Beginner Skincare Routine to Take Into 2025!

It is quite undeniable that in today’s world of busy schedules and tight deadlines, one’s ability to devote time towards oneself has significantly reduced. Often people imagine self-care to be a luxury indulgence that can be experienced only once in a blue moon. But with skincare becoming more affordable and accessible, that is no longer true . A simple yet effective, five-minute skincare routine is all that you need to start prioritizing yourself everyday. Skincare can assuredly be daunting to new users but fear not, cause Aether Alchemy is here to clear all your doubts!

Identify skin type

To be able to give your skin the most effective treatment, it is essential to study and understand your skin type that includes oily, acne-prone, sensitive, dry or combination etc. Factors such as environment and hormonal changes also play a huge role in determining our skin type. A professional dermatologist can be consulted if required. For beginners, this simple four-step CTSM (Cleanser, Toner, Serum and Moisturizer) routine is all you need to get you to rediscover your love for your skin.

Cleansing - the foundation of your healthy skin

The first step of your routine, use a gentle, exfoliating cleanser. It removes dirt, makeup and impurities keeping your skin ready for the next steps. It is recommended to cleanse twice daily after waking up and before sleeping. Look for a cleanser that is fragrance-free, ceramides infused and has basic ingredients. Here are some cleansers that are #aetherapproved:

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser - ideal for dry and sensitive skin

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser - a mild, everyday cleanser

Minimalist Salicylic Acid + LHA Cleanser - great for acne-prone skin

Toning - balance and prep your skin

A toner will balance your skin’s pH levels and allows the pores of your skin to open more to be able to absorb the goodness that follows. They may also create a great base for your makeup and help in keeping your skin clean and nourished. Toners with aloe-vera or rose water can provide soothing experiences. Toners that are #aetherapproved:

Plum Niacinamide Face Toner - controls oil and refines pores

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toning Solution - gently exfoliates for smoother skin

Fae Beauty Hydra-milk Toner - hydrates and soothes sensitive skin

Serum - the powerhouse of your routine

A serum is high-potency, lightweight and used to target specific concerns. Salicylic acid can help treat acne, use hyaluronic acid for hydration, niacinamide for oily skin, Vitamin C for brightening or peptides to combat aging. It is to be used twice a day for best results and you may consider having a morning-serum and a night-serum to increase the effectiveness of your regime. Some serums that are #aetherapproved:

Dot & Key Hyaluronic and Hydrating Face Serum - for deep hydration

Plum Vitamin C Serum - for brightening and even-tone skin

Foxtale AHA BHA Exfoliating Serum - to combat acne

Moisturizing - seal in the goodness

Seal the deal with the fourth and last step that is, moisturizing. Use an oil and fragrance free moisturizer that will bind the previous steps together whilst providing nourishment. Go an extra mile and use moisturizers that are formulated with additional ingredients to cater to specific concerns. Non-comedogenic moisturizers will help to not block pores or future breakouts for individuals with oily skin. Moisturizers that won the #aetherapproved stamp:

Dot & Key Ceramides Moisturizer - strengthens skin barrier

Minimalist 10% Vitamin B5 Moisturizer - deeply hydrates and nourishes

Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion - perfect for sensitive skin

Bonus step - Your skin’s best friend!

No skincare routine is complete without skincare. You can take a step further and make sure your skin is protected from the harmful UV rays of the sun by using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 50 or higher. It is the skin’s best defense against skin cancer, premature aging and hyperpigmentation. #aetherapproved sunscreen recommendations:

Aqualogica Glow++ Dewy Sunscreen

Dot & Key Superbright Sunscreen

Minimalist SPF 50 +++ Sunscreen

And that brings us to an end of the simple yet effective beginner-friendly four-step skincare regime. You can also add in a face-mask once or twice a week to provide specific results like brightening, hydrating or clarifying. Always remember the golden rule of skincare ‘less is more’. Don’t flood your cart with unnecessary products based on social media hype but use only basic and clean ingredients that will treat your skin. Have patience and give your skin the chance to get used to the regime. Lastly, like many things in life, consistency is key even for skincare. It is imperative to produce and maintain results. Trust in the process and allow your skin to redefine luxury indulgence. Let Aether Alchemy be your guide to a healthier, happier skin!

-aether alchemy