How to Create a Personalized Skin Care Routine

When it comes to taking care of your skin, custom skin care is the key to success. After all, everyone has different skin types and skin care concerns that can change drastically on a seasonal—or even daily—basis. For this reason, it’s very helpful to have a personalized skin care routine that suits what your skin needs right now. Like it or not, not all skin types are created equal. So, if you have oily skin, you probably should avoid taking cues from a person with combination skin. The results may not be so pretty.

Thankfully, you’ll be surprised to find that your skin care product collection likely already consists of many skin care essentials that allow for personalization. Keep reading to learn how to create a custom skin care routine that will keep your skin in tip-top shape.

WHAT IS A PERSONALIZED SKIN CARE ROUTINE?

Let’s get down to business. A personalized skin care routine, also known as a custom skin care routine, is just what the name suggests—it’s a skin care routine that’s curated to suit your unique needs. So, instead of a general routine that’s recommended to the masses, your personalized routine takes your skin type and skin care concerns into consideration to give your skin the TLC that it needs. Now that you’re educated on the topic of personalized skin care routines, it’s time to build a regimen of your own.

STEP 1. FACIAL CLEANSER

First things first, you want to start your custom skin care routine off on the right note by getting rid of dirt, oil, and debris on the surface of your skin. Here are some of our favorites; have your pick based on your skin type.

If you have oily skin…reach for the L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser – Normal to Oily Skin. Formulated with tiny micelle molecules, this cleanser works to lift away impurities and makeup and leaves behind a matte finish.

If you have dry skin…the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Detox & Brighten Cleanser is more than worth a try. Formulated with charcoal and three pure clays, this offering works to purify the skin of dirt, oil, and debris for a more radiant look, which dry skin tends to lack.

If you have combination skin…all signs point to the L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser Waterproof – All Skin Types being a great match for your skin. This cleanser works to remove makeup, dirt, oil, and other impurities from the skin without any rinsing or harsh rubbing. The result? Skin that’s both hydrated and purified.

If you have sensitive skin…try the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Nourishing Cream Cleanser. This gentle face cleanser for mature skin is formulated with replenishing oils to gently remove makeup from skin. It also cleans without over-drying, which is a must for sensitive skin types.

STEP 2. FACE SCRUB

Now that your skin is cleansed, it’s time to kick your custom skin care routine up a notch with a little face scrub action. The right scrub will purify and unclog your pores to help reveal healthy-looking and smooth skin. Sounds like a must to us! Below, find the best exfoliator for your skin type.

If you have oily skin…use the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Purify & Unclog Kiwi Scrub. Made with three sugars and kiwi seeds, this bright green scrub works to gently polish away dirt and impurities. After exfoliating, skin is left feeling baby-soft and smooth.

If you have dry skin…try the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Nourish & Soften Cocoa Scrub. Formulated with a blend of coconut oil, rich cocoa butter, and pure sugars, this scrub melts onto skin to provide deep and gentle exfoliation. As a result, skin looks more refined, smooth, and nourished.

If you have combination skin…reach for the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Smooth & Glow Grapeseed Scrub. This offering, which is formulated with acai, finely ground sugars, and monoi and grapeseed oil, provides deep yet gentle exfoliation.

If you have mature skin…the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Resurface & Energize Kona Coffee Scrub is just what you need. Since your skin can sometimes flaunt a dull appearance, this scrub helps to awaken the skin while removing impurities.

Editor’s tip: Keep in mind, not all skin types can handle frequent exfoliation. Listen to your skin. It’s possible that your custom skin care routine should only include exfoliating once per week—it’s all about what works for you.

STEP 3. FACE SERUM

One of the easiest ways to keep your skin looking healthy and radiant is to keep a facial serum handy. Best of all, the right serum can help address a myriad of skin care concerns to give you your best skin yet. Here are a few options to consider—rather than making a pick based on your skin type, choose the serum which has benefits that best suit your concerns.

L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Golden Serum: This serum is designed with mature skin in mind to help restore radiance, resilience, and vitality to the skin. It also helps to stimulate surface skin cell renewal to keep your skin looking healthy and luminous.

