposed to external factors such as UV radiation and environmental pollutants, so it needs to be adequately protected and hydrated. The morning routine typically consists of facial cleansing, toner, antioxidant serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen. Ingredients that are particularly popular include vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide. The evening routine should concentrate on cleansing, regeneration, and repair to soothe the skin after the stresses of the day and support its natural renewal. The skincare steps include facial cleansing, chemical exfoliation, moisturizer, and night cream. Popular ingredients for the evening include BHA, AHAs, vitamin A, peptides, and ceramides.

How important is a skincare routine for balanced/normal skin?

Even with balanced/normal skin, a consistent skincare routine is essential for maintaining skin health and preventing early skin issues. Although normal skin is less prone to extreme dryness, oiliness, or blemishes, it still requires care to remain radiant and healthy in the long term. For skincare goals such as preventing skin aging, maintaining skin balance, protecting against environmental influences, and ensuring long-term skin health, regular skincare is crucial.