If you are a skincare noob or just downright lazy, starting and sticking to a skincare routine can be one of the most difficult tasks. This is especially true for people with usually clear and problem-free skin. But if there is anything we have learnt from our experience in the field of beauty, it’s that a consistent skincare routine may not provide immediate results, but it sure bears some sweet fruits a few years down the line (yes, we are looking at you, ageing).
But if you find yourself giving up on skincare a few days after you start, then this article is for you. We invite to you take up the 4-week skincare challenge that will not only help you start a skincare routine, but also stick to it. Ready? Let’s begin…
Week 1
Cleansing forms the basis of a solid skincare routine, and therefore it only makes sense to start this skincare challenge with this step.
AM – Contrary to whatever you might have heard, it is important to wash your face in the morning as well. Sweat and dirt accumulate on your skin even when you sleep and therefore, washing your face is mandatory. You can use a gentle foaming face wash such as the Simple Kind To Skin Refreshing Facial Wash for this step. Next, apply a little bit of the Lakme Absolute Pore Fix Toner to balance the pH levels of your skin and seal it in with a pea-sized amount of the Pond’s Super Light Gel Oil Free Moisturiser. This will keep your skin supple and soft all day long. Finally, apply a generous amount of the Lakmé Sun Expert SPF 50 PA Fairness UV Sunscreen Lotion sunscreen all over your face, neck and chest area. Remember that no matter what you do or where you go, these four products lay a solid foundation for a good skincare routine.
PM – Even if you have had the most tiring day, cleansing and moisturising your face before hitting the sheets is really important, irrespective of whether you were wearing any makeup or not. Use the same face wash and moisturiser, and you will wake up to soft and glowing skin in no time.
Week 2
AM – Now that you have successfully completed week 1, it is time to move on to week 2. For this week, we will start with this amazing K-beauty inspired practice of double cleansing. Start with cleaning your face using an oil-based cleanser (you can even use some baby oil or coconut oil for this job). Next, wash your face with the same face wash you were using last week. PM – Repeat your morning cleansing process again and move on to exfoliating your face with the St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub. If you do not know the benefits of exfoliation, we suggest you give this article a read. Remember to be extremely gentle as over-exfoliating could damage the surface of your skin. Also, exfoliate your skin only two-three times a week.
Week 3
Firstly, congratulate yourself on having completed two weeks of this skincare challenge. We are sure by now you’re able to spot a few changes in your skin.
AM – For this week, it is time to introduce some serums and antioxidants in your skincare routine. Serums are brimming with active ingredients that do your skin a world of goodness and deliver quick results. For your morning serum, pick something like the Lakme Absolute Perfect Radiance Skin lightening/Brightening Serum as it is rich in antioxidants and will help boost the performance of your sunscreen and provide better sun protection.
PM - When choosing a serum for the night, pick something with healing properties. If your skin is particularly dry, go for moisturising serums. If you are dealing with dull skin, pick a serum with skin-brightening ingredients. Wear this under your moisturiser to allow it to properly sink into your skin. For an all-round performance, we suggest you opt for the Lakme Absolute Ideal Tone Refinishing Night Concentrate
Week 4
This is the last week of your skincare challenge, and therefore it is time you reward yourself a little. Apart from following all the steps mentioned above, you can never quite ignore an eye cream. This little baby helps reduce circles, puffiness and brighten up the eye area. Apply a little bit of the Lakme Absolute Argan Oil Radiance Night Revival Eye Cream in the morning and at night right after applying your serum.
Additionally, it would be smart to include a sheet mask such as the St. Ives Oatmeal Soothing Mask Sheet in your weekly skincare routine. Apart from being super relaxing and pampering, this masking session will revitalize and energize your skin to keep it looking soft, supple and glowing.
With this, we come to an end of your 4-week skincare challenge. If you follow these simple steps, sticking to a skincare routine won’t seem like a task. Promise.
Written by Urvi Dalal on Mar 30, 2020
Writer, avid reader and hardcore beauty enthusiast is the best way to describe Urvi Dalal. With over 5 years of writing experience in the beauty industry, you can trust her to have the latest skin, hair and makeup tidbits on her fingertips. In her time working as a beauty writer, she has had the opportunity to interact and work closely with a string of dermatologists, makeup artists and hairstylists. All that knowledge exchange, coupled with her flair and love for writing make it possible for her to bring you some authentic yet fun beauty content. When Urvi isn’t working, you’d usually catch her curled up with a big, fat book, drinking a cup of tea or practising her makeup skills; there is no in-between!