L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum: Formulated with 1.5% pure hyaluronic acid, this potent serum works to enhance skin’s moisture levels for all-day hydration. It also helps to visibly plump the skin and reduce wrinkles in as little as two weeks for a youthful-looking visage.

L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum: This face serum is made with 10% pure vitamin C and helps restore skin’s radiance and neutralize free radicals that can lead to skin aging. Specially formulated without water for stability, it’s also packaged in an air-tight metal tube to minimize oxygen exposure until it’s ready to be used.

STEP 4. FACIAL MOISTURIZER

After serum, you want to lock in hydration with the help of a facial moisturizer. Find your perfect match below.

If you have oily skin…grab the L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care - Normal/Oily Skin. This water-based moisturizer contains aloe vera water and hyaluronic acid to provide continuous hydration. In turn, skin is left looking fresh, healthy, and mattified.

If you have dry skin…opt for the L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care - Normal/Dry Skin or L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care - Extra Dry Skin. Both moisturizers will leave you with glowing, healthy-looking skin thanks to continuous, intense hydration.

If you have combination skin…your skin can often float between feeling too dry or way too oily. Stay ahead of the game by mixing and matching moisturizers to balance out your skin.

If you have mature skin…try the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Hydra Nutrition Honey Day Cream. This moisturizer provides nourishing moisture and leaves skin looking more firm and supple with a natural glow.

STEP 5. FACE MASK

Pampering your skin should always be on the agenda, and there is no better option for doing exactly that than applying a face mask. The perfect addition to your custom skin care routine, face masks are great for addressing your skin care concerns while giving your complexion a treat.

L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Detox & Brighten Face Mask: This mask is just what your dull complexion needs. Formulated with charcoal and three pure-clays, the mask helps clean out pores and captures dirt, oil, and impurities to rebalance skin.

L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Exfoliate & Refining Face Mask: Put your rough skin troubles behind you with the help of this mask. Enhanced with red algae extract, the formula helps to draw out any buildup of dirt, oil, and impurities for refreshed skin.

L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Clear & Comfort Face Mask: Formulated with seaweed, this mask helps to draw out impurities and reduce the appearance of imperfections. It also works to gently cleanse stressed areas caused by harsh cleansing and everyday pollution.

L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Clarify & Smooth Face Mask: Whether you’re dealing with uneven skin tone or texture, this mask can help. Formulated with yuzu lemon, this mask removes dead skin cells from skin’s surface so you can flaunt a smooth and healthy-looking visage.

Editor’s tip: Not sure one mask will cut it? Multi-masking, is an easy, affordable, and totally fun way to completely level up your face mask experience by applying different face masks to different spots on your face. Whereas applying a single face mask all over your entire visage might not address all of your skin’s needs, using more than one mask at a time can help you tackle a multitude of complexion concerns all at once. If this sounds good to you (and how could it not?), pick up the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Multi-Mask Clay Tripod Kit. Check out our article, How to Multi-Mask with Clay Face Masks, for more info!

STEP 6. EYE CREAM

Contrary to popular belief, it’s never too early or too late to add an eye cream to your (personalized) skin care routine. The skin surrounding your eyes is more fragile and is prone to showing visible signs of aging as you age, making this final personalization step a must. To keep your eye area in shape, introduce an eye cream to your regimen, picking one that addresses your biggest concerns, whether that’s dry skin around the eyes, dark circles, wrinkles, or bags. Here are two options.

L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Hydra Nutrition Manuka Honey Eye Gel: This ultra-gentle eye gel is formulated with manuka honey and nurturing oils to provide mature, very dry skin with lasting moisture. The cooling rollerball wand massages away the look of puffiness, under-eye bags, and dark circles.

L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Triple Power™ Eye Treatment: This powerful and luxurious eye treatment has a cool metal applicator and a formula with a silky texture that makes application a delight. The treatment itself fights wrinkles and reduces puffiness and dark circles.

Next up: One way you may have considered personalizing your routine is with homemade face masks, but are those a good idea? To find out, read our article, Are DIY Face Masks Safe?