In This Story:
Don’t we all wish skincare was a one-size-fits-all formula – no need for concern-centered potions, daunting regimens, and tedious treatments? But since that’s not the case, it’s important to customise a routine that tends to your specific skin type and needs. While this may seem overwhelming, at the very least, fret not; following a simple cleanser-serum-moisturiser-sunscreen routine can do absolute wonders for your skin.
The best part about indulging in a CSMS routine is that it is as simple as whipping up coffee or combing your hair. It’s quick, convenient, and an effective way of ensuring basic skin hygiene daily. But curating a regimen suited to your skin type and concerns isn’t as much of a cakewalk as you’d think – which is why we’re offering our assistance. The Nykaa team has customised a well-researched, concern-led CSMS routine featuring top-rated formulations for those grappling with acne, pigmentation, dullness, and signs of ageing.
A CSMS Routine to Fight Pigmentation
Those grappling with hyperpigmentation are in desperate need of active-infused formulations that tackle the concern head-on. Azelaic acid, kojic acid, and tranexamic acid are a few of the many ingredients that you’d find listed on the label of a pigmentation-curbing product.
CLEANSER: Neutrogena Deep Clean Gentle Foaming Cleanser
Slough off dead skin cells, dirt, and grime with Neutrogena’s high-performance offering. Constituting the very first step of your CSMS routine, this dermatologically-tested cleanser gently eliminates deep-seated dirt to leave your skin feeling super supple and nourished sans skin irritation or adverse allergic reactions.
SERUM: Murad Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum
The next step involves inviting a lightweight, albeit ultra-concentrated, formula into your skincare regime. Turn to Murad’s potent offering that boasts glycolic acid to address pesky dark spots via a patented resorcinol technology. Dr Murad’s solution targets hyperpigmentation, sun spots, melasma, freckles, and other skin discolourations within two weeks.
MOISTURISER: Lakmé Perfect Radiance Night Crème
Now comes a more luscious formula to seal in all the goodness. Lakmé’s Perfect Radiance Night Crème boasts niacinamide and allantoin to treat dark spots and dullness. Apply a generous lay all over your face before you hit the hay.
SUNSCREEN: Aqualogica Radiance+ Dewy Sunscreen
A concentrated concoction of watermelon, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and titanium dioxide to the rescue! These skin-loving ingredients intensely hydrate your skin while minimising the appearance of enlarged pores and fading acne scars. Another selling point is that the formula offers SPF 50 PA+++ for optimal sun protection.
SKIN BOOSTER: Nykaa Clay It Cool Perfect Glow Clay Mask
While this added step isn’t a part of your conventional CSMS routine, we thought we’d introduce you to a skin booster to help you leverage your 4-step formulas. Nykaa’s Perfect Glow Clay Mask will allow you to make the most out of your skincare routine by aiding in sun protection and scar reversal. Let’s take a moment to thank vitamin C!
- Use this skin booster not more than once or twice a week as the second step in your CSMS routine, post-cleansing.
A CSMS Routine to Fight Acne
Were you aware that a whopping 72.3% of Indian adolescents suffer from acne vulgaris – with it having a significant impact on their quality of life? If you, too, are a victim of stubborn zits, join the club. Reach for formulas imbued with salicylic acid, retinol, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid to banish adolescent and adult breakouts.
CLEANSER: Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser
A renowned skincare brand among those with sensitive skin, Cetaphil’s Oily Skin Cleanser deeply cleanses your skin sans stripping it of its natural moisture. Recommended by dermatologists, owing to its powerful blend of actives, including niacinamide, panthenol, and glycerine, the award-winning concoction restores epidermal moisture and improves water retention.
SERUM: Nykaa SKINRX Acne Rescue 2% Salicylic Acid Face Serum
Nykaa SKINRX’s 2% Salicylic Acid Serum delivers on its promise by eliminating blackheads and whiteheads, shrinking enlarged pores, and balancing sebum production. Ideal for oily and acne-prone skin types, trust this well-priced potion to make way for spotlessly clear skin while reducing inflammation.
MOISTURISER: d’you in my defence
Meet this barrier-building skin food with 20x more ceramides – founder Shamika Haldipurkar’s brainchild d’you caters to all skin types, including acne-prone skin. This non-greasy, weightless texture defends and fortifies your epidermal barrier, limits transepidermal moisture loss, prompts cell regeneration, neutralises oxidative damage, calms irritation, and the list goes on.
SUNSCREEN: The Derma Co. Ultra Matte Sunscreen Gel
Invite this instantly mattifying gel-based, broad-spectrum sun protection into your CSMS arsenal. The oil-free formula adequately shields against the sun’s UVA and UVB rays without leaving a white cast. Ensure you generously reapply the sunscreen every four hours, massaging it into your skin until absorbed.
SKIN BOOSTER: COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
Invest in this daily clarifying toner for improved skin vitality and skin texture. COSRX’s non-sticky formula gently exfoliates your skin, sloughing away impurities and controlling sebum production. It gets even better – all COSRX products are cruelty-free!
