Skincare

Skincare routine: where to start based on your skin type

Before buying anything, the first step of a good skincare routine is always the same: knowing exactly what type of skin you're dealing with. Many women use unsuitable products simply because they've never taken the time to do this simple diagnosis.

The 4 main skin types

There are generally four main profiles: oily skin (visible shine, enlarged pores, tendency toward blemishes), dry skin (tightness, dull appearance, sometimes rough patches), combination skin (shiny T-zone, drier cheeks), and sensitive skin (frequent reactions, redness, tingling at the slightest product change).

A simple test: cleanse your face in the morning, apply nothing for an hour, then observe. If it shines everywhere, your skin is probably oily. If it feels tight, it's more likely dry. If only the center of your face shines, you have combination skin.

The minimal routine that works for everyone

Regardless of your skin type, three steps always apply: cleanse, hydrate, protect. Cleansing removes excess sebum and impurities accumulated throughout the day. Moisturizing maintains the skin barrier, even on oily skin: contrary to popular belief, skipping this step often pushes the skin to produce even more sebum to compensate. Sun protection remains the most effective anti-aging measure that exists, well before any anti-wrinkle cream.

The most common mistakes

The most frequent one: combining multiple active ingredients (acids, retinol, vitamin C) at the same time, which irritates the skin instead of improving it. It's better to introduce one new active ingredient at a time, waiting at least two weeks before adding another. Second common mistake: changing your routine too often, without giving products time to show real results (allow at least 4 to 6 weeks).

Adapting your routine to the seasons

In Benin, as in the rest of West Africa, heat and humidity directly influence skin needs. During the dry season, drier air increases tightness even on normally oily skin: a richer cream may then become temporarily necessary. During the rainy season, the surrounding humidity may instead call for a lighter texture, like a gel rather than a thick cream.