Starting your skincare journey
May Topics
For Those Just Starting Their Skincare Journey 💫
I created this blog as a gentle guide for anyone just beginning their skincare journey. Whether you haven’t had your routine evaluated by an esthetician, you’re unsure of your skin type, or you’re simply overwhelmed by all the options out there—this space is for you.
Think of it as your go-to starting point for the basics: understanding your skin, choosing the right products, and making sure the routine you're following actually works for you. Whether you’re building your routine from scratch or checking to see if your current one is on the right track, you’re in the right place.
Let’s take it one step at a time—your best skin starts here. 💛
🌿Skin Types🌿
🧴Skincare Needs and Wants🧴
💆♀️What to Expect With Facials💆♀️
✨June Special✨
Skin types
Knowing your skin type is the most important first step in starting your skincare journey. Skincare isn’t one-size-fits-all—a product that works wonders for one person might do the exact opposite for another. So when you see someone on social media raving about a product that "saved their skin," keep in mind: what worked for them might not be the right fit for you.
That’s why understanding your own skin type—and which ingredients and products suit it best—is crucial. It allows you to make smarter, more informed choices, and avoid products that could cause irritation, breakouts, or long-term damage.
Not sure where to start? Feel free to reach out! You can always message me on Instagram or through my Contact Me page. I’m happy to help guide you in the right direction.
In the sections below, I’ll be breaking down a few common skin types and how to identify which one you have. While this guide can give you a good starting point, I highly recommend booking a professional skin analysis with a licensed esthetician or dermatologist. Book yours with me here.
Why? Because they can give you not only a definitive answer about your skin type, but also a deeper understanding of any specific concerns—like sensitivities, inflammation, or underlying conditions—that could affect how your skin responds to certain products or ingredients.
In the next few posts, I’ll go more in-depth about which products and routines work best for each skin type. Stay tuned—your best skin starts with the right knowledge.
1. Normal Skin
Key Signs:
Balanced oil and moisture levels
Few imperfections
Barely visible pores
Smooth, even texture
Rarely sensitive or reactive
How It Feels: Comfortable, not too oily or dry throughout the day
How It Looks: Healthy glow, minimal shine, few breakouts
2. Dry Skin
Key Signs:
Flaky or rough patches
Dull, tight, or dehydrated feeling
Fine lines more visible
Pores almost invisible
Prone to irritation in cold or dry weather
How It Feels: Tight or itchy, especially after cleansing
How It Looks: Matte, possibly ashy or rough in texture
3. Oily Skin
Key Signs:
Excess shine, especially on the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin)
Enlarged pores
Frequent blackheads or clogged pores
Prone to acne and breakouts
Makeup tends to “slide off”
How It Feels: Greasy or slick a few hours after cleansing
How It Looks: Shiny, especially by midday
4. Acne-Prone Skin
Key Signs:
Frequent whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules, or cysts
Scarring or post-acne marks (hyperpigmentation)
May also be oily or combination skin
Hormonal breakouts often on jawline or chin
How It Feels: Bumpy or painful in breakout areas
How It Looks: Inflamed or red in breakout zones
Note: Acne-prone skin is not a type, technically—it can be oily, dry, or combo—but it's treated like one due to its unique needs.
5. Sensitive Skin
Key Signs:
Easily irritated by skincare, weather, or even water
Redness, burning, stinging, or itching after product use
Prone to flare-ups (rosacea, eczema, etc.)
Can be dry, oily, or combination underneath
How It Feels: Tight, hot, itchy, or tingly after using new products
How It Looks: Red, blotchy, or uneven tone—may have visible capillaries
💡 Simple At-Home Test:
After cleansing your face with a gentle cleanser, wait 30–60 minutes without applying anything. Then observe:
Shiny all over? → Oily
Tight or flaky? → Dry
Shiny T-zone only? → Combination (a mix, often with oil in the center and dryness on the cheeks)
No major issues? → Normal
Red, itchy, or reactive? → Sensitive
Skincare needs and wants
🌿 Normal Skin
Goals: Maintain balance and protect your natural barrier.
