These last months were times when many of us found new ways to occupy ourselves during the pandemic. In times of uncertainty, we've also made some changes to our self-care habits, such as skincare routines.

As our homes have become our world, instead of scheduling appointments for facials, we've turned our retreat into a true spa. In this way, self-care has become more important than ever.

What can you expect from your actual skincare routine? Check out some amazing tips we've put together for you in this guide and maintain your self-care responsibly.

Skin types: What is Yours?

Did you know that each skin type reacts differently to each skincare product? Items made for all types may not be the best bet for your complexion. That's why knowing your skin type is extremely essential for a healthier routine.

Normal Skin
Normal skin is also called eudermic, because this type of skin is neither too dry nor too oily, with well-balanced pH levels and sebum production. Generally, its texture is smoother, with finer pores and without areas of hyperpigmentation. Anyone's dream.

However, the gift of having normal skin does not mean that gorging on carbs and chocolates every day without balance is adequate. This skin type also requires certain daily care to keep it healthy and hydrated.

Drinking at least two liters of water throughout the day is essential. Without this habit in your routine, the skin can become flaky and even lead to excess sebum production. The use of sunscreen is also fundamental for the general maintenance of the health of the complexion, preventing the appearance of hyperpigmentation, dryness and wrinkles. In that case, oil-based products are great for tightening pores.

In addition to the basic rules of removing makeup and using moisturizer every day, washing your face is extremely important for maintaining a healthy complexion. Even if you haven't used any makeup, bacteria and other everyday impurities can clog your pores while you sleep. You don't want that, do you?

Oily Skin
Oily skin has its pores more dilated, increasing sebum production. This type of skin can be caused due to hormonal imbalances, especially during puberty or during pregnancy.

The climate can also contribute, i.e. if you live in a humid or hot place it is likely to result in oily skin. Another interesting factor to consider is whether your closest family members have this skin type. If so, chances are you have it too.

Another factor that contributes to high sebum production is the excessive use of exfoliants. Sometimes you might think you're helping your skin look brighter, when in fact you're just stimulating sebum production. In addition, using aggressive products in your skincare routine, or those not suitable for your condition, help with the formation of oily skin.

For this, it's important to drink enough water to keep your skin moist and to hydrate regularly. Washing your face with facial soap when you wake up and before bed is excellent for unclogging pores. But be careful not to wash too much, excessive washing removes the necessary oiliness, which results in more sensitive skin.

Dry Skin
Lack of moisture can result in flaky, rough looking skin. Pleasure, that's dry skin. This skin type can also be uneven in texture, causing itching and surface tension.

The main cause of dry skin is genetics and winter seasons where lack of moisture prevents regular oil production. Very hot and long baths also help with this dryness. Other than that, as we age, it is natural for the skin to become drier.

In addition to drinking lots of water, there are some other basic tips to keep your skin healthy and radiant, such as moisturizing your skin often, not spending so much time in the shower, and patting your skin dry instead of rubbing your face with a towel or by the body. Using a room humidifier to retain the skin's natural moisture is also excellent.

Mixed Skin
This is one of the most common skin types. So if you have the T-zone and oily cheeks, you are in this group. In addition to genetics, some very aggressive skincare products can cause a change in skin type, contributing to excessive oil production in the T-zone, for example.

A key tip for combination skin care is to use gentle facial cleansers. After all, the T-zone pores are larger than the rest of the face, which means that harsh products can clog them. Exfoliation should be done once a week, gently rubbing the T-zone, so as not to damage your skin.

Sensitive Skin
Skin with uneven texture, oily in summer and dry in winter? This is sensitive skin, and it's pretty simple to identify. This type of skin reacts easily to certain cosmetics, it tends to get red after a hot shower, it itches a lot when wearing tight clothes, and it can get red when eating spicy food.

In your skincare routine, if you have sensitive skin, you may be allergic to a specific ingredient, but you may be able to adapt to other elements that don't contain that ingredient. For this reason, it is essential to test any product in your hand before purchasing it. Wait 24 hours to avoid more aggressive reactions in larger areas of the body. If there is no reaction at that time, go ahead and apply it to your face or body.

If you have this skin type, it's important not to overdo it with your skin care routine. Bet on the cleaning steps with mild soap, moisturizer and sunscreen. And don't blindly believe in "hypoallergenic" products, that's because they may still not be suitable for you.
Read more about how to choose the best soap for your skin type

Basic Steps Based on Korean Skin Care Routine

The Korean skincare routine has been amazing. With innovative technology that leverages ancient traditions, it demonstrates impressive results. Come check out why these skin care steps are so wonderful.

While it seems a bit lengthy compared to normal skincare routines, most Korean women perform their 8-10 step skincare rituals every day to help keep their skin looking healthy and radiant.

Let's face it, all this effort does not go unnoticed. Especially because these women are proud to have one of the best skins in the world. See what we prepared about Korean skincare for day and night.

