A good skincare routine should involve a 360 approach: inside (diet, supplements, mindset), outside (skincare) and on top (SPF/makeup, if desired). I recommend a daily regime built around a nourishing cleanser, a serum for a concentrated blast of hydration and an SPF to protect against the sun’s damaging rays.
Anything you add on top of this will be determined by your skin type.
Step 1: Double cleanse daily
I regard double cleansing as one of the key steps to skin success. The first cleanse removes the oil, the dirt, the debris, and the SPF worn throughout the day, the second actually cleans your skin and addresses any skin goals or concerns. The type of cleanser you use matters too. Your twice daily cleanser should be a pacifying one, which means that it cleanses your skin thoroughly but is gentle on
the skin barrier. Active cleansers can be used 2-3 times a week, preferably in the evening, so think exfoliating acids such as lactic or glycolic acid, like Skingredients AHA Cleanser (€31) for brightening benefits or salicylic acids for addressing blemishes and congestion. No matter what type of cleanser you choose, make sure it’s removed thoroughly.
Step 2: Hydrate
Now you have a freshly cleansed face, it’s time to hydrate! This is where the biggest portion of your budget should be dedicated to. It is important to choose your serum based on the ingredients and the goals you have for your skin. I always select serums that contain vitamin A to re-educate the skin, hyaluronic acid to hydrate, and vitamins E and C for antioxidant protection. Topically, vitamin A is the only ingredient that can cause a physical change within the skin and repair DNA damage, and therefore using formulas including this hero ingredient can make a significant difference to the feel and appearance of your skin. The lead up to retinol (Vitamin A) should be gradual, with the goal to gently acclimatise your skin over a period of time to maintain optimum skin health. Overuse can leads to flaking and skin irritation. To prevent this, aim to build your skin’s tolerance to vitamin A products progressively. Serums should be applied after cleansing.
Step 3: Protect with SPF
SPF is the final and most important, non-negotiable part of your skincare regime. Not only does sunscreen help to protect you from potentially cancer-causing UV rays, but it also helps to slow the speed of ageing. Prolonged UV exposure triggers fine lines and pigmentation and can degrade collagen and elastin – two of the skin’s structural proteins that are responsible for helping the skin to ‘snap’ back into place. Be proactive and consistent with your application as advised by the Irish Cancer Society, that’s every single day, with 2 hourly re-application during the day.
What to remove from your routine
Facial wipes! Face wipes do not clean efficiently, leaving dirt and makeup to clog up the pores. They can also dehydrate the skin, causing irritation and redness! And possibly, eye cream. In general, I don’t believe that a separate eye cream is necessary if you have a serum or facial moisturiser that is safe for use under the eyes.
How to incorporate a new product into your regime
Start slowly! Let your skin get used to a new product before using it regularly. We all want fast results, but we need to ensure we are respectful to our skin. An example of gradual acclimatisation would be introducing actives like glycolic or salicylic acids 2-3 nights a week to allow you to see how your skin reacts before increasing usage. This is also the case with Retinols, start with a lower percentage that will suit even sensitive skin like Skingredients Retinol + B3 Anti-Ageing 0.6% Serum (€49). Slow and steady wins the race!
Now go forth and glow!