Routine Basics:
Cleanser: Gentle, non-stripping gel or cream cleanser
Toner: Hydrating or pH-balancing
Moisturizer: Lightweight, non-greasy
SPF (AM): Daily SPF 30 or higher
(Optional: Add vitamin C in the morning and hyaluronic acid at night)
🌵 Dry Skin
Goals: Hydrate, nourish, and support the moisture barrier.
Routine Basics:
Cleanser: Cream or oil-based (non-foaming)
Toner: Alcohol-free, hydrating (look for glycerin, aloe, rose water)
Serum: Hyaluronic acid or ceramide-based
Moisturizer: Rich cream or balm, preferably with ceramides or shea butter
SPF (AM): Hydrating sunscreen
📝 Tip: Apply products on damp skin to lock in hydration!
💧 Oily Skin
Goals: Control excess oil without over-drying, prevent breakouts.
Routine Basics:
Cleanser: Gel or foam cleanser with salicylic acid or tea tree
Toner: AHA/BHA-based or niacinamide to refine pores
Serum: Lightweight, oil-free (niacinamide is great!)
Moisturizer: Oil-free gel or water-based formula
SPF (AM): Matte finish or oil-control SPF
📝 Tip: Don’t skip moisturizer—hydration keeps oil production balanced!
🔥 Acne-Prone Skin
Goals: Clear congestion, calm inflammation, and support healing.
Routine Basics:
Cleanser: Gentle but active (salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or tea tree)
Toner: Clarifying but non-irritating (witch hazel, niacinamide)
Serum/Treatment: Spot treatment or serum with benzoyl peroxide, retinol, or azelaic acid
Moisturizer: Non-comedogenic, lightweight cream
SPF (AM): Oil-free, non-comedogenic sunscreen
📝 Tip: Be patient—over-treating acne can cause more irritation and breakouts.
🌸 Sensitive Skin
Goals: Soothe, calm, and protect the skin barrier.
Routine Basics:
Cleanser: Fragrance-free, gentle milk or cream cleanser
Toner: Alcohol-free, calming (chamomile, calendula, oat)
Serum: Minimal-ingredient, calming formulas (like Centella Asiatica or allantoin)
Moisturizer: Fragrance-free, barrier-repairing creams (look for ceramides)
SPF (AM): Mineral-based sunscreen (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide)
📝 Tip: Always patch test new products and introduce one at a time.
What to expect with facials
Real Results Take Time—But They're Worth It
If you’re just starting to explore professional facials, first of all—welcome! You're taking an amazing step toward healthier, more radiant skin. But before you go into your first appointment expecting overnight transformation, here’s something every skincare beginner should know:
Facials are a process, not a quick fix.
🕒 Skincare is a Long Game
It’s completely normal to want instant results. We live in a world of fast everything—quick diets, 5-minute workouts, and yes, viral skincare products that promise a new face by morning. But I can’t express enough how much skin doesn’t work that way.
While you might leave your facial with a beautiful glow, the true, long-lasting benefits of facials come over time, with consistency and proper home care. Think of it like going to the gym: one session won’t transform you, but a regular routine will.
📊 Facials Are Just 20% of the Equation
Here’s a breakdown most people don’t realize:
Skincare is 80% what you do at home and 20% professional treatments.
That means what you do daily—like cleansing, moisturizing, wearing SPF, and using the right products for your skin type—is the foundation. Your facials support that by:
Deep cleansing beyond what you can do at home
Safely exfoliating and clearing out pores
Targeting concerns like acne, texture, or dullness
Providing pro-grade ingredients and techniques
Giving your skin barrier the support it needs to heal and renew
A deep hydration your skin is thirsting for
⏳ Results Worth Waiting For
When you commit to a facial schedule (usually every 4–6 weeks, depending on your skin), you’ll start to notice:
Improved texture and tone
Fewer breakouts or congestion
Brighter, more even skin
Better product absorption at home
A stronger, more resilient skin barrier
Over time, you’re not just fixing problems—you’re preventing them.
💬 Final Thoughts
Facials aren’t magic, but they are powerful when paired with good home care. You won’t see major changes overnight, but with patience, consistency, and the right support, you’ll start to notice your skin changing for the better—and staying that way.
Start now. Stay consistent. Your future skin will thank you.
Thank you so much for reading my second blog! 💛
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For those of you who have never had a facial from Spa del Mar before!!