A lot of people talk about skincare. They recommend it to prevent the onset of diseases, to treat them or, more simply, to take care of themselves a little every day. 

But how does one achieve perfect skincare? What are the steps and products that absolutely must not be missed?

Skincare is a beauty ritual that goes beyond simple facial cleansing. It is a daily investment to ensure a young and healthy skin at any age.

In this article we will guide you through the essential steps and key products to create an effective skincare routine. From cleansing and skincare to moisturising and sun protection, we will explore the essential steps so that you too can refine your ritual. 

Together we will discover how these simple daily gestures can transform your cleansing routine into a moment of well-being for your face.

What is skincare?

Literally, the meaning of skincare ‘is taking care of your skin’, i.e. a set of practices and products dedicated to maintaining and improving the health of the skin. This process aims to preserve the elasticity, vitality and youthful appearance of the skin through various strategies. 

Skincare includes a wide range of products, including cleansers, toners, serums, moisturisers and sunscreens, each formulated to meet specific skin needs.

Common goals of skincare are deep cleansing to remove impurities, hydration to keep the skin soft and supple, targeted treatment to address specific issues (such as acne or signs of ageing), and protection from environmental damage, such as UV rays.

So what is skincare? It is a process that is not just about appearance, but also promotes the overall health of the skin, playing an important role in preventing skin problems and encouraging glowing, healthy skin.

How do you do proper skincare?

We will see in a moment what the actual steps of proper skin care are. Before we get to that, though, there are some best practices to keep in mind. 

Here are some tips that you should always keep in mind if you really want to create a perfect skincare ritual: 

• Know your skin: identify your skin type (dry, oily, combination) to tailor products to your specific needs;
• Use appropriate products: choose cleansers, toners and moisturisers formulated for your skin type;
• Brighten with antioxidants: incorporate antioxidant ingredients such as vitamin C into your routine to fight free radicals, which can be contained either in the beauty products you use or taken in through your diet; 
• Treat specific problems: apply specific treatments for special needs such as acne, wrinkles or hyperpigmentation;
• Avoid night-time make-up: always remove make-up before going to bed to prevent the build-up of impurities;
• Stick to your routine: maintain consistency in your skincare, giving products time to act and notice any changes.

What makes the difference between a successful ritual and a novelty you will soon abandon is your intention. Think of skincare not so much as a set of mechanical steps to follow, those are just a means, but as your own moment in which you take care of your body.

What is Korean skincare?

Korean skincare, or K-beauty, is a method of skin care based on a series of specific steps and products. K-beauty originated in South Korea, where skincare is a true art. Korean women are famous for their smooth, glowing and blemish-free skin.

K-beauty is based on three basic principles:

• Prevention: focuses on preventing damage to the skin, rather than correcting existing damage;
• Layering: involves the application of several layers of products, to provide the skin with all the nutrients it needs;
• Natural ingredients: uses mainly natural ingredients, to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the products.

The classic Korean skincare routine comprises 10 steps, which can be adapted to the specific needs of each skin. Since this is a very long procedure that you may not be able to complete every day, let’s look at a shorter but equally effective list of steps.

All steps for a perfect skincare routine

Skincare is therefore an act of self-love, but also a lasting investment in maintaining the skin’s vitality and youthfulness over time. Each step we will look at is designed to work in synergy, creating a sequence of gestures that are adapted to the individual needs of the skin. Through this beauty routine, you will discover how taking care of your skin becomes a moment of authenticity and well-being, helping to reveal your natural beauty.

Here are all the steps of a complete skincare routine. 

1. Deep cleansing

The initial phase of skincare, deep cleansing, is crucial to create a healthy base on which to build the rest of your routine. Korean skincare is even based on a double wash. The first wash serves to remove make-up and surface impurities, while the second serves to thoroughly cleanse the skin.

During the day, the skin is exposed to various impurities such as make-up, environmental pollutants and naturally produced sebum. A gentle cleanser, selected according to your skin’s specific needs, plays a crucial role in removing impurities effectively without compromising the skin’s natural balance.

Using a cleanser suited to your skin type is essential to ensure that the cleansing process is gentle and does not attack the skin barrier. In addition, the right cleanser can help open pores, facilitating the removal of dead skin cells and enabling better absorption of subsequent products. 

This initial step prepares the skin to fully benefit from other treatments, ensuring that the active ingredients can penetrate effectively and maximise the benefits of your skincare routine. After all, if you don’t have clean skin, you can’t proceed with the next steps.

2. Balanced toning 

After cleansing, which can temporarily alter the skin’s natural pH, toner comes into play to restore and optimise this balance. Maintaining the skin’s pH in a healthy range is essential to preserve the skin’s protective barrier, helping to prevent irritation and dryness.

