Over the past few years, skincare routines have become a very popular fad, especially amongst preteens and teens. Many teens have difficulty finding the right products to use on their skin. Skin types may vary, and the perfect combo may be different for everyone. There is no one right way to have healthy skin, but there are many tips and tricks that will help you achieve the perfect complexion.  

Regardless of your skin type, you should always start with three simple steps. Cleanse, treat, moisturize. Cleansing and moisturizing are the two basics, but treating your skin is where it can get tricky. Depending on age, skin type, and other factors, you may want to treat your skin in different ways. Serums are the most common way to treat your skin. Serums are packed with vitamins and nutrients that your skin loves such as vitamin C and retinol. 

Cleansing your face should be the first step in your routine. It clears away impurities and unclogs pores. However, it is important to be cautious when cleansing, and using a cleanser with an exfoliant can interrupt the skin barrier and cause further irritation. Instead use a gentle cleanser such as CeraVe Foaming Cleanser.  

The next step is using serum(s). depending on what your skin is lacking, you can use serums to fulfill that. For example, vitamin C is a good alternative to the vitamins one can receive from the sun, especially in the winter. Retinol is very commonly used to prevent aging and to make the skin appear younger. There are also many serums for acne, dry skin, and dark spots. The very popular brand, The Ordinary, has many different serums to choose from, as well as cleansers and moisturizers to go with it.  

Finally, Moisturize. This step is key to keeping your skin feeling hydrated throughout the day. Some cleansers may lack hydration, and adding moisture can ensure your skin gets all the hydration it needs. If you’re worried about getting further breakouts from moisturizing, there are many oil-free alternatives as well as the opposite, for dry skin as well. Many brands have great choices, some of the most popular being CeraVe and Drunk Elephant.  

It is important to stick with the routine. It may be difficult to get into the habit at first, but once you start to do it every day, you are sure to see promising results and get the clear skin everyone desires to have.