- Use this skin booster daily as the second step in your CSMS routine, post-cleansing.
A CSMS Routine to Reverse Ageing
All skin ages over time – it’s but a natural growth process. However, if you’d rather save up on exorbitantly priced, invasive treatments to stall or reverse this ageing process, consider our simple CSMS routine, perfectly curated with product recommendations for your concern. It’s time to turn to peptides, ceramides, retinol, and glycolic acid, among other active ingredients.
CLEANSER: Kama Ayurveda Rose & Jasmine Face Cleanser
Revel in the goodness of Ayurveda and rejuvenate your skin with Kama Ayurveda’s gentle face cleanser. It keeps your skin hydrated and nourished while removing light makeup, offering protection against pollutants and preventing blemishes and scarring.
SERUM: L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Triple Action Renewing Anti-Aging Serum
Attack fine lines and wrinkles and recharge your skin with L'Oréal Paris’ potent offering. Formulated with high-performance ingredients, this serum does everything from boosting skin elasticity and density to stalling the telltale signs of ageing. Lightweight and quick-absorbing, this hard-working potion penetrates deep into your skin to improve your overall appearance.
MOISTURISER: Lotus Herbals YouthRx Anti-Ageing Transforming Crème
Featuring a breakthrough Gineplex Youth Compound, Lotus Herbals’ YouthRx Anti-Ageing Transforming Crème is clinically proven to lift and firm your skin. Visibly reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles within a week, it’s also enriched with SPF 25 PA+++ for sun protection that helps keep premature skin ageing at bay.
SUNSCREEN: Clinique Mineral Sunscreen Fluid For Face
A broad-spectrum sun protectant is just what you need to halt skin ageing – so grab this before you regret it. When used as directed, SPF 50 can filter up to 98% of UV rays! Clinique’s high-end skincare offering is a no-nasties formulation that is ultra-lightweight, dermatologically tested, and fragrance-free. It’s safe for children and all skin types, including sensitive skin. What more can you ask for?
SKIN BOOSTER: Minimalist Vitamin K + Retinal 01% Eye Cream
Tend to your under-eyes with Minimalist’s inexpensive vitamin K, retinal, and caffeine-infused cream. Unleashing a multi-pronged attack on multiple skin concerns, vitamin K addresses dark circles, retinal targets mature lines, and caffeine limits puffiness. After completing your CSMS routine, apply a pea-sized amount of this skin booster to your under-eye region and gently massage it until absorbed.
- Use this skin booster daily as the fourth step in your CSMS routine, post-moisturising.
A CSMS Routine to Fight Dullness
Plagued by tired-looking, dull skin? Let power-packed actives take the stage. Allow a combination of natural-origin and active ingredients to battle the lack of skin luminosity. Our top-recommended CSMS staples promise to deliver on their promise; the proof is in the pudding – buy it to believe it.
CLEANSER: Plum Saffron & Papaya Glow Bright Face Wash
Saffron, papaya, and vitamin B5 join forces to fight against dull, dehydrated skin. While papaya enzyme gently exfoliates the skin to unclog pores, saffron enhances your inherent glow, and vitamin B5 soothes and nourishes the skin. Take our word for it – this clean beauty cleanser fits perfectly into your CSMS routine for brighter, radiant skin!
SERUM: Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex
Expose your epidermis to the goodness of seven serums, all in one! Estée Lauder’s coveted cult offering boasts tripeptide-32, with 90% of consumers claiming it results in a brighter, refreshed complexion. Exclusive tripeptide-32 helps optimise your natural 24-hour rhythm, protecting your skin by day and repairing it by night. Skin firmness, even tone, radiance, hydration, line reduction, and more, all in one bottle!
MOISTURISER: Olay Total Effect 7 In One Day Cream
Olay’s best selling product fights seven apparent signs of ageing. An amalgamation of green tea extract, pro-vitamin B5, vitamin B3, and vitamins C and E, the rich formulation revives, defends, and nourishes your skin throughout the day, perfectly placed at #3 in your healthy-looking skin CSMS routine.
SUNSCREEN: Deconstruct Gel Sunscreen
Why is the Deconstruct Gel Sunscreen any different than its competitors, you ask? It features a harmonious culmination of glycerine and phospholipids that maintain moisture levels in your skin. Besides being dermatologically tested, the weightless formula is fragrance-free, pH-balanced, and leaves no white cast on your skin.
SKIN BOOSTER: The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
We couldn’t find you a better skin booster than The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution, which gently exfoliates your epidermis to banish dullness and target signs of ageing. 7% glycolic acid and Tasmanian pepperberry balance and correct your skin tone and texture over time. Should we let you in on a secret? You can apply this water-based solution to your scalp to keep dryness at bay.
- Use this skin booster daily as the second step in your CSMS routine, post-cleansing.
Your best skin yet awaits you – and trust us, it won’t get any easier than a 4-step CSMS routine.
