We all dream of flawless, glowing skin, but with new products constantly hitting the shelves and the seemingly endless skincare advice out there on the Internet, it's not always easy to figure out the skincare routine that's going to work best for you.
Here are some tips to help you develop a skincare routine that works for you and, most importantly, one that you can stick to.
When you have too many products, it's easy to get overwhelmed. If you've been tempted by clever marketing to purchase every skincare product out there, then the thought of having so much to do every morning and evening can make missing it altogether the more appealing option.
Exfoliate your skin. We lose about 50 million skin cells a day, and without a little extra help, they may hang around leaving the skin looking dull. Don't stop with your face, the skin on your body needs exfoliation too.
When it comes to skincare, 'less is more' is a good rule to follow. If you apply too much moisturiser, the cream can clog your pores resulting in breakouts. Plus it's a total waste of your product and your money as your skin won't be able to absorb it all anyway.
The ideal place to store your lotions and potions in a cool, dry place and out of direct sunlight. Keeping them all together in some sort of container means you know exactly where they are, and there's no excuse for missing a step because you can't find a product.
If you don't apply your skincare products in the right order you could prevent them from being fully absorbed, which means they won't be as effective. The general rule is to apply the most lightweight formulas first so they can be easily absorbed without the barrier of heavier creams.
Your hardworking hands can be a dead giveaway to your age. Keep a jar of hand cream by every basin in your house, to act as a reminder to use it every time you wash your hands. Also keep a jar in your bag, to apply when you wash your hands when you're away from home.
There's no point in keeping your skin scrupulously clean if your tools (brushes, sponges etc.) are dirty. Wash these regularly and let them dry completely. Otherwise, you run the risk of creating a breeding ground for bacteria that will then end up on your face.
Particularly important on the back of the Covid-19 pandemic is breaking the habit of touching your face. It doesn't just spread bacteria and cause breakouts, it can lead to scarring, an increase in wrinkles and the spread of viruses.
With so many products to choose from, it's understandable if you've ended up with a cabinet full of half-used bottles and jars and you never know which one to use. Choose your most trusted products and commit to using them consistently for a month. Barring an adverse skin reaction, use the products daily and don't chop and change. After one month, you'll find you can change, add or remove products and it won't impact your whole routine because the basics will have become a habit.
Posted on April 13th 2021