Create a sumptuous and self care-led skincare routine that makes you and your skin feel beautiful.
A daily skincare routine is an important way to keep your skin looking and feeling healthy. “A regular routine helps keep me on track, motivated and accountable,” says Sarah Butler, Founder of Skinfood Naturally.
But with so many different skincare products out there, trying to figure out which ones are right for you can be overwhelming. Luckily, there are some simple steps you can take to create an effective skincare routine that is tailored to your individual needs.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through how to build a personalised skincare regime that will help give your skin some attention all year round!
Why have a skincare routine?
Caring for your skin has benefits that go beyond the skin. It’s about caring for yourself too. “My twice daily—morning and evening—skincare routine is part of my self-care time,” Sarah says.
While it’s only ten minutes each session, it’s all about the lasting impact throughout the day and night. “It makes me feel good, helps me to look healthy, and notice any changes in my skin that might be indicators of things I need to work on like dark bags meaning I need to improve my sleep pattern,” Sarah shares.
“My skincare routine also enables me to take time to focus on myself, which improves my mental health and sense of self-worth and maintains a level of self-confidence; both things that suffered when I was struggling with my hormonal acne,” shares Sarah. “I still get flare-ups, but the skincare routine time I spend helps me to notice the signs of a flare-up starting so I can manage it more effectively,” Sarah adds.
A regular skincare routine can offer physical benefits too. “Taking time to gently massage products into the skin helps to boost circulation and, in turn, cellular renewal, which results in healthier, radiant skin,” says Sarah.
“Making sure the products you use are natural means they contain ingredients that the body recognises and can use more effectively and that are going to improve your skin health and your wellbeing,” Sarah details. Taking time to really inhale beautiful essential oils will also benefit your mood as well as your skin when you apply the products.
3 Steps To Building Your Skincare Routine
“My skincare routine is simple, so that it easily fits into my day, regardless of what’s going on — so I'll always do it,” says Sarah. When creating Skinfood Naturally, Sarah wanted to help people do the same by creating science-led products perfect for a simple yet effective skincare routine.
Step 1: Cleanser
Cleanse your skin twice daily to remove dirt, debris and makeup. Doing so will help keep your pores clear and prevent build-up.
Step 2: Toner
Tone your skin to help balance the skin's pH levels, remove any remaining impurities and reduce the appearance of enlarged pores.
Step 3: Moisturise
Moisturise to keep your skin hydrated, nourished and healthy. Use a moisturiser specifically tailored to your skin type for the best results.
Step 1: Cleanse
Cleansing helps remove dirt, oil and other impurities from the surface of your skin that can cause breakouts or premature ageing.
Choose a gentle yet effective cleanser that suits your specific skin type; this could be anything from a foaming face wash to cream-based formulas. Remember to use lukewarm water when cleansing, as hot water can strip away natural oils and leave skin dry and tight.
It's also important not to over-cleanse as it can disrupt the pH balance of your complexion and impair the skin barrier function—twice per day is often enough!
An effective skincare routine starts with cleansing, so don't forget this all-important step.
Step 2: Tone
Once you've cleansed your skin, it's time to move on to the next step of your skincare routine: Toning!
Applying toner is a great way to prep your skin for applying the other products in your routine. Toners help to restore the skin's pH balance and remove any residual dirt and grime that your cleanser may have missed.
When choosing a toner, look for one with active ingredients such as witch hazel to help reduce inflammation and refine your pores. Make sure to choose a toner tailored to your skin type. If you have sensitive skin, opt for a toner with soothing ingredients like aloe vera or cucumber. If you have oily skin, choose a toner with mild astringents like witch hazel.
Applying toner post-cleanse is an easy and effective way to keep your skin looking and feeling healthy and hydrated.
Step 3: Moisturise
Now that you've treated your skin, it's time to move on to the final step of your skincare routine: Moisturising.
Moisturisers are essential in any daily skincare regime because they help keep the skin hydrated and protected from environmental damage like pollution or sun exposure. It's best to opt for a lightweight formula designed for facial use, as it provides enough hydration without feeling greasy or heavy.
If you have dry skin, choose an oil-based product containing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, which helps attract and lock moisture into your skin cells. On the other hand, those with oily skin can opt for a water-based moisturiser instead, as this won't clog up pores.
Whichever type of moisturiser you choose, make sure it suits your individual needs and provides all-round protection against everyday aggressors.
Sneak a peak at Sarah’s skincare routine
“I cleanse to clean dirt from the skin, tone to remove any residue and prepare the skin for the next steps,” says Sarah. “I use a serum which is concentrated with multiple beneficial fruit extracts and forms an active layer and then a cream to lock in the serum layer so it can do its work for longer and more efficiently, and the cream acts as a barrier to protect from daily damage,” Sarah details.
