If you want to read about the hottest newest skincare products in the game, I’ll have to disappoint you because this is not that kind of article. I love skincare though, I really do. It’s just that my take on it has changed a lot since the last couple of years. When my hormonal imbalance started to impact my skin, I couldn’t longer just slap on any product, I had to put together a well-thought routine. That’s why I’ll be sharing all my essential tips on how to approach skincare and how to create a routine that’s best for you.

1. Check the ingredient list

Every good routine starts out with educating yourself on the basics. If you want to be able to be critical, which I’ll elaborate on in the next part, you have to know the main ingredients. You’ll see products with AHA and BHA, all kinds of acids, moisturising ingredients… but if you don’t know how these work, you might end up messing up your skin or end up missing out on products that could save your skin. I know it can be overwhelming at first, because there’s a lot to learn, but you’ll thank yourself later when you can rely on yourself for picking out what’s best for your skin type.

2.  Be critical, always

The glam marketing tricks, the raving by every Instagram blogger, the articles on every beauty page… Don’t fall for it. You know how it goes, there’s a new product and it immediately becomes a cult product that you need to own. Also, I notice that it’s becoming a huge trend that everyone shares their skincare routine that changed their life. Don’t just blindly follow that either. How many times do I see people recommending putting coconut oil on your face, while I know all too well that it is one of the most pore clogging oils out there. My point is, question everything, we’re not just talking any products here, we’re talking products that you put on your face. So always remember to be the most critical.

3. The sad one, your diet

Trust me, I wish this was a myth too. I’m have a huge sweet tooth and I used to put cheese on everything I would consume. Until I learned the effects dairy has on your skin and your hormones. I’m still working on the sweet tooth part, but I have learned to not consume too much dairy. Thanks to vegan products, you can replace your beloved milk products with non-dairy variants. Drinking water is a plus too, don’t get me wrong, it won’t magically transform your skin as many make it seem. But the fact that you switch up from those heavily sugary drinks to water will definitely have a good impact on your skin. Of course I still ‘cheat’ here and there, but I try to be a bit more conscious about what I consume, that’s all.

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4. Keep track of exterior factors

Stress, anxiety, a bad sleeping routine … there are so many factors that have an impact on our skin. So, when you see that your skin is acting up, ask yourself “why?” Maybe it’s because you’ve been stressing about something lately or haven’t had enough sleep. I’m not the biggest fan of meditation, as I’m a very impatient person, but it is so important to make sure you aren’t stressed or panicked. Find something that works  to help you relax, and take time to do it when you feel your body needs it. Also, check if your hormones are impacting your skin. Talk to your gynaecologist or dermatologist about it. But when doing that, keep in mind to stay critical. The thing with doctors is that they often immediately put you on medication, from antibiotics to birth control. These may help you, but it’s only a temporary solution that might harm your body in many ways in the long run.

The older you get, the more your body changes and the more you have to actively work on taking care of it. Forget about what used to work for you when you were in your teens. Find the products and habits that will work for your skin now. It can be a hassle from time to time, but taking care of your skin and body in general is one of the greatest things you can do for yourself.