Korean skincare for the day

Step 1: Wash your face with water. The first thing that must be done after waking up is to clean the skin with water, without using cleansers. Water removes the few impurities that are accumulated on the face overnight and still keeps the skin hydrated;

Step 2: Tonic. To balance the pH levels of the skin, it is important to apply a good toner. Otherwise, the skin can become dry and dehydrated. Including, the tonic helps to absorb the next applied products;

Step 3: Essence. Essence is the heart of the Korean skincare routine. It is a mix of toner and serum, working perfectly to hydrate the complexion and aiding cell renewal for a youthful appearance;

Step 4: Ampoule. Similar to serums, ampoules contain an even greater number of active ingredients to address specific skin care issues. They are used for a finite period, as a booster when your skin needs a little extra help;

Step 5: Serum. Serums are concentrated formulas with a high amount of active ingredients. This is because they are targeted at specific skin problems such as wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and dehydration;

Step 6: Eye cream. Apply a light eye cream, making smooth movements from the inner corner to the outer corner. In this area the skin is thinner as there are no sebaceous glands to produce natural oils. Therefore, it is important to keep it hydrated and protected during the day;

Step 7: Moisturizer. Then apply a light layer of a soothing moisturizer all over your skin. This results in long-lasting hydration throughout the day;

Step 8: Sunscreen. Applying sunscreen shouldn't just be done when you go out in the sun. Protecting the skin daily from ultraviolet rays will prevent the development of hyperpigmentation spots, wrinkles and fine lines.

Korean night skincare
Step 1: Oil based cleaning. Choose an oil-based product to start with, as this will work to better remove makeup and impurities from your skin;

Step 2: Double cleaning. After cleansing with an oil-based cleanser, use a water-based cleanser to gently remove the day's greasy residue and impurities;

Step 3: Exfoliating. Once or twice a week, depending on your skin type, apply an exfoliant to remove dead skin cells, as they can make your skin dull, blocking the absorption of upcoming products that help treat and hydrate your skin. To exfoliate your skin without damaging it, you can use the help of the Ultrasonic Facial Cleanser, which has ultra-hygienic silicone bristles paired with a deeply enjoyable ultrasonic vibrations gives the skin a gentle but deep exfoliation, which expertly removes 99.5% of dirt and oil from the skin while providing a pro prep for enhanced absorption of your skincare.

Step 4: Tonic. In the same way as the process carried out in the morning, apply the toner to balance the skin's pH levels;

Step 5: Essence. Apply your Essence for more efficient pre-hydration, allowing your skin to absorb more moisture;

Step 6: Ampoule. By applying the ampoule at night, your skin will be able to absorb all the hydration it needs after a long day at work;

Step 7: Serum. Then, the serum must be applied to the specific areas of interest, as well as the process carried out in the morning;

Step 8: Sheet Mask. One of the favorite Korean skincare products. Perfect for all skin types, anyone can benefit from these masks that provide a deeply hydrating, anti-aging treatment;

Step 9: Eye cream. Once the skin has absorbed the ingredients in the mask, apply an eye cream. It helps protect and hydrate the delicate eye area;

Step 10: Moisturizer. Lastly, select a night moisturizer to seal in your routine and keep your skin hydrated. This step allows you to wake up the next day with a refreshed, youthful complexion.

Quick cleanse skin routine for lazy days

Sometimes religiously following the 18 steps of Korean skincare can feel like a bit of work. If you're the type that loves to see your friends' dressing tables full of products, but you often forget to take your makeup off before bed, these tips are for you!

Your skin care routine doesn't have to be boring. However, due to a series of multifunctional products, you can have beautiful skin in no time. So, here are some basic steps:

Wash your Face

This might seem like an obvious recommendation, but beautiful skin starts with a good, gentle cleanser. If you have dry skin, invest in non-lathering formulas; for oily skin, a mild soap is essential; and combination skin can try oil-based options.

Micellar Water

Micellar water has micelles as an active ingredient, a compound based on liquid crystal. These assets bind to your skin's dirt, providing a deeper cleansing sensation. This helps on those days when you're wearing makeup that doesn't just come off with the first step of skincare.

Moisturizer with SPF

Using multifunctional products is an excellent way to save time. Therefore, a formula that hydrates and protects against ultraviolet rays is a good bet, after all, your skin requires more care to stay hydrated and healthy. Not skipping this step is a way to ensure a glowing, youthful complexion for longer. However, if you have a busy day-to-day life or are feeling lazy, a moisturizing cream with sun protection is essential for your skincare routine.

Renew and Adapt the Routine Over Time

When adding ampoules or serums to mitigate specific skin problems, such as fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, among other care, changes do not happen overnight. That way, a single application of anti-aging cream won't make you wake up ten years younger.

If you stick to a routine, you can reach your skincare goals. In general, improvement begins to appear within a month of use, because it takes approximately 30 days for the top layer of the skin to renew itself.

But it is essential that you follow a new routine for at least three months to evaluate the effectiveness of the product, especially when it comes to care for areas with fine lines or hyperpigmentation. This period provides at least three cycles of epidermal renewal, which is sufficient to observe possible effects on the dermis, the second layer of the skin.

Since purchased products take weeks to provide noticeable benefits, it is important to have realistic expectations regarding skin care. Patience must be your ally during this journey, which is so worth it in the end!