Both are applied using light but firm pressure, massaging in circular upward motions to stimulate blood circulation and prevent sagging skin. “Once a week, I'll use an exfoliator to remove dead skin cells and help the renewal process, revealing glowing skin,” adds Sarah.
Understand Your Skin Type
Before creating your own skincare routine, it’s important to understand your skin type. Consult with a skincare expert if you’re unsure about your skin type. Knowing your skin type will help you choose products and ingredients that work best for your skin.
Include moisturiser in everyone's basic skincare routine to help nourish and hydrate your skin. With this knowledge, you can create a tailored routine that fits all your needs—and start building the best skincare routine for yourself!
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The basic routine steps don't vary depending on the skin type, but if you have extremely dry or compromised skin, you might want to only use toner once per day and select a specially formulated toner for dry skin,” says Sarah. For example,
Skinfood Naturally Purifying Witch Hazel Toner has been specifically formulated to work gently on inflamed or compromised skin. “
For compromised skin, it's recommended to use gentle facial polishes to exfoliate rather than harsher chemical exfoliants or ones containing more coarse particles,” Sarah adds.
Choose the Right Products for You
When selecting the right products for your skincare routine, your options are vast. It’s important to consider your skin type and what specific skincare needs you have when shopping for items such as
cleansers, moisturisers, exfoliants and
serums.
Research each product thoroughly before making a purchase—reading reviews from other consumers can be an excellent way of gathering information about the potential benefits or drawbacks of a skincare product.
Everyone's skin is unique. While certain active ingredients might work wonders for one person's complexion, they could cause irritation to another's. As part of developing a successful routine, keep track of how different formulas interact with your skin so you can adjust if necessary.
Your skincare expert can also provide guidance on which ingredients may best suit your individual needs.
Create a Morning Routine
Creating a morning skincare routine is essential for keeping your skin healthy, vibrant and glowing. Starting the day with the right steps will help ensure your face looks its best all day long!
Here are some tips to get you started on the perfect skincare routine:
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First, always remove any makeup before going to bed each night, as it can clog pores and cause breakouts
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Start every morning by washing your face with lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser suited to your skin type. If you have dry or sensitive skin, opt for something hydrating that won't strip away natural oils. If you're oily or prone to breakouts, look for skincare products that contain fast-absorbing oils, that won’t strip the natural oils from the skin, resulting in further over-production of oil, but that will help to balance sebum production.
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Once your skin has been properly cleaned, apply an antioxidant-rich serum and moisturiser.
And there you have it—easy peasy steps towards beautiful skin!
Establish an Evening Routine
To complete your overall skincare routine, it's important to establish an evening skincare routine to help ensure your skin stays nourished and protected around the clock.
Before bedtime, wash away dirt, oil and makeup with a gentle cleanser. It's best to avoid harsh ingredients like sulphates or alcohol, which can dry out your skin. Next, apply a lightweight moisturiser formulated for nighttime to lock in hydration and keep skin looking supple come morning.
As well as cleansing and moisturising at night, you might benefit from adding other products, such as retinoids or overnight masks designed specifically for nighttime use. These special treatments can work their magic while you sleep.
Look for a combination of products that work best for your unique needs and lifestyle. Taking these steps now will help ensure you have beautiful and radiant skin every single day!
Incorporate Treatments and Masks
“Incorporating treatments and masks into your routine can really take it up a notch,” says Sarah.
Not only will this help to target specific skin concerns, but it also adds an extra level of indulgence and relaxation. Face masks work by deeply cleansing the pores with activated charcoal, hydrating them with clay or boosting exfoliation with lactic acid. Regular use of these products can result in glowing skin!
A Routine for Your Self and Your Skin
The key to a successful skincare routine is finding the right products tailored to your skin type. Start by determining your skin type, and then look for products that address any specific issues you may have.
Typically, a new skincare routine takes 28 days to work, as this is when the skin cells will naturally turn over. However, this can vary depending on age, medications and skin conditions, and you'll often see smaller improvements in the skin's appearance much sooner than this, often within 1-2 weeks.
Look for natural ingredients such as aloe vera or avocado oil, which can help soothe and nourish your skin. Use masks and treatments regularly to keep your skin looking its best.
Don't forget to give yourself some time each day, too. Moisturising, pampering and all-round self care are just as important to your skincare routines as the effective products you choose.
With these tips, you're ready to build an effective skincare routine that will leave you and your skin glowing.
