Cleanse, WHAT and moisturise? The Elusive 2nd Skincare Step!

Remember growing up and being told that the skin is acidic and soap is alkaline and never the two should meet?  That an alkaline soap would not only get rid of make-up and grime but strip away the skin’s natural acid mantle and leave the skin susceptible to irritation, infection, dryness and dehydration?  That the only way to restore the natural balance of the skin was to use a toner but they contained alcohol and dried the skin out?  Thankfully how times have changed.

Nowadays, cleansers including soap formulations are so gentle, that the skin’s pH can relatively recover quite nicely on its own so another question mark for you…is there still any need for a toner (or whatever this second step is calling itself nowadays)?

Personally, I love to use something else after cleansing.  They make me feel super clean and I like to think my skin is now in tip-top condition to receive the serum.  I believe that they take care of the skin after the cleanser has washed away all the good and bad impurities on the skin (after a night’s sleep and after a day’s worth of cosmetics).

I first started using a toner when I was a little girl (because that’s what you did) and I have a feeling that it was Boots’ Cucumber Toner - which you can still buy (funnily enough, I can’t stand the smell of cucumber any more so the thought of it makes me shudder).   Clarins got me hooked in my twenties and I used to use their green one for combination skin and the art of toning became the favourite part of my skincare routine. I used to love blotting my skin with a tissue after use and then popping on my eye cream, serum and moisturiser.  Another favourite was (and I am going back a decade or more here) was a toning spray I used to buy regularly from Superdrug (their own brand), in a pale blue bottle, with butterflies or swirling bits on it - I really liked the smell.

Until one day, I stopped toning.  I can’t remember when I stopped but it’s only over the last few years that I started using one again (well, let’s not call it a ‘toner’ this time, as it’s more of a lotion).  I noticed at the time, that L’Occitane were heavily advertising their Immortelle Divine range and I excitedly cut the voucher out of the magazine which was offering a free sample of their Divine Lotion and marched into their lovely boutique. Tickled at the generous sample size (50ml), I couldn’t wait to try it.  My God, my skin (and my HUGE pores) looked better and it felt amazing after using it so I went out and bought the full size bottle (€49 for 200ml – lasts ages though).   I think it was the first product that I thought was really doing what the blurb said it would do.  Divine Lotion contains Immortelle.  It’s a flower that never fades when picked so imagine all its properties still working after being removed from its natural habitat.  What I initially noticed was that my skin was plumped up and supple, literally after the first go.  It took on a natural radiance and living up to its name, it smelled divine.  So, there you go, I was back into the groove of my skincare routine and haven’t looked back since.

Then, I worked for Shiseido and I noticed that it wasn’t cleanse, tone and moisturise; it was cleanse, soften and moisturise.  This lotion softens the top horny layer of the skin (stratum corneum, if you want the Latin) so allowing the next product to penetrate deeper into the epidermis and work its magic.  At present, I am using the Benefiance WrinkleResist 24 Softener which is designed for women 40+. This Benefiance softener is not only softening the skin and keeping it supple, this range targets wrinkles - making the ones you have less visible (with the help of Bio-Hyaluronic Acid) and making sure that future ones are resisted (protecting against UV).  Also I have to mention again Shiseido’s Future Solution LX range, which is the ‘bee’s knees’ and includes a softener that gently exfoliates, cleanses out the pores and gives a fabulous radiance to the skin.  Its €99 but so worth it.  If I had the money, it would be a constant on my bathroom shelf but sadly I don’t.

So would I save or splurge or not buy at all?   Well I have fallen in love again with the second step of my skincare routine so there’s no way I’m giving it up (again) and I will continue to purchase my divine Divine Lotion (or if I win the lotto – haha - Shiseido’s Future Solution LX Softener….I can alternate).  I do consider L’Occitane a ‘splurge’ at €49 but the bottle lasts ages.  If you want to go for something cheaper, then there are many decent toners and lotions out there with fabulous ingredients that will do the job just as well but at the end of the day, this second step product is being left on the skin (unlike a cleanser) so personally, I would definitely buy the second step product but save on the cleanser (unless you want your cleanser to do more).  It all depends what you want from your second step but its an important one.

Thanks for reading.  If you have any comments, then please do get in touch.  Until next week then…