Beginner's Journey into Basic Cosmetics
This article is for those who feel lost amid countless information and reviews. We often end up disappointed after purchasing products based on friends' recommendations or flashy advertisements. This mistake is even more common among skincare beginners.
“I bought it because everyone said it was good, but why is my skin becoming more sensitive and redder? I don't know what product to use.”
This concern is a completely natural process. Every person's skin has unique characteristics, making a "universal cosmetic" an illusion. The key is not following trends, but listening to your skin's signals and finding solutions that work for you. Successful cosmetic selection starts right here.
It All Begins with Knowing Your Skin
The first step is moving beyond labeling yourself as “dry skin” or “oily skin.” While oil and moisture-based skin types can be helpful references, they are not everything. Skin condition changes daily due to numerous external factors like seasons, stress, and lifestyle.
The Trap of Common Skin Types
If you stick to products for oily skin just because the T-zone is oily, you may worsen dryness on your cheeks and chin (U-zone). Conversely, if you use overly oily creams for dryness, you risk breakouts in certain areas. It is wise to focus on the “problems” your skin is currently facing instead of superficial types. Consider whether your skin barrier is compromised, causing redness, flakiness messing up your makeup, or sensitivity to specific ingredients.
Simple Self-Diagnosis Methods
The simplest way to gauge your exact skin condition is by washing your face and waiting 10-20 minutes without applying anything. If your skin feels tense and shows flakes, it lacks both moisture and oil. If the T-zone quickly becomes oily, oil secretion is active. Observations like these help determine whether moisture supply, oil control, or calming treatment is urgent for you. This is the first step to the right basic skincare product choice.
Ingredient Lists Are No Longer Cryptic
After understanding your skin, the next step is learning how to read the ingredient list on the back of cosmetic products. Don’t be intimidated by numerous chemical terms. You don’t need to memorize everything—just understand a few key principles. Remember, in a product's ingredient list, components are listed in order of concentration. Thus, the first 5-10 ingredients define the product’s identity.
Key Ingredients for Beginners to Focus On
Rather than labeling ingredients as good or bad, focus on their functions. Here are common and beneficial ingredients for beginners to know in basic skincare products:
- Moisturizing and Hydration: Ingredients like hyaluronic acid (sodium hyaluronate), glycerin, panthenol, and beta-glucan attract moisture from the air or prevent skin moisture from evaporating.
- Calming and Barrier Reinforcement: Extracts like centella asiatica, allantoin, madecassoside, and ceramides soothe sensitive skin and help strengthen the damaged skin barrier.
- Ingredients to Be Cautious With: Depending on skin sensitivity, components like fragrances, certain essential oils, and denatured alcohol might irritate sensitive skin, so approach carefully if they appear early in the list.
Minimalist Skincare: The Less, The Healthier
When you think of 'K-beauty,' a 10-step complicated skincare routine typically comes to mind. However, piling up numerous products does not necessarily lead to skin health. In fact, when using many products, it becomes challenging to determine what doesn’t work with your skin functions, and over-nourishment may cause breakouts. If you’re just starting to find products that suit you, minimizing steps is far more effective.
Essential 3 Steps: Cleansing, Moisturizing, Sun Protection
The key foundations for skin care are “cleansing,” “moisturizing,” and “sun protection.” By doing just these three right, your skin can become astonishingly healthy.
- Cleansing: The step of thoroughly and gently washing away accumulated dirt and makeup without irritation. Avoid products that are too harsh, causing skin dryness.
- Moisturizing: Protect the skin barrier immediately after washing by applying a moisturizer that fits your skin type. Just one product that suits your skin condition could be enough—this is the essence of basic skincare products.
- Sun Protection: UV radiation is the main cause of skin aging and pigmentation. It is good to get into the habit of applying sunscreen daily, even on cloudy days or indoors.
Focus on these essential 3 steps when finding products that work for you, and once your skin stabilizes, add functional products like essence or serum as needed. This is the safest and most certain way to choose cosmetics.
Practical Tips for Successful Cosmetic Selection
Now that you know the theory, it’s time for practice. Instead of purchasing full-size products impulsively, a strategic approach to decrease risk and increase success likelihood is necessary. The skin reacts sensitively to minor changes, necessitating careful testing.
Utilizing Samples and Small-Sized Products
Most cosmetic brands offer samples or trial kits. If you want to try new basic skincare products, it’s advisable to use samples first to check for allergy or breakout reactions. Observe skin changes for at least 3 days to a week. It’s a good idea to test on less visible areas like along the jawline or behind the ears.
Keeping a Skin Diary to Track Changes
After starting a new product, get into the habit of briefly recording your skin condition, even simply. A smartphone memo is sufficient. Recording the start date, product name, and morning and evening skin condition (redness, breakouts, dryness, oiliness, etc.) proves immensely helpful. These notes become priceless data for objectively evaluating whether a product brings positive change or problems to your skin. By analyzing this process, you'll no longer be swayed by marketing but make wise cosmetic selections based purely on your skin data.
The journey of finding the right basic skincare is time-consuming and labor-intensive, but the experience gained is a great asset to long-term skin health. The more you objectively understand your skin's condition and consistently document it, the more professional your choices become. If you want to collaboratively design a beginner's beauty journey, please make a project request with YURICO5.
