S E T T I N G U P A B A S I C S K I NCA R E R O UT I NE

A Cheatsheet from r/IndianSkincareAddicts. by u/Aavale

NOTE : Everything underlined is a clickable link to relevant resources

Does your interest in skincare begin and This link will take you to
end with solving your concerns without NO our wiki, where you can
getting too deep into it? find detailed, informative
posts

YES

If you are human (Any gender) or you have skin that can be considered human-like

Click this to identify your skin type and concerns

What are the skin concerns you're dealing with

SKIN
ACNE PIH PIE TEXTURE PORES
TYPE

Acne is of many Look for Look for Anything that Step 1: Lower Skin type based:
types, with many ingredients such ingredients such causes exfoliation your expectations. such as Excessive
kind of triggers. as Vitamin C, as Azelaic Acid. will help with Pores are normal. oiliness, or
Step 1: Identify Niacinamide, Antioxidants such texture. Step 2: Look for excessive dryness.
what kind Mandelic Acid, Vitamin C, Mandelic Acid, ingredients such For oilyness make
Step 2: Identify Lactic Acid, Vitamin E, Lactic Acid, as your face wash is
Triggers (food, Salicylic Acid, Green tea Salicylic Acid, Salicylic Acid, not stripping. Add
ingredients, Glycolic acid, extracts etc Glycolic acid, Niacinamide + Niacinamide +
lifestyle) Azelaic Acid, maybe of limited Azelaic Acid, ZInc Zinc. For dryness
Step 3: Make the Retinoids, help. Retinoids. Step 3: Check out add layers of
changes that Kojic Acid, Alpha Niacinamide is Also hydrating this ever relevant hydrating
counter your type Arbutin, Liquorice also something to ingredients such post. products. Use
of acne extracts, PHA consider adding. as Hyaluronic Acid hyaluronic acid.

Building a Basic Routine

YES Do you have any skincare NO

concerns you'd like to treat?

Do you have an existing routine? That's good news. Focus on

hydration and moisturisation to
retain your good fortune

YES

Do your products contain

NO
ingredients necessary to treat
your concern
Are you using a face wash /
cleanser currently ?
YES

YES
Did you introduce those
products lesser than 8 weeks
Is it stripping i.e does your
ago? NO
face feel dry after using it?

continue with it as long

as your comfortable
WAIT TILL
YOU SEE YES using it
RESULTS

Change your facewash. If

you have concerns that
Glycolic acid or Salicylic acid
can treat, choose a
Incorporate a moisturiser. If you facewash with those
have oily skin, choose one that has ingredients.
more hydrating ingredients than
emollients. If you have dry skin
choose one that has both Do you want to have a one-step
hydrating and emollients, If you NO routine in the morning?
have normal skin choose one, that
doesn't tip the lovely balance you
have going on.
YES
Ideally, choose one that doesn't
have too many actives, so that you
Choose a sunscreen that has a consistency that is
can fall back on it, incase your skin
moisturising enough for your skin type. If you're currently
is irritated. Soothing, calming
using a sunscreen you like, continue with it if you're certain
ingredients are a plus.
about it's effectivenesss

Next up, choose a sunscreen. Does your cleanser effectively

There are two main types of remove sunscreen in the PM
sunscreen filters commonly
referred to as physical and
chemical. They both have their
pros and cons.
NO
Tip: Sunscreens available in India
aren't known for their cosmetic
Add an oil based first cleanser, that is
elegance, so choose one that you
YES capable of removing sunscreen in the
can tolerate wearing and
PM. Using in the AM is optional
re-applying.

And that's it. You have foundation of your basic routine in place.
In the AM, you would use
First Cleanser (if any) --> Second Cleanser --> Moisturiser --> Sunscreen
In the PM, you would use
First Cleanser --> Second Cleanser --> Moisturiser
Other Points to Note
1. This is an overview and is not For further help in choosing products, click on the links below
meant to cover every single First Cleanser, Second Cleanser, Moisturiser, Sunscreen
possibility
2. This guide was made on the
assumption that almost
everyone washes their face.
3. I've not focused on anti-aging TREATING
ISSUES
at all in this guide.
4. If you have sensitive skin,
identify ingredients that
break you out or irritate your
skin and avoid them.