In addition to restoring the pH balance, the toner has a key function in preparing the skin for the next steps in the routine. Its light consistency allows for rapid absorption, while the active ingredients often found in toners, such as gentle exfoliating acids or moisturising substances, help refine the skin’s texture.

What makes the toner an essential step is its ability to enhance the absorption of subsequent products. Balanced and hydrated skin is more receptive to the beneficial ingredients in serums and creams, thus maximising the positive effects of skincare.

3. Targeted treatments

The introduction of serums and targeted treatments is another important step in skincare, allowing a specific response to the unique needs of your skin. Serums are formulated with high concentrations of active ingredients, allowing them to penetrate deeper than a traditional cream. This step also allows specific problems to be addressed directly.

An example of a key ingredient in skincare products is vitamin C, known for its ability to brighten and even out the complexion. This powerful antioxidant helps counteract the damage caused by free radicals, promoting glowing, youthful skin. Similarly, hyaluronic acid, with its ability to retain moisture, provides deep hydration, helping to keep the skin soft, supple and youthful.

The inclusion of these targeted ingredients during the serum phase not only addresses specific needs, but also amplifies the effectiveness of the entire routine. The diversity of available ingredients allows for further customisation, tailoring the skincare to your individual needs and providing a tailor-made treatment.

4. Intensive moisturisation

Continuing with skincare, you cannot avoid applying a moisturising cream adapted to your skin type. Dry skin can benefit from richer creams, while oily skin can benefit from light, non-oily formulas. A well-formulated cream brings essential nutrients to the skin, helping to restore the skin barrier and protect against harmful external agents.

In addition, hydration plays a key role in maintaining the skin’s water balance. Properly hydrated skin is less prone to dryness, flaking and irritation. This step not only provides immediate benefits, but also helps prevent signs of ageing, keeping the skin soft and supple over time.

5. Daily sun protection

Daily application of sunscreen is more important than you might think. It applies regardless of weather conditions and plays a crucial role in preserving the health of the skin. The sun’s UV rays are among the main causes of premature ageing and skin damage such as wrinkles, dark spots and loss of elasticity.

Sunscreen creates a defensive shield against these harmful ultraviolet rays, helping to prevent the appearance of premature signs of skin ageing. It also protects the skin from more serious problems, such as the risk of developing tumours.

So, don’t just think about sunscreen when you are at the beach or on the ski slope, but whenever you plan to spend a lot of time outdoors.

Difference between women’s and men’s skincare 

In general, men’s skin is thicker, oilier and less sensitive than women’s skin. This is due to male hormones, which stimulate sebum production. Male skin is also more prone to pimples and blackheads.

Men’s skincare includes cleansing products that are effective in removing excess sebum, but that are not too aggressive and cause dryness. Cleansing products for men are often formulated with ingredients such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, which help fight acne. 

Men need moisturising products that are light and non-greasy. Such products are often formulated with ingredients such as alcohol or menthol, which help reduce sebum production. 

Women’s skin, on the other hand, is thinner, drier and more sensitive. This is due to female hormones, which can cause dryness and irritation of the skin. Women’s skin is also more prone to wrinkles and sun spots.

In her skincare, women need cleansing products that are gentle and do not cause dryness. Cleansing products for women are often formulated with ingredients such as glycerine, aloe vera or CBD, which help to keep the skin moisturised. In this regard, you might be interested in learning more about complete skincare steps with CBD, an extremely powerful natural active ingredient. 

Women need rich, nourishing moisturising products. Their products are often formulated with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or collagen, which help keep the skin supple and rejuvenated. 
However, it is important to note that there is no general rule that applies to all men and women. Every person’s skin is different, so it is important to choose skin care products according to their specific needs.

The must-have facial products

A complete skincare routine requires the inclusion of several targeted products to ensure cleansing, moisturising, protection and specific treatment of the skin. 

Let’s see what cannot be missing from your arsenal: 

• Cleanser: a gentle cleanser, suitable for your skin type, is essential for removing make-up, impurities and excess oil;
• Toner or toner: restores your skin’s pH balance, preparing it for subsequent treatments and providing light hydration;
• Serum or active treatment: targeted to your skin’s specific needs;
• Moisturising cream: maintains the moisture balance, nourishes the skin and creates a protective barrier, especially if based on ingredients such as CBD; 
• Sunscreen: a daily sunscreen helps prevent UV damage, reducing the risk of premature ageing and more serious skin problems;
• Exfoliant: used once or twice a week, it can help remove dead skin cells, improve skin texture and promote cell renewal;
• Mask: used occasionally, it can provide an intensive treatment to moisturise, purify or revitalise the skin.

The importance of each product may vary according to your skin type and your specific needs. Experiment and customise your beauty skincare until you achieve a satisfactory result.