Busy lifestyles can get in the way of our skincare routines, and it’s easy to go to bed without cleansing, or removing your makeup after a long night out. Unfortunately, this can wreak havoc on our skin, so it’s best to figure out a skincare routine that is so simple, you won’t be tempted to skip it!
But with a plethora of information on the best skin care products for dry or combination skin, acne prone skin or any other type of skin, how do you know where to start?!
Skincare foundations
Improving the look and feel of your skin can be effortlessly obtained with a simple and quick skincare routine. It can also be tailored to your skin type and lifestyle without putting a dent in your wallet.
How to decide with so many options
There are many different opinions and suggestions for skin care, and if you follow beauty bloggers or Instagrammers you will be even more aware of this. The arsenal of skincare products out there can be intimidating and slightly overwhelming.
Don’t let the overload of options discourage you from finding the perfect fit for you, as everybody's skin is different and what works for you won't necessarily work for someone else.
Find products that are right for you
Even if you have a similar skin type as someone else there are a variety of outside factors that affect your skin health.
Finding the right skincare routine can be an evolving process as skin changes with time, so the best thing to do is to know your skin and work towards finding the best solution for it.
Develop a routine
A good skincare routine doesn't have to be complicated, once you get used to the routine it will become second nature. Let’s take a look at the most basic skin care routine you can adapt to ensure you stay on top of caring for your skin.
Cleansing
Cleansing properly is the key to radiant looking skin, not only does it remove the build-up of grime accumulated throughout the day, it also increases hydration. Hydration is so important, as dehydrated skin can look older than it is, and have a rough texture.
Benefits of cleansing
- Frequent blushing or flushing which can come and go
- Controls overproduction of natural oils
- Helps maintain proper pore size
- Helps decrease visibility of fine lines and wrinkes
- Increases effectiveness of follow up products
Types of cleansers
Oil based cleansers
Oil cleansing might sound daunting, especially if you have oily or combination skin but fear-not, the right oil will help remove grime while also reducing the production of the skin's natural oils.
This reduction in oil production should encourage clearer skin. Make sure you rub the oil between your hands and apply in a circular motion to dry/ dirty face, with a hot damp cloth remove the oil from the skin. If wearing makeup double cleanse to ensure all of the makeup is removed.
Cream cleansers
The alternative to oil cleansing you can opt for an oil-free gentle cream-based cleanser like Sönd Clean Slate Cream Cleanser which has ingredients such as shea and cocoa butter which don’t strip the skin of natural oils. Ingredients such as extracts of marigold and chamomile will provide moisture and soothe your skin.
Tone
What exactly is a toner? Toners, for the most part, are simply a lotion or wash to cleanse the skin and tighten large pores.
Using a toner can add extra benefits to your skin especially for combination, oily skins and acne prone skin as it removes excess oil, dirt and reduces enlarged pores, redness and flaking.
Toner lifts up every last bit of makeup left over from cleansing, dissolving dead skin cells while providing another layer of moisture, and some toner is specifically designed to balance the skin’s pH.
Types of toner
There are many options in the market as well as natural options for toners, ultimately it's important to find the toner that works for you. Choose a toner with skin-repairing ingredients to hydrate your skin, and reduce the appearance of pores. It’s best to apply a toner with a cotton pad after every cleanse.
Skin bracers/fresheners
Usually containing little to no alcohol and more water and humectants locking moisture in the top layers of the skin like glycerine or rose water. Best suited for dry skin, normal skin and sensitive skin.
Skin tonicsThese are higher in alcohol content and also contain water and humectants like Orange flower water. Best suited for normal, combination and oily skin.
AstringentsThese have the highest level of alcohol content, antiseptic, water and humectants and can be damaging to the skin since as it can strip the protective layer of the skin.
MoisturiseAs there are so many moisturisers to choose from, this is where a skincare routine can get complicated! Eye cream, night cream, moisturiser with green tea, oil-free moisturiser, natural oils - the list goes on and on!
There are a lot of products on the market promising to do a multitude of things. Choose from some that match your skin type and budget, and try to get hold of samples to try out.
If you like the feel of the product on your skin and you don’t have a reaction to it then that’s a perfect choice for you.
Nourish to strengthen from withinLooking after your skin externally is not the whole of your skin care routine - you need to nourish your skin from within too! Dr. Sharkar says changing the way you eat can have a hugely positive impact on sensitive skin, and on your overall health.
A clean diet has multiple benefits including helping balance hormones which can affect acne.
Simple tips include eating organic vegetables, high-quality fats and foods with high antioxidant levels. Stay hydrated and drink 2 litres of water a day to help improve the look and feel of your skin.
Supplements
You can also try supplements to top up on the important minerals and vitamins that keep your skin healthy - silica, magnesium and vitamin C supplements are great for all-around skin strengtheners to help give you perfect skin.
UV protection
Being exposed to sunlight without protection can be harmful to your health and skin. UVA and UVB lights released by the sun can cause damage to your skin.
Sunburns and suntans are caused by UVB rays while UVA rays are responsible for premature ageing, uneven skin tone, brown spots and fine lines.
We advise using an SPF 30 or above broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect your skin against both UVA and UVB rays. Choose a sunscreen with zinc oxide as it’s stable in the sunlight and provides greater protection from UVA rays.
Avoid ingredients such as retinyl palmitate, retinol, vitamin A, and oxybenzone since they can be harmful to your health.
Don’t let the fear of sun damage affect the way you enjoy the sun, with a year-round skincare routine, proper nutrition, and hydration you can keep your skin looking vibrant, healthy and prevent
Principles to follow
What you put on your skin can have a big impact on it, either positively or negatively. The skincare industry is big and confusing with every company shouting about their hero ingredient or new product.
Below are principles for you to follow which will help you choose products right for you.
pH: Acidic or Alkaline?
When skin care products are applied to and absorbed by the skin they will push it to be either more acidic or alkaline.
We believe that for the skin to be in it’s best condition it needs a slightly alkaline environment of 7.3. It is in this environment that our cells can function at their best and properly defend against bacteria, regulate oily skin, strengthen sensitive skin and increase cell regeneration.’
Natural or synthetic ingredients?
Nature is an amazing thing, and provides us with the environment and nutrition we need to survive. It also contains some of the most poisonous substances, so not everything natural is good for us.
Within the nutrition that nature provides us there are imperfections which can cause irritation. Science has allowed us to remove these imperfections (allergens) from ingredients making them safer for us to use.
So, although nature provides us with the best nutrients, the use of science helps make them safer for us to use.