I'm sure we all know that we should be washing our faces well and often but with all the cleansers, toners, serums, and moisturizers out there how do you know which one is right for you? Well, for anyone wondering I hope this post gives you some insight!

Before I dive into this post though there are a few terms you should all know and the things that they do! These terms are:

Exfoliant
Cleanser
Toner
Serum
Moisturizer

Exfoliant

An exfoliant is a granular wash or scrub that you should use 1 to 3 times a week (depending on your skin type) before washing your face. Why? Because it removes dead cells away from the surface of your skin which makes it easier for your cleanser to unclog your pores.

Cleanser

Facial cleanser is a soap like substance that you use to remove any remaining makeup, dead skin cells, oil, dirt, and pretty much any other pollutants that could be on your face. This step unclogs your pores and prevents you from getting pimples!

Toner

This is a type of liquid lotion that is designed to cleanse and shrink pores. Best applied with a cotton ball or pad.

Serum

Serums are basically moisturizers without the air tight moisturizing ingredients such as petrolatum or mineral oils that keep water from evaporating. Serums also have less thickening agents such as nut and seed oils (most serums are actually water based eliminating the oil component all together). Why use it? Serum, like moisturizer, keeps your skin from being to dry or too oily. The only difference is the ingredients and the feel of it on the skin, it's so light and airy feeling opposed to how heavy moisturizer can feel but with the same result: silky smooth skin.

Moisturizer

Moisturizers are used to prevent your skin from becoming to dry or too oily. Moisturizers also make your skin soft and smooth.

And now that you know the works, let's talk about the best skin care routine for your skin type!

Oily Skin

If you struggle with the annoyance of a shiny face that somewhat resembles an oil slick, chances are you have oily skin. So how do you tackle it? Well the first step you should take is finding a good exfoliant, exfoliating is the best way to remove that build up of dead skin cells and other pollutants ultimately unclogging your pores, if you have oily skin you should do this 2 to 3 times a week.

Next you should use a gentle cleanser twice a day, but beware, any product that makes your skin tingle should be avoided. This is because the product most likely contains alcohol, and should be avoided because though you may think that its helping your skin by drying it and making it feel less oily, its actually just making matters worse. This is because by applying this right to the oil glands you're just causing them to produce even more oil!

Okay so you got your cleanser now what? Well now you're going to need an alcohol free toner. Toners like this help your skin heal, minimize pores, and remove any remaining dead skin cells.

Lastly before bed you should use a hydration gel, which is basically just a type moisturizer. This is because it simply provides hydration as well as heals your skin while you slumber.

Best products for your skin type?

From left to right: Exfoliating Scrub: $20.00, Liquid Facial Soap: $17.00, Clarifying Lotion: $13.50, Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel: $26.00 (all products available at Macy's)

Dry Skin

First things first: Warm water yes, hot water hell no. Sure that steam feels good but it's not good for dry skin. This is because hot water strips your skin of it natural oil that you need to trap moisture hence making your dry.

People with dry skin can use an exfoliating scrub but I wouldn't suggested considering your skin is already dry a scrub may make it irritated, so I suggest simply using a soft bristled electronic facial brush along with your cleanser . (Face brushes can be bought from Olay, Neutrogena, and Clarisonic) For those of you with dry skin I would reccomend a gentle moisturizing cleanser with no fragrance. This is because products with deodorant or antibacterial additives are harsh on skin. Same applies for a toner.

Next you need a serum and a hydration moisturizer. You need both because with having dry skin, serum works right at the source of the irritation for immediate relief and the moisturizer with keep you skin hydrated for the long haul, leaving it smooth and reducing flakiness.

Best products for your skin type?

From left to right: Soft Clean Facial Soap: $32.00, Perfectly Clean Toner: $20.00, Soft Clean Hydrating Lotion (serum): $32.00, Hydrationist Maximum Moisture Lotion (moisturizer): $44.00 (all products available at Macy's)

Sensitive/Normal Skin

For those of you that are like me and have sensitive or normal skin, you know what a hassle it is to find products to benefit you, at least in a set. But hopefully my next suggestions will help you! Firstly much like with dry skin you want to only use warm water because hot water can leave your skin irritated and splotchy.

Just like with dry skin, I wouldn't recommend using a exfoliating but just a soft bristled electronic facial brush along with your cleanser . (Facial brushes can be bought from Olay, Neutrogena, and Clarisonic)

Next you need an alcohol and fragrance free cleanser. Fragrance free is just my personal preference, but alcohol free is a must because like every other skin type alcohol will dry out your skin. Now the type of toner that works best for this skin type is oil minimizing which boosts the moisture in your skin while it minimizes oil. This is good for your skin because it reduces pores and replenishes your skin.

This next step you don't necessarily need but I like it and this is a sculpting serum. I use this in the morning opposed to moisturizer because it is so much lighter on my skin and leaves my skin feeling fresh! I also use it at night along with my moisturizer just for the added benefits of even smoother skin.

From left to right: Clarisonic Gentle Hydro Clenser: $25.00 (clarisonic.com), Olay Oil Minimizing Toner: $3.50, Olay Regenerist Micro Sculpting Serum: $21.94, Olay Active Hydrating Beauty Fluid Lotion: $6.49 (all Olay products available at Walmart)