I’ve always considered myself to be quite good when it comes to skincare over the years. I’ve never been one to go to bed still wearing my makeup and I ensure that I cleanse my skin and apply moisturiser religiously – but who knew there is a whole plethora of skincare regimes out there? Well not me anyway. It’s not that I didn’t know that serums and retinol exist, it’s just that I’d never really thought too much about the benefits of a good skincare routine that includes several layers and products.
It’s only really been recently that I’ve focused more on my skin, thanks to the pandemic. Being cooped up indoors has left my skin dry and when I’m at work I’m finding that the facemasks have been causing some spots to appear, in places that they never normally appear. It led me towards some research and well it’s opened up a whole new world to me, my latest obsession – skincare.
Not only has my skin been suffering from life in general but I’ve also been aware of the need to really start looking after my skin now that I’m in my forties. No longer is praising myself for creaming my neck as well as my face going to cut it when it comes to fighting the signs of ageing.
Here are some of the essential steps that you should be incorporating into your skin routine at the very least…
Cleanser
Your skincare routine starts with this stage. It’s really important to make sure that you’re cleansing your face properly morning and night and after workouts etc. I’ve found myself that if my facewash runs out, then straight away I’m prone to getting a spot if I don’t wash it properly. It’s one of the most important steps in your skincare to avoid breakouts and provide a base for all of the other products you will use. Aim to use a cleanser that is gentle on the skin but leaves no residue behind. Many people swear by double cleansing too where the first wash removes all of your makeup and the second wash ensures that your skin is really clean.
Toner
This is a step that I have often missed out on throughout the years and I haven’t been a repeat buyer of toners. They help to restore the pH balance to your skin and help to tighten your pores, giving your skin a smoother appearance as a result. Typically they contain acids, glycerin, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatories as well, so you can choose your toner based on your particular needs.
Serum
As serums are lighter in consistency, they absorb much better into the skin than moisturisers do. This was a step that I was missing before in my routine and one that I plan to not leave out in the future. The idea of using a serum is that you get a potent shot of ingredients straight onto your freshly cleansed face, that can be anything from vitamin c, hyaluronic acid, ceramides to name but a few. Your next step with your moisturiser will help to seal in the properties of the serum. This is the step where you might want to invest some more of your money.
Moisturiser
The number one reason that I’ve always worn a moisturiser is because my skin feels tight if I don’t apply it after washing. Not to mention that cream always feels lovely and comforting on the skin and a no brainer for me. Choosing your type of cream is very much a personal choice and will depend on a few factors, such as your skin type and what results you want to achieve from the moisturiser. Not only is it essential for keeping your skin supple by keeping it hydrated, it’s an important tool when it comes to tackling good old wrinkles.
SPF
I’ve been sporadic with my use of sunscreen on my face and I now realise that was a little foolish of me. I’ve bought face creams with added SPF but I’ve also used plenty without. When it comes to holidays and sitting in the sun, I’ve always slapped on the sun cream and worn sunglasses, not only to protect my face from burning but because I squint badly without sunglasses on! As a result I always have panda shaped eyes where my sunglasses once were and I’ve always filled in the whiteness with bronzer. However, I have a pigmented spot on my cheek that is proof that I haven’t always protected my face enough and I’ve not used a high enough factor to keep the UV rays away, which of course causes wrinkles, dryness, discolouration and skin cancer. So use SPF when you’re outdoors, even in the winter and especially so when using vitamin c and retinoids, as your skin will be more susceptible to the rays.
Of course the above steps are just your basics and you can of course incorporate a myriad of products such as eye creams, spot treatments and face oils. The key is to working out what best suits your skin and then to develop a routine where you can add various active ingredients to give your skin the best nutrients that it can get.
Nb. Collaborative post.
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