By Clare Jennings
During the endless lockdowns during the pandemic, with so much extra time at home, a lot of people became enamoured with the idea of self care. Skincare sales went through the roof, and whilst I’m an absolute fiend when it comes to a beautiful skincare routine, it became very obvious that many people were merely buying whatever ‘life changing’ product was going viral at that moment. Regardless of if it was right for them and their skin type or areas they wanted to target.
This led me to believe that people wanted to take care of their skin, but needed guidance on how to choose the right products for them. And to learn how to construct a routine that will provide them with the best results for their individual needs.
So I’m starting a series on the different aspects of a skincare routine, based on skin type, target areas, budget and accessibility.
But first, let’s take it right back to basics. The three must haves in a skincare routine are: cleanser, moisturiser and SPF. If you don’t have the time nor inclination to faff round with serums and toners and treatments and masks, then making sure you wash your face, moisturise it morning and night, and wear sunscreen EVERY day. You’re going to see results, even if it’s just hydration and less sun damage.
And that’s great. You just need to make sure the products you choose are going to work with your skin type. That you enjoy using them. And they fit your budget. Do not go into debt buying expensive products. There are multitudes of great options for all budgets, and it’s important that you like using them. Imagine buying a $100 cleanser and finding yourself dreading using it because it just doesn’t suit your skin. Been there, done that. 0/10 do not recommend.
So here’s how I suggest you start out.
Oily skin. Gel cleansers are great for oily skin, they’re generally pretty gentle, but get the job done. I suggest washing your face twice at night - first wash gets rid of the bulk of makeup and SPF, second wash (with a facecloth is good) gets the rest off and leaves your skin clean and supple but not stripped. Then a gel moisturiser to add hydration and maintain a healthy skin barrier. SPF can be a little trickier, but there’s a great matte option from La Roche Posay that helps your oil production not go haywire, and has excellent SPF protection. Morning routine is just a single wash, moisture and SPF.
Incorporating exfoliation into your routine can make a significant difference, especially if you are looking for facial exfoliating products. A good face scrub can help slough away dead skin cells, promoting a brighter complexion and allowing products like moisturizers and serums to penetrate deeper into the skin. For those with oily skin, opting for a gentle face scrub that contains ingredients like salicylic acid can be particularly beneficial, as it can help to reduce excess oil and prevent breakouts. If you have dry or mature skin, look for a scrub with moisturizing components to avoid stripping your skin’s natural oils. Always be mindful not to over-exfoliate, as this can lead to irritation.
Dry/and or Mature Skin: You will benefit from richer cream products. I’d recommend a cream cleanser, a heavier moisturiser and an SPF that is a little ‘glowier’. There are lots of great options available for you. I can also recommend the non matte offering from La Roche Posay. To use the products, follow the instructions for oily skin - double cleanse at night, then moisturise. In the morning just a single cleanse is fine, then moisturise and of course, apply SPF.
Acnaic skin: For you it’s important to use products that help with acne, but don’t strip your skin or dry it out. Depending on how much your acne bothers you or how much you have, I suggest finding a cleanser that contains either salicylic acid, or benzoyl peroxide at 5% maximum. This will help with clearing bacteria, but not too harshly. Then a gel moisturiser with hydrating ingredients will protect your skin but won’t overdo the active ingredients in your routine. For SPF something like the matte offering suggested for oily skin will be good for you too. Follow the same process as the other skin types - double cleanse and moisturise at night, single cleanse, moisturise and SPF in the morning.
So that’s the basics. Next week I will delve into more extensive routines for oily skin, and continue the series over the next few weeks for the other skin types. Please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have. I’d be delighted to help you.
