What better time to get into skincare than now, whilst you're stuck at home for the foreseeable future? This is the time to start your forever skincare journey.
Firstly, don't forget that everyone's skin is super different. One product that may be perfect for me, may not agree with your skin. When you're skincare obsessed and have cleansers and moisturisers coming out your ears, it's easy to want to incorporate as many products into a skincare routine as you can. But, if you don't do it in an effective way, you'll end up wasting product and time, waiting for results that won't come.
It's all about knowing what order to apply skincare products in, to ensure you're using them to their best potential. Formulas are created in a very specific way, to emphasise the benefits and ingredients in the products. So applying oil first wouldn't make sense, as you'd end up clogging your pores with excess oil before even getting started.
This breakdown can be used for both AM and PM routines, a basic and minimal, yet effective skincare routine. You can always swap products and brands in and out until you find the right combination. This will help you hit the basics but help feed and look after the skin too.
CLEANSER
For waking up or winding down, a cleanser is guaranteed to get your skin fresh and ready. Whether you're getting your skin prepped for the day or taking evidence of the day off, a cleanser will be your saviour and is guaranteed to wipe off all traces of makeup and dirt. (If you’re into a double cleanse, use an oil-based cleanser before a cream/gel cleanser, to ensure maximum potential and avoid leaving oil residue)
MY FAVOURITES
Glossier Milk Jelly Cleanser, La Roche-Posay Effaclar Cleansing Gel, The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser, Elemis Cleansing Balm, Fresh Beauty Soy Cleanser, Pai Rosehip Cleansing Oil, Verso Acne Deep Cleanse
TONER
Less harsh on the skin than physical exfoliators, an exfoliating toner is good to help swipe away dead skin cells to reveal a brighter, smoother complexion. If your skin is sensitive, it's important not to use every day to prevent irritation to the skin. Normal and oily skin types can cope with daily use of an exfoliating toner, as long as the formula is gentle on the skin such as the Pixi Glow Tonic. Balancing toners are used to soothe and nourish the skin, helping to prep it for the next steps in the routine, whilst evening out your skins pH balance.
MY FAVOURITES
The Body Shop Rose, Kombucha Antioxidant Essence, Origins Mega-Mushroom Soothing Treatment, Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, Skin Proud Fruit Smoothie Enzyme Exfoliator, Good Molecules Niacinamide and Vitamin C Toner
EYE CREAMS
Superheros exist. Eye creams are my saviour. There's not much that can help my dark bags under my eyes *other than sleep and water but who needs those?*, so eye creams are a great alternative so it feels as though I'm doing something to help. Incorporating an eye cream into your morning routine will help with puffy, tired, dull eyes, instantly brightening the undereye. Always tap and press the product into the skin, rather than rub the cream to promote proper absorption of the product.
*FUN FACT: The texture of your skin around your eyes and lips are the same, so you can use eye creams as a little lip balm too!
MY FAVOURITES
Figs and Rouge Illumination Eye Balm, Clinique All About Eyes, OLE HENRIKSEN Banana Brightening Eye Cream, Verso Eye Cream, Biossance Sqalane + Peptide Eye Gel, Skin Proud Icicle Serum Stick
SERUMS
Your skincare saviours. For the Winter, Serums often provide extra hydration to the skin. For the Summer, you get that extra glow going on. Serums are highly concentrated with active ingredients, so only a small amount is needed. Again, pressing the product into the skin will help it penetrate the layers easier, working to its full advantage. Vitamin C is known to be good for mornings, as it's an antioxidant which helps to protect the skin from environmental damage. The brightening properties help to illuminate the skin, whilst Hyaluronic Acid gives your skin the hydration it so desperately needs. Just before applying a hyaluronic acid-based product, spritz the skin with a hydrating mist or splash some water on your face. This makes the acid work more effectively as the HA molecules take the moisture and absorb it into the skin.
MY FAVOURITES
Glossier Super Bounce, Oskia Isotonic Hydra-Serum, The Body Shop Drops of Youth, 47skin Anti-Blemish & Scar Repair, Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum, MZ Skin Vitamin C
MOISTURISER
It's been there since day one and is most likely your first approach to skincare. Moisturised skin is healthy skin. It's always ideal to give time for your serum to have soaked into your skin, before applying your moisturiser (whether it's a day or night cream). Scented moisturisers/night creams are known to help induce sleep and relieve stress. Never forget to apply the product to your neck and collar bones.
MY FAVOURITES
Clinique Dramatically Different Lotion, MONUskin Moisture Rich Collagen Cream, Glossier Priming Moisturiser Rich, Context Oil-Free SPF Moisturiser
OILS
The last and heaviest step. The biggest misconception is that hydrated skin doesn't need additional oils, but with their ever-developing wellbeing properties, they are making their way back into our skincare routines. There are lots of different oils suitable for different skin types - which is a whole other blog post - so I suggest researching into which oil is best for your skin type, rather than what smells best or is popular on Instagram! Put a few drops into the palm of hands before warming and applying to the face. Use a pressing motion to help push the product into the face, helping lock in hydrating products.
MY FAVOURITES
Scientia Dusk & Dawn Elixirs, Figs and Rouge Revive Oil, Glossier Future Dew (Oil/Serum Hybrid, Jorgobe Hydrating Glow Serum, Dr Botanicals Moroccan Superfood Oil
SPF
Often forgotten about, but more than necessary - even in rain! UV rays can penetrate through windows so there's never a bad time to wear a UV based product. Take a few minutes to apply a UV-infused product onto the skin before your makeup, to give yourself extra UV protection throughout the day.
ANY SPF IS GOOD!
REN Skincare, Glossier , Purito, Supergoop! all do highly-rated SPF based products.
Hopefully, this gives you a little somewhere to start if you're considering implementing a skincare routine into your life.
Feel free to message me with any questions or product-specific questions!
If you'd be interested in skincare videos with product breakdowns then let me know - I've got the time...
Take care and stay safe everyone. x
*Skincare Acids article coming soon...
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