Skincare Basics for Dummies
If you’re like me, you probably didn’t grow up learning good skincare. Heck, until my mid-twenties, I didn’t even know skincare was a thing! In my case, it’s likely because I’m a guy, and most guys aren’t taught these things, but there can be many reasons why a person isn’t acquainted with proper skincare. Having since learned a thing or two about taking care of my skin, I would like to share some of what I’ve learned and demystify skincare without making it complicated.
Simplicity is the name of the game here. Sure, you can have a 17-step routine, but that doesn’t suit most folks. I’m a busy person, and although I enjoy a self-care moment here and there, I usually need my bathroom routine to be quick. The goal is to vastly improve the quality of your skin by preventing acne, blackheads and dryness, without sucking time out of your day. This is the incredibly simple 2-step routine that I use daily, plus some very optional extra steps. It doesn’t get easier than this!
Nathan’s Incredibly Simply 2-Step Skincare Routine for Low-Maintenance Folks
You ready for it? Here it comes, don’t miss it! Do this every single day:
- Wash your face.
- Moisturize your face.
That’s it. Simple. Washing your face removes excess dirt, oil, and dead skin and prevents your pores from getting clogged, and moisturizer balances your skin’s moisture, so it doesn’t dry out or produce too much oil and make you shiny. Now there are a few caveats here that will make a big difference:
- Wash your face with something made for your face. Body soaps and shower gel are too harsh and drying, and really shouldn’t be used on your skin. Shell out for something fancy like Schaf Cleanser or Truefitt Daily Cleanser. They may cost more upfront, but they last me 4-6 months. A little goes a long way
- Speaking of quality, the same goes for moisturizer. The stuff made for your hands will clog up your pores, so buy something meant for your face. I buy two tubs of Schaf moisturizer a year, and that’s all I ever use on my skin. If you’d rather not have a dedicated face cream, you can get away with using your aftershave balm instead.
Schaf is the brand I trust with my skin. They're Canadian, and incredibly particular about what they put into their products.
- Every time you wash your face, you need to moisturize after. If you don’t, your skin can get really dry, or worse, freak out and produce way too much oil as a defence mechanism. If I don’t moisturize, I get real glossy looking in the afternoon, and all that oil builds up and gives me acne. These days if I stick to my routine, I pretty much never get acne unless I start slacking.
- Timing isn’t super important in my experience. Washing & moisturizing at some point in the day is better than not at all, but if you think of it, wash your face before bed, especially if you’ve had a sweaty, physical day or you touch your face a lot.
Follow these guidelines, and you’ll have much happier skin. It sounds crazy, but people actually compliment you on it! If you need some skincare gear, check out our selection here and tell ‘em Nathan sent you. However, if this has you interested to learn more and you’re considering going the extra mile, here are a few additional steps to take your skincare routine to the next level.
Use a Konjac Sponge to exfoliate your face gently. In general, it’s essential to wash your hands before touching your face, but it helps to have a dedicated product for washing your face. I like konjac sponges because they’re biodegradable and soft, but also compostable! They have a slightly scrubby texture that helps to exfoliate your skin gently.
Konjac sponges gently exfoliate, and biodegrade when you're done with them!
Face Scrubs are a popular way to exfoliate the skin, and they’re a great way to remove excess build-up of dead skin and dirt. With that said, scrubs can also be hard on your skin if used too often, as the texture can cause micro-abrasions that can get infected. I use one once a week for a little extra cleaning power!
Lastly, if you suffer from very dry skin or have some skin damage that you’re hoping to heal, a skin serum is another excellent product to use once or twice a week. This stuff is like super-soldier serum for your face, packed full of intensely healing and hydrating ingredients and deeply moisturize, reduce inflammation, and promote healthier skin growth. While this isn’t a go-to in my particular medicine cabinet, I have loved it when I’ve tried it, and many of our customers swear by it!
I hope this served as a non-scary introduction to the skincare adverse. Taking care of your skin doesn’t need to be complicated or horrendously expensive, and in my case, it’s led to better self-esteem and confidence. I hope this helped you, and if you have more skincare questions, you can ask us any time!
