The art of layering: mastering the multi-step skincare routine by Queenie Singh

The 1st step to the 10th step of an expert skincare routine is wellrounded At Beauty by BiE Queenie Singh believes everyone should master the art of skincare discipline and commitment ldquoA routine has the capability to anchor and ground you as you navigate your hectic lifestylerdquo shares Singh Indias former Miss India and supermodel columnist and global wellness leaderSome people find it easy to stick to a CTM cleanser toner moisturiser routine while others are initiated enough to mimic the entire 10step Korean routine Wersquore the latter of course added Singh So letrsquos delve into the art of layering by creating your own personalized multistep skincare routineHello clean slateFirst and foremost a clean canvas is what you should be creating Begin with the Korean skincare ritual of double cleansing by reaching for a gentle and hydrating oilbased cleanser that melts away SPF and makeup Follow it up with a waterbased impurityextracting face wash that removes dirt sweat and pollutants Make sure your cleanser and face wash are both nonstripping so you donrsquot need a toner to rebalance your skinPowered up potionsTo get the most out of your layering process be really specific What skin concerns are plaguing you and which ingredients suit your skin the most Whether itrsquos hydration brightening or fighting signs of ageing serums essences and ampoules are full of potent actives that target and transformIf hyaluronic acid doesnrsquot work for you reach for vitamin E if tea tree oil is too slow switch to niacinamide Donrsquot give up easily Experiment with this step as much as you can to meet your ingredient matchesWink away your worriesWhile your eyes are the windows to your soul theyrsquore also the first place we see signs of ageing The delicate eye area comes with its fair share of other skin concerns like dark circles and puffiness Find a reliable allinone eye area gel that can brighten depuff and iron out fine lines and wrinkles Use your ring finger to apply eye treatments and be careful not to tug or pull the skinA highfive for hydrationIf therersquos a step you should incorporate every morning and night without fail itrsquos your moisturiser Seal in the benefits of your serum by layering on a cream thatrsquos right for your skin type and the season India tends to experience vastly different weather conditions depending on the geography so if you have oily skin it might benefit you to use a lightweight gel during the monsoon with hydrators like hyaluronic acid or aloe vera Shivering skin in the winter months Go for a thicker cold cream rich in fatty acids like squalane or almond oil and finish up your routine with a face oilShield up sunshineMake no compromises when it comes to your SPF It should be with you every step of the way like your very own guardian angel Physical sunscreens with broadspectrum UVA and UVB protection without comedogenic ingredients will suit all skin types Look for a sunblock with SPF 30 or higher and anything with or above a PA rating This will ensure you remain optimally protected and ready to take on your day If you intend to go to the beach your sunscreen should be waterresistant and oxybenzonefree to safeguard yourself as well as the environmentWeekly weaponsNow that you have the basics down feel free to expand your repertoire Start with the multitude of masks available in the market Clay sheet cream gel peeloff bubble and the list goes on Find the one that suits your skin and its concerns and apply it once a week to begin with Chemical or physical exfoliators up to thrice a week can help slough off dead skin cells and resurface fresher layers Whenever your skin needs a burst of hydration face and lip sleeping masks are good additions to your PM routineIf yoursquore feeling overwhelmed with all the steps keep this rule of thumb in mind start with washoff products and end with sealants moving always from a consistency of thinnest to thickest All good things take time so itrsquos important to remember to stay consistent with your routine and make room for enjoyment and experimentationAlso Read Indulge in creamy hot chocolate during monsoon at these Mumbai cafes in Dadar