By now, the chances are high that you have some idea of your skin type. Whether you’re working with combination skin or it tends to be super-dry, your skin type serves as an important clue for how to treat your skin. But it’s just that — a clue. And it doesn’t mean your skin is the exact same every single day, either. Because while your skin type doesn’t change, other factors — such as the weather, your lifestyle habits, your sleep routine, and even where you live — can all impact it. Each new day can bring a brand-new state of your skin.

That’s why we’ve always liked to Take it Day by Day, Skin by Skin™. This approach is a way to acknowledge all the things that happen within and on your skin day in and day out. Maybe you’re waking up to way more oil than usual. Maybe the fine lines around your eyes look a little more prominent. (We see you, dehydration!) Perhaps there are new blackheads greeting you in the mirror. Whatever it is, consider it proof that skin has different needs everyday.

But how, you might ask, is that different from your skin type? Think of it this way: Your skin type is like a monthly calendar. That makes it easy to see big-picture stuff, like your sister’s birthday and an upcoming concert. Day by Day, Skin by Skin™, on the other hand, is everything scribbled in on the day-of, like a yoga session in the morning or night out with a friend. It’s the state of your skin on a much more micro level. You can take that key info — that is, how your skin feels when you wake up — and use it to determine how you can best care for it that particular day.

At Glow Recipe, our goal is to empower you with the tips and education you might need to listen to your skin. We want you to feel confident in creating a skin-care routine that works for you personally, since your skin, like you, is unique.

Ultimately, taking it Day by Day, Skin by Skin™ brings you a little closer to finding out what your skin wants, and how you can provide that for healthy, glowing skin.

How to Listen to Your Skin

A big part of taking it Day by Day, Skin by Skin™ is checking how your skin feels. The frustrating thing about skin, however much we love it, is that it can’t just tell you what it needs. (If only.) The only ways it can really communicate is by how it feels and looks, which you can use as clues. First thing in the morning — and with clean hands — assess your skin.

Touch it: Does it feel rough or smooth? Are there bumps from congestion or blackheads? Do you feel any flakiness?

Look at it: How does your redness look? Is your skin looking extra-shiny? Are there any noticeable lines or wrinkles?

Feel it: Aside from touching it, how does it actually feel? Do you notice tightness or itchiness? Does it have a raw sensation?

Take these as your skin telling you how it feels. You can use your findings to treat your skin on the spot based on our Skin Concerns Guide, but we recommend taking a moment to record what you learn with the Glow Skin Care Diary. It helps you track your habits and products, making it easy for you to get a birds-eye view of what’s working in your routine (and, in some cases, what’s not).

It can also help you identify patterns like, for instance, a lack of sleep contributing to dull skin, and notice fluctuations in skin during big life changes, such as a stressful new job or a move to a drier climate. That can add some predictability when taking your routine Day by Day, Skin by Skin™, which makes your life that much easier.

Assemble a Skincare Wardrobe

Take a good look at your closet: It probably has everything you need for any given weather forecast, event, or mood (or all of the above). The same should go for your skin-care routine, which is why we’re fans of creating a Skincare Wardrobe, which allows you to pick your skin-care products according to your daily needs. For example, you can choose the best face serum for what you need right now, whether that’s hydration or brightness. Or, if your skin is dry, cleanse your face in the A.M. with a nourishing cleansing balm. (Hey, cleansing is a big part of properly moisturizing dry skin — the more you know.)

This works both ways: Listening to your skin helps you figure out what products you need in your Skincare Wardrobe. Then, using products based on how your skin feels (and, importantly, having them on hand!) can make all the difference in solving your skin concerns.

Once you start treating your skin with the Day by Day, Skin by Skin™ approach, the glow won’t be far behind. It’s all part of your Skincare Journey, and we’re here to guide you along the way.