Think of your skin-care routine consisting of three main steps:

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Cleansing - washing your face

Toning - balancing the skin

Moisturising - hydrating & softening 

 

The goal of any skin-care routine is to tune up your complexion so it’s functioning at its best, and to target any areas you want to work on. 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 - you need time to reap the benefits. Results are only seen through consistent use. Generally, aim to use a product over at least six weeks, once or twice daily, to notice a difference.  

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Tip: With any skin-care product, apply in order of consistency - from thinnest to thickest. For example, cleanser, toner, serum, and then moisturiser.

 

Washing your face

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 crushed walnut shells or abrasive ingredients. 

 

Toner

Think of your toner as a supplement - these thin liquids deliver an extra shot of nutrients, helping the other products in your regime absorb better. Toners should be used after cleansing and before putting on anything else. Most formulas can be used morning and night, but you might want to use those with exfoliating acids only at night or every other day.  

 

Serums

Serums are powerful skin allies. Filled with concentrated doses of active ingredients they can help treat a number of issues, from dark spots to wrinkles. While there are “limitless options” to handle specific issues, here are some helpful tips and pointers:

 

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.

 

Moisturiser

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.

 

Creams you apply in the morning are equipped to protect your skin from the environmental aggressors you’ll face when you leave the house - many contain antioxidants to minimize pollution-based free radicals and sunscreen to shield you from ultraviolet radiation. They typically have a lightweight consistency. Night creams, on the other hand, focus on repairing any damage you might have picked up with ingredients like retinol to speed cellular turnover and counteract dark spots. These creams also replenish moisture levels, which naturally dip in the evening, with emollients that often create a rich, thick texture. 

 

Lastly...

 

Live Well ❤️

You can read stress on your face, literally, since high levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) can weaken your skin, bring on acne and even accelerate wrinkling. Stress affects the skin's barrier function, which reduces it's ability to absorb and retain moisture. Dehydrated skin looks dry and patchy and becomes flaky over time.

 

Good advice - exercise regularly, get rest, meditate or find ways to feel positive. The results will show!