The skincare industry is so overwhelming. Trust me, you are not alone in not knowing where to start in your skincare journey. There so many brands to choose from and you have to pick the right products for your skin type. Learning about your skin can lead to a lot of trial and error. However, trial and error is not entirely bad, you need to know about your skin and so you can learn. Also, that is the time to see if you have any allergies so you can avoid them in the future. Here are some steps you can take so you don't waste too much time and money.

Know your skin type

This is an important step to kick off your skincare routine that is meant for you and only you. Knowing what skin type you are saves you so much time and money. Many skincare brands will give you a free consultation to see what kind of skin type you are; dry, oily, or combination skin. Once you confirm what skin type you are, you can buy products that are best for your skin type. This will make your shopping life so much easier.

Consult a dermatologist or an esthetician

Consulting a skincare professional is a super important step especially if you have sensitive skin or acne-prone. First do try to cleanse your skin well and change your eating habits to do a process of elimination. If you have done the homework yourself and nothing has changed, consulting a professional will give you peace of mind. Dermatologists can run diagnostics to see if you have skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis and give you a plan of action based on your skin needs. In some cases, you may need medical help like medication to soothe your skin.

Yes, sometimes seeing a Dermatologists are expensive and require health insurance which is a good reason to go to an esthetician. You can book a consultation with an esthetician for cheap rates. Estheticians are just as knowledgeable about skincare as dermatologists, trusting them is no issue.

Take an allergy test

This is recommended for everyone. You never know what you are allergic to. Some allergies can really ruin the beautiful appearance of your skin. This can rule out a lot of possibilities of what could be upsetting your skin. The test doesn't take long, the part of your body that is tested is your back with certain products. Just in case you do have a bad reaction from anything, the reaction will on your back unseen from the public. So no embarrassment what so ever!

Identify what kind of shopper you are

This is very important. You have to ask yourself what is important to you when you shop. Do you care if the brand is Eco friendly? Vegan? Tested on Animals? Is clean beauty concern for you? All of this ties into your shopping experience, some brands have the same mindset as their consumer. You will have to do some research on what brands you would like and keep them in mind. If you have sensitive or acne-prone skin, shopping with brands that have natural ingredients would be beneficial for your skincare regimen.

Keep it Simple & save money

Keep your skincare routine as simple as possible, you don't need many steps to it. Your essentials should be your cleanser, toner, and moisturizer. Anything that's added to that list is your weekly skincare routine that should be done on the weekends or time when you have off from work. Don't do too many steps at once, you will irritate your skin and do more harm than good. The key here is to be gentle with your skin and make note of what you need daily. If your skin is flaring up, pull back a little and focus on cleansing/moisturizing. This very important if you have sensitive skin.

Also, think about how much money you will be saving in the long haul. Think about how much you were spending on skincare products on a monthly basis. Once you calculate all of your expenses, it will open your eyes. The beauty industry markets a lot of products to women all at once because they know we will do anything to have perfect skin. Just keep in mind what you need and don't need.

Stop picking at your skin

It is very tempting to pop a pimple or bust a blackhead, you have to remember you are only making matters worse. Improving your skincare will take you longer if you pick at your skin. When you pop pimples, you are spreading bacteria back into your clean pores. This will create more pimples and more acne scars. This is a tough habit to break but it will improve your skin immensely. The goal here is to limit the number of bacteria that are on your skin.

Don't forget your neck!

While focusing on your face, please be mindful of your neck as well. Your neck needs just as much care as your face. Ignoring what's below your face is an opening for long term UV or skin damage. When washing your face and moisturizing, your neck should be a part of that routine. Just remember your neck is part of your face!

It is okay to make mistakes, that how we learn about ourselves and our skin. Skincare is a tough subject because everyone is different and skincare is more than just the surface. It goes into what you eat, drink, your stress levels, and your environment. Once you take these easy steps, your skincare regimen will be less of a headache for you.