Below is our recommended skincare routine morning and night to address how many products you need and in what order they should be applied?
Morning Routine: Protect your skin
Please note if you are hitting the gym or the pool first thing, go and sweat then do your skincare routine. If you live in a cold climate and you are out for a run, pop some facial oil or moisturizer on to protect your skin then come home and do your morning skincare routine. If you do lunchtime classes you will need to repeat your morning routine and after work classes you would do your evening routine when you have finished sweating.
Step 1 – Cleansing is the most important step in your skin routine as this step will remove dead skin cells and bacteria build-up. We recommend using a non-foaming cleanser so you don’t strip your skin of it’s natural oils. Try using a balm, cream, gel, milk, or oil. Remove cleanser with a flannel as this is the best choice for the environment and your skin (disposable wipes are harsh on your skin as they contain strong drying chemicals that strip your skin of natural oils and they are not biodegradable).
Step 2 – Use an acid toner in the morning only, such as glycolic, lactic, or salicylic. It will gently exfoliate, balance the PH level on your skin, unclog pores and brighten your complexion.
Step 3 – Spray your skin with a non-perfumed hydrating flower or water mist that contains hyaluronic acid or glycerin for added hydration.
Step 4 – Gently apply your eye product around the entire orbital area, over and below your eyes.
Step 5 – Apply your serum by gently massaging a pea-sized amount into your face, neck, and decolletage. Leave to absorb before applying a face oil, however, skip this step if you are using an oil-based serum. Don’t waste your product warming it up on your hands.
Step 6 – Gently massage your moisturiser all over your face, neck, and decolletage.
Step 7 – Always finish with a broad spectrum SPF30 to 50+ during the day and if you are in the sun repeat every 2 hours. Start using this on your children as the majority of skin damage occurs in your first 20 years.
Evening Routine: Repair + Renew your skin
The evening doesn’t have to mean after dinner or just before bed to start your self-care routine, take advantage of the shorter days in winter and give your skin longer to repair and start your routine when you get home.
Follow the above steps 1 to 6, but double cleanse. The first cleanse will be to remove SPF and Make-up products. The second cleanse will ensure your skin is clean, balanced and ready for your serum.
Skip the acid step at night as using acids twice a day can be too much for some skins especially when using active ingredients in your serum. But you should be the judge of that as you know your skin.
If you are using a Retinol serum only use it in the evening as Retinol makes your skin more sensitive to UV rays and sunlight decreases the efficacy of the product. When applying to your face avoid the lips, eyes, and neck. Do not apply more than once or twice a week initially. This allows the skin time to acclimatise and reduces the risk of skin irritation. Gradually increase use over a 4 to 6 week period.
Suggested use by age:
20-30 - twice weekly
30-40 - three times weekly
40-50 - four times weekly
50-60 - five times weekly
60-70 - six times weekly
70 + - seven times weekly
It can take up to a month for the results as skin is renewed on average every 28 days - do not apply more frequently to speed up the process. Discontinue use should you have any skin reactions and consult your doctor if you are pregnant and or breastfeeding prior to application.
More tips for a glowing complexion:
Eat a balanced diet and don’t eat much sugar. Unfortunately sugar works to destroy your collagen and increase inflammation in your body which will damage your gut health. Try getting all the colours of the rainbow on your plate and up to 30 different types of fresh fruit and veg over the course of a week. Variety is the spice of life.
Drink plenty of water, your body is made up of around 60% water. We need to be hydrated to perform simple body functions and this includes our skin.
Try to avoid stress and frowning, this will age you. Read our blog here on tips for finding your zen.
Be sure to include your neck and decollete (upper chest) in your skincare routine, as Caroline Hiron says, “TITTT, take it to the tits”!
Quit smoking as it will dehydrate and age your skin. There is plenty of support out there to help you stop successfully and change your lifestyle habits for the better.
Get fresh air and exercise regularly. A new study has shown that keeping fit can have a lasting impact on skin tone. Researchers have found that the skin of active people aged over 65 closely resembled that of 20 to 30 year olds after just 12 weeks of exercise. Working out a minimum of three times weekly is enough to make you look younger and fitter.
Sleep is the elixir of life. Studies show our skin cells use sleep time to repair themselves. In particular between the hours of 10pm and 2am as the growth hormone has a sharp increase in the first third of your sleep phase. So not only is getting to bed on time maximising your 7-9 hour sleep opportunity but it’s also making you look younger. Read our blog here on tips for sleep hygiene.
Prevention is better than cure so look after yourself with a whole lot of self love, kindness and respect. Skincare is self-care and it is so important to make time for yourself everyday. It is too easy to get caught up in life’s commitments to everyone and everything and neglect yourself in the process. You deserve the very best in life, remember that.