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Great skin is not just a matter of good genes and DNA. Your daily habits, have a big impact on what you see in the mirror. That said, there is a dizzying number of opinions on everything from how to moisturise, to how to protect yourself from UV rays. Ultimately, caring for your skin is simply personal and it is important to go with what suits you and your lifestyle. We are going to strip it back and keep it simple, to help you build a good skincare routine.
Start With 3 Main Steps
Think of your skin-care routine as consisting of three main steps:
Cleansing // Washing your face.
Toning // Balancing the skin.
Moisturizing // Hydrating and softening the skin.
The goal of any skin-care routine is to tune up your face, so it’s looking its best, and also troubleshoot or target any areas you want to work on. As your skin needs shifts with age, so should your products, with an older skin needing richer products. Allow these three steps to become your daily ritual that fortifies your skin and grounds your day.
Give it Time
The science behind skin-care products has come a long way but there’s still no such thing as an instant fix. Results are only seen through consistent use. Generally, aim to use a product over at least four to six weeks, once or twice daily, to notice a difference. Skin takes 28 days to regenerate so this is the very minimum to see new skin and its results.
Once You Have Mastered These 3 Main Steps
Add in 2 more, bringing your routine to 5 main steps:
1. Cleansing // Washing your face.
2. Toning // Balancing the skin.
3. Treating your skin with a Serum // Treats skin issues and condition such as anti-aging, high pigmentation etc.
4. Moisturizing // Hydrating and softening the skin.
5. Protect with SPF // SPF protects the skin from developing fine lines, wrinkle & prevents premature ageing
Step 1. Cleanse Washing your face is the most basic and essential step of any routine. Our skin comes in contact with environmental pollutants, dirt and other factors each day that should be gently removed. Wash twice a day, morning and night, to avoid clogged pores, dullness and acne.
Find Your Facial Cleanser - The right formula cleanses your skin without stripping essential, healthy oils. Take it easy with exfoliating scrubs (use once a week) and avoid those with abrasive ingredients.
Step 2. Toner Think of them as supplements — these thin liquids deliver an extra shot of nutrients, helping the other products in your regimen absorb better, while still balancing your complexion. If you have the time and inclination, here are some hero ingredients to look for:
Alpha and beta hydroxy acids to gently remove dead skin cells that can clog pores, improve sun-damaged skin and minimize dullness.
Hyaluronic acid to boost hydration, seal in dewiness and plump skin to subtly treat fine lines.
Rose water and green tea to calm irritation and reduce redness with an anti-inflammatory effect.
Vitamin E and C to fight daily exposure to free radicals that can age your skin.
Step 3. Serum Simply put, serums are powerful skin allies. Filled with concentrated doses of active ingredients, these elixirs can mitigate a number of issues, from dark spots to wrinkles.
Hyaluronic acid to seal in hydration and strengthen the barrier function (the top layer of your skin) to prevent moisture loss.
Vitamin C to help brighten dull skin and decrease dark spots with continued use.
Retinol, vitamin B3, peptides to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, proteins in the body that help prevent lines and skin sagging.
Colloidal sulfur, niacinamide to calm redness and irritation by decreasing inflammation, and improve acne with its antimicrobial effects.
Step 4. Moisturise The most basic function of a moisturiser is to hydrate and soften the skin. Essentially, moisturisers assist in preventing water loss through the outer layers of skin, they can also complement the naturally found protective oils and other building blocks within the skin, such as ceramides. We recommend using a moisturiser year-round, for all skin types. Skin naturally loses the ability to retain moisture as we age and daily activities, such as washing, can strip natural hydrators from the surface. So this is to be considered with ageing skin. Everyone needs moisture, but the texture of your moisturiser will differ depending on your skin type, choose a moisturiser based on your skin type.
Step 5. Protect with SPF This step is often missed, but it is the most important. Daily and consistent sunscreen use helps to prevent the development of fine lines and wrinkles, textural imperfections, and changes in the appearance of pores over time. More importantly, daily sunscreen use can help to prevent the formation of certain skin cancers. To make it easy to remember, experts recommend using a daily moisturizer with a built-in SPF of at least 30.
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Not a Maker
If you love the idea of our product recommendations but you don't want to make them, we have selected our favourites online for you.
Cleanser
The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm
Ren Rosa Centifola Cleansing Gel
Elemis Rehydrating Rosepetal Cleanser
Toner
Elemis Balancing Lavender Toner
Caudalie Clear Skin Purifying Toner
Sukin Original Hydrating Mist Toner
Serum
Revolution Skincare London 10% Niacinimide + 1% Zinc
The Ordinary Matrixes 10% + HA
Q + A Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum
Moisturiser
Caudalie SOS Intense Moisturizing Cream
facetheory Amil C-Whip SPF 30 with Niacinimde & Vit C
Elemis S.O.S Emergency Cream Intensive Moisturiser
SPF
La Roche Posay 50+ Ultra Light Fluid
Disclaimer: This information and content does not replace that advice of a dermatologist or medical advice. Please seek medical advice if you suspect that you have a dermal condition.
Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Affiliate links come at no extra cost to you. These links allow us to share the products we authentically recommend (and use) and support our recipes by receiving a small commission.
